1 THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS January 5, 2014 9:00 am WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Within these words in today’s Gospel lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God's grace and truth. Small children are welcome in worship “Busy bags” for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors. That room also has a speaker to hear the worship service. _______________________________________ GATHERING ______________________________________ Welcome Confession and Forgiveness (stand and face the processional cross) Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: Let us come into the light of Christ, confessing our need for God's mercy. Silence is kept for reflection. Pastor: God of peace, People: we confess that we are not at peace—with others or with ourselves. We bring to you all that tears us apart: discord in our families, violence in our world, our own conflicted hearts. In your mercy, mend us. Reconnect us to one another and to you. Let peace reign over all the earth, through the Prince of peace, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Pastor: In the Word who has come to dwell with us, God has given us grace upon grace: forgiveness that is stronger than our sins, love that can heal every broken heart. Hear this word of God's pardon and peace: in the name of + Jesus our Savior, you are free from all your sins. Rise, shine, for your light has come. People: Amen.
Transcript
1
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
January 5, 2014
9:00 am
WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Within these words in today’s
Gospel lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may
try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the
wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ
comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and
the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God's
grace and truth.
Small children are welcome in worship
“Busy bags” for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors.
That room also has a speaker to hear the worship service.
Confession and Forgiveness (stand and face the processional cross)
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Let us come into the light of Christ, confessing our need for God's mercy.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Pastor: God of peace,
People: we confess that we are not at peace—with others or with ourselves.
We bring to you all that tears us apart:
discord in our families, violence in our world, our own conflicted hearts.
In your mercy, mend us. Reconnect us to one another and to you.
Let peace reign over all the earth, through the Prince of peace,
our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pastor: In the Word who has come to dwell with us, God has given us grace upon grace:
forgiveness that is stronger than our sins, love that can heal every broken heart.
Hear this word of God's pardon and peace:
in the name of + Jesus our Savior, you are free from all your sins.
Rise, shine, for your light has come.
People: Amen.
2
Processional Hymn “Hear the Angels Sing”
Greeting
Pastor: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
3
Kyrie (All sing “Assembly” parts)
4
Hymn of Praise (Ensemble sings verses: ALL sing refrain)
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6
Prayer of the Day
Pastor: Let us pray.
All: Almighty God,
you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word.
By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
____________________________ SERVICE OF THE WORD _____________________________
First Reading Jeremiah 31:7–14
7For thus says the LORD:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim,
give praise, and say,
"Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel." 8See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here. 9With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. 10Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." 11For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 12They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
and they shall never languish again. 13Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the LORD.
Ensemble
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Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual
blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he
predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of
his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put
into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one
head, even Christ. 11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in
conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of
his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having
believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Alleluia Verse (All sing “Assembly” parts)
Ensemble
Ensemble
Assembly
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Holy Gospel John 1:1-5, 10-18
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 1st chapter.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with
God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in
him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what
was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave
power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of
God. 14And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only
son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me
ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed
was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,
who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Message
Hymn “The Word of God Was from the Start”
1. The Word of God was from the start,
The Word drove seas and land apart.
The Word made rocks and living things.
The Word raised up and brought down kings.
2. The Word became a child of earth.
The Word arrived through human birth.
The Word like us was blood and bone.
The Word knew life as we have known.
3. The Word of God was human-sized.
The Word by most unrecognized.
The Word by others was received.
The Word gave life when they believed.
4. The Word had first made flesh from sod.
The Word-made-flesh turned flesh to God.
The Word is working on flesh still.
The Word is spelling out God's will.
5. The Word shall be our life and light.
The Word shall be our power and might.
The Word above all wealth is priced.
The Word by name is Jesus Christ.
Writer: Thomas H. Troeger Tune: “From Heav’n Above to Earth I Come”
Sermon
9
Apostles’ Creed
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He 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 (Response to each petition)
Pastor: Jesus, our life and light,
People: hear our prayer.
Sharing of the Peace
Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And also with you.
Offering
Offertory Prayer
Pastor: Let us pray. God of abundance,
People: we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation,
and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need
until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen
__________________________ SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT __________________________
Invitation to the Meal
Pastor: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
People: We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth.
Pastor: We give thanks to you, loving Father, holy and Almighty Lord, eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who in the mystery of the incarnation took on human flesh for our sakes, that we might be saved and offer
him praise forever. Therefore, with angels and archangels, the saints in heaven and those on earth, we
glorify your name, praising you and singing:
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Sanctus “Holy, holy, holy” (All sing)
Words of Institution
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Lord’s Prayer
All: 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
Agnus Dei “Lamb of God” (All sing)
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Communion Distribution
Scripture says, “Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism says, “Holy Communion is the true body
and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us
Christians to eat and drink.” All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith
and who share our belief that the body and blood of Jesus are truly present in the bread and wine for the
forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord’s Table today. Children who have not received their first
communion are invited to come forward for a blessing.
As you approach the table down the center aisle, receive an empty cup from the cart. (Non-alcoholic wine is in pre-filled cups for
those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack)
Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar.
After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace.
As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables.
Distribution Songs “One Small Child” (all sing)
One small child in a land of a thousand
One small dream of a Savior tonight
One small hand reaching out to the starlight
One small city of life
One king bringing his gold and riches
One king ruling an army of might
One king kneeling with incense and candlelight
One king bringing us life
See Him lying a cradle beneath Him
See Him smiling in the stall
See His mother praising His Father
See His tiny eyelids fall
One small light from the flame of a candle,
One small light from a city of might,
One small light from the stars in the endless night
