ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK Sunday 12/30 8:00 AM Worship 9:15 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 9:30 AM LGSH Worship Service 10:30 AM Worship Monday 12/31 7:00 PM New Year's Eve Worship w/communion Tuesday 1/1 Church Office Closed Wednesday 1/2 10:00 AM Lectionary Readings (Senior Center) NOON BULLETIN DEADLINE 7:00 PM Elders (PO) Thursday 1/3 Friday 1/4 10:00 AM LGSH Bible Study Saturday 1/5 Sunday 1/6 8:00 AM Worship w/communion 9:15 AM Sunday School/Bible Class 9:30 AM LGSH Worship Service 10:30 AM Worship w/communion DECEMBER 30, 2018 8:00 AM & 10:30AM ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH CONCORDIA, MO P Pastor C Congregation/All T All may make the sign of the cross to remember their baptism. Today s service follows the Order of Matins. Matins, which means of the morning, is the name given to the service of prayer that has been used by the Christian Church at the start of a new day. The opening sentences have been included in the service of Matins since the sixth century. As the Christian congregation prays Matins, it receives the new day as a gift from God s hand with praise, thanksgiving, and intercession (Lutheran Worship: History and Practice, 444). Opening Hymn - Lutheran Service Book # 367 Angels from the Realms of Glory Opening Sentences Psalm 51:15; 70:1 Church Office M-F: 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm (660) 463-2291 Dial-A-Devotion (660) 463-7595 www.stpaulsconcordia.org stpaulsconcordiamo School Office M-F: 8-3:30 (660) 463-7654
Bible Class Today - December 30 Venite O Come, Let Us Sing Tune: DIADEMATA ( Crown Him with Many Crowns ) C Come let us praise the LORD, with joyful noises sing; Unto the Rock Who saves us now we come our thanks to bring. Great is the LORD, our God. Above all gods He s King. His hands reach to the depths of earth, His love and care to bring. The mighty hills are His; He made and owns the sea. He formed the dry land with His hands. To God our praises be. We kneel before the LORD; we worship and adore. He is our Maker and our God, we praise Him evermore. We are the LORD s own sheep. He holds us in His hand; He leads us into pastures green and feeds us from the land. All praise, eternal Son, for Thy redeeming love, With Father, Spirit, ever One, in glorious might above. Verse of the Month Psalm 98:1a C Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! Old Testament Lesson Exodus 13:1 3a, 11 15 God instructs ancient Israel to offer to God all first-born males (children and livestock) as a reminder of God s rescue from slavery. 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine. 3 Then Moses said to the people, Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out from this place.... 11 When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the LORD s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among 2 Adult Bible Study "6 Themes from Luke 2:22-40" - Today's Gospel Lesson about the presentation of Jesus and the adoration of Simeon and Anna presents a number of themes about Jesus Christ, our newborn Savior and King. Following his opening devotion for the Sunday School "Fun Day," Pastor Michael will lead the group in a discussion of six themes from this lesson. This class will meet in the sanctuary. Happy Birthday Jesus Party Join us December 30 during the Sunday School hour from 9:15-10:15 in the gym to celebrate the birth of Jesus. There will be food, games, crafts, and a great devotion by Pastor Michael. Grades P-4 will participate and grades 5-8 will help! Come check it out and go home with a really cool gift! High School Sunday School - There will NOT be High School Sunday School today (December 30 th ) We will continue our study of Romans next Sunday, January 6 th. Remember in your prayers Healing for Sherry Graham, Wilbert Fruend, Charlie Henke, Cheryl Spiegelhalter, Cherry Deke, Bradley Meineka, John Carlton, Dr. Wayne Myers, Kelly Meyer, Shirley Kimball, Jeanette Fuehring, Marcus Bodenstab, Amy Gerdts, John Pittman, Gary Bartel, Carol Henning Devon Heins and Sam Schmidt who will be united in marriage today, December 30. Mission of Christ Network, Tim and Hope Mehl. Trinity Lutheran Church; Friedheim, MO and Rev. Roger Steinbrueck. The people of Angola. All Military Personnel.
your sons you shall redeem. 14 And when in time to come your son asks you, What does this mean? you shall say to him, By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem. P O Lord, have mercy on us. Anthem - Vocal Ensemble In a Stable, In a Manger Lifelight Classes on Acts 2 will begin the week of January 8th. Participants prepare for the nine weekly classes by reading a portion of Scripture and answering related questions in the student guide (copies are available in the church office). You are most welcome to join one of the following classes: Tuesdays at 10am at the Parish Office, led by Joanne Reinke, starting 1/8 Thursdays at 9am at Biltz Hall (SPLHS), led by Sharon Bobzin, starting 1/10 Mondays at 9am at the Parish Office, led by Kathy Schnakenberg, starting 1/14. Books are available for pick-up in the church office, cost is $10. Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets from 10:00-11:00am on the 4th Tuesday of every month at the Lutheran Good Shepherd Home. The support group is facilitated by Beth Hunt, Bereavement Coordinator with Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care. Epistle Lesson Colossians 3:12 17 Saint Paul lists godly virtues, which are ultimately covered by love that binds everything together in peace and harmony. 12 Put on then, as God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, 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. P O Lord, have mercy on us. Responsory Psalm 119:89; 26:8; Luke 11:28 10 3
Gospel Reading Luke 2:22 40 As Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple to complete the offering commanded by Moses (Exodus 13:11-15), Simeon and Anna thank God for the newborn Savior. After waiting many years, both see firsthand God s salvation. 22 When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. P O Lord, have mercy on us. Sermon Hymn - Lutheran Service Book # 375 Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising Sermon - Holy Waiting Offering and Rite of Fellowship (Please record your attendance on the friendship register in each pew and pass the register down the pew so all may record their attendance.) New Driver Milestone In anticipation of all teens turning 16 this year, the Family Life Team would like to invite these teens and their parents to a celebration on Sunday, January 13. This is the first milestone of the new year! There will be several speakers addressing the teens and their newfound privilege of driving. This celebration will be held in the back room of the Parish office during the Sunday School hour from 9:15-10:15. We can t wait to see you there! 2019 Contribution Envelopes can be picked up in the Church Office. Funeral Fellowship The 2019 Funeral Fellowship schedule has been printed. Please check your pigeonhole for your copy. YAP This week, please keep Tim and Hope Mehl in your prayers. Their parents are Pastor Paul & Luci Mehl and Clint & Jodi Colwell. Both Tim and Hope are graduates of Saint Paul High School and they were married last summer. Tim and Hope are serving with the Mission for Christ Network in Taiwan. Tim is teaching high school students and Hope is teaching kindergarten, 1 st and 5 th grade. They both teach English and Bible as well as run a Bible study for the Americans and the community twice a week. The city where they live is the most unevangelized county in Taiwan and many people worship their ancestors or one of many gods, if anything at all. Their address is available in the church office. Also, please keep Madison Pitsch, daughter of Monte & Marta Pitsch in your prayers. Madison is a 2015 graduate of SPLHS and she is currently a senior at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Madison is planning to graduate in May 2019 with her degree in Journalism, Public Relations, and Spanish. She has signed a contract to work as a reporter for the 10/11 News in Lincoln, Nebraska after graduation. Her mailing address is available in the church office. Please consider sending a note of encouragement to Hope, Tim, and/or Madison either through USPS or social media. Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 Baseball Camp Saint Paul Lutheran High School will be holding its Saints Baseball Camp for 5th-8th Grade Boys on January 13th, 20th, and 27th from 2:00-4:00pm. The camp will consist of instruction for pitching, hitting, and fielding by Saints coaches and current players. Registration Fee is $40 (includes a camp T-shirt). Checks are made payable to Eric Gramenz. You may bring your camp fee and registration the first day of camp or turn it into the SPLHS office. Please contact Coach Eric Gramenz at (618)317-1335 or egramenz @ splhs.org to let him know if you will be participating or if you have any questions. The registration form is available to download on the SPLHS website at splhs.org/events 4 9
Upcoming Adult Bible Study How We Got the Bible?" - Maybe one of your New Year's Resolutions is to read and study the Bible more regularly. But, how did we get the Bible? This study will survey the historical development, textual transmission, and publication history of the Bible as it has come down to us through the centuries. With special emphasis on God's divine activity through the Spirit-inspired authors of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, this study will show how the Bible is His book, His Word-revealed to man that they might know the way of salvation as revealed by the prophets and made real in the flesh through the life, death, and resurrection of God's son, Jesus Christ. Pastor Michael will lead this 5-week course beginning January 6. Dial-A-Devotion, St. Paul s daily phone devotion ministry at 463-7595, can be called anytime during the day and night. Devotions Jan. 1-5 will set a direction for 2019. Take a few moments each day for spiritual devotion. Dial 463-7595. The Flowers Calendar for 2019 is posted in the church narthex. Those who wish to provide flowers for the altar or chancel during the year are invited to sign the calendar, which lists Sundays only. The calendar has space to sign for Altar --two matching arrangements--or Chancel --either one or two arrangements. Chancel arrangements will be placed on stands near the altar. Flowers may be given in memory of loved ones, in recognition of special occasions, or at other times. Donors are asked to arrange for order and delivery. An Altar Guild member will contact donors prior to the signed-up date to ask for information for that Sunday s bulletin. Thank you. Family Footnotes You have probably had a few Christmas celebrations and unwrapped a few presents by now. You have probably gathered bags of wrapping paper and set them curbside. Maybe you re thinking about when would be the best time to take down the tree before life returns to the hectic schedules. Maybe you have had enough of Christmas leftovers, and maybe you never want it to end. That s the thing, the Christmas season comes and goes, but the Word of God remains. One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Eve service was when the children recited John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Notice this passage says whoever believes in him. God s Son was given for all. May Jesus be yours. May His love abide in your hearts, and may you let that love spill over to all whom you meet. May Jesus be your focus and your hope as you prepare to begin a new year. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. Lamentations 3:24 ~Gina Martens, Family Life Director 8 Offertory - Vocal Ensemble (8:00am) Kyrie Lord, Have Mercy Mark 10:47 Prayers After each petition: P Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. Mary, Did You Know The Lord s Prayer setting by A. Mallotte C (sung) 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Collect of the Day P Everlasting Father, source of every blessing, mercifully direct and govern us by Your Holy Spirit that we may complete the works You have prepared for us to do; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen. Collect for Grace P 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. C Amen. 5
Blessing 2 Corinthians 13:14 P Let us bless the Lord. P The grace of our Lord T Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C Amen. Closing Hymn - Lutheran Service Book # 388 Go Tell It on the Mountain ******* Preacher - Rev. Michael Pottschmidt Organist - Kathryn Oetting Vocal Ensemble - Allison Rankin, Melissa Heath, Sara Larsen, Jennifer Rankin, Rachel Martens Acolytes - Hunter Luedeman 8:00am Abby Kollbaum 10:30am Greeters Ruth Schmidt, Vernetta Oetting 8:00am Robert and Marlene Lange 10:30am LGSH Service Leader - Walter Loeber LGSH Message - We Certainly Are on the Right Path LGSH Soloist - Ron Heins LGSH Pianist - Mary Roepe Acknowledgments Lutheran Service Book 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. 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. Next Sunday s (1/6/19) Scripture Readings: First Reading - Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Reading - Ephesians 3:1-12; Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 The Lutheran Hour can be heard any time on the internet. Type in Lutheran Hour; click on the first paragraph, THE LUTHERAN HOUR; click on LISTEN. This week s message by Dr. Dean Nadasdy., A Long Good-Bye. 8:00 AM The Lutheran Hour, KCMO (710 AM) 8:00 AM The Lutheran Hour, KLEX (92.5 FM) 10:00 AM The Lutheran Hour, KMMO (1300 AM) 10:10 AM The Lutheran Hour, KSIS (1050 AM) 1:30 PM The Lutheran Hour, KWIX (1230 AM) 6 The 7th Grade Teacher Calling Committee is taking names from the congregation for possible candidates for the 7th Grade teacher position for the 2019-2020 school year. Please submit names in writing to the church office, Greg Bushman, Melissa Luebbert, or Nathanael Poppe by January 10, 2019. New Year s Eve Worship at the LGSH is Monday, Dec. 31 st at 10:00 a.m. The service will have four celebrations, the first two will focus on the close of year 2018 and the opening of year 2019. The meditation will speak to The Old Meets the New. The last two celebrations will celebrate the circumcision of Jesus and receiving the name Jesus. Law and Gospel is the theme of this meditation. Hymns, responsive sentences, Scripture readings, prayers, and the closing of 2018 and opening 2019 are included in the worship. Walter Loeber is the worship leader NYG Attendee Meeting There will be a National Youth Gathering meeting next Sunday, January 6th following the 10:30am service (approximately 11:45am). This is an important meeting to discuss fundraising and both youth and their parents need to attend. Please let Angela Kollbaum know if you will be unable to make it and we will set up a time to meet individually. 5/6 Grade Junior High Youth We will have our 5/6 Jr. Youth Bible Study Wednesday, January 9th from 3:15 to 5pm in the Youth room. Please let Angie Kollbaum know if you youth is planning to attend. Hope you can join us for fellowship, study of His Word, and a snack. Subscriptions for The Lutheran Witness (envelope included in your 2019 packet) is $16.00. Please make checks payable to St. Paul s Lutheran Church, as the church is billed monthly. Subscriptions must be turned in through the offering plate or to the church office by January 25. Attendances & Offerings Last Week 8:00am & 10:30am Sunday: 344, 210; LGSH: 101; Christmas Eve: LGSH: 105; Children s Service: 973; Candlelight: 122; Christmas Day: 347; Bible Classes - Sunday School: 41; Jr High: 9; High: 8 Adult: 65; LGSH: 60; Midweek: 12 Home - $29,886.34 Sunday School - $36.75 Missions - $2,148.54 Building - $10 Debt Reduction - $1050 Lutheran Bible Translators - $73.35 Home Improvement - $5 SPLHS - $98.30 Grade School - $122.87 Mehl Mission - $50 Comfort Dog - $195 HLLEC - $100 Welfare - $4,648.95 Lutheran Leadership Education - $81 Give Online at www.stpaulsconcordia.org 7