Sunday, January 2, 2022

The Holy Communion on the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord (transferred from Jan. 6)

 The livestream may be found here.

January 2, 2022

The Epiphany of Our Lord

 


 

Adoration of the Christ Child by the Three Kings

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

 

The Epiphany of our Lord, one of the six principal festivals of the Church year, commemorates the event related in Matthew 2:1-12, the visitation of the Magi or the ‘Three Kings’ to the infant Jesus. In Church tradition, this event is understood to have deep significance. It stands for the revelation or manifestation of God, in Christ, to the Gentile nations, that is, the non-Jewish world. 

 

OLD TESTAMENT: Christ’s revelation to the Gentiles fulfills ancient prophecies of Scripture such as the one found in our first reading, Isaiah 60:1-6. The verse, ‘Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising,’ led to the identification of the Magi with foreign kings, as popularized in the hymn We Three Kings. Psalm 72 also lends itself to this interpretation. Originally sung in celebration of a king of the Davidic dynasty, in the light of Christ’s advent we sing the psalm and acclaim Jesus as the ‘King of Kings.’

 

NEW TESTAMENT: Paul’s letter to the Ephesians echoes this theme of ‘revelation’ or ‘manifestation’ to the Gentiles. God has given him grace to ‘bring to the [nations] the news of the boundless riches of Christ.’ It is Paul’s mission to lead them, like the star led the Magi from a country far, to the Christ they may worship and adore.

 

GOSPEL: Herod the Great had been installed by the Romans as their puppet king in Judea. So it is unnerving for him, to say the least, when the Magi show up and ask to see the one who is ‘born king of the Jews.’ Though Herod plans to eliminate this threat to his power, God preserves the child-King until his appointed time.

 

The gifts the Magi give to the infant Jesus have been subject to a variety of interpretations throughout history. Whatever the specific interpretation, the great value of the gifts show they were given in homage to a ruler.


OPENING MUSIC                                                                               The First Noel

I. Hugo Gehrke  

II. Gordon Phillips

 

Stand

XHYMN                             The First Noel                       Green LBW 56

Stanzas 1, 3, 5 / ALL

Stanzas 2, 4 / Choir

 1      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.

 

Refrain

        Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!

        Born is the King of Israel.

 

2      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.  Refrain

 

3      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.  Refrain

 

4     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.  Refrain

 

5      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.  Refrain

              

 

APOSTOLIC GREETING and PRAYER OF THE DAY

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion

of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

  And also with you.

Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

  Amen

 

CALL TO THE WORD

The news of the boundless riches of Christ

has been brought even to us.

  Let us hear the Word of the Lord.

 

Sit

FIRST READING                                                                 Isaiah 60:1-6

 

1Arise, shine; for your light has come,
  and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2For darkness shall cover the earth,
  and thick darkness the peoples;
 but the Lord will arise upon you,
  and his glory will appear over you.
3Nations shall come to your light,
  and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4Lift up your eyes and look around;
  they all gather together, they come to you;
 your sons shall come from far away,
  and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5Then you shall see and be radiant;
  your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
 because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
  the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6A multitude of camels shall cover you,
  the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
  all those from Sheba shall come.
 They shall bring gold and frankincense,
  and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                                                                    

  Thanks be to God.

 

HYMN                                Hail to the Lord’s Anointed                           Green LBW 87

1      Hail to the Lord’s anointed,

        great David’s greater Son!

        Hail, in the time appointed,

        his reign on earth begun!

        He comes to break oppression,

        to set the captive free,

        to take away transgression

        and rule in equity.

 

2      He comes with rescue speedy

        to those who suffer wrong,

        to help the poor and needy,

        and bid the weak be strong;

        to give them songs for sighing,

        their darkness turn to light,

        whose souls, condemned and dying,

        were precious in his sight.

 

3      He shall come down like showers

        upon the fruitful earth;

        and love, joy, hope, like flowers,

        spring in his path to birth.

        Before him on the mountains

        shall peace, the herald, go;

        and righteousness in fountains

        from hill to valley flow.

 

4     Kings shall fall down before him,

        and gold and incense bring;

        all nations shall adore him,

        his praise all people sing.

        To him shall prayer unceasing

        and daily vows ascend;

        his kingdom still increasing,

        a kingdom without end.

           

SECOND READING                                                              Ephesians 3:1-12

                            

1This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                             Thanks be to God.


Stand

VERSE                Matthew 2:2                             Setting by Robert Wetzler

Alleluia. We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. Alleluia.

 

Gospel                                                                             Matthew 2:1-12

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

  Glory to you, O Lord.

 

1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
  are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
 for from you shall come a ruler
  who is to shepherd my people Israel.’

7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sit

SERMON

                                                                                                      

Stand

X Hymn of the DaY

                                  Angels, from the Realms of Glory Green LBW 50                            

1      Angels, from the realms of glory,

        wing your flight o'er all the earth;

        once you sang creation's story,

        now proclaim Messiah's birth:

        Come and worship, come and worship,

        worship Christ, the newborn king.

 

2      Shepherds, in the fields abiding,

        watching o'er your flocks by night,

        God with us is now residing,

        yonder shines the infant light.

        Come and worship, come and worship,

        worship Christ, the newborn king.

 

3      Sages, leave your contemplations,

        brighter visions beam afar;

        seek the great desire of nations,

        you have seen his natal star.

        Come and worship, come and worship,

        worship Christ, the newborn king.

 

4     All creation, join in praising

        God, the Father, Spirit, Son,

        evermore your voices raising

        to the eternal Three in One.

        Come and worship, come and worship,

        worship Christ, the newborn king.

 

Sit

HOLY BAPTISM

Baptismal Candidate:   Ronel Josiah Thomas

son of Terance Joshua Thomas and Ramya Kanthi Bejjam

(sponsors: Divya Bejjam and Sushant Paikaray)

 

In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.

 

The parents and sponsors present the child with these words:

 

  We present Ronel Josiah to receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

 

In Christian love you have presented Ronel Josiah for Holy Baptism. You should, therefore, faithfully bring him to the services of God's house, and teach him the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As he grows in years, you should place in his hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for his instruction in the Christian faith, that, living in the covenant of his Baptism and in communion with the Church, he may lead a godly life until the day of Jesus Christ. Do you promise to fulfill these obligations?

R             I do.

 

Stand

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

 

That you would keep your holy Church steadfast in the faith and confession of the holy and blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

That Ronel Josiah and all who are baptized in the Triune name may daily die to sin and rise to newness of life: Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

That all pastors may teach with boldness; that those in government may be filled with wisdom, that our nation and world may know the gifts of peace and justice: Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

That the blessings of your grace may be showered upon all, especially the sick in body, mind, and spirit, the poor and those with no one to care for them, and that you would call us, who are baptized in your name, into solidarity with them: Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

That, following in the footsteps of our ancestors in faith, Ronel Josiah  and all the baptized may be strengthened on earth and attain to the joy of heaven: Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Abba, Father, hear the prayers we offer in the power of the Spirit, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

The Lord be with you.

  And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: We give you thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and you created heaven and earth. By the gift of water you nourish and sustain us and all living things.

 

By the waters of the flood you condemned the wicked and saved those whom you had chosen, Noah and his family. You led Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection your beloved Son has set us free from the bondage to sin and death, and has opened the way to the joy and freedom of everlasting life. He made water a sign of the kingdom and of cleansing and rebirth. In obedience to his command, we make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that he who is here baptized may be given new life. Wash away the sin of him who is cleansed by this water and bring him forth as an inheritor of your glorious kingdom.

 

To you be given praise and honor and worship through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

  Amen

 

The minister addresses the parents and sponsors:

 

I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize.

 

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

R             I renounce them.

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

R             I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?

R             I renounce them.

 

With the people of God, 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, his only Son, our Lord.

                He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

                                and born of the virgin Mary.

                He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

                                was crucified, died, and was buried.

                He descended into hell.

                On the third day he rose again.

                He ascended into heaven,

                                and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

                                the holy catholic Church,

                                the communion of saints,

                                the forgiveness of sins,

                                the resurrection of the body,

                                and the life everlasting. Amen

Sit

The minister baptizes the candidate.

 

Ronel Josiah, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen. You belong to Christ,

  in whom you have been baptized. Alleluia.

 

The minister and the baptismal group go before the altar.

 

The Lord be with you.

  And also with you.

 

The minister lays both hands on the head of the baptized and prays for the Holy Spirit:

 

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks for freeing your son from the power of sin and for raising him up to a new life through this holy sacrament. Pour your Holy Spirit upon Ronel Josiah: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence.             Amen

 

The minister marks the sign of the cross with oil on the forehead of the baptized. As the sign of the cross is made, the minister says:

 

Ronel Josiah, son of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.

 

The parents and sponsors respond: "Amen."

 

A candle is lit from the paschal candle, and these words are said as the candle is given:

 

Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

The minister prays for the parents.

 

O God, the giver of all life, look with kindness upon the father and mother of this child. Let them ever rejoice in the gift you have given them. Make them teachers and examples of righteousness for their child. Strengthen them in their own Baptism so they may share eternally with their child the salvation you have given them, through Jesus Christ our Lord.                                                                                                               

  Amen

Stand

Through Baptism God has made this new brother a member of the priesthood we all share in Christ Jesus, that we may proclaim the praise of God and bear his creative and redeeming Word to all the world.

 

We welcome you into the Lord's family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child of the same heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God.

 

Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,

and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.                                Isaiah 9:6

The peace of the Lord be with you always. 

  And also with you. 

 

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

 

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

 

Stand 

OFFERTORY     

Isaiah 60:1, 6; Matthew 2:2      Setting by Robert Wetzler

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. We have seen his star in the East and have come with gifts to worship the Lord.

 

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ, from your dwelling place,

from the glorious throne of your kingdom, and come and cleanse us.

  You are seated on high with the Father,

  and you dwell also with us here, although unseen.

By your mighty hand render us worthy to receive in holy communion

your spotless body and your precious blood.

  Amen

 GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.                                   

  And also with you.                     

Lift up your hearts.                                         

  We lift them to the Lord.                        

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.                                  

  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times

and in all places offer thanks and praise to you,

O Lord, holy Father, almighty and ever-living God.

  In the incarnation of your Son, a new light has dawned upon the world,

that all the nations may be brought out of darkness to see the radiance of your glory.

  And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

Holy, holy, holy 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!                                                    (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

 

 

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

 

You are indeed holy, O God.

               

You surround us with your glory and mercy,

and in the splendor of your heavenly light

you lead us through the darkness of this world.

You led your people Israel by a pillar of fire,

as you delivered them from bondage

and brought them to the promised land.

By the light of Bethlehem's star

you led the sages to your beloved Son,

revealing him to the nations as King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

In words, signs and wonders

your Son gave the light of hope to the disappointed

and healing to the disenchanted.

 

 

Then, at the appointed time,

he stretched out his hands on the cross,

showing forth the brilliance of a life freely given,

that all may have life in him.

 

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.

 

In joy we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

  Christ has died.

  Christ is risen. 

  Christ will come again.

 

Gracious Father, we give you our thanks

for the light of our Lord's passion

and his victory over the grave.

We rejoice that you have made us your people,

objects of Christ's redeeming love.

 

We pray that by your Holy Spirit

you will bless and sanctify this Holy Communion,

that we may be illumined in faith

as we partake of Christ's body and blood,

renewed in the forgiveness of sins.

and joyous in our hope for your eternal kingdom.

 

                Through him, with him, in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

                all honor and glory is yours,

almighty Father, now and forever. Amen

 

 

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

 

Christ is in our midst.

                By the power of the Spirit,

                we pray to his Father, saying:

 

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                                    Matthew 6:9-15

 

We have found him who gives light to the nations,

and have come to do him homage.

  Thanks be to God.

 

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

 

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.                                                               John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13


Sit

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

 

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

 

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated.

 

 When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine.  Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.

 

XDISTRIBUTION HYMNS

             

Choir Anthem

Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies 

Text/ Charles Wesley;

Music/Hymn tune RATISBON, setting by Healey Willan

                               

Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Thou, the true, the only Light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o’er the shades of night.

Dayspring from on high be near; Daystar, in my heart appear.

 

Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by Thee;

Joyless is the day’s return till Thy mercy’s beams I see,

Till they inward light impart, glad my eyes and warm my heart.

 

Visit, then, this soul of mine, pierce the gloom of sin and grief;

Fill me, Radiancy Divine, scatter all my unbelief.

More and more Thyself display, shining to the perfect day.

 

Bright and Glorious Is the Sky                                           Green LBW 75

St. 1, 3, 5/Choir;

St. 2, 4, 6/ALL


1      Bright and glorious is the sky,

        radiant are the heavens high

        where the golden stars are shining.

        All their rays to earth inclining

        beckon us to heav’n above,

        beckon us to heav’n above.

 

2      On that holy Christmas night

        through the darkness beamed a light;

        all the stars above were paling,

        all their luster slowly failing

        as the Christmas star drew nigh,

        as the Christmas star drew nigh.

 

3      Sages from the East afar,

        when they saw this wondrous star,

        went to find the king of nations

        and to offer their oblations

        unto him as Lord and King,

        unto him as Lord and King.

 

4     Him they found in Bethlehem,

        yet he wore no diadem;

        they but saw a maiden lowly

        with an infant pure and holy

        resting in her loving arms,

        resting in her loving arms.

 

5      Guided by the star, they found

        him whose praise the ages sound.

        We too have a star to guide us

        which forever will provide us

        with the light to find our Lord,

        with the light to find our Lord.

 

6      As a star, God’s holy word

        leads us to our King and Lord;

        brightly from its sacred pages

        shall this light throughout the ages

        shine upon our path of life,

     shine upon our path of life.


When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

 

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.    

  Amen

 

 Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen   

Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)          

  

Lord God,

the bright splendor whom the nations seek:

let us, who are drawn by your light,

discern the glory of your presence in your Son,

the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

Sit

INSTALLATION OF CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS

 

The magi, led by a star, came to Christ, bringing him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, paying him homage. You too have come forward, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to worship and adore Christ and serve him in taking up office, as you have been elected by your congregation. You bring gifts of time, skill, and wisdom, to lay before God for use as he sees fit. On behalf of this congregation, I ask you to affirm your willingness to take up these tasks.

 

St. Paul writes: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives to everyone ability for particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person, for the good of all. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

 

You have been elected to positions of leadership and trust among the people of Saint Stephen Lutheran Church.

 

You are to see that the words and deeds of this household of faith reflect him in whose name we gather.

 

You are to work together with other members to see that the worship and work of Christ are done in this congregation, and that God's will is done in this community and in the whole world.

 

You are to be diligent in your specific area of serving, that the one Lord who empowers you is glorified.

 

You are to be examples of faith active in love, to help maintain the life and harmony of this congregation.

 

On behalf of your sisters and brothers in Christ, I ask you: Are you ready to accept and faithfully to carry out the duties of the offices to which you have been elected?

R             Yes, by the help of God.

 

Stand

People of God, I ask you: Will you support these, your elected leaders, and will you share in the mutual ministry that Christ has given to all who are baptized?

  Yes, by the help of God.

 

I now declare you installed in your offices in this congregation. God bless you with his Holy Spirit, that you may prove faithful servants of Christ.                                                                                           

  Amen

 

BENEDICTION

Christ our Lord,

to whom kings bowed down in worship and offered gifts,

reveal to you his glory and pour down upon you the riches of his grace.

  Amen

 

Almighty God, Father, XSon, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

  Amen

 

XCLOSING HYMN       O One with God the Father                          Green LBW 77


1      O one with God the Father

        in majesty and might,

        the brightness of his glory,

        eternal Light of light:

        to gloomy haunts of darkness

        your rays are streaming down;

        the shadows flee before you,

        the world’s true light has come.

 

2      Yet, Lord, we see but dimly,

        O heav’nly Light, arise;

        dispel these mists that shroud us

        and hide you from our eyes.

        We long to track the footprints

        where you yourself have trod;

        we long to see the pathway

        that leads to you, our God.

 

3      O Jesus, shine around us

        with radiance of your grace;

        O Jesus, turn upon us

        the brightness of your face.

        We need no star to guide us,

        as on our way we press,

        if you will light our pathway,

        O Sun of righteousness.

 

 (Tune/AVE MARIA, KLARER UND LICHTER MORGENSTERN – LBW 251) 

 

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.                                                  Thanks be to God!



THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

 

Sun/ Jan 2            Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Food Bank

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

Mon/ Jan 3          Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM

Wed/ Jan 5          Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM

Fri/ Jan 7              Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM

Sat/ Jan 8             NA Meeting 11 AM

Sun/ Jan 9            Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Additional liturgical material from Common Worship: Times and Seasons, copyright the Church of England.

Eucharistic Canon reprinted by permission from A Little Book of Canons by the Rev. Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, c. 1997 and c. 2010.

Bouts, Dieric, 1415-1475. Adoration of the Christ Child by the Three Kings, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=49146 [retrieved December 20, 2021]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dieric_Bouts_004.jpg.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

St Stephen Lutheran Church

55 Forsythe Road

Pittsburgh PA 15220

(412) 279-5868

office@ststephenpittsburgh.org

www.ststephenpittsburgh.org

 

Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am