EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST First Sunday After Christmas Matins at All Services December 29-30, 2018 Holy Cross Lutheran Church
First Sunday After Christmas MATINS, LSB 219 December 29-30, 2018 As We Gather Sermon Theme: Your Faith Journey Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Luke 2:41-52 ecause each of the Old Testament and Gospel B readings for this Sunday tell the stories of a boy in "church," I thought I'd start there - with boys in church. Samuel and Jesus, in "church" without their parents, were on a spiritual journey. The Bible tells us that both boys increased in wisdom and in favor with the Lord. As we stand at this last Sunday of the year, it's an appropriate time to review how we have or have not done that. How have we grown this past year? In what areas of spiritual and moral development do we hope to grow next year? For a pattern of what Christian growth can look like, consider the spiritual odyssey of the 12 disciples of Jesus. We do well to remember.... with the help of God, the church grows disciples and transforms hearts for Christ. Pastor Wachter LIVE-STREAMING Holy Cross live streams the 8 AM service each Sunday on a link at our website (hcross.com). We provide this service for our members who cannot attend worship. The video perspective from the choir loft looks toward the altar and shows all aspects of the service from the sixth row of pews forward. This includes communion, children s talks, and baptisms. 2 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
Opening Hymn: We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God LSB 941 Choir will sing verse 2 1999 Stephen P. Starke Public domain admin. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License.NET, no. 100010116. Holy Cross Lutheran Church 3
Opening Verses LSB 219 Antiphon (Common) 4 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
Venite LSB 220 Antiphon (Common) Holy Cross Lutheran Church 5
READINGS Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 PLEASE SIT Lector: The Old Testament Reading for the First Sunday after Christmas is from First Samuel, chapter two. amuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen S ephod. 19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, May the LORD give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the LORD. So then they would return to their home. 26Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17 Lector: The Epistle is from Colossians, chapter three. ut on then, as God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, P kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. 6 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:41-52 PLEASE STAND Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the second chapter. People: Glory to You, O Lord. ow his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the N Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. 49 And he said to them, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father s house? 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, O Christ. RESPONSORY Holy Cross Lutheran Church 7
Children s Message Hymn of the Day: Let All Together Praise Our God LSB 389, V. 1,4,6,7 6 He is the key and He the door To blessèd paradise; The angel bars the way no more. To God our praises rise, To God our praises rise. 7 Your grace in lowliness revealed, Lord Jesus, we adore And praise to God the Father yield And Spirit evermore; We praise You evermore. 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License.NET, no. 100010116. Public domain SERMON: Your Faith Journey 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26, Luke 2:41-52 8 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
Offering & Rite of Fellowship As the offerings are gathered, please take a moment to sign the red fellowship pad located at the end of the pew by the center aisle. If you are interested in membership, please provide a phone number or email address so that we may contact you. PLEASE SIT Canticle: Te Deum LSB 223 Continued on page 10 Holy Cross Lutheran Church 9
10 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
PRAYER Kyrie LSB 227 Lord s Prayer LSB 227 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. Collect of the Day: Pastor: 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 Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. Prayer of the Church Each petition concludes: Pastor: Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer. The prayers conclude: Pastor: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. People: Amen. Holy Cross Lutheran Church 11
Collect for Grace Pastor: O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. Farewell and Godspeed to a Pastor Entering Retirement Pastor: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Pastor Keith Wachter is retiring from his pastorate at this congregation. At this time of farewell and Godspeed, let us hear the Word of the Lord. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. 2He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 11Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work. Psalm 62:1 2, 11 12 12 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
The congregation will stand; the retiring pastor may kneel. Pastor: Let us pray. Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks for all the blessings You have bestowed on this congregation through the ministry of Your servant Keith Wachter. By Your Holy Spirit grant him grace that, by his example of faithful devotion to Your Word, he may continue to be a blessing to many. In Your mercy support and strengthen him, and grant him a cheerful spirit, peace, and blessedness; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. Pastor: Go in peace and joy. The almighty and most merciful God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you, and bless and strengthen you for faithful service in His name. People: Amen. The service concludes with the Benediction, spoken for the last time by Pastor Wachter. Benediction LSB 228 Pastor: 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. Numbers 6:24 26 People: Amen. The congregation will be seated during the choral blessing. Choral Blessing: Go, My Children The Blessing by Lutkin Please rise for the closing hymn found on the next page. Holy Cross Lutheran Church 13
Closing Hymn: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus LSB 660 Public domain Silent Prayer & Chimes Postlude 14 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018
Preacher Liturgist Director of Music/Organist Choir Director Accompanist Brass Choir Adult Choir Flute Violin Viola Serving in God s House Today December 29-30, 2018 Pastor Keith Wachter Pastor Andy Gimbel Michelle Sliger Greg Cissell Sara Shroth Greg Cissell, Byron Alton, Matt Claxton, Brian Storm, Shana Ziolko Katie Temple Holly Frey Grace Conrad Elder 5 PM Greg Cissell 8 AM Ed Belter 10:30 AM Brian Storm Ushers 5 PM Mark Ziolko, Bill Adams 8 AM Dave Darst, Randy Jones, Wayne Walkenhorst, Terry Hardy 10:30 AM Jerry Bradley, Bill Price, Mike Kahler, Brandon Shouse, Ken Goodwin Greeters 5 PM Wayne & Bonnie Walkenhorst 8 AM Jim & Maxine Salarano 10:30 AM Greg & Ede Emerick Altar Guild: Joyce Lang, Sharon Wachter, Carol Crafton Counters: David & Amy Schlesselman, Paul Woelfer Cover Art: 4.bp.blogspot.com/_saMj5E_sYAg/TR-c0qQmd0I/AAAAAAAAAD8/Sf3hivt4be4/ s1600/young+jesus+in+the+temple.bmp Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Some liturgical material taken from Lutheran Service Book, Matins. Copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Holy Cross Lutheran Church 15
Holy Cross Lutheran Church & Preschool 8945 Veterans Memorial Parkway O Fallon, MO 63366 (636) 272-4505 www.hcross.com facebook@hcrossofallon Rev. Andrew J. Gimbel Rev. Keith D. Wachter PASTORAL TEAM Meghan Flanick DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Darlene Birk PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR Michelle Sliger DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Greg Cissell CHOIR DIRECTOR MISSION STATEMENT With the help of God, Holy Cross Lutheran Church grows disciples and transforms hearts for Christ. 16 The First Sunday after Christmas: December 29-30, 2018