The Bulletin is at: 01-07-2018 – bulletin
The Service in PDF format is at: 01-07-2018 – Epiphany 1 Order of Service
or the service is as follows:
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
January 7, 2018
THEME: Christmas lights may be coming down, but the Light of the world still shines for all to see. We receive this Light during our Epiphany worship today. During the season of Epiphany, we are seeing Jesus for the very first time through the eyes of the Wise Men, Nathanael, Nicodemus, an unnamed woman at the well, and Mary Magdalene. When the Wise Men visited Jesus, they assuredly met him with many unanswered questions. Jesus answered many of those questions and in response, the Wise Men give gifts of honor and praise. We visit Jesus too today. He answers our greatest fears and fills us with His light!
P: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
P: 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.
C: Amen.
P: 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~
P: Most merciful God,
C: 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.
P: 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.
C: 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
THE HYMN OF PRAISE LBW pg. 81-82
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: Let us pray. O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the nations.
C: 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.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6
Nations shall come to the light of the Lord.
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,[a]
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.
CHOIR ANTHEM “Behold That Star” By Patsy Ford Simms
The Wise Men follow the star and come to worship Jesus.
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, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[b] and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘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.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
SERMON HYMN “They’ll Know We Are Christians”
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by are love.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
All praise to the Father,
Whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus,
His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
SERMON “Joining the Wise Men in seeing Jesus” 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 catholic church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERINGS GATHERED
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives given to the Lord in humble service.
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
For the peace of the whole world, that wars cease, and that people of every nation find lasting, perfect peace in Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light shine upon all nations.
P: For our partner in ministry—Zion Lutheran School, that the children take delight in learning about Your creation and Your love found in Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light shine upon our partners in ministry.
P: For those who profess faith in Jesus, here at Peace and in each church in Philomath, that the journey of the Wise Men inspires us to follow the light of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light shine upon Your Church.
P: For those who bring their tithes and offerings to this altar that, like the gold, frankincense, and myrrh of the Wise Men, these gifts be pleasing in God’s sight and provide many blessings to His Church, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light shine upon all who give.
P: For those who lay down their lives for their fellow men and women, including first responders, members of law enforcement, doctors and nurses, and those who wear the uniform of our country, that they take shelter in the arms of our Savior, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light shine upon those who sacrifice their lives.
P: For those who are sick and hospitalized, homebound, and for all who are sick in heart, mind, and body, (especially…), that their lives be touched by our Father’s healing mercy, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light shine upon all those who suffer.
P: For these and all other prayers and intercessions we have, that the petitions of our hearts may be known to the One who knows and loves us all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, let Your light lead us to You. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING LBW pg. 88
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.
PREFACE LBW pg. 88
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. Sharing our life, he lived among us to reveal your glory and love, that our darkness should give way to his own brilliant light. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS LBW pg. 89
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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
DISTRIBUTION
“When Peace, like a River” LBW 346
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows, like sea billows roll;
What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, It is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.
He lives – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to his cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so it is well with my soul.
“Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me” LBW 333
1 God, take my hand and lead me upon life’s way;
direct, protect, and feed me from day to day.
Without your grace and favour I go astray,
so take my hand, O Saviour, and lead the way.
2 God, when the tempest rages, I need not fear;
for you, the Rock of Ages, are always near.
Close by your side abiding, I fear no foe,
for when your hand is guiding, in peace I go.
3 God, when the shadows lengthen and night has come,
I know that you will strengthen my steps toward home,
and nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend!
So, take my hand and lead me unto the end.
“Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me” LBW 327
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood, From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.
Not the labors of my hands Can fulfill thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to thy cross I cling.
Naked, come to thee for dress; Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in thee.
P: Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
CLOSING SONG Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With ev’ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, family are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With ev’ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
P: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God!