29 Dec BULLETIN – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2024
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Organist
Sunday, December 29, 2024
First Sunday of Christmas
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
BRIEF ORDER OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose steadfast love is everlasting. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection.
God-with-us, we confess that we turn away those seeking shelter and claim there is no room when we could help find solutions. We make wealth our idol while you show us the richness of simplicity: a glorious babe born in a humble manger. We overlook those deemed unclean, scruffy or smelly and prefer good news in prettier packaging. Too often, we value power instead of peace. Turn us from our ways to your ways. Grant us grace and free us from all that keeps us stuck. Forgive our every sin, through Jesus Christ, born to give himself for us. Amen.
Rejoice! You are among God’s chosen people, who through Jesus Christ are deemed holy and beloved, ☩ forgiven and freed to receive God’s promise of forgiveness with joy. Amen (which means “Let it be so”).
TWO HYMNS BY REQUEST
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Shine the light of your wisdom into our hearts, O God, and open our minds to the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may 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, as one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING 1 SAMUEL 2:18-20, 26
Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. 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. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord”; and then they would return to their home. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.
TWO HYMNS BY REQUEST
SECOND READING COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ 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 God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
🎶Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the 2nd chapter.
🎶Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL LUKE 2:41-5
Now every year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 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. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When 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.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
The Gospel of the Lord.
SERMON
TWO HYMNS BY REQUEST
PROFESSION of FAITH Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, creator 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, by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, 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. He 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
Filled with good news of great joy, let us offer our prayers for the church, the earth, and all people. A brief silence.
For those who teach and those who learn, we pray. Bless Sunday school teachers, seminary professors, Bible study leaders and all those who seek ongoing faith formation. May God’s church stand fast forever, and we, God’s people, remain ever faithful.
For the thriving of creation, we pray. Protect the habitats of pangolins and porcupines, penguins and parrots, all wild animals and creeping things. Increase our knowledge of the natural world and the care of its inhabitants. May the beauty of earth stand fast forever, and we, God’s people, remain ever faithful.
For the nations of the world, we pray. Raise up rulers who lead with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Let your peace rule in their hearts and in all lands. May a just and peace-filled world be established forever, and may we, God’s people, help bring it about.
For the well-being of all people, we pray. Keep watch over those traveling and become visibly present to those feeling down or ill (especially those on our prayer list). Console every relationship experiencing stress, strain or dissolution. May all that God desires become reality. Lord, remind us to pray and help us be present to those who suffer.
For the partnering of St. Peter and Messiah Lutheran Churches to other community services, we pray. Let the word of Christ dwell among us. In times of conflict, clothe us in love and move us to forgive. For you alone establish whatever can stand fast, may we, your people, remain ever faithful.
We give thanks for knowing that your beloved children find secure and eternal rest in you. Help those who grieve to stand fast in faith. Console their hearts and minds with peace that only you can give. May all whom you establish, remain ever faithful.
God, there is none like you, so full of tender mercy and steadfast love. We commend all these prayers to you, trusting your grace made known to all, through the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERATORY
🎶Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit.
LORD’S PRAYER
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 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.
BENEDICTION
TWO HYMNS BY REQUEST
DISMISSAL Page 74
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.