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FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

January 1, 2017

9:00 am

Grace of God Lutheran Church

Oakdale, Minnesota

~ WELCOME ~

As we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, our gospel today confronts us with the death of innocent children at the

hands of Herod. The birth of Christ does not remove the power of evil from our world, but its light gives us hope as we

walk with all the “holy innocents” of past generations and today who have suffered unjustly. In our gathering around word

and meal, God continues to redeem us, lift us up, and carry us as in days of old.

We welcome guests and visitors today – thank you for celebrating with us at Grace of God Lutheran Church!

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___________________________________ GATHERING ___________________________________

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the Holy One of Israel,

the Word made flesh,

the Power of the Most High,

☩ one God, now and forever.

Amen

Gathered in the name of Jesus, let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Gracious God,

in Christ Jesus you come among us

as light shining in darkness.

We confess our failure to welcome this light.

Forgive us and renew our hope,

so that we may live in the light of your grace,

and welcome the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

I bring you good news of great joy for all the people:

To you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Your sins are forgiven in ☩ Jesus’ name.

Amen.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

GREETING

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.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

O Lord God, you know that we cannot place our trust in our own powers. As you protected the

infant Jesus, so defend us and all the needy from harm and adversity, through Jesus Christ, our

Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

___________________________ SERVICE OF THE WORD ____________________________

FIRST READING Isaiah 63:7-9 7I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,

the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,

because of all that the Lord has done for us,

and the great favor to the house of Israel

that he has shown them according to his mercy,

according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

8For he said, “Surely they are my people,

children who will not deal falsely”;

and he became their savior

9in all their distress.

It was no messenger or angel

but his presence that saved them;

in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;

he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

CHOIR “Psallite” (Cantate Choir)

Psallite Sing psalms

unigenito Christo Dei filio to Christ, the only begotten Son of God

Redemptori Domino, puerulo, iacenti in praesepio. The Redeemer, the little child lying in the manger

Shine, tiny child divine, a manger for a shrine;

Angel voices all combine to serve the child divine.

Sing your praises fine

SECOND READING Hebrews 2:10-18

10It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all

things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make

the pioneer of their salvation perfect through

sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are

sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not

ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” 13And again, “I will put my trust in him.”

And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has

given me.” 14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and

blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that

through death he might destroy the one who has the power

of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their

lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is

clear that he did not come to help angels, but the

descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like

his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might

be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God,

to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the

people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested.

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ALLELUIA VERSE

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 2:13-22

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 2nd chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

3Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord

appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the

child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there

until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to

destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his

mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there

until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been

spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I

have called my son.”

16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise

men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the

children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old

or under, according to the time that he had learned from

the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken

through the prophet Jeremiah:

18“A voice was heard in Ramah,

wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled, because they are no

more.”

19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly

appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20“Get up,

take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel,

for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21Then

Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to

the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was

ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid

to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went

away to the district of Galilee. 23There he made his home in

a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken

through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a

Nazorean.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

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HYMN “Bethlehem, O House of Bread” CHOIR ALONE stanzas 1-4; ALL SING stanzas 5-6

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SERMON

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

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.

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

PRAYERS

(Response to each petition)

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer

SHARING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY PRAYER

God with us:

You came as a baby to a manger.

You slept on straw and greeted shepherds.

You come again in bread and wine.

Remind us how good you are at blessing ordinary things.

And then, through these gifts,

help us to bless the lives of others

in the strength of your holy name.

Amen

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________________________ SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT _________________________

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God.

The universe declares your praise:

beyond the stars; beneath the sea;

within each cell; with every breath.

We praise you, O God.

We give you thanks for your dear Son:

at the heart of human life; near to those who suffer;

beside the sinner; among the poor; with us now.

We thank you, O God.

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.

Remembering his love for us, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We pray for the gift of your Spirit:

in our gathering; within this meal;

among your people; throughout the world.

Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus,

by your Spirit, in your church, without end.

Amen

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

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AGNUS DEI (“Lamb of God”)

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

Scripture says, “Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he

comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism says, “Holy Communion is the true body

and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians

to eat and drink.” All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who

share our belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are invited to

the Lord’s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion are invited to come to the

table and receive a blessing.

As you approach the table down the aisles, receive an empty cup from the cart.

Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar.

After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace.

As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right.

Non-alcoholic wine is offered in pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack.

Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who

prefer this option.

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SONGS DURING COMMUNION “What Child Is This?”

“Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”

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______________________________________ SENDING ______________________________________

DISMISSAL

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

Amen

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

On this day, O God, you gave us

Christ the Son to save us.

As you sent the one foretold,

send us now with good news for all people.

Let the gladness of this feast have no end

as we share with others the joy that fills us;

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

BLESSING

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

Amen

Go in peace. Christ lives in you.

Thanks be to God.

CLOSING HYMN “In the Bleak Midwinter”

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SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY

Worship leader and preacher Jon Marxhausen

Elder Allen Warren

Piano Mary Dinesen

Cantate Choir Director Mary Dinesen

Lector Matt Onken

Ushers Darrel & Noel Smith

Acolyte/Crucifer John Frelix

Greeter Pat Randall

DON’T FORGET YOUR 3-MINUTE MINISTRY

All were welcome to worship the Christ child – even strangers like the Magi. Are there strangers in our midst

today? Someone you have not met or do not know? Why not greet them with a warm welcome in Jesus’

name?

ALL ARE INVITED FOR FELLOWSHIP AND TREATS AFTER

WORSHIP TODAY! (A $1 suggested donation for treats and coffee helps us to continue to serve our fellowship times! )

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WELCOME TO GRACE OF GOD

Thank you for worshipping with us today.

Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway.

Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God.

You are always welcome at Grace of God.

SMALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD

“Busy bags” for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors.

That room also has a speaker to hear the worship service.

SERVING IN WORSHIP

DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS

01/01/17 Allen Warren John Frelix Matt Onken Darrel & Noel Smith Pat Randall

01/08/17 Allen Warren Jake Richter Tom Schoenberg/Cami

Hartleben Roger & Nancy Prigge

01/15/17 Allen Warren George

Zetterwall Bruce Gilman Errol Bartz / Kathy Rehbein Angie McMorrow

01/22/17 Allen Warren Ethan Onken Pam Fallert Becky Vigstol/Jenny Hanson Byron & Marilynn Epland

01/29/17 Allen Warren Aaron Smith Chris Fallert Lori Ruppel/Brenda Miller George & Kathy Rehbein

GRACE OF GOD MISSION STATEMENT

Grace of God is a Christ-centered community gathered around Word and Sacrament,

preaching Christ crucified, serving our neighbor and

discovering what it means to live under the grace of God.

X CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE

Jan. 4 - 8 TEAM 2

Lori Ruppel/Doreen Rubbert/Becky Vigstol

Jan. 11 - 15 TEAM 4

Smith Family/Darla Constable

Jan. 18 - 22

TEAM 5

Roxanne Cleary/Jeff & Jill Olofson/

Allen & Sally Warren

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE

December 24/25, 2016

Attendance (2/24) ............................................................. 96

Attendance (2/25) ............................................................. 53

General Fund Offering ....................................... $5,513.00

Weekly Budget needs ......................................... $5453.00

Year-to-date Offerings ................................. $234,637.41

Year-to-date Budget...................................... $267,197.00

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GRACE OF GOD WEEK at HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY HOME Grace of God is serving at Hope for the Journey Home (the homeless shelter at Guardian Angels) the week of

January 1-7, 2017.

PLEASE KEEP OUR VOLUNTEERS IN YOUR

PRAYERS THIS WEEK AS THEY SERVE!

January 1 - 8, 2017

Sunday, January 1 _________________________________________________________

9:00 am CHRISTMAS 1

10:15 am Fellowship

BEGIN SERVING AT HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY HOME

Wednesday, January 4 ________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASSES BEGIN NEXT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11

Sunday, January 8 ___________________________________________________________

9:00 am EPIPHANY 1

10:15 am Fellowship

Sunday School/Adult Bible study

Sign up today for our 2017 Adult Winter Retreat At Mount Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington

New location!

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THANK YOU From one of our “adopted” families for Christmas:

“Thank you for being our sponsor this Christmas. It means so much to us that you could help us out

so the kids can enjoy Christmas!”

NEW BIBLE STUDY BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 at 10:15 am We will begin a new Bible study that will highlight the history and theology of the Reformation including some

historical and theological insight into Luther’s life. We will examine what all this history and theology has to do

with US TODAY and how God’s grace in action still reforms us now . . . .

GRACE OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH 420 Hayward Avenue North Oakdale, Minnesota 55128

651.730.4900 www.graceofgodlutheran.com Jon Marxhausen, pastor