A PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP - stjohnsbc.net of service Epiphany 17.pdf · of acclamation out of respect...

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January 8, 2017 WELCOME We invite you to worship with us the Babe of Bethlehem, Christ Jesus, our Savior and King. Speaking, singing and proclaiming His Word, we offer you His peace - the forgiveness of your sins, redemption from God's wrath and condemnation, and His free gift of eternal life with Him in the mansions of His heavenly Kingdom. In Gospel wrought faith, let us lay hold and cling to His peace, now and forevermore. Join us now in praising the Lord of heaven and earth. To those of you seeking a church home, we offer you fellowship with our living Redeemer, Jesus Christ, membership in His Church, and citizenship in His eternal Kingdom. Please sign our guest register before you leave and come again. If you would like more information about St. John's Lutheran Church, please speak to Pastor Grant. He will gladly try to answer any questions you might have. The Epiphany of Our Lord St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church - WELS 26 Arbor St. Battle Creek, MI 49015 A PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP Lord *Jesus Christ, forgive my sins for the sake of Your redemptive suffering and death upon Calvary's cross. Through the Gospel, proclaimed in Your Word today, give me a faith which ever looks to You for spiritual strength to ward off temptation and confidence that by Your sacrificial death You have made me a victor over Satan, my sinful self with its lusts and impure thoughts, and the pull of the worldly ideas. I commit my body and soul to Your care knowing that You will uphold me with Your loving hands in the New Year and will lead me to everlasting life with You. Amen. THE DIVINE SERVICE % Ringing of the Church Bell - Call to Worship % PROCESSIONAL HYMN 80 “Angels From The Realms Of Glory” COLOSSIANS 3:16 M: In the name of the Father, and of the @ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. MATTHEW 28:19 The Pastor makes the sign of the cross in remembrance of our being so marked in our baptism, while invoking Matthew 28:19. You are also invited to make the sign of the cross, remembering your baptism. CONFESSION OF SINS ACTS 2:38; 1 JOHN 1:8-9 M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking Him in the name of our Lord *Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. * At the name of Jesus you may bow your head slightly in reverence. PHILIPPIANS 2:10 M: Our help is in the name of the LORD. C: Who made heaven and earth M: I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD. C: and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve Your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior *Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Transcript of A PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP - stjohnsbc.net of service Epiphany 17.pdf · of acclamation out of respect...

Page 1: A PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP - stjohnsbc.net of service Epiphany 17.pdf · of acclamation out of respect for the words of Christ, our King. The wise men visit the young Jesus, fulfil ling

January 8, 2017

WELCOME We invite you to worship with

us the Babe of Bethlehem, ChristJesus, our Savior and King. Speaking, singing andproclaiming His Word, we offeryou His peace - the forgivenessof your sins, redemption fromGod's wrath and condemnation,and His free gift of eternal lifewith Him in the mansions of Hisheavenly Kingdom. In Gospelwrought faith, let us lay hold andcling to His peace, now andforevermore. Join us now inpraising the Lord of heaven and

earth. To those of you seeking a

church home, we offer youfellowship with our livingRedeemer, Jesus Christ,membership in His Church, andcitizenship in His eternalKingdom. Please sign our guestregister before you leave andcome again. If you would likemore information about St. John'sLutheran Church, please speak toPastor Grant. He will gladly tryto answer any questions youmight have.

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A PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

Lord *Jesus Christ, forgive my sins for the sake of Your redemptive suffering and death uponCalvary's cross. Through the Gospel, proclaimed in Your Word today, give me a faith which ever looks toYou for spiritual strength to ward off temptation and confidence that by Your sacrificial death You havemade me a victor over Satan, my sinful self with its lusts and impure thoughts, and the pull of the worldlyideas. I commit my body and soul to Your care knowing that You will uphold me with Your loving handsin the New Year and will lead me to everlasting life with You. Amen.

THE DIVINE SERVICE

% Ringing of the Church Bell - Call to Worship %

PROCESSIONAL HYMN 80 “Angels From The Realms Of Glory” COLOSSIANS 3:16

M: In the name of the Father, and of the @ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. MATTHEW 28:19The Pastor makes the sign of the cross in remembrance of our being so marked in our baptism, while invoking

Matthew 28:19. You are also invited to make the sign of the cross, remembering your baptism.

CONFESSION OF SINS ACTS 2:38; 1 JOHN 1:8-9

M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God ourFather, asking Him in the name of our Lord *Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. * At the name of Jesus you may bow your head slightly in reverence. PHILIPPIANS 2:10

M: Our help is in the name of the LORD.C: Who made heaven and earth

M: I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.C: and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I havedisobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil andfailed to do what is good. For this I deserve Your punishment both now and ineternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior *Jesus Christ,I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

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LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie MARK 10:47

M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given His only Son to be theatoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of Christ andby His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Sonand of the Holy Spirit. JOHN 20:21-23

PRAYER AND PRAISE

GLORY TO THE FATHER Gloria Patri

GLORY TO GOD Gloria in Excelsis LUKE 2:14

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PRAYER OF THE DAY PHILIPPIANS 4:6; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1

M: The Lord be with you.

M: Let us pray. The Pastor prays the Prayer of the Day.

Lord God, by the leading of a star You once made known to the nations Your one andonly Son. Guide us, also, who know Him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of Yourheavenly glory; through *Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the HolySpirit, one God, now and forever.

THE WORD ACTS 17:11; ROMANS 10:17

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 60:1 - 6The glory of the Lord shines for all nations; it is revealed in Jesus, the Savior of the

world.

"Arise, shine, for your light hascome, and the glory of the LORD rises uponyou. 2 See, darkness covers the earth andthick darkness is over the peoples, but theLORD rises upon you and his glory appearsover you. 3 Nations will come to your light,and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4"Lift up your eyes and look about you: Allassemble and come to you; your sons comefrom afar, and your daughters are carried on

the arm. 5 Then you will look and beradiant, your heart will throb and swell withjoy; the wealth on the seas will be brought toyou, to you the riches of the nations willcome. 6 Herds of camels will cover yourland, young camels of Midian and Ephah.And all from Sheba will come, bearing goldand incense and proclaiming the praise ofthe LORD.

L: The Word of the Lord.The congregation may respond to the reading by saying:

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 72The Refrain and “Glory be . . . ” are sung in unison. The Pastor or Lay Reader sings (says) the first strophe andthe congregation responds by singing (saying) the second.

This psalm shows us Jesus revealed as the King, the royal Savior, in the Epiphany gifts offeredto Him.

Endow the King with your justice, 'O God,* the royal Son with your 'righteousness.

He will judge your people in'righteousness,* your afflicted ones 'with justice.

He will defend the afflicted among the'people* and save the children of the 'needy.

The kings of Tarshish and of distant shoreswill bring trib 'ute to him;* the kings of Sheba and Seba will pre 'senthim gifts.

Refrain

All kings will bow 'down to him,* and all nations will 'serve him.

All nations will be 'blessed through him,* and they will 'call him blessed.

Praise be to the Lord God, who alone doesmar'velous deeds.* May the whole earth be filled with his'glory.

Glory be to the Father and 'to the Son* and to the Holy 'Spirit,

as it was in the be'ginning,* is now, and will be forever. 'Amen.

Refrain

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SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:2 - 12Hard as it was for the Jews to understand or accept, the gospel is for all people, Jews and

Gentiles alike. Like Paul, we too are led, out of love, to make this truth known to the world.

Surely you have heard about theadministration of God's grace that was givento me for you, 3 that is, the mystery madeknown to me by revelation, as I have alreadywritten briefly. 4 In reading this, then, youwill be able to understand my insight intothe mystery of Christ, 5 which was not madeknown to men in other generations as it hasnow been revealed by the Spirit to God'sholy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery isthat through the gospel the Gentiles are heirstogether with Israel, members together ofone body, and sharers together in thepromise in Christ *Jesus. 7 I became aservant of this gospel by the gift of God'sgrace given me through the working of his

power. 8 Although I am less than the least ofall God's people, this grace was given me: topreach to the Gentiles the unsearchableriches of Christ, 9 and to make plain toeveryone the administration of this mystery,which for ages past was kept hidden in God,who created all things. 10 His intent was thatnow, through the church, the manifoldwisdom of God should be made known tothe rulers and authorities in the heavenlyrealms, 11 according to his eternal purposewhich he accomplished in Christ *Jesus ourLord. 12 In him and through faith in him wemay approach God with freedom andconfidence.

L: The Word of the Lord.The congregation may respond to the reading by saying:

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAYThe Lay Reader speaks the Verse, the congregation sings the following Alleluia. PSALM 103; REV. 19:5-7

Alleluia. Alleluia. We saw His star in the east and have come to worship him. Alleluia.

THE GOSPEL (PLEASE STAND.) Matthew 2:1 - 12The Gospel lesson is read from the Gospel horn of the Altar (liturgical north). [A reminder of the lamb’sblood dashed on the Old Testament Altar of Burnt Offerings.] The congregation stands and sings wordsof acclamation out of respect for the words of Christ, our King.

The wise men visit the young Jesus, fulfilling the prophecies that the Gentiles would come toJesus, proclaim Him as Savior of the world, and also be brought into the family of believers. The coming of the wise men also begins to fulfill Simeon’s prophecy.

After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:

Now after *Jesus was born inBethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod theking, behold, wise men from the East came toJerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who hasbeen born King of the Jews? For we haveseen His star in the East and have come toworship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, hewas troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4

And when he had gathered all the chiefpriests and scribes of the people together, heinquired of them where the Christ was to beborn.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehemof Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretlycalled the wise men, determined from them

what time the star appeared. 8 And he sentthem to Bethlehem and said, “Go and searchcarefully for the young Child, and when youhave found Him, bring back word to me, thatI may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, theydeparted; and behold, the star which they hadseen in the East went before them, till it cameand stood over where the young Child was. 10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced withexceedingly great joy. 11 And when they hadcome into the house, they saw the youngChild with Mary His mother, and fell downand worshiped Him. And when they hadopened their treasures, they presented gifts toHim: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in adream that they should not return to Herod,they departed for their own country anotherway.

After the reading of the Gospel, thecongregation sings:

THE INSTALLATION OF CHURCH OFFICERS

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THE NICENE CREED MATTHEW 10:32,33; Romans 10:9,10; HEBREWS 13:15

We believe in one God, the Father 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. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven,

and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and became fully 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, Who in unity with the Father and the Son is *worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian 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.

HYMN OF THE DAY 83 “As With Gladness Men Of Old”

SERMON The Sermon is usually based on the Gospel.

The Epiphany Of The One Born King!

After the sermon, the congregation sings:

PSALM

51:10-12

THE OFFERING 1 CORINTHIANS 16:2; 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7

The offering plates are given to the ushers by the Pastor.

THE OFFERING HYMN We Three Kings While the offering of our gifts to Lord for use by His church is being received by the ushers, the Pastor is preparingthe communion vessels for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

THE OFFERING PRAYER ROMANS 12:1; HEBREWS 13:15,16

M: Father of all mercies, accept, we implore You, our bodies and souls, our hearts andminds, and all that we are and all that we bring to Your altar to be a holy, reasonable,and lively offering to You for the work of Your Church. Graciously receive our offeringsof praise and thanksgiving, born of Your Spirit through the Gospel, even as You havereceived Your Church’s worship since the world began, for You have redeemed us to beYour own that we may live to You with all we are and all we have. May our offerings ofpraise be borne by the hand of Your holy angel to Your altar on high, before the sight ofYour divine Majesty; through *Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reignswith You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH PHILIPPIANS 4:6; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1,2

It is a prayer which “understandingly and unselfishly reveals true concern for the Church in all of its operations,the state and its governance, the home and its welfare, while it also remembers before God all mankind in theirrespective callings and necessities.” (Luther Reed)

Rejoicing in the Light of Christ who has come to save us, let us pray for ourselves, for the Churchin all places, and for the confession of the Gospel throughout the world that, through its light, many may beled to *Jesus' eternal kingdom.

O Light of Light, You have come into our dark world to lead us in the way of eternal peace. Wepraise You, O God, for sending Your Son to become man and for revealing to us Your desire to deliver allpeople from eternal death. Make Your Church the light of the world that world may be led to You andrejoice in Your kingdom.

O eternal Lord, as You accepted the gifts of the Magi, receive our humble gifts that spring forthby the Holy Spirit's work. Use the mouths and minds of our Synod President; our District President; ourCircuit Pastor; and our Pastor, that they may be faithful stars who lead us to You; the way, the truth, andthe life.

O Brightness of the Father's face, You enlightened the wise men that they might rightly confessYou as God and King. By Your Word of truth, enlighten the students and teachers at the schools of Yourchurch, Martin Luther College, and the seminary of our Synod, that they may know true wisdom in Youand may be prepared for useful service to others.

O King, who once reigned as an infant and escaped the rage of King Herod, according to Yourwill deliver Your people from violence and from ruthless leaders. Defend our unborn brothers and sisters.Bring abortionists and the parents of aborted children to repentance and peace in Your forgiveness. Givesuccess to all authorities in serving the common good, punishing evildoers, and preserving peace.

O Lord and Christ, extend Your reign, over the whole earth so that oppression may betransformed to freedom and justice. Give wisdom to those who lead, to our President and Congress, to ourGovernor and state legislators, to our Mayor and all those who work in government. Defend and keep safethose who serve us among the perils of violence and conflict.

O Savior, who once fled to Egypt to be spared for the saving work of Your ministry and cross,look with favor on all refugees. Make us fruitful in providing for those driven from their homes. Frustratethieves who steal and enrich themselves on the aid sent for those truly in need. Bless the efforts of ourCommittee on Relief in serving the needy, both here and in far away lands. Remember the imprisoned,those persecuted for the faith, the home-bound, the hospitalized, the lonely, the suffering the unemployed,and the homeless. Shine on them, Lord, the comfort of Your Word, and relieve them in their distress.

O great Physician, according to Your will heal the sick among us, care for the homebound, blessthose who are undergoing surgery or chemo and those who desire to remembered in our prayers (includingLinda, Marge, Pastor Grant, Mike, Dick Ingle, Dick & Pat Packard, Juanita, Terry, Pam, and GenePursell, Ruby, Sandy Frey, Chris Grant, Jean Hamilton, John Kenyon, Lynn Mischke, Albert & BarbaraMoll, Jarielle Winkleman --- and those we now name in our hearts. . .). Comfort them in their time ofaffliction, give them patience in their infirmities, and point them to the hope of the endless glory to come.

O Savior, we praise You for those whom You have led through death to heaven's peace, especiallyEvelyn Bolton, Larry Bolton’s mother. Assure Larry and Janice and all of their family with the sure hopeof the coming resurrection and of eternal life in Christ, that they may look forward to a blessed reunion inheaven. By Your Holy Spirit keep us in fellowship with all who are with You in heaven and all who waitfor You on earth, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT

PREFACE

M: The Lord be with you. RUTH 2:4

M: Lift up your hearts. PSALM 86:4,5; 141:2

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. 2 THESSALONIANS 1:11,12

M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give You thanks, OLord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through *Jesus Christ, our Lord, . . .

PROPER PREFACEThis variable preface “connects a particular phase of our Lord’s redemptive work as the special occasion forthanksgiving.” (Luther Reed)

For when You sent us Your only-begotten Son and that in Him, He appeared in the substance ofour flesh, full of grace and truth; He restored us by the Light of His immortality. (Therefore . . .)

Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join

their glorious song: REVELATION 7:4-17

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY ISAIAH 6:3, MATTHEW 21:9

Sanctus

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER / PRAYER OF THANKSGIVINGJesus took bread and gave thanks. The Greek word “eucharist” means thanksgiving. MATTHEW 26:26

M: Blessed are You, O Lord of heaven and earth. Almighty God, heavenly Father, wepraise and thank You for Your tender mercy. You sent Your only Son, *Jesus Christ tous, and we remember the great acts of love through which He has ransomed us from sin,death and the devil’s power. By His incarnation, He became one with us. By His perfect and obedient life, Hefulfilled Your holy will. By His innocent suffering and death upon the cross, Heredeemed us. He made there a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, and satisfaction forthe sins of the whole world and overcame the power of hell. By His rising from thegrave, and His glorious ascension, He restores us as Your children and opens heaventhat we may commune with You eternally.

In His Holy Gospel, *Jesus instituted and commanded us to celebrate a perpetualremembrance of His precious death until He comes again. Thus invited by Your grace,we now approach Your table with repentant and joyful hearts.

EPICLESIS JAMES 1:17,18

This prayer incorporates a prayer of First Century Jewish Christians and Luther’s explanation of the sacramentalunion in the Lord’s Supper.

M: O merciful Father, King of all creation, every good and perfect gift comes down fromYou, the Father of heavenly lights. Send down Your Holy Spirit upon Your gifts ofbread and wine, and bless them and hallow them; that we might be led by *Jesus’ wordsof institution to proclaim that in, with, and under the bread and wine that this bread is theprecious Body of Our Lord and God and Savior *Jesus Christ; and this cup is theprecious Blood of our Lord and God and Savior *Jesus Christ, which was shed for thelife of the world.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION MATTHEW 26:26-28; 1 CORINTHIANS 11:24,25

(Speaking the Words of Institution, the Pastor proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart thebread and wine for the Lord’s use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ's death and atonement of sins.)

M: Our Lord *Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed, took bread; and when He hadgiven thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is My @ body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of me.” In the same way also, He took the cup after supper and when He had given thanks, Hegave it to them, saying: “Drink from it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My @blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, whenever you drink it,in remembrance of Me.”

PRAYER FOR COMMUNICANTSIn His word, God makes it clear that Holy Communion is to be shared by people of a common confession of faith;agreement in teaching and belief (1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Corinthians 10:16). So without judging anyone’s hearts,or faith, we invite those who share in this confession by their membership in our congregation or one of our sistercongregations, and who are properly prepared (1 Corinthians 11:27-29), to receive the Sacrament.

M: Earnestly desiring Your Fatherly goodness, to mercifully accept our offering of praiseand thanksgiving: we most humbly implore You to grant that, by the merits and death ofYour Son *Jesus Christ, and through faith in His blood, we and Your whole church mayobtain remission of our sins and all other benefits of His Passion. We humbly implore You that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthilyreceive the most precious Body and Blood of Your Son *Jesus Christ, and be filled withYour grace and heavenly benediction, and being made one body with Him, may dwell inHim, even as He dwells in us.

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Strengthen us now through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faithuntil we feast with Him and all His ransomed people in glory everlasting. Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honorare Yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER MATTHEW 6:9-13

P: Taught by our Lord and trusting His promise, we are bold to pray:

Prayed jointly by the Pastor and congregation:

C: 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. %

THE PEACE OF THE LORDHolding the Host over the Chalice, the Pastor elevates the Sacrament in deference to the sacramental union ofChrist with the earthly elements, turns toward the congregation and blesses them, saying:

M: The peace @ of our Lord *Jesus Christ,@ the Lamb of God, be with you @ always!

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD JOHN 1:29

Agnus DeiJesus is God’s Lamb (“Agnus Dei”) of sacrifice; of redemption and atonement offered up for the sins of the world.

DISTRIBUTION OF OUR LORD’S BODY AND BLOOD 1 CORINTHIANS 11:27-29

The Pastor distributes the Sacrament to those eligible communicants who present themselves.

Note: Those persons who desire to commune and who are not members of St. John’s are asked to speak tothe Pastor prior to the start of this morning’s divine service, since we believe that the Lord's Supper is anintimate expression of our unity based on all that we believe and teach according to the Bible as taught in1 Corinthians 10:17. We believe that our unity is determined by agreement with the teachings and beliefsof the Bible as practiced by the Wisconsin Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) andexpressed through membership. Therefore, we encourage guests and visitors to learn more about what webelieve and teach. Our practice is not meant to be a reflection on anyone's faith or lack of faith in Jesus.We encourage those who are communing to read page 156 of the Hymnal in preparation to receive theLord’s Supper. 1 Cor. 11:23-29 (Communion Prayers are also printed on page 11 of the Hymnal.)

I give You thanks, Lord God heavenly Father, that You have refreshed me with the Body andBlood of Your Son *Jesus Christ. O Lord, cling to my members; and grant that no stain of sin remain inme, whom You have refreshed with a pure and holy sacrament; and I further pray, that this heavenly foodmay strengthen my faith that I may bear all crosses, sicknesses and trials with patience and trust; throughthe same *Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

DISTRIBUTION HYMN(S) 79 “How Lovely Shines The Morning Star”

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THANKSGIVING

SONG OF SIMEON LUKE 2:29-32

Nunc DimittisThe “Nunc Dimittis” (“Dismiss now”) is also known as “The Song of Simeon.” Through God’s word andsacrament, we have seen Jesus Christ, and like Simeon we find divine peace and comfort through faith in theSavior.

M: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

M: We give thanks, almighty God, that You have refreshed us with this holy supper. Wepray that through it You will strengthen our faith in You and increase our love for oneanother. We ask this in the name of *Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who lives and reigns withYou and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

BLESSING NUMBERS 6:24-26

(The blessing of Aaron is more than a pious wish. It is God’s own promise to His people, a pronouncement of Hisprotection and love.)

M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and @ grant you His peace.

CLOSING HYMN 87 “Hail, O Source Of Every Blessing”

Lay Reader: Mr. Greg ReitsmaOrganist: Mrs. Pat Packard

Cary P. Grant, Pastor Office / Church / Cell 269-986-2059Email: [email protected] WEB Site: http://www.stjohnsbc.net

StJohns Lutheran BattleCreek-wels - Like us on Facebook WELS is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

© 2002 Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission.

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January 8 - January 15

St. John’s Calendar & News

Today - Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Thursday - Elders meeting at 7 PM Voters’ Assembly at 7:30 PM

Friday - NO Breakfast Bible Study

Next Sunday - Bible Class 9:30 - Celebration of Communion- Sunday School 10:30 - Organist: Ms. Jennifer Cook- Worship 10:30 - Lay Reader: Mr. Kurt Dobberteen

Jan. 16 - Pastor / Teacher Conference, Holy Trinity, WyomingFeb. 12 - Valentine’s Outing at Klavons Pizzeria, Jackson, MI following church

Remembering our Sick and Shut-in with our prayers and visits:Mike Hillyer - Home Juanita, Pam, Terry, and Gene Pursell - Home

Directory of Members Please remember to complete your “Directory of Members” formsand return them to church. If you have a picture that you would like to use, give it to Pam whowill make a copy and return the original to you. If you would like to have a new picture takenAFTER a Worship Service on Sunday at church, please notify Pastor or Pam ahead of time sothey can make sure to bring a camera that Sunday. If you did not receive a form, there are blankforms on the table in the foyer. Any questions – ask Pam.

Thank You Pastor Grant and his family would like to thank all of the members who have

remembered them in their prayers during the past year and who also rememberedthem with their cards and gifts at Christmas. We thank you very much.

In the Service of Our Lord & His Church - JanuaryAltar Guild: The Bolton Family Custodians: The Bolton Family

Ushers: Larry Bolton & Dave Radtke