Commanding Unclean Spirits is our worship theme for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, January 29th. Our focus scripture is Mark 1:21-28. This is Mark's account of the first teaching that Jesus offers and the first healing that he performs. In both cases Mark emphasizes Jesus' authority. Unlike ordinary teachers of the law, Jesus teaches with the authority of one who knows the mind of God. While his listeners are amazed, an unclean spirit in one man knows exactly who Jesus is. And unlike ordinary healers who can do nothing with such a power, Jesus commands it to come out -- which to the astonishment of everyone, it does.
In this service we will reflect on the state of our nation and the unclean spirits like fear, greed, desire for power, refusal to compromise, and anxiety over trust that plague our life together. What does Jesus say to them? How does the Church speak his words?
Our Call to Worship will be based on Psalm 111. It rejoices in the goodness and reliability of God that is the key to casting out unclean spirits. Please feel free to use or adapt anything useful for your worship in this post.
Call to
Worship (from Psalm 111)
L: Praise God!
P: Let our
hearts ring with thanks as we worship together!
L: For our God amazes us. Natural wonders arrest
our attention.
P: Majesty and
beauty shine from God’s handiwork.
L: The integrity of creation calls to our souls.
P: God gives us
mercy and grace.
L: Within the shelter of God’s covenant, God
blesses us…
P: With food…
L: With promised land…
P: With
trustworthy wisdom that creates justice and peace.
L: God redeems us and keeps covenant with us
forever.
P: Truly God is
holy and awesome!
L: Respect for God is the foundation of wisdom.
P: All who know
this are ready to live!
All: Praise
God forever and ever! Let us worship God.
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