Tuesday, January 6, 2015, Epiphany of Our Lord

8/10/2019 Tuesday, January 6, 2015, Epiphany of Our Lord

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/tuesday-january-6-2015-epiphany-of-our-lord 1/12

“Adoration of the Magi” (2001) by He Qi

The Epiphany of Our Lord

Tuesday, January 6, 2015



2 THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Christmas Blessings and Welcome to Worship at St. Paul’s!!

The community of believers at St. Paul Lutheran Church takes delight in having guests inits worship. Our congregation strives to present a witness to Christ that is faithful to the Word of

Holy Scripture and to the confessional heritage of the Lutheran tradition.

GUESTS: We encourage you to sign a “visitor” card located in the pews and our Guest Booklocated in the hall outside the worship space.

HOLY COMMUNION IS OFFERED by invitation of the Lord himself. Access to the Lord’s Tableis by invitation of the Lord himself. All baptized believers who trust that Christ is presented in the

celebration of the Holy Eucharist are invited to come forward and receive Christ in the BlessedSacrament. Communion is distributed by coming up the center aisle at the direction of the usherand returning along the side aisle. Those who do not wish to receive the Sacrament may comeforward with their arms crossed and receive a blessing. Those who, for any reason, cannot receivethe wine may receive the Sacrament under the form of bread alone. In doing so, a communicantstill receives the whole Christ.

TO THE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN—Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome!

Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what’s going on in worship. They tire of seeing the backs of others’ heads.

Quietly and kindly explain the parts of the Liturgy and actions of the worship leaders. Share the worship folder with them at eye level.

Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you.

If you have to leave worship with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. Jesus said“Let the children come to me.”

Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the

Church, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship.

Please let your child use this worship folder to draw and doodle.

The presence of children is a gift to the Church. Please welcome children and give a smile ofencouragement to their families.



THE SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS 3

HOLY COMMUNION THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 + 7:00 p.m.

OUT OF THE ORIENT CRYSTAL SKIES A BLAZING STAR DID SHINE Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: themagi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in whichhe changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God’s grace

and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.

+ + + + + + + + + + + +

The Liturgy (which means “the work of the people”) involves participation. The texts marked in plaintext are spoken by the worship leaders while the assembly responds with bold text.

ENTRANCE R ITE The WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The GREETINGThe sign of the Cross may be made by all in remembrance of Holy Baptism as the presiding ministerbegins.

In the Name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AmenThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of theHoly Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

The PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray…the prayer concludes…one God, now and forever. Amen.






heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesusthrough the gospel.

7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God'sgrace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very

least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the newsof the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan ofthe mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through thechurch the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to therulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with theeternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom wehave access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

The reading concludes:

The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel.

The HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12

God's promise shines bright in the night as magi follow a star to honor a new king. Strangers from a faraway land, they welcome the long-awaited messiah of Israel.

The Lord be with you. And also with you. The Holy +1 Gospel according to Matthew.Glory to you, O Lord.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise menfrom the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "Where is the child who has been bornking of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay himhomage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem withhim; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, heinquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "InBethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6'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.'"

7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exacttime when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Goand search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word

1 Using the thumb, the people may make three small signs of the cross, one on the forehead, one on the lips, and one on the breast whilesilently using the traditional prayer, “May the Good News of Jesus Christ be in my mind, and on my lips, and in my heart. Amen”




so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, theyset 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. 10 When they saw that the starhad stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On 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, andmyrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left fortheir own country by another road.

The reading concludes:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

The assembly is seated.

The SERMON

Silence for reflection.

The NICENE CREED With the whole people of God, let us confess our faith. 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 incarnate2 from the virgin Mary, and wasmade 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

The assembly remains standing in prayer during the Twelve Days of Christ-Mass.

The PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLEGod has called us out of darkness into the glorious light of the Son. Let us therefore prayfor those who do not yet know the light and for all according to their needs.

After each petitionLet us pray to the Lord.Lord, hear our prayer.

The prayers concludeLoving God, hear the prayers of your faithful people, and guide our thoughts andactions, so that your will may be done and your name glorified, through JesusChrist our Lord.

Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARISTIC MEAL The PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.

2 Martin Luther, in his Commentary on the Gospel of John encouraged the continuation of the ancient tradition of bowing during this

portion of the Creed until “For our sake…” because “the Divine Majesty abased Himself and became like us poor bags of worms, and

to thank God for the ineffable mercy and compassion reflected in the incarnation.” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 22, pp. 102, 105)






The LORD”S PRAYER (1789)Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: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 BREAKING OF THE BREADThis is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are we whoare called to his supper.Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall behealed.

The assembly is seated

The DISTRIBUTION OF THE HOLY SACRAMENTLamb 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.

After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands.

The POST-COMMUNION BLESSINGThe Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in hisgrace.

Amen.

The POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Let us pray… We give you thanks, O God, that in this bread and cup of Christ's very life, you give us food for our journey. As you led the magi by a star, as you brought the holy




family home again, guide us on the way unfolding before us. Wherever we go, may ourlives proclaim good news of great joy in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

LITURGY OF SENDING The BLESSING

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

The DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Proclaim the Good News.Thanks be to God.

Acknowledgements Unless indicated all hymns and liturgical music from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright © 2015 by Augsburg Fortress. All rights

reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42251. Scripture texts from the New Revised

Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in

the USA . Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WORSHIP LEADERS FOR TODAY Assisting Minister Dick SwallenLector Pam SwallenCommunion Assistants: Monica Kinsey & Kathy KullUshers Kent & Kathy Kull, Jim & Dee Arnold, Denny & Debby Clapper Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray

WORSHIP LEADERS FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

Assisting Minister Kris WilliamsLector Jennifer KidderCommunion Assistants: Rob & Pat YeagleyCrucifer: Kacey RayBookbearer: Carys HooserUshers Kent & Kathy Kull, Jim & Dee Arnold, Denny & Debby Clapper

Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray

A Pastoral Message from the Bishop

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Dear People of God in the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,




Late Friday evening, January 2, 2015, I learned of the death of the Reverend Elaina Styblo, pastor ofFaith Lutheran Church in Massillon, Ohio.

My heart breaks for her parents, her family and her congregation. It is especially distressing for mebecause I am out of the country and cannot be present for the funeral. I give thanks to God for theseveral pastors who have stepped in to provide worship leadership at this time and assist our newsynod staff members and the Faith congregation in the planning of the funeral liturgy.

Though I didn't know Pastor Elaina well, I knew, through some of her closest colleagues, of herpassion for ministry and the joy she expressed in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an

outstanding preacher and gifted at pastoral care, despite enduring an ongoing struggle with herown illness for several years. In short, she was a treasure to the church.

Some will have a difficult time making sense of this tragedy. They will ask why someone so young,so full of enthusiasm, so devoted to her vocation, should have to die at such an early age. I wish Ihad answers.

What I can tell you is that I am confident that God is present with us in these times of doubt anduncertainty; that God stands with us in our despair and lament.

It is somewhat providential timing that Pastor Elaina's funeral is being held on Tuesday, January 6 -the Epiphany of Our Lord. In the season of Epiphany we focus on the ways in which God isrevealed. To remember that God is at work in the world and in our lives is an encouraging thought.

My prayer is that God will work in, with, and through the pastors and the people who will lead over

the next several days to make God's presence a reality in word and deed, so that all who loved andcherished Pastor Elaina Styblo will see the light of Christ through the darkness and gloom of death.

My hope is that together we can say boldly, along with the faithful Job, " I know that my Redeemerlives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth, and after my skin has been this destroyed, then inmy flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side ..." [Job 19:25-27a]

Grace, love and peace be with you all,

The Rev. Abraham D. AllendeBishop, Northeastern Ohio SynodEvangelical Lutheran Church in America




Come and see. Follow me. The gift of God, J esus Christ, has set us free

ST. P AUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 515 E. Line Street • Minerva, Ohio 44657

Office – (330) 868-4918 www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva

Pastor: The Rev. Steven Woyen, STS • Office Secretary: Becky Davis

Custodian: Damin Clapper • Director of Music: Paula PattersonMissionaries to the Republic of South Africa: The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth & Jon Leiseth

http://www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva



Documents

Tuesday, January 6, 2015, Epiphany of Our Lord