MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH 210-824-8748 First Sunday after Christmas December 30, 2018 Nursery care is available in the Ministry Building. We realize that it is difficult for some people to stand for long periods of time, or to kneel. Please feel free to sit as necessary during the liturgy and the prayers. Sitting during the confession is also appropriate for those who cannot kneel. Prelude DIVINE SERVICE Opening Hymn: Let All Together Praise Our God LSB 389 Invocation P In the name of the Father, the Son T and the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. C those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shone. P For to us a child is born, C to us a Son is given; P And the government shall rest upon his shoulder. C And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace P Of the increase of his government and of peace C there will be no end! P for to us a child is born C to us a Son is given. (Isaiah 9) Confession and Absolution P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins
unto God our Father, beseeching him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Kneel/Sit Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination. P O almighty God, merciful Father, C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. Hymn of Praise: While By My Sheep The Echo Carol German Trad. Text: Friedrich von Spee, 1625; Tune: Traditional German Arr. Hugo Jüngst, 1853-1923 While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright.
There shall be born, so he did say, in Bethlehem a child today. There shall the child lie in a stall, this child who shall redeem us all. This gift of God we'll cherish well, that ever joy our hearts shall fill. Old Testament Reading Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15 Hymn: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly LSB 393 Epistle Colossians 3: 12-17 Holy Gospel Luke 2:22-40 Apostles Creed pg. 192 Sit
Children s Hymn: O Come, Little Children Text: Christoph von Scmid, 1768-1854 Tune: Johann Schulz, 1747-1800 O come, little children, O come, one and all. To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small. God s Son for a gift has been sent you this day. To be your redeemer, your joy and delight. He s born in a stable for you and for me, Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see, In swaddling clothes lying so meek and so mild, And purer than angels the heavenly child. See Mary and Joseph with love beaming eyes Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies, The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love, While angels sing loud hallelujahs above. Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today, Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they; Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast, And join in the song of the heavenly host. Now "Glory to God!" sing the angels on high. And "Peace upon Earth!" heavenly voices reply. Then come little children, and join in the day That gladdened the world on that first Christmas Day Children s Message Rev. David Reedy Sermon Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem LSB 361 Sermon: Three Things Colossians 3:12-17 Rev. David Reedy
Offertory Gathering of Tithes and Offerings Our offering is our way of saying, Thank you to God for all His gifts to us and to support His work here at Mt. Calvary and around the world. To all our guests this morning, we are happy to have you with us but you are under no obligation to give an offering. But we would request your prayers for our ministry. We would ask all present to please complete an attendance card found in the pew and place it in the offering plate in order that we have a record of your worshipping with us. If you have a prayer request, please put it on a Prayer Request Card and the ushers will bring it forward with the offering. Sit Voluntary Prayer of the Church Collect of the Word pg. 201 Benediction pg. 202 Sit Closing Hymn: Go Tell It On the Mountain LSB 388 Postlude Visitors: please pick up a visitor s packet at the guest register. Join us for coffee and fellowship in the gym after the 8:30 a.m. service.
MT. CALVARY S MISSION STATEMENT Responding to God s love, we STRENGTHEN and SERVE each other and go forth from the Mount to SHARE the changeless message of Jesus Christ with the world. OUR MOTTO From the Mount to the world with God s love. 2018 THEME Nothing Less Than Jesus STAFF PHONE David Reedy, Senior Pastor 210-541-5607 Craig Meissler, Associate Pastor/Director of Music 210-296-4071 James Haupt, Pastor Emeritus 210-344-8454 Millard Watson, Lay Minister 210-659-1298 Sarah Paseur, Youth Ministry Leader 210-347-0172 Pam Dodson (Celebration Ringers) 210-259-7383 Church office 210-824-8748 Fax 210-804-0052 WEB PAGE ADDRESS: www.mtcsa.org CHURCH E-MAIL: mtcalvary@mtcsa.org