New Year s Worship A special service will be held tomorrow evening at 6:30p to thank God for all his blessings during this year and to anticipate with thanksgiving all those to come in the next. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. Usher / Greeter Signup Sheet Please indicate on the sheet if you re willing and able to volunteer as an usher or greeter during 2019. A schedule and rotation will be drawn up, and you ll be assigned to your preference of early or late services. 150 th Anniversary Celebration News & Notes Monthly Parent Get-Together December s gathering was postponed until January. If you re looking for a parents-nightout, head up to the Blue Opus in Green Bay this Friday evening, Jan 4 th, from 6:00-8:00p. Endowment Tuition Assistance Deadline is Dec 31 st. Pick up a sheet in the church entryway for details and instructions. Speak with Eric Olp if you have any questions. Red Cross Blood Drive The next drive here at St. John will be here before you know it, on Wednesday, January 9 th, from 1:00 6:00p in the fellowship hall. Signup sheets for both volunteers and donors are in the church entryway. The First Sunday after Christmas December 30, 2018 Throughout 2019, we ll be celebrating 150 years of God s abundant grace upon our congregation. That s the theme chosen by our anniversary committee: GOD S GRACE ABOUNDS! Many events are planned, and we hope our members can participate in them all! January 6 th will kick things off. A lunch will be served, with the meat and buns provided by the anniversary committee and the sides and desserts provided by members potluck-style. We ll have a chance to formally welcome our new(er) members on that occasion, too. On every first Sunday, we ll wish birthday and anniversary blessings to members celebrating those occasions during that particular month. 2019 Apple Valley Food Pantry Please note that the pantry collection dates will typically be on the 2 nd Sunday of each month during 2019 rather than the 3 rd. Upcoming Fellowship Events This year s St. John Night at the Green Bay Gamblers is January 19 th. Hockey fans should watch for a ticket order form through the school. Mrs. Bunn will be out on center ice this year in the dash for cash to benefit our school. The annual chili cookoff will take place on February 16 th. Have a favorite recipe? Fix up a pot and let us give it a taste test. Prizes will be awarded for the top three chilis. January s Quarterly Voters Meeting Note that the meeting is on the 4 th Monday of the month this time around, instead of the 3 rd. St. John Lutheran Church & School 437 Turner Street, Wrightstown WI, 54180 www.stjlw.com (920) 532-4865 church@stjlw.com pastorgehl@gmail.com (920) 309-5171 [12]
By God s grace, we gather to glorify him and grow in his Word, and to go with it into his world. Welcome! We re delighted that you ve joined us today, as we continue to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child during these Twelve Days of Christmas, which run from Christmas Day through Epiphany! Today s Theme: In the family of believers, it s our brother Jesus who changed the future for Abraham s descendants. To be about the Father s will meant sharing in our humanity and destroying the power of death. Today s Service is printed for you in its entirety in this worship folder. It will also be displayed on the projection screen up front. You may also use the red hymnal in the rack in front of you if you wish to view the musical notes for the hymns. Prayer Before Worship: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving-kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts so that, with undivided attention, I may hear your voice and sing your praises. A Friendship Register is located in each row, toward the center aisle. We ask that before worship or during the offering you fill those out completely with all the information requested and pass them down the row to your neighbor. Be sure to check any applicable boxes. Restrooms are located in our lower level. Head down the stairs to the right as you exit the worship space. Activity Bags for younger children are hanging from a rack in the entryway. Feel free to grab one if it can help to keep your little ones occupied during the service. Serving This Week Greeters Ushers Organist [2] and Next 7:45 10:15 7:45 10:15 A/V Janet Wierschke Rebecca Wicks Carol Just 12-31-18 6:30 pm December s Altar Guild: Lou Ann Gutzman, Courtney Schisel, & Janet Wierschke Last Week s Stewardship of the Means of Grace and the Means for His Work Worshiped: 104 Communed: n/a Adult Class: 16 Youth Classes: 17 Dec 23 YTD (26/53 wks) * YTD Goal Budgetary Income $4,864.87 $196,746.74 $239,409.47 *$4,086.00 of this amount is from member directives through Thrivent Choice *$46,427.39 of this amount is from St. John School tuition The Week+ Ahead as We Live in God s Grace Today (30 th ) 7:45a Worship 9:00a Adult Bible Class (Jacob; Joseph) 10:15a Worship Mon (31 st ) 6:30p New Year s Eve Worship w/ Holy Communion Wed (2 nd ) 6:45a Breakfast & Bible Study (95 Theses for the 21 st Century) 3:30p 5 th -8 th Grade Catechism Class 7:30p Adult Choir Practice Thu (3 rd ) 6:30p Worship w/ Holy Communion 7:00p Handbells Practice (at Trinity, Kaukauna) Fri (4 th ) 6:00-8:00p Parent Get-together (at Blue Opus, Green Bay) Sun (6 th ) January Birthdays & Anniversaries Celebrated 7:45a Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:00a Adult Bible Class (Joseph) 9:00a Youth Sunday School (Fiery Furnace; Lions Den) 10:15a Worship w/ Holy Communion 11:30a New Member Welcome Potluck Mon (7 th ) 6:00p English Improvement Opportunities (EIO) Class Wed (9 th ) 1:00-6:00p Red Cross Blood Drive (in the fellowship hall) Sat (19 th ) 7:05p St. John Night at The Green Bay Gamblers (hockey) (Resch Center) Mon (21 st ) & Tue (22 nd ) Sun (27 th ) Pastors Conference (at St. Peter, Sturgeon Bay) 12:00-4:00p MusicFest (at FVLHS) Mon (28 th ) 7:30p Quarterly Voters Meeting Sun (2/3) FVL Sunday (here at St. John) February Birthdays & Anniversaries Celebrated Sat (2/16) 12:00p Chili Cookoff (in the fellowship hall) Mon (2/25) 7:00p FVL General Board Meeting (at FVLHS) [11]
Closing Hymn Peace Came to Earth (CWS 707) Divine Service I Opening Hymn A Great and Mighty Wonder (CW 36) Greeting In the name of the Father and of the Son [ ] and of the Holy Spirit. Confession of Sins Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie) God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son [ ] and of the Holy Spirit. [10] [3]
Prayer and Praise In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord. Glory to God (Gloria in Excelsis) Thank-Offering Prayer of the Church The Lord s Prayer Thanksgiving Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Closing Prayer Almighty God, grant to your Church the Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes from above. Let nothing hinder your Word from being freely proclaimed to the joy and edifying of Christ s holy people, so that we may serve you in steadfast faith and confess your name as long as we live, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Blessing 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. [4] [9]
way? See, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you. 49 He said to them, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be taking care of my Father s business? 50 They did not understand what he was telling them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was always obedient to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. this is the Gospel of our Lord. The 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, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Children s Message Hymn of the Day Let All Together Praise Our God (CW 41) Sermon Luke 2:41-52 Jesus Is a Child Like No Other! Prayer of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Create in Me Let us pray. Almighty God, in mercy you sent your one and only Son to take upon himself our human nature. By his gracious coming deliver us from the corruption of our sin and transform us into the likeness of his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [8] [5]
First Lesson The Word 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26 (EHV) The similarities between the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus are striking: a gracious gift to his mother, the boy Samuel was dedicated to the Lord s service, ministering in the Tabernacle. By grace he would grow in favor with God and men. By grace he would willingly carry out the Father s things/business all the days of his life. 18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD while he was still a young boy, dressed in a special vest made of linen. 19 His mother would make a little robe for him and bring it to him whenever she came up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, May the LORD give you offspring from this woman in place of the son she asked for, whom she loaned to the LORD. Then they would go back to their home. 26 The young man Samuel continued to grow, and he increased in favor with both the LORD and with men. Psalm of the Day Psalm 111 Second Lesson Hebrews 2:10-18 (EHV) With the words of John 1 still ringing in our ears, the writer to the Hebrews lays out the loving purpose of God in Christ Jesus. It is fitting that the Author of Salvation should make his One and Only Son like those he came to save. As our brother, he knows our weaknesses and temptations. Yet, in service to God, he carried out the Father s will. Having overcome death and made atonement for our sins, he now claims us as members of his family. 10 Certainly it was fitting for God (the one for whom and through whom everything exists), in leading many sons to glory, to bring the author of their salvation to his goal through sufferings. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says: I will declare your name to my brothers. Within the congregation I will sing your praise. 13 And again: I will trust in him. And again: Here I am and the children God has given me. 14 Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood, he also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) 15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For surely he was not concerned with helping angels but with helping Abraham s offspring. 17 For this reason, he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, so that he could pay for the sins of the people. 18 Indeed, because he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Verse of the Day Colossians 3:15a (EHV) Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ control your hearts. Alleluia. Gospel Lesson Luke 2:41-52 (EHV) Great are the deeds of the LORD. They are studied by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic is his work, and his righteousness stands forever. He has set up a memorial to his wonders. Gracious and compassionate is the LORD. Refrain The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are trustworthy. He sent redemption for his people. He commanded his covenant forever. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All who do his precepts have good understanding. 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. Refrain [6] With an emphasis on the two natures of Christ, these words from Luke reveal Jesus growth in favor with God and men. Yet, very clearly, Jesus always understood his purpose was to carry out the Father s plan of salvation. Though he willingly he obeyed Mary and Joseph, more striking is his willing obedience to the Father s will. Today s Gospel reading is recorded in the 2 nd chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the 41 st verse. 41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Festival. 43 When the days had ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. 44 Since they thought he was in their group, they went a day s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, 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 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us this [7]