The Service in PDF format is at: January 3, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
January 3, 2021 – Online Service
WELCOME…Welcome to Peace Lutheran Church’s Drive-By Communion Service for January—the first one of the new year! Today we reflect on what it means to belong. We often don’t feel like we belong. This happens when we go to school, go to work and even when we attend church sometimes. It doesn’t feel good to not belong.
We can imagine that the Wise Men too felt like they were out of place in Jerusalem. Practically everyone felt out of place in the presence of King Herod in Jerusalem. God led these Wise Men to a different place—Bethlehem. It was here that the Wise Men found their place to belong by the real King of the Jews—Jesus. We find our place of belonging today too! For Jesus is with us. He welcomes us to His table and offers us His very body and blood so that we can know that we belong!
INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: Amen.
WE CONFESS OUR SIN…
L: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C: who made heaven and earth.
L: He has brought us to the ending of the day
C: and to the close of another year.
L: As we remember the year that is past,
C: Forgive us, O Lord.
L: As we turn to the year that is ahead,
C: Lead us, O Lord.
L: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C: who made heaven and earth.
L: Through the Gospel, all people are fellow heirs of salvation and members of the same Body. Yet there have been times when we have failed to live in unity, when we have failed to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ with respect and honor. Our heavenly Father invites us to return to Him and ask for His forgiveness.
Silence for reflection
L: Heavenly Father,
C: We confess that we have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have created division and discord. We have hidden the light of Christ from others. For the sake of Jesus, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us with the light of Christ, that we may delight in Your ways. Amen.
…HEARING GOD’S FORGIVENESS
L: Almighty God in His mercy sent His Son, Jesus, into our world to shine as a light for all people, including You. Jesus has died for your sins and is risen for your righteousness. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen. We are partakers of the promise. We are forgiven in Christ.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] 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.
HYMN OF THE DAY: “We Three Kings”
We three kings of Orient are: Bearing gifts we traverse a-far—
Field and fountain, moor and mountain—Following yonder star.
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.
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
Frankincense to offer have I: Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom—
Sorr’wing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
Glorious now behold Him arise: King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia! Earth to heav’n replies.
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
SERMON: “The Wise Men Find Their Place…..and So Do We”
L: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world.
C: dawn on our darkness and lend us Your aid.
L: Lord, there are many divisions in the church, divisions based on class, race, wealth, and age, divisions that need not exist. Bring unity where there is division, peace where there is discord, and reconciliation where there is conflict. Light of the world,
C: dawn on our darkness and lend us Your aid.
L: Lord, comfort all those who are suffering in the darkness of grief, (especially…). Comfort them with the hope and promise of the resurrection to eternal life. Light of the world,
C: dawn on our darkness and lend us Your aid.
L: Lord, strengthen all marriages, encourage those who are single, and help us to recognize the value of each person, for Your redemption stretches to all people. Light of the world,
C: dawn on our darkness and lend us Your aid.
L: Lord, look with favor upon all who are sick, injured, and recovering, (especially…). Have mercy upon them, and heal them according to Your good and gracious will. Light of the world,
C: dawn on our darkness and lend us Your aid.
L: Lord, shine Your light of hope upon all those who are caregivers. Send them rest and peace, knowing that in You their labor is not in vain. Light of the world,
C: dawn on our darkness and lend us Your aid.
L: Lord, we commend all of these things to Your caring hands, trusting in Your mercy to all people. In Jesus’ name we pray.
C: Amen.
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.
Lord, let Your light
Light of Your face
Shine on us
Lord, let Your light
Light of Your face
Shine on us
That we may be saved
That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night
Let Your light shine on us
Lord, let Your grace
Grace from Your hand
Fall on us
Lord, let Your grace
Grace from Your hand
Fall on us
That we may be saved
That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night
Let Your grace fall on us
Lord, let Your love
Love with no end
Come over us
Lord, let Your love
Love with no end
Come over us
That we may be saved
That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night
Let Your love fall on us.
DISMISSAL