Name of Jesus
Prelude
“How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”
Gathering
Confession and Forgiveness
Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
P: In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Please kneel or sit as you are able. Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Most merciful God,
C: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Please stand as you are able.
Entrance Hymn #643 (blue hymnal)
“Once in Royal David’s City”
1 Once in royal David’s city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ, her little child.
2 He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
with the poor and meek and lowly,
lived on earth our Savior holy.
3 And our eyes at last shall see him,
through his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle
is our Lord in heav’n above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.
4 Not in that poor lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him; but in heaven,
set at God’s right hand on high;
there his children gather round,
bright like stars, with glory crowned.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 57)
L: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise: Hymn #47 (green hymnal)
“Let All Together Praise Our God” v. 1, 4, 7
1 Let all together praise our God
before his glorious throne;
today he opens heav’n again
to give us his own Son,
to give us his own Son.
4 He undertakes a great exchange,
puts on our human frame,
and in return gives us his realm,
his glory, and his name,
his glory, and his name.
7 Your grace in lowliness revealed,
Lord Jesus, we adore,
and praise to God the Father yield
and Spirit evermore;
we praise you evermore.
Prayer of the Day
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 62)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Eternal Father, you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be a sign of our salvation. Plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.
Let us pray.
Bless Carroll, O God, as he proclaims to us the scriptures, and open the mangers of our hearts to welcome the King, Jesus Christ the Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
27 So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody
“How Majestic Is Your Name”
Michael W. Smith
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, we praise your name.
O Lord, we magnify your name: Prince of Peace, mighty God;
O Lord God Almighty.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, we praise your name.
O Lord, we magnify your name: Prince of Peace, mighty God;
O Lord God Almighty.
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
4 When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation: Hymn #268 (maroon hymnal)
“Jesus, Name Above All Names”
Jesus, name above all names,
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord,
Emmanuel, God is with us,
Blessed Redeemer, living Word.
Gospel: Luke 2:15-21
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 63)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation.
Hymn of the Day
“Love Has Come”
1 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.
2 Love is born! Come, share in the wonder.
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of his mother;
what is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers;
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
3 Love has come and never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us.
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas;
Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!
Please stand as you are able.
The Nicene Creed
A: Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of the Nicene Creed.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Dedication of the New Year to God’s Glory
P: Today when we gather for the first time in the new year, we are reminded that by God’s abundant mercy, each day is new. Let us give thanks for God’s faithfulness last year and ask for God’s blessing in the year ahead. Let us pray.
O God, as we dedicate this new year to your glory and praise, we give thanks for your presence and mercy in 2022. For feeding us each week through your Word and sacrament,
C: We thank you, Lord.
P: For your faithful provision in the last year—ourselves, our time, our possessions, and life—signs of your gracious love, and for your promise to provide all we need in the year ahead,
C: We thank you, Lord.
P: For giving us this community of faith, for knitting us together into the Body of Christ, for those most dear to us who have died in this last year who have now joined the great cloud of witnesses who surround us,
C: We thank you, Lord.
P: Where we have failed,
C: Forgive us.
P: Where we still hurt,
C: Heal us.
P: In this new year, grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things. So draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, and lead us to the building up of your kingdom so that each day might be lived for the glory of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The ministers and congregation may greet one another with a gesture of peace.
Invitation to Offering
Offertory: Hymn #58 (green hymnal)
“Lo, How a Rose Is Growing” v. 1-2, 4-5
1 Lo, how a rose is growing,
a bloom of finest grace;
the prophets had foretold it:
a branch of Jesse’s race
would bear one perfect flow’r
here in the cold of winter
and darkest midnight hour.
2 The rose of which I’m singing,
Isaiah had foretold.
He came to us through Mary,
who sheltered him from cold.
Through God’s eternal will
this child to us was given
at midnight calm and still.
4 This flow’r, so small and tender,
with fragrance fills the air;
his brightness ends the darkness
that kept the earth in fear.
True God and yet true man,
he came to save his people
from earth’s dark night of sin.
5 O Savior, child of Mary,
who felt all human woe;
O Savior, king of glory,
who triumphed o’er our foe:
bring us at length, we pray,
to the bright courts of heaven
and into endless day.
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Meal
Dialogue
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 68)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory; that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 69)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign. You have filled all creation with light and life; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations. You rescued Israel, your chosen people. Through the prophets you renewed your promise; and, at this end of all the ages, you sent your Son, who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
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.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And, believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection, that we who receive the Lord’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 71)
C: Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
Invitation to Communion
P: Glory to God in the highest!
Come to the table of peace.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 72)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.
Communion Hymn #701 (blue hymnal)
“What Feast of Love” v. 1, 3
1 What feast of love is offered here,
what banquet come from heaven?
What food of everlasting life,
what gracious gift is given?
This, this is Christ the king,
the bread come down from heaven.
Oh, taste and see and sing!
How sweet the manna given!
3 What wine of love is offered here,
what crimson drink from heaven?
What stream of everlasting life,
what precious blood is given?
This, this is Christ the king,
the sweetest wine of heaven.
Oh, taste and see and sing!
The Son of God is given!
Communion Hymn #250 (maroon hymnal)
“There Is a Name I Love to Hear”
1 There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
it sounds like music in my ear,
the sweetest name on earth.
Refrain
Oh, how I love Jesus,
oh, how I love Jesus,
oh, how I love Jesus,
because he first loved me!
2 It tells me of a Savior’s love,
who died to set me free;
it tells me of his precious blood,
the sinner’s perfect plea. Refrain
3 It tells me what my maker hath
in store for ev’ry day;
and though I tread a darksome path,
yields sunshine all the way. Refrain
4 It tells of one whose loving heart
can feel my deepest woe,
who in each sorrow bears a part,
that none can bear below. Refrain
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Canticle
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 72)
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of ev’ry people:
A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Post-Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us, through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 74)
P: 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.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #62 (green hymnal)
“The Bells of Christmas” v. 1, 4, 6
1 The bells of Christmas chime once more;
the heav’nly guest is at the door.
He comes to earthly dwellings still
with new year gifts of peace, good will.
4 Oh, join with me, in gladness sing,
to keep our Christmas with our king,
until our song, from loving souls,
like rushing mighty water rolls!
6 Come, Jesus, glorious heav’nly guest,
and keep your Christmas in our breast;
then David’s harpstrings, hushed so long,
shall swell our jubilee of song.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!”
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
John Cathcart, Assisting Minister
Carroll Mayhugh, Reader
Patrick Cathcart, Acolyte
Henry Beckering, Book Bearer
Upcoming Events
Sunday, January 1: Name of Jesus
**No Sunday School / Adult Forum**
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
After worship: Evangelism Committee
Tuesday, January 3
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Thursday, January 5
10:30 am Bible study (in-person / Zoom)
Sunday, January 8: Epiphany of Our Lord
**No Sunday School / Adult Forum**
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
Tuesday, January 10
6:30 pm Venture Scouts
Thursday, January 12
10:30 am Bible study (in-person / Zoom)
6 pm Scouts BSA
7 pm Cliques, Drama, and Gossip: Conflict in the Early Church Bible Study
Copyright Notices
Let All Together Praise Our God: Tr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House; setting © 1953 Württembergisches Choralbuch.
How Majestic Is Your Name: Words and music by Michael W. Smith © 1981 Meadowgreen Music Company (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing).
Jesus, Name Above All Names: Words and music by Naida Hearn © 1974, 1978 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.).
Love Has Come: Text © 1996 Living the Natural Way, admin. Music Services, Brentwood, TN; arr. © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Lo, How a Rose Is Growing: Tr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
What Feast of Love: Text © 1993 Delores Dufner, published by OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland OR 97213. All rights reserved.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.