THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

December 30, 2018 PRELUDE Chorale Prelude on Das alte Jahr vergangen ist J. S. Bach
The First Sunday of Christmas (The Old Year Has Passed Away)

Holy Communion IV TOWER BELLS

CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION AND INVOCATION

INTRODUCTION All are invited to stand and may make the sign of the cross,
the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minster begins.
On the first Sunday of Christmas we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus,
both in the temple, both growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with The angel of the Lord announced to Mary,
God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God “to sing and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with a The Word became flesh and lived among us,
savior. As the festival continues, “let the peace of Christ rule in your and we have beheld Christ's glory.
hearts.” It is Christmas, still. This weekend we rejoice that Scott Counts is To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
joining Old Trinity as he affirms his baptism along with the congregation. In him is life, and the life is the light of all people.
These twelve days we celebrate the birth of Jesus:
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and The Truly Divine, the Truly Human, the Savior, who is Immanuel, God
a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An with us.
usher will gladly provide you with assistance. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, Holy Spirit.
Amen.
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all
cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service. GATHERING SONG:
Angels, from the Realms of Glory (ELW 275)
We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so KYRIE
that we may record your presence with us.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW

Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You were pleased to give us the
shining example of the Holy Family. Bless our families and friendships that
they may be sources of respect, joy, laughter, and prayer. Strengthen the
commitment of spouses to one another, that their love may mirror your
covenant faithfulness. Pour out you Holy Spirit on parents, that through
them children may taste your unconditional love, and inspire us all to live
in your grace and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God, and
open our minds to the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may
HYMN OF PRAISE think and act according to your good will and may live continually in the
light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Please be seated.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Having dedicated her son Samuel to God’s service, Hannah visits him
every year when she and her husband, Elkanah, come to the Lord’s house
to offer sacrifices. God grants Hannah more children, and Samuel himself SECOND READING: Colossians 3:12-17
gains favor in the sight of all. Just as newly baptized Christians in the early church were clothed with
18
Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. white robes upon arising from the baptismal waters, so all who have
19 received God’s gift of life in Jesus Christ are covered with the character of
His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year,
when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20Then Eli Christ.
would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD repay you with 12
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with
children by this woman for the gift that she made to the LORD”; and then compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with one
they would return to their home. another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other;
26
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all,
with the LORD and with the people. clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed
The word of the Lord. you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ
Thanks be to God. dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and
with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to
Silence for reflection on the reading. God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
PSALM 148
The word of the Lord.
Paraphrase: Praise The Lord! O Heavens (ELW 823)
Thanks be to God.

Please stand for the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
All sing the Alleluia. The choir will sing the verse, all repeat the Alleluia

GOSPEL VERSE:

Let the peace of Christ rule | in your hearts|

and let the word of Christ dwell | in you richly. Col. 3:15, 16)

GOSPEL: Luke 2:41-52

As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
my lips, and in my heart.”
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus grew up in a family that went to the Passover festival each year. It
was in this environment of faithful adherence to the law that Jesus grew
into spiritual maturity and an understanding of his identity and mission.
41
Now every year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the
Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for
the festival. 43When the festival was ended and they started to return, the
boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
44
Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey.
Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When
they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After
three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were
amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him
they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you
treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in
great anxiety.” 49He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did
you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50But they did not
understand what he said to them. 51Then he went down with them and came
to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these
things in her heart.
52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human
favor.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
Silence for reflection and then we invite you to stand and sing:
HYMN OF THE DAY: What Child Is This (ELW 296)
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for Scott Counts,
one with us in the body of Christ, who is making public affirmation of his
baptism.
Those making affirmation are presented by a sponsor or another
representative of the congregation:
I present Scott, who desires to make public affirmation of his baptism.
The presiding minister may continue with prayer.
Let us pray.
Merciful God, we thank you for this brother, whom you have already made
your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called him to
yourself, enlightened him with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished him in
the community of faith. Uphold Scott and all your servants in the gifts and
promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to
new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ.
Amen.
The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of
baptism. The assembly may stand and join in the responses.
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the
faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God, the powers of
this world that rebel against God, and the ways of sin that draw you from
God?
Response:
I renounce them.
The presiding minister addresses the candidates and the assembly.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at
the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and
the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? Let us pray.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life.
everlasting.
The minister may lay both hands on the head of the person and say:
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Stir up in Scott (/all the baptized) the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of
Dwelling in the presence of God with us, let us boldly pray for the church,
knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both
the world, and all in any need.
now and forever.
Amen.
A brief silence.
Each petition ends with:
Hear us, O God. Let us rejoice with Scott and all our siblings in Christ.
Your mercy is great. We rejoice in the life of baptism. Together let us give thanks and praise
to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.
Trusting in the presence of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, we
commend all for whom we pray, dwelling in the light and hope of Christ, Please share the peace of Christ with one another.
our Savior.
Amen. PEACE

REAFFIRMATION OF BAPTISMAL COVENANT The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.
Scott (/ beloved in the Lord), you have made public profession of your
faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy Please be seated.
baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people, ANNOUNCEMENTS
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, OFFERTORY Meditation on What Child Is This Wells
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth? We invite you to please stand.

Response: OFFERTORY HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter (ELW 294)

I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

The minister addresses the assembly.

People of God, do you promise to support and pray for Scott (/ one another)
in your Christian lives and callings?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

The presiding minister prays for God’s blessing.

 HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (ELW 190)

OFFERING PRAYER

Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among
the poor to bring the riches of your good news of grace. As you have
blessed us with your gifts, let them and us be blessings for others, signs of
your goodwill for all. In the name of Christ Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
Amen.

DIALOGUE

PREFACE
 LORD'S PRAYER

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s body
and blood, each time the words “Do this for the remembrance of me,” are
spoken.
Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your word
brought light into the world. In the fullness of time, you sent your Word,
born of Mary, to shine in our darkness and to make us your daughters and
sons.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave
thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is
my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to
drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and
for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Christ gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to
make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
(Titus 2:14) Come, behold and receive the Word made flesh.
Lutherans believe, teach and confess that we receive the true Body and
Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If you desire to pick up the cross and
live in Christ, we hope you will receive with us. Even if you do not feel
prepared to receive the sacrament today we hope you will join us at the
table. Simply hold your hands over your heart and the pastor will give you
a blessing. Pastor will be glad to discuss Holy Communion and Holy
Baptism with you!
LAMB OF GOD (ELW 195)

Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and
resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in
him.

By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by
you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy
Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.
Amen.
 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal
we have feasted on your grace. May your Word take flesh in us, that we
may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus
COMMUNION HYMN: Away in a Manger (ELW 278) Christ our Savior.
Amen.
After all have communed we invite you to stand and sing:
SENDING SONG: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (ELW 270)
SONG AFTER COMMUNION Now, Lord (ELW 201)
DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Christ is with you.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE
Chorale Prelude on Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Wells

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in
celebration of our coming year, 2019.

Presented by Scott Counts

UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS

Name of Jesus
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
By Jewish law, every baby boy was circumcised and named on the eighth
day of life, so on the eighth day of Christmas the church celebrates this
event in Jesus' life. The keeping of the covenant as well as Jesus' name are
signs of God's salvation given to us through him.

Johann Konrad Wilhelm Loehe, renewer of the church, died 1872

Wednesday, January 2, 2019
A nineteenth-century German Lutheran pastor, Loehe worked to enliven the
church with the eucharist at its center, from which would flow evangelism
and social ministry. He sent pastors to North America, Australia, New
Guinea, Brazil, and the Ukraine.