First Sunday after Christmas

Order of Worship

Collect

When Jesus Had Been Born a King
Text: Mark E. Ryman; Tune: “Encamped along the Hills of Light,” Ira David Sankey

When Jesus had been born a King, King Herod sent the call
To kill the very child who’d bring Salvation to us all.
An angel of the Lord came down To warn the family
To take this child who wore God’s crown And to far Egypt flee.

Refrain: God overcame the world! God overcomes the world!

We overcome through the God who overcame the world!

He took the mother and her child And fled into the night.
They fled by God’s good mercy mild King Herod’s wicked blight.
The prophets’ words would now come true: From Egypt he’d appear.
And once more, Friends, before we’re through: A Nazarene we’ll cheer. Refrain

His start in life was fraught with strife— King Herod sought the boy.
The evil king would take his life And all young hopes destroy.
All of the children under two He ordered killed that day
He would not rest until he threw The world into dismay. Refrain

Our worlds are also often thrown Into a state of fear.
We do not rest until we’ve flown Into some Goshen near.
But we don’t overcome by flight To any other land;
There is no other place so bright  As God’s mighty right hand. Refrain

Apostolic 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.

Kyrie

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

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. Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Isaiah 61:10–62:3

Psalm 111:1–10 (responses are the even-numbered, bold verses)

¹Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
  in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

²Great are the deeds of the Lord!
  they are studied by all who delight in them.

³His work is full of majesty and splendor,
  and his righteousness endures forever.

⁴He makes his marvelous works to be remembered;
  the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

⁵He gives food to those who fear him;
  he is ever mindful of his covenant.

⁶He has shown his people the power of his works
  in giving them the lands of the nations.

⁷The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice;
  all his commandments are sure.

⁸They stand fast forever and ever,
  because they are done in truth and equity.

⁹He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant forever;
  holy and awesome is his Name.

¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
  those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures forever.

Galatians 4:4–7

Luke 2:22–40

Sermon: “Robed in Righteousness”

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

Offertory Prayer

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 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

Blessing