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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
February 8, 2026
Pastor Leonard Bolick
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to our service today! May God richly bless you as you worship here. If you are visiting for the first time this morning, we ask that you please sign the guest register found in the narthex.

Gathering music
P: Welcome and announcements
Musical Prelude “an exortation to praise” smith
(Remain seated during prelude)
GATHERING: We have been gathered by the Holy Spirit.
*(As the music begins, we are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)
*Gathering song “holy spirit, ever dwelling”
elw #582
*greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
P: *confession and forgiveness
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, Xone God,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
the Word who spoke life into being,
the Wind stirring the waters.
Amen.
Let us turn in confession to the one who knows us completely.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Mighty God, lover of justice,
you call us to life in community,
but we have served our own interests
at the expense of our neighbors.
We have sown deceit where honesty was needed.
We say the right words,
but our hearts are far from you.
Turn us to seek your face.
Knit us together and give us the mind of Christ,

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*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

that we may do justice, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God.
The former things have passed away,
and new things God now declares:
Like a spring of water that never fails,
God covers you in the righteousness of Christ,
and forgives your sin in XJesus’ name.
May the Spirit give you strength to live for others,
and bless you with the gift of peace.
Amen.
Amen.

P: *Kyrie

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CANTICLE OF PRAISE

Assisting Minister

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray….

(The congregation may be seated.)

Children’s message

Word: God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

First Reading Acts 9: 1-22
Three times the book of Acts describes Paul’s conversion. This telling, coming between Philip with the Ethiopian and Cornelius’s conversion, sets the stage for extending the gospel to the Gentiles.
A reading from the ninth chapter of Acts
1 Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the

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Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

second reading Galatians 1: 11-24
Here Paul himself tells of the prologue to his becoming the great apostle to the Gentiles. He admits his former blindness, seeing the contrast as an avenue for the greater glory of God.
A reading from the first chapter of Galatians
[Paul writes:] 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin, 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when the one who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with any human, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days, 19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. 20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into

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the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Assisting Minister: Psalm 67 (sung in unison)
1 May God be merciful to | us and bless us; may the light of God’s face | shine upon us. 2 Let your way be known | upon earth, your saving health a- | mong all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise | you, O God; let all the | peoples praise you. 4 Let the nations be glad and | sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the na- | tions on earth. 5 Let the peoples | praise you, O God; let all the | peoples praise you. 6 The earth has brought | forth its increase; God, our own | God, has blessed us. 7 May God | give us blessing, and may all the ends of the earth | stand in awe.

P* Gospel Acclamation

P: *Holy Gospel luke 21: 10-19
The third gospel contains several short apocalyptic passages, which helped to encourage readers who, in the decades after the resurrection, were experiencing persecution for their faith. Paul had found himself on both sides of such persecution.
The Holy Gospel according to the twenty-first chapter of St. Luke
Glory to you, O Lord.
10 [Jesus] said to [the disciples,] “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom;11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

Praise to you, O Christ. (The assembly is seated.)

Sermon pastor leonard bolick

*hymn of the day “let us ever walk with jesus ” elw#802

P: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession
Assisting Minister: United with the great cloud of witnesses throughout the ages, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
Grant humility to your church, O God, that we honor the testimonies of those who seem unlikely witnesses to your work. Remove from us all prejudice, opening us to wisdom that challenges and extends more widely the church’s ministry. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

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Bless the earth and bring forth its increase. Rescue lands from famine and disease. Send aid to places rebuilding after earthquakes and storms. Support the work of scientists, conservationists, and all who seek to preserve the goodness of creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Nation rises against nation, O God, even as we pray for your peace. Bring an end to international conflicts and religious persecution. Ensure fair and equitable treatment in courts of law. Give integrity to legislators and those who enforce the law. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Show us the depths of your mercy through the work of caregivers, advocates, and health care workers. Give strength and patience to those who accompany others through times of illness, uncertainty, or pain. Bring your saving health to those in need. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We thank you for gifts of food, water, and nourishment. Bless farmers and restaurant workers, bakers and grocery store workers, food pantry volunteers and family members who cook daily meals. Encourage us to share food with those who are hungry, that they regain their strength. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We praise you for the saints, especially Paul, and for all believers who have been transformed by your love and power. Lead us by their endurance and example. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: In the company of your saints we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your eternal mercy and love; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

*Sharing of the Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Offering /noisy money (You may remain seated.)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful response for all God’s gifts.)
Offertory “cantabile” conley

*Lord's Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father, 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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Sending: (God blesses us and sends us with gifts of grace in mission to the world.)

P: blessing
May the triune God,
who has put a new song in your mouth
and tuned your heart for praise
Xbless you now and forever.
Amen

*sending song “I want to walk as a child of the light”
elw#815

*Dismissal-assisting minister
Go in peace. Do justice. Show mercy.
Thanks be to God.

Postlude “praise the Lord who reigns triumphant” paxton

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Barry Cline by Karan Cline

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Barry Cline by Karan Cline

Beginning in February, the noisy money offering will be collected only on the second Sunday of each month. For those of you who are unaware of what the children’s noisy money supports, their collected money goes toward ELCA Good Gifts. This ministry supports eighty countries around the world with honeybees, cows, goats, chicks, piglets, seeds, etc. that will enable people to be self-sustainable. If you are interested in learning more, just search for ELCA Good Gifts on the internet.

The remaining 2025 offering statements were mailed last week. The 2026 offering envelopes are on the table in the parlor. Please check the altar flower and sanctuary lamp calendars to see if there are available dates you would like to sponsor. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

The music and worship committee will meet after the worship service today. Be prepared to discuss Lent/Easter activities and services.

WELCA is collecting items for the Lenoir Soup Kitchen during the month of February. Items needed: napkins, paper towels, plastic eating utensils, Dawn dishwashing liquid, dish towels, cleaning supplies, toilet tissue, and heavy duty paper plates and bowls. You may place your donations in the cart in the narthex.

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship
Music and Worship Committee Meeting
After church service
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday 6:00 p.m. WELCA Meeting
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 8:00 p.m. A.A.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Sunday Servants February 8th

O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world. Grant that we may follow his example and be witnesses to the truth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Amen.

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