St. Paul Lutheran Church In Jesus name, Do justice, Love kindness, Walk humbly with God. St. Paul is an open, affirming, and inclusive church, welcoming all who seek God. 515 South Wheaton Avenue - Wheaton, Illinois - 630-668-5953 First Sunday of Christmas January 1, 2017 Simeon and Anna
Welcome to St. Paul Visiting today? We are glad you are here! Stop by the Welcome Center and receive a sweet gift. Please write your name and other information on the welcome pad. There are multiple areas and resources designed for children to experience and participate in worship according to their needs. Please see information for parents and "Children at St. Paul Wheaton" on the laminated page posted at the outside end of your pew. Assisted listening headphones are available for those having difficulty hearing. Members, please wear your nametag. Extras are located in the pew racks. About Worship We follow an ancient pattern through the liturgy (which literally means the work of the people ). Some parts of the service may change each week, but there is a consistent flow: praising God, hearing God s word, offering our prayers and gifts, celebrating communion, and being sent into the world for service. The format remains fairly constant, but the style will vary widely. Sometimes we sing with the pipe organ, and the ministers chant. Sometimes we worship accompanied by piano, guitars, drums, violins, flutes or whatever our folk play. We range from Bach to blues, because we know that different styles connect to different people. So we all worship together, and change the style every few weeks. It s one of the ways we minister to and with each other and build community. Thank you for being part of our worship and community today! *At the asterisk, stand as you are able. P: Presiding Minister A: Assisting Minister L: Lector C: Congregation ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship) Page Numbers are printed in the lower corners in the front portion of the hymnal. Hymn Numbers are large numbers printed beside hymn titles in the rest of the book. Serving Today Presiding Minister Pastor Jared Olson Lector Diana Troxel Communion Deacon Carolyn Lukens Bread Host Carl & Marilyn Sodergren Assisting Minister Calvin Yurko Crucifer/Acolytes Griffin & Nora Bell, Alex Michalak Greeters Betty Bradshaw, Jim & Barb DeBoer Ushers Bruce Beck, Hilary Duff, Terrie & Diana Troxel Altar Care Susan Mullinger, Bob & Diane Marsh, Beth Baumgardner Welcome Center Ann Holmstrom Counters Ann Holmstrom, Paul Cook, Ron Diehl Organist Carl Heine
Preparing to Worship Prelude Chorale Fantasia Wie Schön Leuchtet der Morgenstern D. Buxtehude Welcome Children s Message Pastor Jared Pastor Jared *Entrance Hymn: We Three Kings of Orient Are (v. 1-4) WOV, #646
*Confession and Forgiveness Gathering Together in Worship Most merciful God, 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. P: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. *Prayer of the Day P: O Lord, sometimes we encounter you in unexpected places. May we meet you with joy and honor you in our speaking and acting. In your holy name we pray, C: Amen.
Responding to the Word of God *Gospel Acclamation Return to the Lord Re turn to the Lord, your God, re - turn to the Lord, your God, who is gra -cious and mer-ci - ful, slow to an-ger and a -bound-ing in stead-fast love. P: The Holy Gospel according to Luke C: Glory to you, O Lord. *The Gospel Luke 2:21-38 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord ), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. And the child s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your
own soul too. There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ Sermon Pastor Jared *Hymn of the Day: The First Noel (v. 1-3) ELW, #300 Continued on next page
Continued from previous page
*Prayers of the People After each petition of the prayers: A: Holy Lord, C: Hear our prayer. *Passing the Peace P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. P: Let us share the peace. Offering St. Paul Choir A Scottish Blessing D. Blackwell Offertory Response: As with Gladness Men of Old (vv. 1-3) ELW, #302 Continued on next page
Continued from previous page *Offertory Prayer A: As Mary and Joseph dedicated their newborn child to you, so we offer these gifts to be blessed and sanctified for your purpose. Use them for the healing and renewal of a world that longs to see your face. For Jesus sake. C: Amen.
*The Great Thanksgiving *Sanctus: Sharing the Eucharistic Meal 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. P: It is indeed right... join their unending hymn. *Eucharistic Prayer *The Lord s Prayer (Please use the version of the Lord s Prayer that is most comfortable for you) 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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. 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
The body and blood of Christ are present in this sacrament, for the forgiveness of sin and the strengthening of faith. All people are welcome to share in this meal with us. Parents, if you have a young child who receives communion, please indicate that when the minister comes to you. Those who do not receive communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing; simply keep your hands folded. Come forward and receive the bread from the minister. Gluten-free bread is available. The gold chalice contains wine; you may drink directly from the cup or dip your bread into the wine. The pottery chalice contains non-alcoholic grape juice, which you may receive by dipping your bread into the juice. Return to your seat by the side aisles. If you would like communion brought to you, simply let an usher know. Agnus Dei: Lamb of God Service continues on next page
Music During Communion Hymn: Brightest and Best of the Stars ELW, #303
*Post-Communion Prayer A: Lord God, we give you thanks that you have fed us even now with the banquet that is yet to come. Keep us alert for signs of your presence in the world around us. Send us as healing oil and sheltering comfort to those in need, and make us bold in testifying to the light of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. Announcements Going Out into the World Sent by God *Benediction P: God most high, God with us, God poured out on us, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. C: Amen. Service continues on next page
*Sending Hymn: The First Noel (vv. 4,5) ELW, #300 Continues on next page
Continued from previous page Announcements *Dismissal Pastor Jared Postlude Epilogue on Dix W. Harris
Simeon and Anna saw God Incarnate Luke 2:25-38