Order of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP “My Daughter’s Morning” by David Swanger
OPENING SONG A Mighty Fortress is Our God
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
Our present help amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
with craft and power great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth without an equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
but there is one who takes our side,
the One of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus sets us free!
With mighty power to save
Victorious o’er the grave
Christ will prevail triumphant
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The powers of evil grim,
we tremble not for them;
their rage we can endure,
for lo! their doom is sure;
one little word shall fell them
That Word beyond all earthly powers
forever is abiding
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
for Christ is with us siding..
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth shall triumph still;
God’s reign endures forever.
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you…. ...and also with you
SONG Another World/All Shall be Well
Part 1-
Another world is not only possible,
She is on her way.
On a quiet day,
I can hear her breathing.
She is on her way.
Part 2 -
All shall be well.
All manner of thing shall be well.
All shall be well.
All manner of thing shall be well.
SCRIPTURE Isaiah 40:1-10a
READING “United Church of Christ Statement of Faith” (Please join in reading in unison)
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.
SONG OF PREPARATION Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of the Spirit, washed in Christ’s blood.
[Refrain]:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long
Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love
[Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I, in my Savior, am happy and blessed;
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with God’s goodness, lost in Christ’s love.
[Refrain]
SERMON Rev. Vince Amlin
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION You Will be Found (from Dear Evan Hansen)
Katy Lindhart, soprano
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
When in the past week did you see God at work? What concerns would you like to turn over to God’s care?
PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father/Creator/Parent, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
Amen
GIVE, SERVE, SHARE: Announcements
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
CLOSING SONG The Storm is Passing Over
Take courage, my soul, and let us journey on,
tho’ the night is dark and I am far from home.
Thanks be to God, the morning light appears,
the storm is passing over,
the storm is passing over,
the storm is passing over.
Hallelu.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The storm is passing over,
The storm is passing over,
The storm is passing over,
Hallelu
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
* * *
Service And Justice Huddle
Today After Worship
After service Sunday Jan. 26th, we'll be be gathering to plan out on our service and justice calendar for the upcoming program year. It's a time to touch base about on-going, upcoming, and potential opportunities to serve. It's also a chance to get the word out about ways you can be involved, and consider how to live into more of our values — like addressing housing needs in Chicago, and planning projects for kids, youth, and families. Please join us as we plan how to serve our communities!
Children’s Sunday School Is In Session!
We have Sunday school in 3-week units, so that the kids can explore stories for a longer period and get comfortable with each other and their teachers. Today will be our last session for this unit! Kids 4 and older are invited to go to Sunday School after passing the peace on those Sundays.
Valentines Giftcards for Sarah’s Circle
Feb. 9th
We are gearing up for our fifth annual Valentine’s Day gift card donations to residents of Sarah’s Circle, a shelter for single homeless women. We’ll be donating $10 gift cards to Target (in past years we’ve given McDonald’s gift cards, but a poll reflected that residents prefer Target). Virginia Gilbert is working on getting Target to supplement our donation, but in the meantime, your donations are appreciated! You can give via check, or donate online here (please mark your check or online payment for “Sarah’s Circle”).
We will be making valentines to go with the gift cards after church on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Janet Sung (violin) and Yasuko Oura (piano)
Feb 2nd at 7pm
Miss hearing chamber music concerts? Come hear Bethany's music director Yasuko Oura perform in a faculty recital with the violinist Janet Sung at DePaul University. The program will feature a charming early sonata by Beethoven, a haunting and intense sonata by a Turkish composer and pianist Fazil Say, and an epic (think lots of brilliant notes for days) violin sonata by Strauss.
When: Sunday Feb. 2nd, 2025 at 7pm
Where: DePaul University (2330 N. Halsted)
Cost: $15 standard, $10 seniors
Click here for tickets and more info!
Adult Sunday School
Feb. 2nd After Worship
How do we have hope in a burning world? Environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht coined the term "Solastalgia" in 2003 to describe “the homesickness you have when you are still at home”. The term combines the words solace and devastation into one to describe the human condition in the face of climate change. As we watch storms get worse and winters get warmer, how are we to tend to our souls as they mourn and adapt to new realities at rapid speed?
I believe faith and the church are called and equipped to help us wrestle with this emotional reality in the midst of climate change. What’s the role of hope in the face of climate change, what’s the right amount of action for us to take as individuals and communities, how do we mourn an ecosystem while adapting to its new face?
If these are some questions you’re interested in exploring, or if you just want to talk with others about how to live with the reality of climate change, I would love to have you join us for Adult Sunday school in February!
Creation Justice Small Group
Every Other Tuesday at 7
Our Green Team is joining Faith in Place’s Thriving Faiths Community this upcoming year! We will be seeking to lower our energy usage by 5-25% while making our building and practice more sustainable. We’ll be meeting twice a month to tackle these goals every other Tuesday at 7 pm!
Playing With Fire: After Church Worship Workshop For Kids
For the month of February, we want to invite the children of Bethany to help lead worship! We're going to teach the kids how to acolyte (light the candles) and help with other parts of the worship service. We'll gather after church each week in February for about 15 minutes for a little lesson and practice. Then the kids will be invited to help each week with at least one part of worship (if they want). Please join us!
February Book Group: James by Percival Everett
Feb. 5th
Join us for our next book group on Feburary 5th! We’ll be reading James by Percival Everett: James is a retelling of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) from the perspective of Jim, an enslaved Black man whose escape parallels and overlaps with young Huck’s journey. In this retelling, Jim escapes to a nearby island, but he's very quickly joined by a local boy, Huckleberry "Huck" Finn, who has faked his death in hopes of getting away from his abusive father. The chain of events sets Jim and Huck off on an adventure down the Mississippi River, resulting in a variety of colorful, dangerous and at time tragic encounters as they make their way down the river. Meanwhile, Jim has his own goals of finding a way to free his wife and daughter. He also has to keep himself and Huck alive in the process, as well as to preserve his dignity and reclaim his identity.
To join us in reading, sign up here!
COFFEE HOUR
We’ll have coffee hour on every second and fourth Sunday of each month! Click here to lock in a date you're willing to host. Reminder, we make the coffee and you bring treats to share!
