The Service in PDF format is at: January 2, 2022 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.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Dan Johnson
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Haley Bentsen, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Aaron Bentsen, Oscar Gutbrod, Reese Grube, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd
AS WE GATHER………………. Have you tired of those Christmas gifts yet, or are you still enjoying them? God gave Solomon the gift of wisdom. God’s wisdom was a gift Solomon displayed vividly at times, but at other times, it seemed he had regifted it. In Jesus, we see the gift of God’s wisdom on full display when He is found in the temple, at age 12, asking questions and providing answers beyond His years. God continues to reveal His wisdom to us through the Bible. What is your plan for connecting with God and His wisdom this year?
RINGING OF THE BELL
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection
Pastor: Most merciful God,
People: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Pastor: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, Have mercy.
P: For peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, Have mercy.
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God. And for the unity of all , let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, Have mercy.
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, Have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord
C: Amen
P: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
C: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever, Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray ……..
C: Amen
Pastor: Let us Pray. Lord, we pray for daily bread. Thank you for the abundance You provide in our lives. Help us to know the ways You have made us rich beyond measure. Grow us in wisdom more and more each day to discover and fulfill the purpose to which You have called us. In Jesus’ name.
People: Amen.
THE scripture lessons
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.
9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.
14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You O Christ.
Words: Public Domain ; Music: Public Domain
The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Chorus: Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Chorus
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a king was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went
Chorus
This star drew near to the northwest
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay
Chorus
Then entered in those wise men three
Full rev’rently upon the knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense
Chorus
SERMON
“Wisdom for 2022”
People: We believe in one God,
The Father, The Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
Of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
The only Son of God,
Eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from true God,
Begotten, not made,
Of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven;
By the power of the Holy Spirit
He became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
In accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
And his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the world to come. Amen.
Pastor: Let us go to God in prayer for ourselves, for God’s people around the world, and for all people in their various circumstances.
Lord, we pray for this New Year that is here, that You continue to bless us, Your people chosen before the foundation of the world, so that we may be a blessing to others. Fill us with the wisdom of Your Word. Lead and guide our visioning, goal setting, and planning so that we have a positive impact in our world both now and for eternity. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Lord, we pray for all who lead—in government, in the public and private sectors, and in Your Church—that they lead with Your wisdom so that the decisions they make are in line with Your will for all people. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Lord, we pray for all who are hurting, grieving, and struggling in their heart, soul, strength, and mind, [especially . . .] that they experience Your dear, sweet love for them as You lead, guide, and provide for them. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Lord, we pray for those who are beginning this year with goals to read the Bible and learn more about You, that You connect them with Your people so that, as with Philip and the Ethiopian, there is someone to help them understand the mystery of Your will. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your dear love; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
P: The Lord Be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
PROPER PREFACE
P: It is indeed right and salutary …. We praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might: Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
LORD’S PRAYER
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
COMMUNE TOGETHER
C: Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell ev’ry-one what he has done.
Let ev’ry-one who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy with sounds of thanksgiving.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Pastor: We give You thanks, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in Your mercy you would strengthen us, through this gift, in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
P: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and …+ give you peace.
C: 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!
Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God.
Announcements
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.
