Author: John Rios

Sunday Worship

January 1, 2023

Welcome to Worship

Children are welcome in worship at FLW!
Activity bags for children are in the entry. The Nursery (down the hall) is available for families with young children to use.
The congregational speaking parts are printed in bold.
We are in a green zone, which means a reduced risk of infection
and masks are at your own discretion.

Prelude When a Star Is Shining Dunstan and Moore
Gathering Song The First Noel ELW #300 1,2,4,5
The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. Refrain
This star drew near to the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay. Refrain
Then entered in those wise men three,
full rev'rently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain
Confession and Forgiveness
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Beloved children of God, Let us confront our sins, and confess them to God who is merciful and just and abounding in steadfast love.
God of new beginnings,
we confess that we have sinned, we have not followed your way.
We open our hearts to you. Search us and know us. Forgive us, renew us and lead us in your ways of justice and peace. Make us reflections of the radiant love of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
People of God, God is doing a new thing. You have put on + Christ. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the one who is coming and is already here, Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
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.
Hymn of Praise O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! ELW #308 vs 1,2,4
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
You shine with God's own truth and light,
aglow with grace and mercy!
Of Jacob's line, King David's son,
our Lord and Savior, you have won
our hearts to serve you only!
Lowly, holy!
Great and glorious,
all victorious,
rich in blessing!
Rule and might o'er all possessing!
Come, precious diamond, light divine,
and deep within our hearts now shine;
there light a flame undying!
In your one body let us be
as living branches of a tree,
your life our lives supplying.
Now, though daily
earth's deep sadness
may perplex us
and distress us,
yet with heav'nly joy you bless us.
Almighty Father, in your Son
you loved us, when not yet begun
was this old earth's foundation!
Your Son has ransomed us in love
to live in him here and above:
this is your great salvation.
Alleluia!
Christ the living,
to us giving
life forever,
keeps us yours and fails us never!
Prayer of the Day
O Lord, How majestic your name in all the earth! The heavens reflect your glory and the earth proclaims the wonder of your loving care. In the fullness of time you crowned creation with the birth of your Son. Continue your work of salvation among us and form us into a new creation that, as we behold the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, we may sing your glory. Amen.
Psalm 8
O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of
infants and children; you have set up a fortress against your
enemies, to silence the foe and avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars you have set in their courses,
what are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you have made them little less than divine; with glory and honor you
crown them.
You have made them rule over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet:
all flocks and cattle, even the wild beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
and whatever passes along the paths of the sea.
O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Lesson: Galatians 4:4-7 NRSV
The second lesson is from Galatians, the 4th chapter.
Paul proclaims the ultimate significance of the nativity: Jesus was born the Son of God so that, because of him, we all may be God’s children.
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a 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 slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation What Feast of Love ELW #487 v. 2
What light of truth is offered here,
what covenant from heaven?
What hope of everlasting life,
what wondrous word is given?
This, this is Christ the king,
the sun come down from heaven.
Oh, see and hear and sing!
The Word of God is given!
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
The holy gospel according to Matthew, the 2nd chapter
Glory to you, O Lord.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least
among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane
Hymn of the Day
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 the People
Sung Response for Prayers
….God in your mercy,
Receive our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs…. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Offering
Anthem Ancient Peoples Searched the Sky Tice and Morris
Offering Prayer
God of abundance,
receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration.
Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
Amen.
Offering Response
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.
It is indeed right . . . we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Words of Institution
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.
Communion Distribution
In the Bleak Midwinter ELW #294
In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.
Heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heav'n and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign;
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God almighty,
Jesus Christ.
What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man
I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him—
give my heart.
Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
God our redeemer,
you have fed us at this table
with gifts of grace, truth, and life.
As you have gathered us in joy,
send us forth as messengers of your peace.
Make us shine with the good news of your glory,
born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Sending Song Bright and Glorious is the Sky ELW 301 1,3,5
Bright and glorious is the sky,
radiant are the heavens high
where the golden stars are shining.
All their rays to earth inclining
beckon us to heav'n above,
beckon us to heav'n above.
Sages from the East afar,
when they saw this wondrous star,
went to find the king of nations
and to offer their oblations
to the child, the newborn king,
to the child, the newborn king.
Guided by the star, they found
him whose praise the ages sound.
We too have a star to guide us,
which forever will provide us
with the light to find our Lord,
with the light to find our Lord.
Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
Dismissal
Go in grace, grow in faith, serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Worship Leaders
Pastor Rev. Pamela Stalheim Lane
Intern Pastor Vicar Joanna Kathol
Interim Music Director Ann Marie Skoglund-Anderson
Chancel choir
Soloist Anne Ng
Communion Assistants Paula Lindgren
Lector Tim Lindgren
Usher Larry Geer

Copyright
Confession and Forgiveness is from Sundays and Seasons © 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB169910.
Liturgy is from Sundays and Seasons.com © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB169910.
The Prayer of the Day is from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reprinted and streamed under OneLicense #A-704114: “When a Star Is Shining” words by Sylvia G Dunstan and music by Bob Moor © 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. “O Morning Star How Fair and Bright!” words by Philipp Nicolai; translation Lutheran Book of Worship © 1978 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. All rights reserved. “What Feast of Love” words by Delores Dufner, OSB, © 1986, 1993, The Sisters of St. Benedict. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. “Ancient peoples searched the sky / LOVE ON EARTH” words by Adam Tice and music by Sally Ann Morris © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. “Blessed Be God Who Forgives” words © 2002 Augsburg Fortress; music by Anne Krentz Organ © 2003 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Holy Holy Holy/ ARGENTINE SANTO words traditional; English translation © 2020 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. All rights reserved. “Bright and Glorious Is the Sky” words by Nikolai Grundtvig - Service Book and Hymnal © 1958 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. All rights reserved.
CCLI Licenses #11291555 (reprint) and #20480436 (streaming):
Public domain music: “The First Noel” words and music English traditional. “Jesus, the Light of the world” words by Charles Wesley(stanzas) and George D. Elderkin (refrain) music by George D. Elderkin. “In the Bleak Midwinter” words by Christina Rossetti, music by Gustav Holst.
This Week’s Schedule
Every Sunday - online worship &
printable bulletins available
at faithlilacway.org
(After the 9:30 service has streamed,
there may be a slight delay)
This Week’s Schedule | All Are Welcome!
Sunday, January 1st–Happy New Year!
9:30 AM Weekly Worship in the Sanctuary, Parking Lot, and Streaming online at www.faithlilacway.org
10:30 AM Treats and Talk
Monday, January 2nd
**Office Closed**
Tuesday, January 3rd
10 AM Staff Meeting
Wednesday, January 4th
6:30 PM Confirmation
Sunday, January 8th–Affirmation of Baptism Sunday
8:30 AM Sunday School
9:30 AM Weekly Worship in the Sanctuary, Parking Lot, and Streaming online at www.faithlilacway.org
10:30 AM Confirmation Celebration–join us for cake as we celebrate two youth affirming their faith, and engage in conversation around confirmation and why it matters for our lives.

Holy Communion
All who believe are welcome to commune. Communion kits (chalices with grape juice and gluten free wafers)
are available at the doors.

Schedule and announcements?

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