Three Wise Men WELCOME TO FAITH LUTHERAN Inviting all people to faith... Come and Worship - Go and Work Lee Laaveg Pastor Phone 580-4316 2912 Hwy. Blvd. N. January 3, 2016 Epiphany Sunday Email - faithlutheran@smunet.net Catch us on the Web: www.faithlutheranspencer.com Like us on Facebook! Faith Lutheran Church LCMC
Prelude Welcome Songs - O Come All Ye Faithful, I Am Litany: The whole cosmos welcomes the birth of a new king; Today as we gather, we welcome you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our world is a dark place filled with fear and despair; In the birth of Jesus, you shine the light of love and hope. Forgive us for stubbornly hiding in the dark; Forgive us for living as if you do not exist. In the light of the star, lead us again to our Savior; Open our eyes to see the Son you have given to us. Create within us hearts committed to seek for you; Give us wisdom, courage and faith to trust Jesus. Amen. Prayer of the Day: Lord God, the glory of Jesus birth calls us see the world in your light. In the vulnerable infant child you reveal your plan to save us. Overcome our blindness and our ignorance to show us true wisdom, so that our hearts might surrender to you in faith. Give us confidence and hope, so that we might light up the world. As you protected the Christ-child, protect us in your love. In Jesus name. Amen. Drama - The Search for the Christ Child by Kim Wilson Lesson - Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 (Please stand if you are able) Children s Message Video - Herod / Wise Men
Song - What Child is This Sermon - Three Wise Men Caitlyn Campbell Song - The First Noel (offering will be received at this time) Offertory - O Come Let Us Adore Him Offertory Prayer: Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Confession of Faith Prayers of the Church Sharing of the Peace Words of Institution Lord s Prayer Distribution Songs - Open the Eyes of My Heart Beautiful Savior Shout to the Lord Blessing Song - Go Tell It on the Mountain Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS THIS MORNING! Whether you are visiting from across town or out-of-state your presence is a blessing to us. Be sure to fill out the blue visitor card at the welcome desk and place in the offering plate or leave it at the Welcome Desk.
Lesson - Ephesians 1:3-14 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God s possession to the praise of his glory. Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: 6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
- Mark Your Calendars - Adult Bible Study Opportunity! Beginning January 17, Pastor Lee will be leading a 6-week course on Ephesians. Today we are proud to have the youth of Faith lead worship. Thanks to Eric Patten for working with them in preparation. Special thanks to Caitlyn Campbell for sharing the message! ONLINE GIVING PLEASE PICK UP A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON THE BACK TABLE TO HELP YOU THROUGH SETTING UP YOUR ACCOUNT. EVEN IF YOU AREN T INTERESTED IN GIVING ONLINE, PLEASE CREATE AN ACCOUNT THAT WILL HELP YOU MANAGE ALL OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION! Offering envelopes are available to be picked up in the back of the church. Please be sure to put your name on the offering envelope sheet with the number of the envelopes you are taking. Thank you!
Generosity of the Heart There is someone who perfectly demonstrated the characteristics of generous living and that is Christ Jesus. When someone was sick, He reached out to heal them. When He was mocked, tortured, and betrayed, He forgave. He died for us. Jesus leadership style demonstrates the heart of generous living. What God wants is us - - our wholehearted devotion and trust in Him. He wants us to love Him and love others with the same kind of love that Jesus demonstrated during His earthly life. That is the kind of worship He desires - - generous living in response to His generous love. As the Family of Faith attempts to close our year in the black, it is our prayer that you would sense it in your heart to generously share a little extra to continue the ministries we have been called to do. God loves a cheerful giver. Thank you for you generous support. - Dennis Larson There will be a Congregational Forum on Sunday, January 10 following worship. Discussion Topic: Purchase of 2 East Lots Please plan to attend.
NEW OPPORTUNITY Faith Lutheran has a new opportunity presented to us for our congregation s consideration. Nate Schmidt, owner of the three lots immediately to the church s east, had previously told us that he never intended to sell any of those properties, when we inquired about the north east lot because we were concerned about parking. True to his word that if he changed his mind he would give us first opportunity to purchase, he now is offering to sell us the two lots east of our church building (north and middle). The middle lot has a brand new building which is in a ten year lease to Century Link. With a down payment and the lease income, we estimate that the property would cash flow the mortgage on a fifteen year note. At this time, we cannot disclose more details about the possible transaction. More information will be forthcoming before the congregation would be asked to make a decision. But council wanted you to know about the offer and asks you to join them in praying for God s wisdom and leading. One councilman, hearing the opportunity said, What does God know that we don t? Please pray about this opportunity and discuss these matters with one another and council. STRATEGIC PLAN AND A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In January 2015, Faith congregation voted to embrace and move ahead with our Faith Strategic Plan, focusing on discipleship, programming initiatives, staffing, and our facility development. Numerous pieces to this vision have been implemented. Intrinsic to this strategic plan was the proposal to launch a capital campaign to fund this vision, including paying off our mortgage, developing our facilities for the future, and launching new programs. We will begin this campaign which will be called Build Faith in early 2016. However, some members have expressed an interest and a willingness to consider an end of year gift to this campaign as beginning seed money toward this endeavor. If you feel led by the Spirit to give to Faith s Capital Campaign in 2015, feel free to mark your contribution Build Faith Campaign on your check. Faith s members have demonstrated amazing generosity and commitment to support the mission God has given us. Thank you to each one of you for all the ways you give and invest in Faith!
Contact Eric Patten Or Laura Heikens If You Wish To Attend.
Due to an oversight by the office, the following name was not included in the poinsettia list of those we remember on Christmas Eve. In memory of their son Kevin, by Elmer & Marge Nielsen I do apologize for this oversight. - Jenn ** If you ordered a poinsettia for the Christmas Eve service and haven t picked it up already, please do so today after worship. Thank you for helping to beautify our Sanctuary! ATTENDANCE and GENERAL OFFERING REPORT Total 2015 Budget $305,093.00 Attendance Avg. Monthly YTD Balance Remaining Sept. 195 $22,470.69 $205,397.87 $99,695.13 Oct. 228 $26,162.50 $231,560.37 $73,532.63 Nov. 217 (5 Sun.) $31,091.19 $262,651.56 $42,441.44 Attendance Weekly Month to date Dec. 6 181 $7,377.27 $7,377.27 Dec. 13 218 $5,538.00 $12,915.27 Dec. 20 360 $8,336.11 $21,251.38 Dec. 24 310 $4,805.00 $26,056.38 Dec. 27 122 $9,108.00 $35,164.38 Online Giving $4,545.00 $39,709.38 Thank you for generously supporting Faith in 2015!
Coming again February 7! The Dave Ramsey course FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY Dave Ramsey - author, talk show host and personal finance expert - has a simple message for people who want to change their financial lives: It will be hard work, but it will be worth it! No matter where you are in your Total Money Makeover, we're here to help you take that next step. Some of the "how-to's" will include: How to talk with your spouse about money and goals Creating the dreaded "B" word: a budget Committing to stop borrowing money Getting current on your bills Faith will start the Dave Ramsey course, Financial Peace University on February 7 after worship! If this interests you please contact: Greg Lear - 712-260-7675 or greglear@spenceragcenter.com SIGN-UP SHEET IS IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH - SIGN UP TODAY! Cost for each household is $100.00. Should you not be able to attend because of cost, please contact the office 580-4316. We do not wish the fee to prevent anyone from participating in this class.
Thank you to todays: Worship Leader Nathan McKenney Vocalists Sophie Behrens, Carissa Doran, Ashley Schuster Instrumentalists Denise Laaveg, Nola Gafkjen, Jared Hansen, Kevin Skadeland Lector Courtney Heikens Children s Message Gloria McKenney Prayers of the Church Communion Servers - Chelsea Behrens, Kris Behrens, Carolyn Christofferson, Nathan McKenney, Eric Patten Nursery Attendant Kim McKenney Camera Cindy Tigges Computer Del Christman Sound Kristine Christianson Lead Tech Steve Oleson Greeters/Ushers - Stan & Jodene Jongma, Norm & Alice Nielsen Next Sunday, January 10: Worship Leader Karen Brandt Vocalists Radina Jansen, Joan Loring, Cassie Simcox Instrumentalists Denise Laaveg, Nola Gafkjen, Jared Hansen, Kevin Skadeland Lector David Hopkins Children s Message Becky Simons Prayers of the Church Joe Simington Nursery Attendant Rachel Simington Camera Computer Sound Lead Tech Greeters/Ushers - Dave & Barb Solberg, Roydal & Sharon Woodford Prayer Requests / Concerns: If you have a prayer concern or request, please email Karol Gafkjen at:kgafkjen@gmail.com
THIS WEEK AT FAITH This Sunday - January 3 8:00 a.m. Prayer time - All are welcome Worship Vocalist Practice 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Fellowship International Mission Trip Meeting Sunday School - Adults & Children 4:15 p.m. Youth Group Outreach at IOLBC Tuesday - January 5 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting Wednesday - January 6 9:30 a.m. Altar Prep 6:00 p.m. Worship Vocalist Practice 6:30 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Council Order of St. Luke Bible Study Thursday - January 7 8:30 a.m. Coffee - Join us! 1:00 p.m. Loopy Ladies Saturday - January 9 7:30 a.m. Men s Bible Study Sunday - January 10 8:00 a.m. Prayer time - All are welcome Worship Vocalist Practice 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Congregational Forum Fellowship Sunday School - Children & Adults Faith Lutheran Church Staff Directory: Pastor: Lee Laaveg - pastor@faithlutheranspencer.com Director of Children & Youth: Eric Patten - cymdirector@faithlutheranspencer.com Technology Director: Lori Krei - techdirector@faithlutheranspencer.com Church Administrator / Financial Secretary: Jenn Schuster - office@faithlutheranspencer.com Custodian: Rich Stueven - custodian@faithlutheranspencer.com