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1 THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD January 6, A+D 2019

2 TO OUR GUESTS AND VISITORS Welcome!! We are glad to have you with us to worship the Triune God. May you be blessed by hearing God s Word today! Thank you for joining us for worship! Please come back soon! Ushers are here to assist you. If you need help or have a question, please ask them. Before you leave please sign our Guest Book as it is our permanent record and reminder of our guests. Our Order of Worship is shown on the monitors on either side of the chancel and follows a traditional pattern of Christian Worship. It is printed out in this bulletin with large print bulletins available upon request. The service is also found, along with the chant melodies, in the front of the hymnal, with pages of hymns in the back. We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday and on most festival days of the liturgical calendar. All communicant members of our sister congregations are invited to attend the Sacrament with us. Please fill out a registration card and hand it to the Usher. All others are urged to speak to Pastor before communing. **Important Message** For those whose medical conditions limit the consumption of alcohol, we are offering cups of non-alcoholic wine. These cups are located in the center of the individual communion cup trays. A cry room is available for parents with young children. There are speakers and a window so you can continue to see and hear the worship service. The cry room is located behind the sanctuary on the left side.

3 1 St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 508 N. Chicago Road Thornton, IL Voice & Fax: (708) Rev. Harold Wahl, Pastor (708) splcms.org DIVINE SERVICE Setting 1 Page 151 Lutheran Service Book The Lord God Is Manifested in the Incarnate Son The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a thirteenth day of Christmas, and yet it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. Where Christmas has focused on the incarnation of our Lord, that is, on God becoming flesh, the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1 2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth, not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles (Eph. 3:8 10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5 11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3 6). Pre-Service Music Ringing of the Bells Welcome Hymn of Invocation LSB 367, Angels from the Realms of Glory Confession and Absolution

4 2 Invocation The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in e Realms of GloryBut if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. 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. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. 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 Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. Service of the Word The Introit Ps. 45:68a; antiphon: Ps. 45:17 P I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; C therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. P Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; C you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. P Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; C your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. C Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen.

5 P I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; C therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. Kyrie P In peace let us pray to the Lord. 3 P For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord. 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. P For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord P Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Hymn of Praise LSB 409, Hail, O Source of Every Blessing Salutation and Collect of the Day P The Lord be with you.

6 4 P Let us pray. P O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1 6 (ESV) A The Old Testament Reading for The Epiphany of Our Lord is from the 60 th chapter of the Prophecy of Isaiah. 1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 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. 3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God

7 5 Epistle Reading: Ephesians 3:1 12 (ESV) A The Epistle Reading is from the 3 rd chapter of St. Paul s epistle to the Ephesians. 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for 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. A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Alleluia The Holy Gospel: Matthew 2:1 12 (ESV) P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 2 nd chapter.

8 6 1 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. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. Hymn of the Day LSB 400, Brightest and Best Of The Stars of The Morning Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1 12 (ESV) Sermon: Refreshed Join the Wise Men. I m in Worst Worship.

9 7 Apostle s Creed C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come 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. Gathering of Tithes & Offerings and Record of Fellowship Musical Offering Offertory 955, Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful Prayer of the Church P Led by the light of the star, the wise still come and, at the bidding of the Lord, kneel before Him with their prayers for all people as they have need.

10 8 P As once the Magi of old came to adore the infant Savior and to bring Him the worship of their hearts, hands and gifts, so do we come this day giving thanks for Your mercy and rejoicing in Your promise kept. Bring the light of Your Word to all who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P You have established Your Church and drawn into her people from every race, tribe and people. Bless all those entrusted with the leadership of the church, and give to all pastors and missionaries the boldness of Your Spirit, that they may proclaim the saving truth of Your Word without fear. Bless those who hear, that they may be brought to faith. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Bring an end to all threats of violence, and raise up for all the peoples leaders who will act with integrity, pursue justice and follow Your commands. Grant to all people the blessing of food, shelter, medical care and safety in their homes, and bless those whose duty it is to protect and defend them. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Give to all people the comfort of Your presence, healing according to Your will, relief of their suffering, and an end to the terrors of mind and heart, especially those for whom our prayers have been requested and those we name in our hearts. Sustain the weary with Your Word, the wounded with hope and the dying with peace. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P You have made us all Your chosen people, members of Christ s Body, co-heirs with Him of all the riches of Your grace, including the privilege of this holy table. Here the one in faith receive the one body of Christ and His one blood, for the forgiveness of our sins. Bless our communion in Christ and bring peace and unity, that we may see the day when no divisions prevent us from kneeling in Your presence and receiving this blessed Eucharist, for our life and salvation and for the life and salvation of all. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer.

11 Special Intercessory Prayers - from orange colored insert... P Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. 9 P With exceedingly great joy in Your promises and with confidence that You will hear and answer Your people, we commend into Your hands ourselves and all for whom we pray, through Christ, our Lord, whom with the Father and Holy Spirit, You are one God and one Lord, now and forevermore. C Amen. Service of the Sacrament Preface P The Lord be with you. P Lift up your hearts. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; for what had been hidden from before the foundation of the world You have made known to the nations in Your Son. In Him, being found in the substance of our mortal nature, You have manifested the fullness of Your glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

12 Sanctus 10 Prayer of Thanksgiving P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. The Words of Our Lord P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. P In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this

13 11 cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. Proclamation of Christ P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord s death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: The Lord s Prayer C 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 Pax Domini P The peace of the Lord be with you always. Agnus Dei

14 12 Distribution of Christ s Body and Blood In the Sacrament of the Altar, we receive the real, genuine body and blood of Jesus Christ, which hung on the cross and flowed from his veins. Participation in The Sacrament limited to those who are active members in good standing in a congregation of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod or who have spoken personally to the pastor. Members of other Christian denominations who are present may come forward to receive a blessing from the Pastor during the distribution. It is requested that you cross your arms over your chest to indicate that you desire this blessing. Music during distribution LSB 399, The Star Proclaims the King Is Here LSB 621, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence LSB 396, Arise and Shine in Splendor LSB 395, O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright The Communion Dismissal P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace. C Amen. Post-Communion Canticle Nunc Dimittis

15 13 Post-Communion Collect P Let us pray. P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Benediction 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 T give you peace. Hymn of Benediction LSB 411, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Silent Prayer Announcements Post-Service Music Acknowledgments Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Offertory, Text and Setting: 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Prayer of the church is adapted from Let us Pray an service of the Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod.

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17 January 6, 2019 REMEMBER IN PRAYER ST. PAUL S FAMILY Sandi Ovalle & Shawn Conway, Family Nathanial, Anthony, Aiden, Emma, Jeffrey Paris Chris & Marcia Parker Scott Parker, Family Travin, Cayden Carrie Pearson BIRTHDAYS Garrett Kolosh, 1/6 Donna Pfeifer, 1/8 SPECIAL CONCERNS Pray for, Violet Andersen, Jay Carey, Nick Plecas, Dick Niemann, Lois Struven, Pam Michael, Barb Leone, Janice Schultz, Chester Orendorf, Dorothy Graves, Janice Abel, Ed Hoeksema, Helen Hoeksema, Kathleen (Kitchy) Gallegos, Violet Rich,. Ermida Sella, Mark Headley, Irene Gall, Russ Budde, Hospitalized this past week Dorothy Van Mynen at The Villa, South Holland, IL. Serving in the Military Nicholas Durkin, Donald JaBaay, Robert Wisely, David Capodagli, and Andrew Hoover. NEWS UPDATE There is a discussion group on Facebook about LHM s "The Coming King" Advent Devotions. Each day s devotion will be posted to the group. You can make a comment or a thought for discussion on one of the posts. To search on Facebook the group is called Let's Discuss the Devotions. The address is

18 Take a card and bring the item next Sunday to help restock the food pantry. Cards are located on the pantry door in the southwest corner of the parish hall. Food baskets are always getting delivered so please keep taking the cards. A meal only lasts for a few hours then you are hungry again. That is why the pantry is always running low. Gift cards and cash donations are welcome and are used to purchase perishable items, i.e. a $15 gift card from Aldi s can buy milk, eggs, bread and ground beef. Those who are in need are always very grateful. This is done on your behalf and in the name of our dear Lord, Jesus Christ! To help with distribution we could use grocery sized paper bags. The Southwest Lutheran Chorus would like to invite you to their Epiphany/Christmas Concert on January 6, 2019 at 3:00PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 4660 W. 94th St., Oak Lawn, IL. The chorus is directed by Ruth Sievers and accompanied by Dianne Johannes. There will be refreshments served after the concert. This week on KFUO.org we wish our listeners a blessed Epiphany! Regular programming resumes this week with Sharper Iron: The New Covenant with Rev. Jonathan Fisk and guest pastors (weekdays at 8:00 a.m. CT), curious topics on Cross Defense with Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller and his guest (1/7 at 2:00 p.m. CT), and in-depth study of our confession of faith on Concord Matters (1/8 at 2:00 p.m. CT). Find these programs on demand at kfuo.org. Listen to Worldwide KFUO.org, your radio station for news, talk, and sacred music with a cross-focused, Christcentered Lutheran worldview. All programs are archived at KFUO.org for 24/7 on-demand listening. Have a question or comment? Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A mobile Lutheran Bible Study Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week s topics include: The Birth of John the Baptist, The Book of Obadiah, Thy Kingdom Come, The Apostle Thomas, Ahab Steals Naboth s Vineyard and more. You can listen at your convenience live or on demand to all the Issues, Etc. Programs you want at anytime, anywhere by going to These programs are in podcast format. With more than 7,500 hours of archived programming, you will find many topics of interest. You can also get the free Lutheran Public Radio mobile app at the app store for your mobile device

19 Music that is Christ-Centered and Cross-Focused Music that is Christian looks to Jesus Christ and proclaims His love and mercy. You can listen to the very best of Christian music anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, at You can access this station on your computer, Iphone, Ipod, Ipad, or other internet capable device. Listen to the music for your enjoyment while you work or engage in any activity. Do you have an Alexa device? If so, just say, Alexa, play Lutheran Public Radio. Christian music does not get any finer than this. For Christians, then, too many people is impossible. Each additional person affords another opportunity to love and give in the way that brings God Himself the highest joys. And in the neediness of every neighbor more, we encounter and embrace Christ Jesus (Matthew 25:40). Rev. Michael W. Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life Regarding the necessity or voluntary nature of good works, it is clear that in the Augsburg Confession and its Apology these expressions are often used and repeated good works are necessary. Likewise, they say it is necessary to do good works, which necessarily follow faith and reconciliation. Likewise, we necessarily are to do, and must do, the kind of good works God has commanded. In the Holy Scriptures themselves the words necessity, needful, and necessary, as well as ought and must, are used to describe what we are bound to do because of God's ordinance, command, and will. (See Romans 13:5; 1 Corinthians 9:9; Acts 5:29; John 15:12; 1 John 4:21). It is for this reason that the sayings and propositions just mentioned (in this Christian and proper understanding) are unfairly condemned and rejected by some people. These sayings should rightly be employed and used to reject the secure, Epicurean delusion. For many create for themselves a dead faith or delusion that lacks repentance and good works. They act as though there could be true faith in a heart at the same time as the wicked intention to persevere and continue in sin [Romans 6:1-2]. This is impossible. Or, they act as though a person could have and keep true faith, righteousness, and salvation even though he is and remains a corrupt and unfruitful tree, from which no good fruit comes at all. In fact, they say this even though a person persists in sins against conscience or purposely engages again in these sins. All of this is incorrect and false. Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord IV 14-15

20 GOD S PEOPLE IN ACTION ATTENDANCE AND OFFERINGS December 24 6:00 pm Attendance 47, 0 Web December 24 11:00 pm Attendance 21, 0 Web December 25 th Attendance 22, 9 Communed, 0 Web December 30 th Attendance 36, 30 Communed, 0 Web Basket $ Weekly Missions $60.00 Envelopes 1, Luth. Church Charity Christmas Eve 1, Furnace Christmas 1, Church Maint Budgeted Total $5, Non-budgeted Total $ Today Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE 9:00 am 9:45 am Sunday School Worship Service 7:30 pm Elders Meeting 9:00 am 9:45 am Sunday School Worship Service SERVANT SCHEDULE Sun, Jan 6, 9:45 AM Sun, Jan 13, 9:45 AM Altar Guild Acolyte Cross Bearer Elder Usher Bill Sommer Dave Bloom Norma Allen Debbie Bloom Lay Reader Sandy Budde Norma Allen Counting Comm. Judy Wilmington Brian Wiltjer Jean Wiltjer Church Cleaning