The Service in PDF format is at: December 26, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
AS WE GATHER………………… Simeon and Anna rejoiced when Mary and Joseph brought week-old Jesus to the temple. He was physical proof that God was keeping His promises made centuries ago. Firstborn males had to be consecrated to God because He had spared them at the time of the exodus. Today is the Sunday after Christmas, and we focus on how we exhibit love, forgiveness, and peace, thanking God for His promises kept.
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SONG OF PRAISE “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”
By: Rick Founds © 1989 and this arr. © 1990 by Maranatha! Music
Lord, I lift Your name on high,
Lord, I love to sing Your praises.
I’m so glad You’re in my life,
I’m so glad You came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth
to show the way,
From the earth to the cross,
my debt to pay;
From the cross to the grave,
from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift Your name on high.
Lord, I lift Your name on high,
Lord, I love to sing Your praises.
I’m so glad You’re in my life,
I’m so glad You came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth
to show the way,
From the earth to the cross,
my debt to pay;
From the cross to the grave,
from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift Your name on high.
Pastor: O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen!
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament: Exodus 13:1-3, 11-15
The Lord said to Moses,
2 “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.”
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No l
11 “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you,
12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord’s.
13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
14 And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.
15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’
Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:22-40
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,
37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “What Child is This?”
Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898, Tune: English Ballad, 16th cent.
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through
The cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him,
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
the virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.
SERMON
Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God and all people according to their needs.
Wonderful Counselor, direct us in all our doings with Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation. O God of our salvation,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Mighty God, You created this world and everything in it through Your powerful Word and still take care of it. Continue to watch over and work through all who lead and serve our nation, state, and local communities. Lead and guide all first responders and members of the military as they carry out their duties to protect and serve. O God of our salvation,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Everlasting Father, You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We ask for Your encouragement, healing, and care for all who are struggling with their health, [especially . . .]. Heal the broken hearts of those who grieve the loss of those close to them. O God of our salvation,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Prince of Peace, we praise and thank You for the peace we have in You. Empower us and all of your missionary people to embrace the opportunities You give us to share the gift of Your redemption. O God of our salvation,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We trust, O Lord, in Your great mercy to hear and answer us; through Jesus Christ, our newborn King.
People: Amen.
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
Pastor: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.
People: Amen.
Pastor: The Lord be with you all. The blessing of almighty God—the Father, the X Son, and the Holy Spirit—abide with you, now and forever.
People: Amen.
CLOSING SONG “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Text: African American Spiritual, refrain; John W. Work II, 1873-1925, stanzas, alt. Tune: African American Spiritual; setting : Hugh Porter, 1897-1960
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
The Shepherds feared and trembled
When lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
Pastor: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
New Year’s Eve Service. Please join us on New Year’s Eve for a celebration of Hope for 2022. The service will be a great opportunity to sing and join with one another to welcome in the new Year.
Starting the YEar seeking unity. On January 9th we will start a new five-week Bible Study journey about Forgiveness. Please join us at 9:45 in person in the sanctuary or online via Zoom.
Portals of Prayer. The new portals of prayer books starting in January are available in the narthex. If you would like, please take one.
Freezer Meals. This past week the Freezer Meal team go together and prepared many more meals. A big thank you to everyone who participated. If you find yourself wanting to try the wonderful meals prepared by the team, please help yourself or ask Daniel for assistance.
Backpack Ministry. The Peace Lutheran Backpack Ministry is busy planning a work party to fill more backpacks and reusable grocery bags on Saturday, January 1st ( yes, New Year’s Day) from 1pm-4pm at the church in the fellowship room. We are collecting non-perishable snacks, toiletries, recycled clean ziplock bags 2 quarts- 2 gallon, and men’s socks to help this effort. We are hoping to put together at least 50 bags! If you would like to join in this effort, either through donation or coming to the work party, please email Diane Crocker at [email protected] In the event of snow, please use your judgement on safety on whether to come or not ( ex: do you live close ?) Please email Diane if you have planned on coming to help out, but cannot due to road conditions.
Holiday Service Schedule
Dec 31 – Hymn Sing and celebration of the New Year.
Jan 2 – Communion Service in the Sanctuary – 10:00
** Note the time change **
