Second Sunday of Christmas

January 3, 2021 | 11 am

St. John’s Lutheran Church | Salisbury, NC

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Gathering The Holy Spirit gathers us as the people of God

Prelude

Call to Worship Of the Father’s Love Begotten DIVINUM MYSTERIUM Rosemary Kinard, Soloist

Prayers of Confession

We make the sign of the cross as a reminder of our baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray. God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence for reflection and self-examination. Merciful God, we confess we have sinned against You through our thoughts, words, and actions. We have let our pride steer us away from Your path for us. We have sought our gain instead of seeking Your kingdom. We have forgotten Your love and ignored Your call to serve. Forgive our sin, O God, and cleanse our hearts and minds. May we live as Your forgiven people, giving honor to Your name.

God’s Promise of Forgiveness

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. May Almighty God strengthen you with his light, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

We invite you to join together in song at your discretion but please remember to keep your masks on throughout worship so that

everyone can remain safe and comfortable.

Hymn 275 Angels From the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE (See Page 9)

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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.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Word We hear God’s word in scripture reading, preaching, and song

Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, 7-12 1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to an-gels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 7Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." 8But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." 10And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end."

Word of God. Word of Life! Thanks be to God!

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Response Some Children See Him By Alfred Burt Rosemary C. Kinard, Soloist

The Holy Gospel: John 1:1-5, 10-14, 16-17 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Sermon Pastor Laura Henrik

Hymn 290 Go Tell it on The Mountain GO TELL IT (See page 10)

Apostle’s Creed. Gathered as God’s people across time and space, let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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 of Intercession. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

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Meal God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ

Preparation of the Lord’s Table

Love has come—a light in the darkness!

Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies. See, all heaven has come to proclaim it;

hear how their song of joy arises: Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!

Love! Love! Glory to God on high. The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eucharistic Prayer followed by Angels We Have Heard on High:

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excel sis Deo. Gloria in excel sis Deo.

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.

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Distribution of Holy Communion. You will be invited to the table one row at a time. The Pastor will explain how we will commune. Welcome to the Lord’s Table! Communion Hymn 296 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

(See Page 11) Please stand Blessing and Prayer

Sending Forgiven and nourished, we are now sent into the world to share God’s love.

Benediction

Sending Hymn 267 Joy to the World ANTIOCH (See Page 12)

Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!

During the postlude we ask that you remain seated. Following the postlude, you will be dismissed one row at a time.

Postlude

Unless otherwise indicated, today’s service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and is reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #26999.

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Join Us In Prayer For The Following:

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER CONCERNS — Tom and Nancy Austin, Pat Nelson, Jean Rufty, Roseman Family, Shirley Trexler

ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS — Marge Fuertinger, Ed Shinn, Danielle DeNise, Jane Britt, Roger Alexander, Karen Rogers, David Wilson, Mike Connor, Phyllis Edwards, Robin Cohen, Paula Kafitz, Richard (Dick) Petherick, Benny Banks, Karen Shelton, Lee Wagoner, Gerald Jones, Betty Denker, Nancy Austin, Rachel Safrit, John Myers, Jane Shuping, Barbara Rufty, Walter Tatum, Jim Rabon, Matt Stahl, Nancy Parrish, Thomas Livesay, Gene Myers, Kent Brown

HOMEBOUND — Anita Foreman, Peggy Taylor, Lois and Paul Carter, Alda Smith, Margaret Ketner, Sonny Allen, Dottie Bedford, Hal Furr, Fran Hoke, Sherry Morgan, Ermine Peeler, Shirley Smith, Peggy Smith

Worship Participants

SONG LEADERS: Carol Hair, Diane Goodnight, Karl Kinard, Marvie and Larry Cartner, Dennis and Karen Rogers, Corinne Mauldin, Randy Overcash, Rosemary Kinard GUEST MUSICIANS: Janie Rollins, Organ READER: Ann Brady ACOLYTE: Dave Roof SOUND: Mike Agee VIDEO: Taylor Hutchins

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St. John’s Lutheran Church 200 West Innes Street ● Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 ● 704.636.3431

stjohns-salisbury.org ● To contact a staff member: first name@stjohns-salisbury.org

Pastoral Ministry Senior Pastor…………………………………………………………………………………..……....................Rhodes Woolly Pastor for Youth and Discipleship……………..……………………………………..…….………………….. Laura Henrik Visitation………………….……………………………………………………………….……………….…...………..Wade Rouzer Worship and Music Ministry Minister of Worship and the Arts.……………………………...………………………………..Rob Durocher, deacon Associate Parish Musician ………………………………………………………………….….…………....Rosemary Kinard 9:27 Worship Leader…………………………………………………..……………………………….………Bradley Chestnut Production Manager…………………….…………………………………………………….………………....Taylor Hutchins Director of Music Emeritus………………………………………………………………..………..…...Karl Kinard, deacon Program Ministry Youth……………………...………………………………………………………………………..………………………. Laura Henrik Children……………………………………………………………………………………………………...….………...Stacey Shafer Adults…………………………………………………………………..………….…………………………………..…….Danny Hines Senior Adults …………...……………………………………………….………………………………………………..Diane Poole St. John’s Kindergarten (4 and 5 year olds) ……………………………………………….……………....Teresa Stoner CDC Interim Directors………………………………………………………………….Lonna Richardson and Kristy King Administrative Team Business Manager ………………………………………………………………………….………………..……..Ruth Ann Diehl Office Manager…………………………….…………………………………………………………………..……..Deborah Cross Accounting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...Mark Bias Communications Specialist………………………..…………………………………………………..…………..Angel Owens Facilities Manager…………...……………………………………………………………………..……………………...Jon Koppe Maintenance...……………………..………………………………………………………………………..……...David Ellenburg

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