New Life Lutheran Church NALC

Clarksville, Iowa (Meeting at Unity Presbyterian Church)

* Prayer of the Church * Lords Prayer Sending L That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life C The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us L That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. C And we are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete. HYMN #55: Good Christian Friends Rejoice! Announcements Postlude

First Sunday After Christmas

29 December 2013 Festival of Lessons and Carols Prelude
Invocation (please stand when indicated by *)

L But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7 C Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, ever shall be, world without end, Amen. HYMN #45: O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL The Word Comes Near to Us First Reading St. John 1:1-18 L The Lord be with you C And with thy spirit. L Let us pray. (Congregation joins in the prayer of the day) Second Reading St. Matthew 1:18-25 HYMN #59: WHEN CHRISTMAS MORN IS DAWNING Third Reading St. Luke 2:1-20 HYMN #71: ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH Forth Reading St. Matthew 28:16-20 HYMN #70: GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN Meditation from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther HYMN #62: THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS Giving of Our Offering * Offertory (Your Little Ones Dear Lord)

Congregational Announcements
Worship Leadership Today Pastor Kris will be on vacation today and return to be with us on Sunday, January 5, 2013. We will be using a service order of carols and lessons for the First Sunday in Christmas. Prayer Concerns Please note the prayer concerns read today. Also be in prayer for Joe Grimstad (friend of Pastor Snyder). PRAYER OF THE DAY Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature and be born of the Virgin Mary. Grant that we, having been redeemed and made your children by grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn #52

Listening for the Promise Weekly Devotional Christmas 1 December 29, 2013 In his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9 The birth of a baby is such a joyous time. Christmas, too, is filled with happiness, love and hope. It is a time of giving and sharing, a time spent with family and friends, and most of all, a time of worship, when we praise and thank God for the great and wonderful gift of His Son. But the joy passes much too quickly. The light has come, but there is still darkness in the world. Men still seek power and glory. Kings still seem to be in control. We are shocked into reality with todays lessons, where we hear how King Herod ordered the murder of all children under two in and around Bethlehem. The story of the Holy Innocents is horrifying. We visualize a massacre with blood flowing in the streets. Then again, Bethlehem was just a small town; the surrounding area was not heavily populated. This would not have been major news. In fact, the only historical record of the event are these few words from Matthew. But does that make it any easier to accept the story? Even one child killed by the sword of fear and jealousy is one too many. How can we move so quickly from birth to death? We are offended by Herods actions, but this story reminds us that the purpose of Jesus birth was to die. It is easy for us to get stuck in the manger, to keep Jesus as a tiny baby or focus on the good works He did as a teacher and miracle worker. It is easy to set aside the cross and believe in Jesus only as a model for a godlylife. But here is the reality: our sin is the reason that Jesus came, and our sin put Jesus on the cross. Redemption is the very reason that Jesus was born in that stable in Bethlehem. God was always in control. He knew what Herod would do, and He guided the characters in the story of Jesus to do what was necessary to keep Him alive until the right time. Even when it seemed like the world would win, Gods purpose was fulfilled in Christ. He lived and died according to Gods will. On the cross He overcame death for each of us, and by His grace we have eternal life.
Sola Worship Resource - Weekly Devotional 2013 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Peggy Hoppes. Scripture taken from ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version).

NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH NALC December 29, 2013