GREETING

KYRIE ELW p. 213

CANTICLE OF PRAISE Glory to God ELW p. 213

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty and ever-living God, with mercy you look upon our weaknesses. Stretch out your wondrous hand to protect us from danger and restore us to health, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

CHILDREN'S SERMON

FIRST READING: 2 Kings 5:1–14

Elisha tells Naaman, a Syrian general, to immerse himself in the Jordan River to be cleansed of his leprosy. Initially refusing to do this humble act, Naaman eventually obeys and is healed, revealing not the magic of the water but the power of Israel’s God.

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. 2Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 4So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5And the king of Aram said, "Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel."
He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. 6He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy." 7When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me."
8But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." 9So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. 10Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." 11But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. 13But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean'?" 14So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 30

1I will exalt you, O LORD, because you have lift- | ed me up
and have not let my enemies triumph | over me.
2O LORD my God, I cried | out to you,
and you restored | me to health.
3You brought me up, O LORD, | from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down | to the grave.
4Sing praise to the LORD, | all you faithful;
give thanks in ho- | ly remembrance.
5God's wrath is short; God's favor | lasts a lifetime.
Weeping spends the night, but joy comes | in the morning.
6While I felt se- | cure, I said,
"I shall never | be disturbed.
7You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong | as the mountains."
Then you hid your face, and I was | filled with fear.
8I cried to | you, O LORD;
I pleaded with | my Lord, saying,
9"What profit is there in my blood, if I go down | to the pit?
Will the dust praise you or de- | clare your faithfulness?
10Hear, O LORD, and have mer- | cy upon me;
O LORD, | be my helper."
11You have turned my wailing | into dancing;
you have put off my sackcloth and clothed | me with joy.
12Therefore my heart sings to you | without ceasing;
O LORD my God, I will give you | thanks forever.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

Using the athletic imagery of a runner and a boxer, Paul illustrates to the Corinthians how Christians have a focus committed to the ministry of the gospel, so that their victorious goal is not individual glory but eternal life for all.

24Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; 27but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia ELW p. 216

GOSPEL: Mark 1:40–45

The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus cures a leper and asks him to tell no one but a priest, in accordance with Levitical law. Though Jesus performs miracles, his identity as Messiah will not be understood until the cross.

40A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." 41Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" 42Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY: God, Whose Almighty Word ELW 673

CREED

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

As God's beloved people made radiant by the light of Christ, let us pray for the church, the whole human family, and God's good creation.

Wash us in your cleansing grace, as daily we return to our baptism. Heal your church of the love of power, and humble us to your service for the sake of the hurting world. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Look with kindness on your creation, and restore wholeness to rivers and seas, deserts and forests, farmland and wilderness, that the hearts of all living things may sing their thanks for generations to come. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Open the minds of national leaders to your wisdom. Give courage and voice to those who are oppressed, unjustly imprisoned, exiled, or disregarded because of gender, color, or creed. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Stretch out your mighty and gentle hand to those who weep because of grief, illness, anxiety, or hardship of any kind especially…... In your lovingkindness, bring them joy in the morning. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Give us perseverance in ministering in our congregation, community, synod, and the wider world, that we will not grow weary or discouraged, but remain confident of your sustaining presence. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

You are the faithful helper of those who now rest in your peace. Bring us also to life eternal, that with all the saints we may give you thanks forever. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Holy God, we lift our prayers to you in hope, entrusting all for whom we pray to your great goodness and mercy, made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

PEACE

OFFERING

CANTICLE OF THANKSGIVING Salvation Belongs To Our God ELW p. 219

THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD

Let us pray.
O God of justice and love,
we give thanks to you
that you illumine our way through life
with the words of your Son.
Give us the light we need,
awaken us to the needs of others,
and at the end bring all the world to your feast;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory forever.
Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER

BLESSING

SENDING SONG: The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve ELW 551

DISMISSAL

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our 9:30 a.m. worship service is now being taped and available on DVD upon request. Those who are unable to come to the worship services due to health issues may also request a copy of the service brought to their home. For more information, contact the church office.

We welcome those who are visiting with us. Please take time to sign the registration book or the guest register in the lobby and introduce yourself to Pastor Troike. We hope that you will find our worship edifying and our congregation warm and receptive. We are glad that you are here.

Pastor Troike officiated at the funeral of Robert Cook on Monday at Young Colonial Funeral Home. A luncheon in the fellowship hall was provided for family and friends by St. Peter’s women following the committal. May God comfort those who mourn in the hope of the resurrection.

The congregation will provide a worship service with Holy Communion at Regency on the Lake Nursing Home on Monday at 2:30 p.m. This is part of our nursing home ministry to four area facilities.

Marks of the Christian is the Book of Faith daily devotional being used during the Lenten season. If you would like to reserve a copy, sign up on the bulletin board outside of Pastor’s office. There is also an optional weekly study begin Monday, February 27th at 7 p.m. for those wishing to join others in reviewing this daily devotional.

Our Annual Wild Game Dinner is on Saturday, February 18 at 6:00 pm. The delicious food will include "wild game," but for the less adventurous, other choices of meat will be available. There is still time to sign up in the lobby. See you there!

St. Peter's Ladies will have a luncheon on Thursday, March 1 at noon at Achatz’ Restaurant in St. Clair. All women are invited to join the fellowship. Sign up in the lobby if you plan to attend.

St. Peter’s will again be issuing education scholarships to applicants from our church and community. Applications are available in the church office and are due by March 31. Late applications will NOT be considered.

The Attic Angels will be having their Attic and Bake Sale on May 10 and 11. Clean and salable items may be placed on the wooden table in the church basement. Please do not bring any computer equipment or large appliances. No items can be purchased until April. At that time, there will be a date announced for the congregation to purchase items prior to the sale for the public in May. We can always use extra help to organize and price items. If interested, please call Jennifer at 329-9656.

First United Methodist Church in St. Clair is hosting a concert by Christian artist Paul Saik on Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 pm. See the poster in the lobby for more information.

Hey everyone, its Summer Camp time again! February 15th is our first registration deadline. Payments must be paid in full and handed into Tamara by February 13th. We want everyone who has a desire to be a part of the Christian camp fellowship and to grow in their faith with other youth their age. Call Tamara at 810-278-0995.

The deadline for the March newsletter is February 15.

Mugs for sale! If you would like a St. Peter’s mug, they are available in the office. The cost is $5.00.

There is a sign up sheet in the lobby for anyone who would like to play in the church softball league. See Tom Duemling for more details.

SERVING TODAY: Greeter: Nancy Green; Ushers: Louis Eisen & Bob Beier; Lay Reader: Dawn Lambrecht; Acolyte: Alison Tackaberry; Projectionist: Marty Green

IN NEED OF PRAYER: Linda Eggert, Dee Moore, Delores Cook, Dennis Rocker, Larry Boden, Mary Forys, Mary Rose, John Folk, Marilyn Pegg, Bob Barr, Pat Sass, Sherry Schultz, Pr. Peter Perella, Harold Convis, Jim Shafran, Paulette Lindsay, IaLee Ritter, Bill Mau.
WEEKLY CHURCH CALENDAR
Monday

Regency
2:30 pm

Tuesday

Chimes 7 pm

Wednesday Prayer
9:30 am
Bible St
10 am
Confirmation
6:30 pm

Thursday

Choir 7 pm

Friday

Pastor’s day off
Saturday
Worship, Communion
5 pm
Wild Game Dinner 6 pm

Sunday
Bible Study
8:15 am
Sun.School, Worship,
9:30 am
Youth 10:30