January 3, 2021 – 2nd Sunday of Christmas

You can follow the order of the service here or Download a PDF copy that you can print ahead of time.

Feel free to also check out the following:

Gathering, Greeting, and Announcements

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Gospel: A Reading from the Gospel of St. John

God's Authority - In the Beginning

John 1:1–18

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 15(John testified to him and cried out, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me. ) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Hymn

Of the Father's Love Begotten (v. 1 & 2)

ELW #295

Our own Lisa Alvis plays the hymn Of the Father's Love Begotten on the organ. You can find more performances like this if you check out Lisa's YouTube channel.

1Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.
2Oh, that birth forever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world's Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.
Amen.

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

P: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

Communion

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

Weekly Announcements

We remember in our prayers

Support for Local Health Care Workers

Our partners at Carle BroMenn have asked us to show support for health care workers during this difficult year by writing them cards of thanks and encouragement. Details on how to write and deliver cards of support were sent out this past week via a special mailing (check your Spam/Junk mail if you have not been getting email from the church). Contact the church office if you did not receive the mailing or would like more information.

Church Office Holiday Closure

The church office will be closed tomorrow, January 4.

Mission Opportunity at Midwest Food Bank

The Mission Committee will be volunteering at Midwest Food Bank again on Monday, January 18 from 6–8 p.m. We need a group of up to 20–25 volunteers. Children 10 years or older are able to help as long as they are accompanied by their parent. Everyone also needs to have close-toed shoes. Please contact Rob and Shawna Mahnke if you are interested in helping.

Food Drive

The Mission committee is continuing to collect food that will be shared between Safe Harbor and the Midwest Food Bank. We are collecting the following items:

There is a box just inside the church entrance where you can deposit items. Please do not take items to Megan or Pastor Henrick's office.

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