Sunday, February 23, 2025 – 7th Sunday after Epiphany / Lectionary 7, Year C
Epiphany Theme
The Light of Christ brings Hope and Life
Theme Write-up
written by Matthew Reece, Director of Music Ministries
The worship theme “The Light of Christ Brings Hope and Life” for the season of Epiphany 2025 invites us to reflect on how the light of Jesus illuminates our lives and the world with renewed hope and abundant life. During Epiphany, a season celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the nations, this theme draws from Scripture’s rich imagery of light breaking through darkness. From the star that guided the Magi to the prophetic declarations of Jesus as the “Light of the World,” we are reminded that Christ’s presence reveals God’s love, guidance, and salvation for all people. Through worship, we are called to celebrate this radiant hope, even amid life’s uncertainties, and to embrace the life-giving promise of Christ’s grace.
This theme also challenges us to embody the light of Christ in our daily lives. As we receive His hope and life, we are sent out as bearers of His light, reflecting His love and justice to a world yearning for healing and restoration. Through acts of kindness, reconciliation, and witness, we become part of God’s mission to dispel darkness and bring hope to those around us. The season of Epiphany is thus a time not only of celebration but also of transformation, as we are invited to live as Christ’s light in a world hungry for the hope and life only He can bring.
Call to Worship
Throughout the season of Epiphany, the worship service has begun with a sung Call to Worship. Have you stopped to think about the words that you have been singing each week and how they help center ourselves for worship? Below is the song we have used for the season.
Arise, Your Light Has Come!
ELW #314 | Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947 | Text © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc.,
Arise, your light has come! The Spirit’s call obey; show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
Arise, your light has come! Fling wide the prison door; proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light has come! All you in sorrow born, bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light has come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing, God’s pow’r will make us strong.
Ardor (Worship Musicians)
The musicians rehearse from 9:00 – 9:45 am every Sunday morning. All are welcome! The musicians for worship can find the service orders and music in the crate on the back pew in the sanctuary for each week of the month. Contact the office if you plan to help lead worship.
Sunday School
The Sunday class will be taking a break for the foreseeable future. Keep checking the publications for when the class will return.
Worship Information
Join us in-person for the weekly Worship Service at 10:00 am in-person or via Facebook Live if you are unable to attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsdavenport/). The service will later be uploaded to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintslutheranchurchdav1987) for your viewing. We will receive new members during worship.
If you would like the words for the worship service, contact the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) to request the information.
Introduction
Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided. Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-giving Spirit. It is a reflection of God’s glory revealed in Christ.
Prayer of the Day
O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury, pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Scripture
Genesis 45:3-11, 15 Joseph forgives his brothers
Many years after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph reveals himself to them. Now the second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph reassures his brothers that God has used their evil intentions for good to preserve life during a devastating famine, and Joseph forgives them.
Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 The lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace. (Ps. 37:11)
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 The mystery of the resurrection of the body
In the Apostles’ Creed, we speak of the “resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” Using the metaphor of a planted seed and the story of Adam, Paul preaches passionately about the mystery of following Christ’s perfect life into eternity.
Luke 6:27-38 Love your enemies
Jesus continues to address a crowd of his disciples. He invites his followers to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even on enemies and outsiders. Living in harmony with God’s intent brings the reward of overflowing blessing.
Fellowship Time
You are invited to stay after worship for refreshments and fellowship time in the gathering space.