Our Saviour s Lutheran Church Sharing God s Love with All! Epiphany of our Lord January 6, 2019 9:15 am Welcome - A warm welcome to all visitors and guests. We pray that God will bless your time among us with His Word and Holy Spirit. Young children are encouraged to be in worship and activity bags are available for their use. Please sign our guest book at the back of the church before you leave. We are so glad you joined us for worship today. Confession and Forgiveness. ELW Page 94 The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. L: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. L: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. Most merciful God, C: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. The presiding minister announces God s forgiveness. L: In the mercy of almighty God, C: Amen. The service continues with gathering song.
Gathering Song As With Gladness Men of Old..(vs. 1-5). ELW #302 As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led by thee. As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee, whom heav'n and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat. As they offered gifts most rare at thy cradle, rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heav'nly king. Holy Jesus, ev'ry day keep us in the narrow way; and when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide. In the heav'nly country bright need they no created light; thou its light, its joy, its crown, thou its sun which goes not down; there forever may we sing
alleluias to our king. L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. Canticle of Praise.Page 148-9 Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Prayer of the Day L: Everlasting God, the radiance of all C: Amen. First Reading...... Isaiah 60:1-6 L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Psalm Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 L: Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king s son; C: that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice; L: that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the hills, in righteousness. C: Let him defend the needy among the people, rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor. L: May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one
generation to another. C: Let him down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth. L: In his time may the righteous flourish; and let there be an abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. C: May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles pay tribute, and the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. L: He may all kings bow down before him, and all the nations do him service. C: For the king delivers the poor who cry out in distress, the oppressed, and those who have no helper. L: He has compassion on the lowly and poor, and preserves the lives of the needy. C: From oppression and violence he redeems their lives, and precious is their blood in his sight. Second Reading.. Ephesians 3:1-12 L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation (Celtic Acclamation)(to be sung).. ELW #174 L: The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 2 nd chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel Lesson.... Matthew 2:1-12 L: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon....Pastor Greg Kaufmann Hymn of the Day. We Three Kings of Orient Are (vs.1-5) WOV #646 We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! Born a king on Bethlehem s plain, gold I bring to crown him again; king forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a deity nigh; prayer and praising, gladly raising, worshiping God Most High. Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; heav n sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies. Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! The Nicene Creed.. ELW Page 104 We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Prayers of Intercession (Each petition will end with P: Lord in your mercy ; please respond C: Hear our prayer. ) Sharing of the Peace Offering The Great Thanksgiving. ELW Page 152 P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The minister continues with the preface for the day. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord... ELW Page 153 Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Eucharistic Prayer. ELW Page 153 P: For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the mystery of faith. C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Lord s Prayer... ELW Page 154 Holy Communion - Lamb of God.ELW Page 174 Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace. Communion Hymn... The First Noel (vs. 1-5).... ELW #300 The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. This star drew near to the northwest, o'er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did both stop and stay right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. Then entered in those wise men three, full rev'rently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. Post Communion Prayer C: Amen. Blessing C: Amen. Sending Hymn This Little Light of Mine (vs.1-3) ELW #677 This little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
this little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine; this little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine; ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine; ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine; Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine; Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Dismissal L: Go in peace C: Thanks be to God. ************************************************************ Announcements After the church service today, Assistant to the Bishop Greg Kaufmann will join us for a discussion related to the possibility of calling Pastor Peter Jonas to serve at Our Saviour s and Grace Lutheran. This is NOT a voting meeting. It is a gathering to learn about the call process and provide a forum to voice questions, opinions, ideas, hopes and concerns. The gathering will take place in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 AM. Refreshments will be provided by Thrivent Financial. Operation Decoration Take Down will be held on Monday, January 7 th beginning at 4:00 PM. Everyone of all ages are invited to help. Lots of hands make the work seem lighter! Thank you to John and Shirley Mathson for the subscription to Guideposts Devotion booklets. The January devotion booklets are available in the back of the church on the table.
Next week the Youth & Family Team will be watching the movie The Star. There will be popcorn and refreshments served. Good morning! My name is Maddie and I am the Volunteer Coordinator at New Horizons Shelter & Outreach Centers. We provide assistance to people and families who are suffering from domestic violence or sexual assault. We have locations in La Crosse and Whitehall. We have a GREAT need for volunteers in all of our programs. If anyone is interested or would like more information, please contact me at volunteer@nhagainstabuse.org or 608-791-2610 est. 1301. Thank you! Maddie Smith, Volunteer/Internship Coordinator The Altar Guild is in need of a couple of volunteers to help. Duties include filling the candles with oil, changing the colors of the cloths and preparing for communion. The commitment is one month during the year, but you are not alone! You are paired with one or two others to help share the duties during your month and training is provided. If interested, please see Karen Witte or contact her at 715-299-1060 or karen.witte@outlook.com. 2019 is fast approaching. We are in need of ushers, communion ushers, videographers, and Power Point operators. There are sign-up sheets on the table in the narthex. Please consider serving in one or more of these areas. Audit Committee - The Audit Committee is in need of 2 people to help do the audit on the church books before the Annual Meeting in January. If you would be willing to help out, please contact Marnie Anderson at 715-533-0635. Happy Birthday: Wishing a happy birthday this week to: Kelly Herness, Anna Kopp, Mikailah Lindberg, Rick Paulson, Janice Fimreite, Kiera Kjos and Amanda Zimmerman. Coming Up This Week:
Today - Worship 9:15 AM Sunday School Congregational Gathering 10:30 AM Monday - Quarterly Parish meeting 7:00 PM Praise Team 7:00 PM Tuesday - Church Council 7:00 PM Wednesday - Bible Study 9:30 AM JCrew 6:30 PM Choir 7:00 PM Sunday - Worship (Baptism) 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Youth & Family 10:15 AM ********************************************************* Pastor: Peter Jonas Email: pastoroslcwh@gmail.com Church Secretary: Julie Haessig Office Phone: 715-538-4334 Church Website: oslcwhitehall.org Church Email: osluthwh@gmail.com Power Point:??? Office Hours: M & W 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Videographer:??? T & Th 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Assisting in Worship Today: Accompanist: Nancy Martinovici Ushers: Communion Servers: