Service of the Word (page 38 and following in CW) Opening Hymn: Hymn 83 CONFESSION OF SINS

Transcription

1 The Epiphany of Our Lord January 3 & 6, 2019 The Eastern Church celebrates January 6 as the Nativity of our Lord. For the West, the Epiphany of Our Lord is the continued celebration of the birth of the Savior. So bright is the dawning of the Son, so great is the fullness of his glory, that his light not only fills the dark streets of Bethlehem, but the ends of the earth. Jew and Gentile alike gather to worship him who is born ruler of Judah and Shepherd of all Israel. Morrison Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Service of the Word (page 38 and following in CW) Opening Hymn: Hymn 83 Stand M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. C: And also with you. CONFESSION OF SINS M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy. C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt. M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will. C: Amen. PRAYER AND PRAISE M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord. 1 Our mission is to Glorify God as we Gather around the Gospel to help people Grow in the Gospel and Go with the Gospel Welcome! We thank God that you have joined us at worship today. Restrooms are located in the basement. Hearing loop headphones and Large Print Hymnals are available from an usher. If your children need to leave worship, please take them to the basement. A TV broadcasts the service in the basement. Today we gather together in the presence of God. He is present among us in a special way through his Word and Sacrament. We humbly acknowledge our sin and rejoice in the good news of forgiveness through the life and death of Christ. This is the focus of our worship.

2 Oh, Taste and See (sung) Prayer of the Day M: Let us pray. Lord God, by the leading of a star you once made known to the nations your one and only Son. Guide us, also, who know him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Be Seated THE WORD 2

3 First Lesson: 1 Kings 10:1-9 The Queen of Sheba arrives with opulence in her train, but a seeking in her heart. In the court of Solomon she sees the faithfulness of the God of Israel. Her joy is evident as she offers praise to the eternal Lord. She typifies all the Gentiles nations who would hear of the mystery of Christ and come to the brightness of his dawn. 10 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed. 6 She said to the king, The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness. (NIV) Psalm of the Day: Psalm 72 (p. 51 of CWS) Second Lesson Ephesians 3:2-12 Paul knew what it meant to be suddenly bathed in light for the ultimate good of his soul. Now he rejoices in the revelation of the Christ not only to the House of Israel but to the Gentiles fellow heirs in the promise of Christ Jesus. 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the 3

4 church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (NIV) Verse of the Day (sung) Stand Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 So long on the outside, looking in, the nations of the earth had viewed the glory of the Lord with a sense of mystery and awe while all but a faithful few in the chosen nation of Israel forsook and dishonored the God of the covenant. Yet, in the Lord s faithfulness, the promise is fulfilled as the Savior is born. The heralding star beckons the Magi to come and worship the King. Others wish to come for the purposes of evil. But the power of the Most High protects the Hope of Nations in his mother s arms. We offer our best in response to the greatest treasure salvation in Christ. 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: 6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 4

5 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (NIV) M: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Be Seated Hymn of the Day: Hymn 79 Sermon 1 Kings 10:1-9 Indeed, Not Even Half Was Told Me Stand Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, 5

6 Be Seated the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Offering During the offering, please sign the friendship register in your pew. Thank you! Installation of the 2019 Church Council (10:30) Stand Prayer of the Church M: Rejoicing in the Light of Christ who has come to save us, let us pray for ourselves, for the Church in all places, and for the confession of the Gospel throughout the world that, through its light, many may be led to Jesus eternal kingdom. M: O Light of Light, you have come into our dark world to lead us in the way of eternal peace. We praise you, O God, for sending Your Son to become man and for revealing to us your desire to deliver all people from eternal death. Make your Church the light of the world that many may be led to you and rejoice in your kingdom. Lord, in your mercy, M: O eternal Lord, as you accepted the gifts of the Magi, receive our humble gifts that spring forth by the Holy Spirit s work. Use the mouths and minds of our new church council, that they may be faithful beacons leading to you, the way, the truth, and the life. Lord, in your mercy, M: O King, who once reigned as an infant and escaped the rage of King Herod, according to your will deliver your people from violence and from ruthless leaders. Defend the unborn. Give success to all authorities in serving the common good, punishing evildoers, and preserving peace. Lord, in your mercy, M: O Savior who once fled to Egypt to be spared for the saving work of your ministry and cross, look with favor on all refugees. Make us fruitful in providing for those driven from their homes. Frustrate thieves who steal and enrich themselves on the aid sent for those truly in need. Lord, in your mercy, 6

7 M: O Brightness of the Father s face, you enlightened the wise men that they might rightly confess you as God and King. By your Word of truth, enlighten the students and teachers at the schools of your church, including our parish school, our Lutheran High Schools, Martin Luther College, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that they may know true wisdom in you and may be prepared for useful service to others. Lord, in your mercy, M: O great Physician, according to your will, heal the sick among us. Comfort them in their time of affliction, give them patience in their infirmities, and point them to the hope of the endless glory to come. Lord, in your mercy, M: O Savior, we praise you for those whom you have led through death to heaven s peace. By your Holy Spirit keep us in fellowship with all who are with you in heaven and all who wait for you on earth, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. 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. Be Seated Hymn Hymn 84 Stand M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 7

8 Benediction M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Be Seated Hymn Hymn 87 Service of the Word 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A Questions/Comments about Zion? Contact: Pastor Randy Ott home: ; mobile: ; Principal Muchka mobile ; school , President Charles Edinger , Elders: Hans Herzog School Board: Jeremy Wittig School Faculty: Hannah Holzhueter, Brenda Kuchenbecker, Katie Muchka, Tim Pingel, Rick Muchka Website: Custodians: Don Pantzlaff (church) Synod : Paig Alexander (school) Secretary: Nancy Pantzlaff Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service Appleton (WELS counseling) Kathleen Jasman Living Hope Counseling Ministries De Pere (WELS counseling) Dr. John Johnson, Director

9 News From Zion M o r r i s o n Z i o n L u t h e ra n Ch u rc h P a s t o r R a n d y O t t w w w. m zl u t h. o r g ( h o m e ) (m o b i l e ) o t t r z l u t h. o r g ( e m a i l ) Commons Bible Study We will look at lesson 1 of the study, Baptism. We will look at What is Baptism? Join us and bring a friend! We meet at 9:15 a.m. Next Sunday we will look at The Baptismal Service. Sunday School for 3-5 year olds will meet Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the church basement. Adult Christ Light Bible Study will meet Sunday at 9:15. in the church. We are studying various Bible History events. Join us! Psalm Ministries Calling former Youth Group Members! Psalm 18:30 Ministries will host a Youth Group Retro Night on Sunday, Jan. 6. All year olds in our congregation (even if you weren't in Youth Group in the past) can join us for a Taco Dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. After the study, stick around for open gym and/or games. Our first Youth Group Retro Night is a great way to reconnect with your grade school and high school friends! Hope to see you there. Book Study begins this Sunday, Jan. 6. Our next book will be Why Should I Trust The Bible? By A. Trevor Sutton. Youth Group Bible Study will meet again on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m. Men s Bible Study will begin Monday, Jan. 7. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. in the commons. The study will be approximately 30 minutes. After the study, stay to play basketball in the gym or games in the commons. Invite a friend to join us! Altar Committee Needs Your Service We need people wiling to serve their Savior on Altar Committee. Altar Committee sets up for communion and cleans up after communion. They also change the paraments (colored cloths) on the altar, lectern and pulpit as needed. We will have a meeting to plan Feb, 2019 through Jan at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 7. We will meet in the church basement. Please join us! Pray for Morrison Zion If you would like to meet with other members to pray for our ministry and our members join us 15 minutes before each worship service beginning on Thursday, Jan. 10. We will meet in the pastor s office in the basement. Women s Bible Study We will meet this Thursday, Jan. 10 at 8:00 p.m. at the home of Phyllis Wegner. New Life In Christ Class will begin on Monday, Jan. 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the church basement. This class Announcements is a great review of the basic teachings of the Bible. It is also the class for those who are considering joining our congregation. Food Pantry The food pantry is always in need of volunteers and the following supplies. Items: juice, mac & cheese, cereal, breakfast bars, black beans, pinto beans, corn, canned fruit, baking items, ketchup, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent, Kleenex, and toilet paper. Your continued prayers and support for this outreach to the community is asked for in the upcoming year. Soup For Souls As each new year begins we often focus on the new goals we made for ourselves and for peace and health for our families. We also take time to pray for those around us who may be suffering or feel discouraged as we begin the new year. The soup for souls ministry tool is available for anyone to use to share the love of Jesus with those around us that may be experiencing heartache and pain in their lives. Soup and bread are available at church and school and you can also take a homemade card. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Scrip Dates to order in person: Sunday, Jan. 6 church between services Monday, Jan. 14 school 8:00-8:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 church between services Monday, Jan. 28 school 8:00-8:30 a.m. If you want to place an order outside these times you can either call or text Michelle at or drop your order off in the office Calendars are available in the church basement and at school. There are provided by Nickel Funeral Home. Thank you! Loving Arms Christian Child Development Center-St. John Maribel is looking for staff to help us provide a fun, safe, clean, caring, Christian, educational experience for children. We provide care for children from 6 weeks through grade school age. Hours are flexible. Please contact Debbi Heiderich, (ECM Director), for more information, by dheiderich@stjohnmaribel.com or call Also visit and click on Loving Arms Christian Child Development Center for additional information. Volume 7 Issue 1 Jan. 3 & 6, The Epiphany of Our Lord Our Mission is to Glorify God as we Gather around the Gospel so that we Grow in the Gospel and Go with the Gospel

10 Page 2 Sunday 9:15 a.m. Commons Study, Baptism 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Adult Christ Light 7:00 p.m. Book Study, church Monday 7:00 p.m. Altar Committee, church basement 7:00 p.m. Men s Bible Study, school Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Fun Day 7:00 p.m. School Board Wednesday 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class, school 5:30 p.m. Bible History Class, school Thursday 6:45 p.m. Prayer Time, church basement office 7:00 p.m. Baptism of our Lord Worship, communion Weekly Calendar Sunday News From Zion 8:00 p.m. Women s Bible Study, Phyllis Wegner 7:45 a.m. Prayer Time, church basement office 8:00 a.m. Baptism of our Lord Worship, communion 9:15 a.m. Commons Study, Baptism 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Adult Christ Light 10:15 a.m. Prayer Time, church basement office 10:30 a.m. Baptism of our Lord Worship, communion 5:30 p.m. Retro Youth Group Meal 7:00 p.m. Book Study, church 7:00 p.m. Youth Group Bible Study Our Stewardship of the Means of Grace Worship: 219 (131, 88) Children s Program: 601 (226, 375) Candlelight: 44 Christmas: 223 Communed: 173 New Year s Eve: 54 Communed: Men of His Word Conference WELS News Is your house built on the rock or on the sand? Will your house survive the torrential storms of life or will it wash away when the waves of life come crashing in? The world attacks our Christian values from every direction on a daily basis. To counter these attacks, the MOHW Conference provides opportunities and resources for men to grow spiritually, using God s Word to empower and equip men to carry out their God-given mission in their homes, churches, communities and the world. This year s theme is BUILT ON THE ROCK. Whether you attend for the keynote speaker (Jeremy Mattek, Christian Life Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Greenville, WI, and a contributor for Time of Grace Ministries), the relevant, News From Our High Schools FVL Musicfest 2019 is Jan. 27 with performances beginning at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The event will run till 4:00 p.m. Musicfest is seeking items or basket donations for the Silent Auction. Find out more at fvlhs.org/fvl-musicfest or call Megan Beyer at Please bring all donations to the FVL School Office prior to 1/7. thought-provoking breakout sessions (20 to choose from), or the worship experience with 600 other men (with Koine, the worship band), God s Word will speak to you. The 10 th Annual MOHW Conference will be held at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Convention Center in Oshkosh on Saturday, February 9, Additional details and online registration are available at for the first 650 men. Adult registration fee is $50 and youth registration fee is $25 These rates increase to $60 for adults and $30 for youth after Jan 27 th. Please join us for a day of fellowship in God s Word that you will not soon forget! MLHS JR. Lancer Boys Wrestling Club Grades K-8: Tuesdays & Thursdays Jan 3-March 28, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Jr. Lancer Wrestling maintains a balance between mat work, instruction, and fun. Go to to learn more and register your son today. Grace Hmong Outreach in Vietnam God has blessed the WELS with a special opportunity to share Jesus in Vietnam. There is a special offering to support this opportunity. To learn more about this opportunity, visit wels.net/ vietnamhmongoutreach. Brochures that explain this special offering and provide you with an opportunity to financially support it are available in the church basement. Pastor Randy Ott ; ; ottrr@mzluth.org Principal Rick Muchka , richard.muchka@mzls.org President Charles Edinger , candmedinger@icloud.com Elders: DJ Kittell School Board: Joel Dobberpuhl Website: Glorify Gather Grow Go Synod : Secretary: Nancy Pantzlaff Custodians Church: Dick Tisler School: Paig Alexander Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service Appleton (WELS counseling) Kathleen Jasman Living Hope Counseling Ministries De Pere (WELS counseling) Dr. John Johnson