Prayer:

Let me be thine forever,

O Christ-child sweet and dear.

Uphold me with thy mercy;

Oh, be thou ever near!

From thee I gladly all receive,

And what is mine to thee I give;

My heart, my soul, and all I own --

Let these be thine alone. (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal 43:4)

The First Sunday after Christmas

December 27, 2009

Worship Focus: Jesus Shines with Perfect Obedience

Order of Worship: Service of the Word, p. 38

Hymns: 34, 41, 51, 42

God's Word

First Lesson: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

The boy Samuel served the Lord faithfully, but he was still a sinner. Jesus obeyed God's law perfectly to credit his record to our account, for he is our Savior.

Psalm 111, p. 106

Sing to the Lord, for he has done great things!

Second Lesson: Hebrews 2:10-18

Jesus shared our flesh and blood to free us from the devil's power.

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Even as a young boy, Jesus carried out the work of our Savior. He obeyed his heavenly Father and his earthly parents. As our Substitute he gave the perfect obedience we are unable to give.

Sermon Text:

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise of Israel” (Numbers 24:17 NIV).

Numbers 24:17

God's Way Does Not Fail

1. His way amazes
   1. What was so unusual about the way this prophecy came to be spoken?
2. His way brings hope
   1. What assurance do you have when the Lord's way seems to take too long?
   2. What hope does the Star bring into our darkness of sin?
3. His way prevails
   1. What comfort does this prophecy bring to you when it talks about a scepter?

This Week's Kingdom Work
Week of December 27, 2009

• Wednesday
  • 7:00pm Our Lutheran Heritage: Formula of Concord
• Sunday
  • 9:15am Sunday school
  • 9:30am Youth Group
  • 9:30am Bible Class: Revelation 12
  • 10:30am Divine Service and Lord's Supper

News & Notes

Annual Meeting: The following have agreed to be candidates for office: Elder, David Joos, David Paul; Trustee, Dick Smith. The voters will also discuss separating the money counting responsibilities from the Treasurer's position. This is good business practice. In addition, Gerald Hoffman has agreed to be a candidate for Treasurer under those circumstances.

Other items for the agenda include (council recommendations are in parenthesis): Setting times for midweek Lenten services and holy week (7:00pm) and Easter service (9:00am with breakfast beginning at 7:30am). Congregational Mission Offering, CMO ($10,000). Lutheran Institutional Ministry Association, LIMA ($500). Organist's salary ($3420). Pastor's salary ($35,040 of which $4000 is designated as parsonage allowance). Pastor's benefits (high deductible health insurance for him and his family, $6150 for health savings account, housing, electric, gas, water, sewer, garbage, mileage reimbursement at $0.50/mile). Guest preacher stipend ($80 + mileage, up to $120 for mileage)

Annual Potluck & Party: The annual potluck and party will be January 10 after the church service. After the potluck there will be Bingo and prizes for the children.

December ushers: Don Spencer (capt.), Dale Kraft, Chuck Nelson, Evan Nelson, Dick Smith

December cleaners: Dave & Connie Paul, Doug & Leah Nelson

Today's Greeters: Dick & Judy Lubenow