The Service in PDF format is at: January 8, 2023 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
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.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors. Offerings may be placed in the plates by the doors as we exit the sanctuary.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
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, Callie Santora, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Nora Stanley, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek
Today, January 8, 2023
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Audrey Bond
Flowers Audrey Bond (In Memory and Birthdays of Loved Ones)
THEME: Today we will hear about the time God made Himself known to the Gentiles—the Magi. The gift of Jesus means that God came not just for a few but for all—Jew and Gentile. We gather to give thanks that God shows no partiality but has provided salvation for all through Jesus.
CHORAL ANTHEM “Come, Follow That Star”
and we must follow,
a star in the east and we must follow,
There’s a star in the east and
We must follow if we want to find the love
Of the tiny child.
Follow that star, come,
Follow that star.
.
There is a star in the east
and we must follow,
a star in the east and we must follow,
There’s a star in the east and
We must follow if we want to find the love
Of the tiny child.
.
Sent from heaven above,
He will change the world with His love!
We must find Him.
We must follow that star.
.
Kings and travelers come from afar.
Filled with hope and wonder they are.
Seeking ever, doubting never,
Led by that shining star.
.
O, star of wonder, star so bright,
Guide us through the dark of night.
Now we seek Him,
Soon to greet Him,
Tiny child of truth and light.
.
There is a star in the east
and we must follow,
Follow that star.
There is a star in the east
and we must follow,
Follow that star.
.
There’s a star in the east and we must follow
If we want to find the love
Of the tiny, holy child.
Come, follow that star.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Leader: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Leader: 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 ~~~~~
Leader: 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.
Leader: God, our heavenly Creator, hears the prayers of all people and answers those prayers. Our prayer for forgiveness is answered in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sin that we might have new life. By the command of Jesus, I forgive you all of your sins—in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: 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.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, Have mercy.
Leader: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
People: Amen
THE HYMN OF PRAISE
Leader: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
People: 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.
Leader: Let us pray. O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the nations.
People: Lead us, who follow Your Son by faith, to rejoice in the brightness of Your eternal kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS
The mystery long hidden has been revealed in Jesus Christ.
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
The Wise Men follow the star and come to worship Jesus.
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You O Christ.
John Henry Hopkins Jr.; Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain
We three kings of Orient are:
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain moor and mountain
Following yonder star.
.
Chorus: O star of wonder star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain:
Gold I bring to crown Him again.
King forever ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Chorus
Frankincense to offer have I:
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him God on high.
Chorus
Myrrh is mine its bitter perfume:
Breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing sighing bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Chorus
Glorious now behold Him arise:
King and God and sacrifice.
Alleluia alleluia,
Earth to heav’n replies.
Chorus
SERMON
“The Next Step after Doubt: Leaning”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
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 to the dead.
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 Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting. Amen.
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: O blessed Lord, we give You thanks that the mystery once hidden has now been revealed. We thank You for the clear message that Jesus has come for all people. Grant us boldness so that we may proclaim with confidence this saving Gospel and prepare the hearts of those who hear so that they may believe in Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Gracious Father, we pray for our partner in ministry—Zion Lutheran School. We pray that the children take delight in learning about Your creation and Your love found in Jesus. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Blessed Savior, You have made Your Church to be the home of all people and bid us welcome the stranger in Your name. Bless our life together around Your Word and Table and bless those who serve us with this ministry on Your behalf. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Loving God, Your Son came to grant us healing, comfort, and peace sufficient for all our needs. We cry to You on behalf of (names…and) those we name before You in our hearts (moment of silence). We pray that their suffering be relieved, their sorrows find comfort, and their hearts know the fullness of Your peace. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Grant to us all things needful and keep from us all things harmful, O Lord, for we trust in Your goodness and in Your mercy, through Jesus, our Lord.
People: Amen.
THE 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
BENEDICTION
Leader: Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
CLOSING SONG: “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
By: Graham Kendrick; ©1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Lord, the Light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth You now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.
.
Chorus: Shine, Jesus, shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow, Flood the nations with
grace and mercy.
Send forth Your Word, Lord,
and let there be light.
.
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness,
Shine on me, shine on me.
Chorus
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,
So our faces display Your likeness;
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirror’d here may our lives tell Your story,
Shine on me, shine on me.
Chorus
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
Upcoming Dates. The memorial service for Bob will be held on January 21st at 11:00 am. The memorial service for Dona will be held on February 4th at 1:00pm. Please embrace your church family here at Peace during this challenging time.
Wednesday Bible Study. The Bible is not so much like a magazine that can be skimmed and put down. The Bible is more like a mine that needs to be carefully searched. All are welcome to our mining expedition of I Timothy. We’ll be meeting in the fellowship hall on Wednesday, January 11 and Wednesday, January 25 at 2 pm. Just bring your Bible and an open heart for discovery.
Eat, Chat, Pray. You are cordially invited to join us for Eat, Chat, Pray every Wednesday morning at 7:30 am in the fellowship hall. Our group is growing, please join us.
Salmon & Jazz Dinner. This year the Philomath Rotary Club is bringing back the Salmon & Jazz dinner. It will be held on February 18 starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner will be your choice of salmon or chicken. The high school jazz band will perform and there will be a silent auction and will be lots of fun for everyone. It will be held at Philomath High School. Tickets are $35 and are available from Daniel.
