New Year's Eve Morning – The First Sunday After Christmas – Online Worship – December 31, 2023

Lord of Life LIVE - New Year's Eve Morning – The First Sunday After Christmas

Upcoming Events

Sunday Worship - The Baptism Of Our Lord
January 7, 2024, 9:30AM
Faith Quest, Sunday School resumes!

Join us in person, or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!

All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.

Carol of Blessed Joy

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

Suso, Neale

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

vs. 3
Good Christian friends rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall
Christ was born to save
Christ was born to save

Litany Telling the Awe of Christ’s Promised Retrun

Based on Psalm 98:1–4

Friends, we come to worship and rejoice, with heart and soul and voice, for Christ is born to save, to come to us in every sign anew, to forever grace us and live among us, 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 begin the year 2024, let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to trust anew with heart and soul and voice.

(silence for reflection)

Friends of Emmanuel: God is with us, The Lord is come, to make you new in every sign anew in the grace of these words:  Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins! Sing a new song unto the Lord! He has done marvelous things!

Through Jesus’ birth and his faithful presence, God’s right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory.

Let us break into joyful song and sing praises! Emmanuel is here! Christ, the Child, is indeed Lord of all!

Carol of New Hope

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Reed

vs. 1
Infant holy infant lowly
For his bed a cattle stall
Oxen lowing little knowing
Christ the child is Lord of all
Swiftly winging angels singing
Bells are ringing tidings bringing
Christ the child is Lord of all
Christ the child is Lord of all

Through his bright light the Lord is alive, making known his victory.

Jesus is the Word made flesh; he is our goodness and light! Our God has revealed his vindication in the sight of all the nations.

God graces us with every sign anew in Jesus. This is God’s Christmas gift to you, to the world. Christ, the Child was born for you!

Carol of New Hope

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Reed

vs. 2
Flocks were sleeping shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory heard the story
Tidings of a Gospel true
Thus rejoicing free from sorrow
Praises voicing greet the morrow
Christ the child was born for you
Christ the child was born for you

Emmanuel breaks forth with every sign of grace anew; steadfast love is here!

All the ends of the earth have seen his goodness and light, and the gifts of God’s grace. We live anew; our life is in Emmanuel, for God is with us! Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth!

Search no longer for hope and grace! Break forth into joyful song! Come with all the faithful! Come, let us adore him!

Carol of Hope & Joy

Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Wade

vs. 1
Oh come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye oh come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels

refrain:
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Christ the Lord

Loving God, you are Lord of all, you are the Faithful One and we adore you. In the grace of Christmas, you, Emmanuel, come to us, you are our joy in the world. Come anew, now to us, keep alive in us, your hope and light. As a New Year begins, each and every 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.

Old Testament Lesson

Isaiah 61:10–62:3

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 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 before all nations. ... For Zion's sake, I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord shall give.

(New Revised Standard Version)

New Testament Lesson

Galatians 4:4–7

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a servant, but a child, and if a child, then also an heir, through God.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Carol of Good News

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mendelssohn

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)

Gospel

Luke 2:22–40

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)

based on Revelation 21:5–7

God’s Son who was born in a manger, who went forward to make us all one through his death and resurrection, will come again. Trusting every sign of hope and grace anew in Emmanuel, we share our faith, for his light has come and the darkness will not overcome it.

God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. Amen.

Faith Quest, our Sunday School ministry does not meet today. Faith Quest will resume next week, January 7th, 2024.

The Sign Anew

ISAIAH 61:10-62:3; GALATIANS 4:4-7; LUKE 2:22-40

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 Seventh 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 7th Day Of Christmas, there is time to give gifts, to give anew, the signs of God’s grace, to 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.

Carol of New Tidings

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Unknown

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

vs. 2
From God our heav’nly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings to the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy

vs. 5
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Savior lay
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His mother Mary kneeling down
Unto The Lord did pray
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy

... as we pray to you, Jesus,
We trust anew every sign of your comfort and hope, light and grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The peace of Emmanuel be with you always.
And also with you.

Holy Communion will take place during our service. 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.

For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.

We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.

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.

Songs During Holy Communion

Caroling, Caroling

Hutson & Burt

vs. 1
Caroling caroling now we go
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling caroling thru the snow
Christmas bells are ringing
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing

vs. 2
Caroling caroling thru the town
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling caroling up and down
Christmas bells are ringing
Mark ye well the song we sing
Gladsome tidings now we bring
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing

vs. 3
Caroling caroling near and far
Christmas bells are ringing
Following following yonder star
Christmas bells are ringing
Sing we all the happy morn
Lo the King of heav’n is born
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Work, Jr.

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. 2
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth

(refrain)

vs. 3
Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

(refrain)

The body and blood of our living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, come to you, be born anew in you, strengthen you and keep you in his grace this holy morning and on into life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us pray.
Faithful God, on that first silent night, you sent Emmanuel, you came to us, giving your Son as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive your every sign of grace always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.

The Lord come to you and bless you in this coming new year, and give you His light. The Lord bless you with His presence and fill you with the warmth and quiet of the manger. The Lord bless you 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.
Thanks be to God! Peace on earth! Joy to the world!

Carol Going in New Joy

Joy to the World

Handel & Watts

vs. 1
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive its King
Let ev’ry heart
Prepare him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n
And nature sing

vs. 4
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

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Today we celebrate The First Sunday After Christmas, December 31, 9:30 a.m. “The Sign Anew!” Our New Year’s Eve morning service includes A New Year’s Blessing On God’s Beloved!

Join us next Sunday, January 7, 2024, 9:30 a.m. for The Baptism Of Our Lord! “The Bright New Light!” Next Sunday, January 7, 9:30 a.m., Faith Quest, Sunday School resumes!

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.

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets as you exit the building.

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. 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.

We hope our worship 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.

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 gift of God’s light, love and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Of Every Sign Of Grace Anew, In Hope & Light, written based on Psalm 98:1-4. “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” “Go Tell It On the Mountain” “Joy To The World” © 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 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 “Caroling, Caroling,” © 1954, renewed 1957 Hollis Music, Inc. All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.