https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85750825008?pwd=JU8ro3n2NqYaZLL2g3tjVQCvDvoMGg.1
Music will be on. The communion service will begin at 10AM Central.
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne: high and lifted up.
And I heard the voice of a great multitude, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness.
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc
The Epistle and Gradual Romans 12:1-5
Gradual
The Lord sent His Word and healed them: and delivered them from their destructions.
V. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness: and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Hallelujah!
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #651 Be Still My Soul - Sibelius
Prayers and Announcements
- Hymn suggestions are always welcome.
- Dealing with cancer - Sarah Buck, Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader.
- Prayers for Midwest snow storms and California fires.
KJV Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
KJV Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Prayer - Viet Dietrich
Lord God, heavenly Father, who in mercy hast established the Christian home among us: We beseech Thee so to rule and direct our hearts, that we may be good examples to children and servants, and not offend them by word or deed, but faithfully teach them to love Thy Church and hear Thy blessed word. Give them Thy Spirit and grace, that this seed may bring forth good fruit, so that our homelife may conduce to Thy glory, honor and praise, to our own improvement and welfare, and give offense to no one; through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Not Without Sorrow
KJV Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Apart from the manger and His Presentation at the Temple, the only childhood story about Jesus is His staying at the Temple when His parents went back to Galilee, after the Passover Feast. This story refutes much of Medieval Christianity, which put the Rome into Roman Catholicism, elaborate ceremonies, robes, jewels, titles, and books inventing stories against the Christian Faith.
Thousands of years before, the Promise of the Savior was established. Eve thought her first-born boy was the Promised One (Genesis 4:1). The Scriptures established the Savior in many ways, such as Psalm 2 - Kiss the Son lest He be angry - a very odd statement except for the clear Promise of the Son.
People can see or not see the truth of the Son, so it is up to us to pay close attention to the Word. The Son executed the commands of the Father in Genesis 1, so the teaching of the Son is the same as the Son. In Acts, "the Word grew..." Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
When the Gospel is spread, even in such tiny doses as infant baptism, Jesus multiplies. Jesus is with that child through the Word. A child's brain is a computer, far better than the man-made computers I have dealt with.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
On one hand, Joseph and Mary were carrying out their normal religious duties as parents. But in contrast, Jesus set the stage for the Temple scholars and priests to see and hear the Promised Messiah, whether they realized it or not. Certainly the Star of Bethlehem had stirred up their hopes 12 years before.
As Luther often wrote, the only thing that matters is the Word. Everything else is nonsense when people establish anything opposed to the Scriptures. If we just look back over the revealed truth of the Scriptures, the issues are clarified. The Gospel is all over the Old Testament, starting at Genesis 1:1, a vein of gold always glittering and shining, even though the traces are somewhat hidden until we focus on them.
Our Daily Moment of Church Growth - nothing is more obvious than the wolves who slobber to improve their income and numbers of members (who must be counted). Since the Bible is offensive to them, they use all the tricks of selling goods to improve their results. The experts stand in awe of great successes - like Robert Schuller (Crystal Cathedral), Bill Hybels (Willow Creek, went there), Waldo Werning (LCMS), and Paul Kelm/Larry Olson (WELS).
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Anyone who has been close to such a shock can appreciate how Joseph and Mary became panicked, almost beyond hope. This represents, as Luther says, times in which faith seems to have no comfort and hope for us. God's wisdom and knowledge are far beyond us. That is how we become more mature as Christians - having the greatest sorrow but also waiting for the resolution of those disappointments, rejections, and times of mourning.
Our Good Shepherd suffered the agonies of torture and the cross, the disciples locked in the upper room, and gone fishing (end of John's Gospel). These experiences all matter because Jesus bears the burdens, bringing us hope, joy, and grace through faith in Him.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
In two verses are the greatest sorrow and the shock that comes with finding out Jesus was there in Jerusalem, in the Temple, talking to the teachers, listening to the them and asking questions. Although this should bring great relief and joy, the depth of fear and sorrow is met only with calm, almost indifference.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
This is a great contrast - the unique dialogue between the boy Jesus and the leaders of the Temple, between Jesus and His shocked and sorrowing parents. The divine calm suggests, "You will suffer much more in the future."
But it also suggests - Jesus is to be found in the Temple, that is, in the Word of God and nowhere else.
Luther, from this sermon - "15. Therefore I have often said and say again, that in the Christian church nothing should be preached but the pure Word of God." That is our source of comfort and strength.
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
