The Service in PDF format is at: December 29, 2024 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.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Anne Schroeder & 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, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl
Today, December 29, 2024
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Carole Gutbrod
Flowers Kay Glathar (in memory of Bob)
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.
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Leader: If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
People: and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
~~~~~ Silence for reflection ~~~~~
Leader: Before we join in our Christmas celebration, we clear the way by confessing our sins and hearing once again God’s gracious words of forgiveness……
People: We admit that we are sinners, Lord. We sin in our thoughts, words and actions, by things we have done and let undone. We especially recognize our fear of the future wanting to know and control our future, rather than trusting You for what is to come. Forgive us when we forget Your promises for our future. Make clear to the eyes of our hearts that our future is in Your loving hands.
SONG OF CONFESSION “White As Snow”
(twice through)
White as snow, white as snow,
Though my sins were as scarlet
Lord, I know, Lord I know
That I’m clean and forgiven,
Through the power of your blood,
Through the wonder of your love,
Through faith in you, I know that I can be
White as snow.
Leader: God knows our fears, our failures to trust him for the future, and in Christ assures us of his forgiveness. I therefore in Christ’s stead announce the free and full forgiveness of all your sins, 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.
Leader: 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 LESSON: Exodus 13:1-3, 11-15
Every firstborn Israelite male must be redeemed, remembering the exodus.
13 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 leavened bread shall be eaten.
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.’
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Simeon and Anna praise God when they see the baby Jesus.
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.
Leader: 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 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 holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.
Leader: 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.
Leader: 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.
Leader: 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.
Leader: 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.
Leader: 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
Leader: 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.
Leader: 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 HYMN: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
Text medieval Latin carol; tr. John M. Neale , 1818-1866, Tune: German carol, 14th, cent.; ©1978 Lutheran Church in America, The American Lutheran Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
Good Christian friends,
rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
.
Good Christian friends,
rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss;
Jesus Christ was born for this
He has opened Heaven’s door
and we are blessed forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
.
Good Christian friends,
rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave;
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Call you one and calls you
all to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW YEAR DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE………… Portals of Prayer devotions are available in the entrance way to the church. These are short insights based on Scripture to help guide you each day. We have plenty available. Start the New Year in a positive way!
JANUARY NEWSLETTERS ARE AVAILABLE SOON………… The January newsletter will be available this week. Most people receive these newsletters digitally via email or on our website. Let Dan know if you’d like to be on our distribution list. Some people receive hard copies of the newsletters via snail mail. Let us know if you’d like a hard copy sent to you. Copies are also available in the entrance way to the church.
PASTOR AWAY……………… Pastor will be away this week, December 30 to January 3. If you are in need of pastoral care, consider contacting one of our elders at Peace: Merv, Oscar, Dave, Kay, and Rick.
ALL AGE BIBLE STUDY NEXT WEEK……………..Elder Dave Leding will be leading a new study on prayer. How can prayer assist us this year and draw us closer to God and what He is up to? How can prayer become not merely an intellectual concern, but a matter of the heart. All are welcome to attend Dave’s class next Sunday, January 5. We’ll meet in the sanctuary at 9:00 am. The children and youth begin their lessons back up next Sunday as well.
ONLINE BIBLE STUDY…………….. Are you desiring a closer walk with Jesus in 2025? Pastor is holding online zoom sessions in the New Year to share how someone can walk with Jesus in everyday life. Let him know if you’d like to be a part of the study. The six sessions will be on Wednesdays at 10 am and last 45 minutes. We’ll be covering a changed life, prayer, mentoring, spiritual gifts and more over six weeks using Scripture and shapes. Our first session begins on Wednesday, January 15.
NEXT SUNDAY–EPIPHANY!…………… Next Sunday is Epiphany Sunday–the day that the good news of Jesus’ birth reached the wise men. Also–Peace will offer a Healing Service at 8:30 am in the sanctuary as well as celebrate fellowship after church with a potluck. Bring an item to share and stay to connect with your church family!
