The Second Sunday After Christmas - Online Worship - January 3, 2021
vs. 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:
refrain:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ,
The newborn King.
vs. 2
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light.
(refrain)
Friends, today we come to worship the newborn King, who first came to us, to love us anew, to save us anew, in The Perfect Present Sign of God’s comfort and joy and grace anew, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the spirit of Christmas and as we meet the new year 2021, let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to trust every sign of Christ, the newborn King.
(silence for reflection)
Friends of Emmanuel: God is with us, The Lord is come, to make you anew in grace; Jesus saves, Jesus forgives you all your sins! Sing a new song unto the Lord! Through his birth and his faithful presence, his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory. Let us break into joyful song and sing praises! Emmanuel is forever here! Let the angels forever sing!
Loving God, in the grace of Christmas, you, Emmanuel, come to us; you are our joy in the world; you are why the angels forever sing. Come anew, now to us, keep alive in us, your hope and light. As a New Year has begun, in each and every new day, keep Christmas coming to us, keep Christ coming anew to us, in every sign of your saving grace. Renew us in The Word made flesh, The Light no darkness can overcome. In the glory of the new born King, we pray. Amen.
vs 1
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn king;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn king!”
vs 3
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise each child of earth,
Born to give us second birth.
(refrain)
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
(New Revised Standard Version)
A blessed anticipated New Year to one and all! What are you searching for in this new year? Have you stopped looking for Christmas, for The Christ? The wise men have not even arrived yet! Today, is only The Tenth Day Of Christmas! Do you ever feel like what you are finding, what you are seeing, is nothing new? Today, as we share in Luke’s Gospel, Simeon had been searching, longing for, watching and waiting, for the same thing, for what had been promised for years, for centuries, and then suddenly, before his very eyes, The Sign was anew, `he could now go in peace, for his eyes had seen his salvation!’ May we believe anew, the wait is over, all is being made new before our very eyes, in the signs of God’s grace anew, for us, too, in Emmanuel, as a new year begins, as each new day begins, in our Savior, Jesus The Christ!
1. The signs of God’s grace are anew, in The Word become flesh to live among us, in Emmanuel, God with us, in The One we are blessed to have our eyes see, like Simeon, to see our salvation! Luke 2:29-32
A. We are blessed in the sign anew, complete, in The Christ, alone, there are no substitutions, no returns, no exchanges! `God alone sent his Son!’ Galatians 4:4
B. We are blessed in the sign anew, The One promised, The One who was waited for, The One who is revealed more clearly than ever before! `The child is destined for the falling and rising of many, to be a sign... The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.’ Luke 2:34, 40
C. We are blessed in the sign anew, to see God’s signs, God’s gifts, are still coming to us, in the new ways of God’s grace! `For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up.’ Isaiah 61:11
Today is only the 10th Day Of Christmas, there is time to give gifts, to give anew, the signs of God’s grace, give the gifts of:
Listening, learning, laughing, letting go, letting it be, lifting up, living, loving!
D. We are blessed in the sign anew, to go anew, to announce anew, to serve anew, to believe anew! `For Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake, I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like a dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.’ Isaiah 62:1
E. We are blessed in the sign anew, unconditional, thanks to God’s love, God’s grace!
`We, too, rejoice in The Lord, for we are clothed with the garments of salvation, covered with the robe of righteousness.’ Isaiah 61:10
`We, too, are children of God, and if children, then heirs, for God has sent The Spirit of his Son into our hearts, to cry, `Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6-7
`We, too, have seen our salvation, prepared in our presence, a light for the nations, the glory for all people!’ Luke 2:29-32
2. As The Twelve Days Of Christmas continue, as a new year begins, trust, celebrate, every sign of God’s grace, here and anew, just as it is supposed to be, just as God planned it, in our salvation, in Jesus Christ!
Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.
vs. 1
Good Christian friends,
Rejoice with heart
And soul and voice;
Give ye heed
To what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and lamb
Before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
vs. 2
Good Christian friends,
Rejoice with heart
And soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door,
And we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
… as you hear our prayers, Jesus …
May every sign of Emmanuel be born anew in our hearts and world.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.
In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in 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.
As we enter the year 2021, as we celebrate the Word became flesh to live among us; go anew, believe anew, be blessed anew; for Emmanuel is with you, in your home, in your heart, with your circle of loved ones, this Christmas, these blessed twelve days, as a new year begins, each and every day, and always! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Lord come to you and bless you in this new year, and all your days, and give you His light. The Lord bless you with every gift and sign anew, for God is with us. The Lord bless you anew with every sign of His precious gifts, for Christ is salvation and hope, life and grace, love and peace, comfort and joy. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the peace of Christ, in the presence of Emmanuel, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth! Good will to all!
vs. 1
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
refrain:
Gloria,
In excelsis Deo;
Gloria,
In excelsis Deo!
vs. 3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn king.
(refrain)
At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.
For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.
We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.
refrain:
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born!
vs. 1
While shepherds kept their watching,
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens,
There shone a holy light.
(refrain)
vs. 3
Down in a lonely manger,
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
(refrain)
vs. 1
God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.
Comfort and joy have come to us,
In God’s amazing grace,
Comfort and joy have come to us,
In this and every place,
Comfort and joy will be fulfilled,
The day we see God’s face.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.
vs. 1
Joy to the world!
The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart
Prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven
And nature sing.
refrain:
Joy,
Unspeakable joy!
An overflowing well;
No tongue can tell!
Joy,
Unspeakable joy!
It rises in my soul,
Never lets me go!
vs. 3
He rules the world
With truth and grace,
And makes
The nations prove
The glories of
His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders,
Wonders of His love.
(refrain)
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Join us next Sunday, January 10, 9:30 a.m., as we share and celebrate The Baptism of Our Lord, as the season of Epiphany begins, “The Bright New Light!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts! A blessed and holy and happy New Year to each of you and your loved ones!
As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!
For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.
For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.
We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.
In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!
From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org
We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every sign of God’s love and grace!
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Litany of God’s Presence, In Signs of Grace, Hope & Light, written based on Psalm 98 © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Angels from the Realms of Glory” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #31669 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #27738 “Jesus Loves Me” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #85158 “Angels We Have Heard On High” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #27721 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #29080 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #39441 “Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)” © 2009 worshiptogether.com songs, CCLI #5607039 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.