January 02, 2022
The Second Sunday after Christmas
The First Sunday of the New Year
The Three Most Important Names Of All
Just before the close of 2019, Money Inc published its ranking (in its opinion) of the most influential people in the world — a select group whose decisions affect millions, shake industries, and change nations. The folks at Money considered people they regarded as the most influential players in the world from the fields of business, politics, entertainment, and technology. They were judged on the basis of their influence in terms of economic power, command, newsworthiness, and “impact” — a subjective measure that captures how important they are in their respective spheres of influence.
The names of Money Inc’s top 10 influential individuals for 2019 were (in reverse order): 10. Brian Kolfage (who raised $25 million through a GoFundMe account to help fund the Border Wall) ; 9. James Charles (the first male ambassador for Cover Girl magazine); 8. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; 7. Theresa May (British conservative politician); 6. Jeff Bezos (head of Amazon); 5. Bill Gates (Microsoft founder and philanthropist); 4. Elon Musk (entrepreneur, head of Tesla and SpaceX); 3. Dwayne Johnson (actor/entertainer); 2. Donald Trump (President of the US); and 1. Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House of Representatives).
But time does change things….even when it’s only two years! A few weeks ago Forbes magazine released its 10 most influential people for 2021. Their list (in descending order) was: 10. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook head); 9. Merendra Modi (Prime Minister of India); 8. David Cameron (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom); 7. Larry Page (CEO of Alphabet….the parent of Google); 6. Bill Gates (Microsoft founder and philanthropist); 5. Xi Jinping (President of China); 4. Pope Francis; 3. Angela Merkel (Chancellor of Germany); 2. Donald Trump (former President of the US); and 1. Vladimir Putin (Head of the Russian Federation).
Mindful that these lists are subjective, it’s still worth noting that many of the names of the people who were considered most important and influential in 2019 changed by 2021. It just goes to show that in this world all power, glory and influence truly are fleeting and ephemeral.
Nobody rules or leads for long…..except (…..no, not Queen Elizabeth, but….) the King of Kings, Who is also the LORD of Lords: Our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. His rule is eternal, and His influence is infinite and timeless. In fact, nothing exists or occurs without His concurrence and blessing….as the Apostle Paul properly affirms (Acts 17:28): “In Him [Christ] we live and move and have our being.” Furthermore – and even more important from a salvific (salvation-oriented) perspective – it is through Him alone that anyone is saved eternally, as Jesus Himself declared in John 14:6…”I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
With those thoughts in mind, the topic that we’ll be addressing in this morning’s service is also the theme of our Sermon today, “The Three Most Important Names in the World.” Through a triple text, we’ll consider the name and uniqueness of the one true God, the essential name of the world’s one and only Savior from sin – Jesus Christ, and our own names – which God has graciously written in the Book of Life.
Addressing the specific subject of the name of the One true God, in this morning’s Old Testament lesson the “angel of the LORD” (the pre-incarnate Christ) speaks to Moses out of a burning bush and reveals Himself as the eternal, changeless, almighty God through the name “I AM WHO I AM” (incidentally, from this point forward in the Old Testament, wherever that “name” is presented, translators give us the word LORD – all in capital letters – to identify our “God of free and faithful grace.”). It is by that name that every generation of believers since Moses – right up to us today – have known the LORD as the one, true, only Savior-God.
Our Children’s Lesson deals with the name of Jesus and the distinctive work of redemption embodied in His name. So does our Gospel Lesson. In both we find Mary and Joseph – in fulfillment of God’s Law – seeing to it that their Child is circumcised on the eighth day of His life, and that He is given by Joseph the name that the angel had provided for our Savior before His birth: the name “Jesus,” which defined Christ’s mission to save us from our sins.
In our Epistle Lesson for this morning we have the “third” important name…..your name (and mine). For the sake of the saving merits on our behalf and because of the Holy Spirit’s Means of Grace-initiated, faith-imparting work in our hearts, you and I have been accepted by God into His family of believers and now humbly bear the designation “Children of God” through faith in Jesus Christ.
In addition to this morning’s just-mentioned Scripture lessons, consistent with today’s worship theme our Opening Hymn has, as its focus, the name of the one true, Triune God. The lyrics of today’s Sermon Hymn speak about the “name of wond’rous love,” Jesus Christ, before Whom everyone must bow in worship – if not now, then on the Last Day and for all eternity. And, finally, our Closing Hymn speaks to the New Year’s occasion which is occurring today. Through it we will be closing today’s service with a prayer in song, asking God to bless us as we embark upon this new year 2022, dedicating it, ourselves and all that we hope to achieve to Him and His glory.
Pre-Service Prayer
Lord, open now my heart to hear
And through Your Word to me, draw near;
Let me Your Word e’er pure retain, Let me Your child and heir remain.
Your Word inspires my heart within,
Your Word grants healing from my sin.
Your Word has power to guide and bless;
Your Word brings peace and happiness. Amen.
CW 282, v.1 & 2
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Silent Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service music
The Introduction and Welcome to Worship
We Praise Our God
At the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation may rise for
The Invocation
P: We make our beginning this morning, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Opening Psalm Reading Psalm 8
P: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
C: Set this glory of Your above the heavens.
P: From the lips of little children and nursing babies, You have established strength because of Your foes,
C: to put a stop to the enemy and the avenger.
P: Whenever I look up at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
C: the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,
P: what is man that You remember him,
C: and the Son of Man that You pay attention to Him?
P: Nevertheless, You make Him suffer need apart from God for a while,
C: but crown Him with glory and honor.
P: You make Him the Ruler over the works of Your hands;
C: You put everything under His feet,
P: all flocks and cattle, and even the wild animals,
C: the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, + which pass through the currents of the seas.
P: O Lord, our Lord,
C: how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The First Hymn “God the Father, Gracious Lord”
sung to the melody of “Come You Thankful People, Come”
meter: 7777D cwh 2005
God the Father, gracious Lord, May Your name be e’er adored.
All exists by Your command In the sky or sea or land.
Precious Father, You know all – When each hair and sparrow fall.
Guide and guard me from all harm
With Your strong, protecting arm.
Jesus Christ, my Lord, God’s Son, Who, for me, salvation won –
You Who hung on Calvary Bore my sins and set me free!
You, my ever-faithful Friend, Who will love me to the end,
By Your grace in heav’n I’ll live. Heart-felt praise to You I give.
Holy Spirit, Light Divine,
Through the Means of Grace, please shine
In my heart again today, Drive sin’s darkness far away.
Keep me in Your Word, so true, Day by day my faith renew.
Use me, Lord, as You know best Serving here – in heav’n to rest.
Blessed Holy Trinity, Glorious in Your majesty,
Father, Spirit and the Son – Savior-God, the Three-in-One –
From sin’s curse You set me free Heaven’s mine – eternally.
All I am, to You I owe, Source from Whom all blessings flow. Amen.
The Confession of Sins
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, + I confess that I am by nature sinful + and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; + I have done what is evil in Your sight + and have failed to do what is good. + For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, + both now and for eternity. + But I am truly sorry for all my sins, + and trusting in the perfect life + and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, + I plead: + God have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, carrying out my office as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you.
Congregation Amen.
Lord Have Mercy
P: For all that we need in life, and for the wisdom to use all Your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: (sung) Lord have mercy
P: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ:
C: (sung) Christ have mercy
P: For the well-being of Your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord
C: (Sung) Lord have mercy
P: Merciful God, Maker and Preserver of life, uphold us by Your power, and keep us in Your tender care:
C: (Sung) Amen
P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; His name is worthy of praise.
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
Almighty God, merciful Father, Your crown our life with Your love.
You take away our sin; You comfort our spirit;
You make us pure and holy in Your sight.
You did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him up for us all.
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
O Son of God, eternal Word of the Father,
You came to live with us; You made Your Father known;
You washed us from our sins in Your own blood.
You are the King of glory; You are the Lord!
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
The Prayer for Today
O Almighty and eternal God, + we pray that You would direct our words, thoughts, and actions + by the power of Your Holy Spirit, + so that we might always please You. + Open our eyes and hearts + enabling us to confess the Christ Child + as the whole world’s (and our) + One and only Redeemer from sin and for heaven. + Graciously give us in this new year + the strength of body and soul + to live each day to the honor of Your glorious name + as we look forward to living forever in heaven with You. + We ask all of this in the name + and for the sake of Jesus Christ, + Your Son, our Savior, + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit + as the One true God, + for ever and ever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation may be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The First Reading Exodus 3:1-15
Now Moses was shepherding the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, a priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but the bush was not burning up. 3 So he said, “I will go over and look at this amazing sight—to find out why the bush is not burning up.”
4 When the Lord saw that Moses had gone over to take a look, God called to him from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!”
Moses said, “I am here.” 5 The Lord said, “Do not come any closer. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He then said, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
7 The Lord said, “I have certainly seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry for help because of their slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 Now indeed, the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me. Yes, I have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 So he said, “I will certainly be with you. This will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will serve God on this mountain.” 13 But Moses said to God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I say to them?”
14 So God replied to Moses, “I am who I am.” He also said, “You will say this to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you.” 15 God also told Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation.’
The New Testament Reading Galatians 3:23-29
23 But before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24 So the law was our chaperone until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a chaperone.
26 In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one and the same in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants and heirs according to the promise.
Afterward the Congregation will rise out of respect for our Savior’s words
Today’s Gospel Lesson Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother, Mary, was pledged in marriage to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to divorce her privately. 20 But as he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”
24 When Joseph woke up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary home as his wife, 25 but he was not intimate with her until she gave birth to her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus.
The Public Confession of our Christian Faith
according to the words of the Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
Today’s Children’s Lesson Luke 2:21
After eight days passed, when the child was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
What’s So Important About A Name?
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 76 “Jesus, Name of Wondrous Love”
1 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Name all other names above,
Unto which must ev’ry knee Bow in deep humility.
2 Jesus! Name decreed of old, To the maiden mother told —
Kneeling in her lowly cell – By the angel Gabriel.
3 Jesus! Name of priceless worth To the fallen here on earth
For the promise that it gave, “Jesus shall his people save.”
4 Jesus! Only name that’s giv’n Under all the mighty heav’n
Whereby all, to sin enslaved, Burst their fetters and are saved.
5 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Human name of God above;
Pleading only this, we, too, Flee, O God, in faith to you.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! Amen.
The Sermon Text
Psalm 8:10
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Revelation 21:27
27 Nothing that is unclean and no one who does what is detestable or who tells lies will ever enter it, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
The Worlds’ Three Most Important Names
- The Name of the Triune God
- The Name of the Only Savior III. Your Name
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
The Offering Hymn Hymn 485 “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
1 We give thee but thine own, Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from thee.
2 May we thy bounties thus As stewards true receive
And gladly, as thou blessest us, To thee our firstfruits give.
6 And we believe thy Word Though dim our faith may be:
Whate’er for thine we do, O Lord, We do it unto thee.
We Bring God our Offering and Prayers
We Present Our Offerings of Love to Our Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship.
However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can go to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option.
After the offering is gathered the Congregation rises for prayer
The Prayers of the Church
Included in our Prayers today are Special Prayers:
for Chris Merritt, who remains in an ICU in Minnesota,
struggling with the Covid virus.
and for
Dan Beck, who is contending with – and awaiting treatment for – cancer;
and for
Lesa Roe, who continues to recover from knee replacement surgery.
The 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 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.
We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
P: The Lord be with you.
C: (sung) And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: (sung) We lift them up to the Lord,
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: (sung) It is right to give Him thanks and praise
P: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for in the wonder and mystery of His birth You have opened our eyes to the glory of Your grace and renewed in our hearts the fervor of Your love.
Now have come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ. To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
(Sung) Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of Your glory
You are my God and I will exalt You.
I will lift You up for You have become my salvation.
Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of Your glory
The Words of Institution
P: “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”
C: (Sung) Amen.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world,
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Grant us Your peace. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper
The Distribution of the Sacramental Elements
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS
We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.
We believe, according to Scripture, that only those who are “one,” that is, in complete doctrinal agreement, united in a common public confession of faith, are to commune together at the same altar (see I Corinthians 10:17 and I Corinthians 1:10).
To be “in communion” means to share and to hold in common. By eating and drinking at our Lord’s Table, we are not only sharing in, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus’ very body and blood…we are also publicly declaring that we hold in common a specific confession of faith. In other words, as a result of having comprehensively studied the Scriptures together all of our communicants have agreed to accept and proclaim the same Biblical doctrines and practices.
Through membership in a particular church body (for us, that church body is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod), each person makes a public statement that he/she is in full agreement with the teachings and practices of that body. Because not every church body or Lutheran Synod teaches and practices the same things, we in the WELS want to be honest in our recognition of the doctrinal differences that, here on earth, separate us from other church bodies. Please bear in mind that we are not, in any way, judging the legitimacy of your Christian faith. Still, we ask that if you have not (upon study of the Word with us) declared yourself to be in full doctrinal agreement with us, you would respectfully not join us in the Lord’s Supper this morning.
It is our prayer that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage anyone among us today who is not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of his/her church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word.
And if you are guest among us today, we want you to know that it is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the Biblical doctrines our congregation confesses, in order that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your understanding and respect of our Communion practice.
Distribution Hymns Hymn 302 “Lord, To You I Make Confession”
1 Lord, to you I make confession: I have sinned and gone astray;
I have multiplied transgression, Chosen for myself my way.
Led by you to see my errors, Lord, I tremble at your terrors.
2 Yet, though conscience’ voice appall me, Father, I will seek your face.
Though your child I dare not call me, Yet receive me to your grace.
Do not for my sins forsake me; Do not let your wrath o’er take me.
3 For your Son has suffered for me, Giv’n himself to rescue me,
Died to save me and restore me, Reconciled and set me free.
Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish
These dark fears and soothe this anguish.
4 Lord, on you I cast my burden– Sink it in the depths below!
Let me know your gracious pardon; Wash me, make me white as snow.
Let your Spirit leave me never; Make me only yours forever.
Hymn 315 “Here, O My Lord I See You Face to Face”
1 Here, O my Lord, I see you face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen,
Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon you lean.
2 This is the hour of banquet and of song;
Here is the heav’nly table spread anew.
Here let me feast and, feasting, still prolong
The brief bright hour of fellowship with you.
3 I have no help but yours nor do I need
Another arm but yours to lean upon.
It is enough, O Lord, enough indeed;
My strength is in your might, your might alone.
4 Mine is the sin but yours the righteousness;
Mine is the guilt but yours the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace:
Your blood, your righteousness, O Lord, my God.
5 Too soon we rise; the vessels disappear.
The feast, though not the love, is past and gone.
The bread and wine remove, but you are here,
Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.
6 Feast after feast thus comes and passes by,
Yet, passing, points to that glad feast above,
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great marriage feast of bliss and love.
following the distribution of the Lord’s Supper
at the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation will rise
The Thanksgiving
(Sung) Thank the Lord and sing His praise. Tell everyone what He has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice, and proudly bear His name.
He renews His promises and leads His people forth in joy,
With shouts of thanksgiving, Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Closing Prayer
Almighty God, to Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we may love You more completely, praise You more joyously, and serve You more faithfully. These requests we make in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, both now and forever. Amen.
The Benediction
P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one
another. Serve the Lord in gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look upon you with favor, and grant you His peace. Amen.
Closing Hymn Hymn 72 “O Lord, our Father, Thanks And Praise”
1 O Lord, our Father, thanks and praise In this new year we render,
For ev’ry evil had to flee Before you, our defender.
Our life was nourished, we were fed With rich supplies of daily bread,
And peace reigned in our borders.
2 Lord Jesus Christ, our thanks and praise In this new year we render;
Your reign has kept your people free, Has shown your mercies tender.
You have redeemed us with your blood; You are our joy, our only good,
In life and death our Savior.
3 O Holy Spirit, thanks and praise In this new year we render,
For you have led our eyes to see Your truth in all its splendor
And thus enkindled from above Within our hearts true faith and love
And other Christian virtues.
4 Our faithful God, we cry to you: Still bless us with your favor,
Blot out all our iniquity, And hide our sins forever.
Grant us a happy, good new year
And, when the hour of death draws near,
A peaceful, blest departure.
Announcements
Fellowship Service Appeal As we begin a new year this morning, we also have an entire year’s worth of “Sunday Morning Fellowship Service” to arrange. Specifically, we need church members – like you – to volunteer to provide for our Sunday morning fellowship refreshments. You can sign up for one week at a time, a few weeks, or a month (or more, if you’d like). A reimbursement of up to $25 per week (from our fellowship “jar”) is available. For more information, speak with Tina and John Wambold. The “Sign Up Poster” for Sunday Fellowship” is affixed to the south wall (next to the store room) in our fellowship hall/gymnasium. In advance, “THANK YOU” and God bless you for serving.
Looking Ahead For Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship with the Lord’s Supper, 9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Period, 10:45 to 11:05 a.m.
Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:05 a.m.
Jan 4 (Tues) Morning Bible Class, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Jan 8 (Sat) Outreach Calling….leaving from church at 10 a.m.
Jan 9 (Sun) Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. Fellowship: 10:40 a.m.
Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:05 a.m.
Youth Confirmation Class, 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Last Week At Grace Lutheran
Sunday Worship Attendance: 61
Budgetary Offerings: $897 Online: $3667.16 Benevolence: $25
No Bible Class or Sunday School was held
Christmas Eve Offerings: $2492 Christmas Day Offerings: $350
New Year’s Eve Attendance: 20 (16 communed)
Serving Us Next Week
Elders: Steve Stone, Vic Walker
Altar Guild: Christine Quinlan, Linda Winnat
Ushers: Jim Winnat, Jim Taylor, Murray Mansch, James Boatwright
Fellowship: Cynthia and Rick Tragasz
Today’s and Tuesday’s Bible Classes ……..In Bible Class today we’ll continue our studies in I Corinthians. Today we’ll be in chapter 11, and perhaps chapter 12. We’ll examine the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper, as well as begin a discussion of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to the church. Tuesday, from 10:30-11:30 am, we’ll study 2 Kings 18 and 19, where we’ll examine the story of the reign of Judah’s King Hezekiah.
Wednesday Evening Bible Studies for all ages Resume NEXT WEEK …..We will be resuming our midweek Bible classes for children, women and men on Wednesday evenings, starting next Wednesday, January 12th. We’ll meet from 6 to 7:15 p.m. each week. If you’ve not joined us in the past, we really hope you’ll try this middle-of-each- week opportunity to gather around God’s Word for the growth of our faith and Biblical knowledge, and for the good fellowship that this time together also offers. Our men’s class will be studying in the book of Psalms. Our women’s class will be studying the Lord’s Prayer.
Church “Un-Decorating” This Saturday (January 8th) …..We would be very grateful for your help this Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m., when we’ll be “un-decorating” the church by taking down and putting all the Christmas decorations that we’ve enjoyed throughout this building over the last six weeks.
Following that work, we’ll join together for a brief bring-your-own “sack lunch” and then will hold a “Fellowship Planning Meeting” to map out a fellowship service and activity plan/schedule for 2022.
We Would Like to Extend a Humble and Grateful Thank You ….
“On behalf of my wife and myself, I would like to say to you, our friends in Christ – Thank you for the many kindnesses, cards, gifts, and good wishes that you shared with us during this Christmas season….and indeed over the years. We’re humbled that you are kind enough to give us such gracious and undeserved consideration. We are truly grateful to all of you, and to our Lord for blessing us with the good friends that you are. May God bless all of you.”