New Year's Day - The First Sunday After Christmas - Online Worship - January 1, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE - New Year’s Day - The First Sunday After Christmas
Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship - The Second Sunday After Christmas
Sunday, January 8, 2023, 9:30am
Join us for our first Lord of Life LIVE on YouTube!
Faith Quest does not meet during worship
Christmas Prelude, Prayer Cross & The Christmas & New Year Greeting
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Carol of Blessed Joy
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Suso, Neale
vs. 1
Good Christian friends rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Give ye heed to what we say
Jesus Christ is born today
Ox and lamb before him bow
And he is in the manger now
Christ is born today
Christ is born today
vs. 2
Good Christian friends rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye hear of endless bliss
Jesus Christ was born for this
He has opened heaven’s door
And we are blest forevermore
Christ was born for this
Christ was born for this
vs. 3
Good Christian friends rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall
Christ was born to save
Christ was born to save
Litany of Comfort & Joy, In Hope & Light
based on Psalm 98:1-4
Friends, we come to worship and rejoice, with heart and soul and voice, for Christ is born to save, to come to us with comfort and joy, to forever grace us and live among us, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In the spirit of Christmas and as we begin the year 2023, let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to trust anew with heart and soul and voice.
(silence for reflection)
Friends of Emmanuel: God is with us, The Lord is come, to make you new in the comfort and joy and grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins! Sing a new song unto the Lord! He has done marvelous things!
Through Jesus’ birth and his faithful presence, God’s right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory.
Let us break into joyful song and sing praises! Emmanuel is here! Christ, the Child, is indeed Lord of all!
Carol of New Hope
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Reed
vs. 1
Infant holy infant lowly
For his bed a cattle stall
Oxen lowing little knowing
Christ the child is Lord of all
Swiftly winging angels singing
Bells are ringing tidings bringing
Christ the child is Lord of all
Christ the child is Lord of all
Through his bright light the Lord is alive, making known his victory.
Jesus is the Word made flesh; he is our goodness and light! Our God has revealed his vindication in the sight of all the nations.
God graces us with comfort and joy in Jesus. This is God’s Christmas gift to you, to the world. Christ, the Child was born for you!
Carol of New Hope
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Reed
vs. 2
Flocks were sleeping shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory heard the story
Tidings of a Gospel true
Thus rejoicing free from sorrow
Praises voicing greet the morrow
Christ the child was born for you
Christ the child was born for you
Emmanuel breaks forth with comfort and joy; steadfast love is here!
All the ends of the earth have seen his goodness and light, and the gifts of God’s grace. We live anew; our life is in the One who is comfort and joy. Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth!
Search no longer for hope and grace! Break forth into joyful song! Come with all the faithful! Come, let us adore him!
Carol of Hope & Joy
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Wade
vs. 1
Oh come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels
refrain:
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
Loving God, you are Lord of all, you are the Faithful One. In the grace of Christmas, you, Emmanuel, come to us, you are our joy in the world. Whenever we go searching for you, renew us in The Word made flesh, The Light no darkness can overcome, our true Gift of comfort and joy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 63:7-9
I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”; and he became their savior in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 2:10-18
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.” Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Carol of Good News
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Mendelssohn
vs. 1
Hark The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all you nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
refrain:
Hark The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
vs. 3
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace
Hail the sun of righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Ris’n with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that we no more may die
Born to raise each child of earth
Born to give us second birth
(refrain)
Gospel
Matthew 2:13-23
Now after the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
God’s Son who was born in a manger, who went forward to make us all one through his death and resurrection will come again. Trusting every gift of comfort and joy anew in Emmanuel, we boldly share our faith, for his light has come and the darkness will not overcome it.
God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Amen.
Still Searching For Comfort & Joy
ISAIAH 63:7-9; HEBREWS 2:10-18; MATTHEW 2:13-23
“How was your Christmas?” What do you think when you hear this question each year? How was your hosting? How were your travels? How was the food? How was time with family and friends? Was it relaxing? At the very least, in part, this question often implies, invites or begs: How were the gifts? Did you get what you wanted? In some ways, this may appear to be a shallow question. If we are honest, personal, human, if we are spiritual, this can be a good question. Did you get what you wanted, what you needed, what you were hoping for, searching for? Are you still searching this Christmas for meaning, direction, assurance, comfort, joy, gifts of grace? Are you still searching, still hoping, for more of what would make Christmas, Christmas for you? As a new year begins, as the twelve days of Christmas continue, may God with us, Emmanuel, bless you and fill you with comfort and joy every day as you find and discover, open and celebrate, the best present of all, the presence of Jesus Christ!
1. Are you still searching for comfort and joy to give meaning?
Isaiah 63:9; Hebrews 2:16-17; Matthew 2:15-18
A. Easy at times, even at Christmas, to wonder what Christmas, what life in Christ, is all about?
B. Easy for Mary and Joseph to wonder why Jesus’ birth if only to be killed by Herod, or driven into Egypt?
C. The Word becomes flesh to make present comfort and joy, giving meaning and purpose through the twelve days of Christmas, each and every day, for all eternity.
2. Are you still searching for comfort and joy to give you direction?
Isaiah 63:7; Hebrews 2:11-13,18; Matthew 2:13,19-20,22
A. Like Mary and Joseph, we at times search for Gods’ presence in the midst of details and demands to direct us.
B. Mary and Joseph were led to Egypt. The shepherds and the wise men were directed, too. Trust Emmanuel guides you, too.
3. Are you still searching for comfort and joy to give you assurance?
Isaiah 63:9; Hebrews 2:11-13; Matthew 2:19-20
A. Like Mary and Joseph, we can be left wondering, why listen, believe, go, if only to have someone, something, take it away! Herod, others, think they can take Christ from us; they cannot!
B. The comfort and joy in the assurance of Christmas is this: No one, nothing, can steal Christ from us, take Christ from us, stop Christ from coming to us!
4. Are you still searching for comfort and joy to overcome all that overwhelms you?
Isaiah 63:8-9; Hebrews 2:10,14-15; Matthew 2:16,18
A. Angels are speaking to you, blessing you with dreams and truth!
B. Trust Emmanuel binds himself to us, giving comfort and joy, what we could never do, provide, or know on our own. Trust Christ, Christmas, gives you gifts of grace to give to others!
5. How was your Christmas? Are you still searching for comfort and joy? As a new year begins, as the twelve days of Christmas continue, as each day unfolds, may God with us, Emmanuel, bless you and fill you with comfort and joy every day as you find and discover, open and celebrate, the best present of all, the presence of Jesus Christ!
Matthew 2:13,19
Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.
Carol of New Tidings
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Unknown
vs. 1
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy
vs. 2
From God our heav’nly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy have come to us
In God’s amazing grace
Comfort and joy have come to us
In this and every place
Comfort and joy will be fulfilled
The day we see God’s face
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy
… as you hear our prayers, Jesus …
May your comfort and joy be born anew in our hearts and world.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place during our service. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
The Words of Institution
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
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.
Carols During Holy Communion & A Blessing On God’s Beloved
Caroling, Caroling
Hutson & Burt
vs. 1
Caroling caroling now we go
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling caroling thru the snow
Christmas bells are ringing
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing
vs. 2
Caroling caroling thru the town
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling caroling up and down
Christmas bells are ringing
Mark ye well the song we sing
Gladsome tidings now we bring
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing
vs. 3
Caroling caroling near and far
Christmas bells are ringing
Following following yonder star
Christmas bells are ringing
Sing we all the happy morn
Lo the King of heav’n is born
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing
Carol Going In Faith & Light
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Work, Jr.
refrain:
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
vs. 1
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
(refrain)
vs. 2
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth
(refrain)
vs. 3
Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn
(refrain)
The body and blood of our living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, come to you, be born anew in you, strengthen you and keep you in his grace this holy morning and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Faithful God, on that first silent night, you sent Emmanuel, you came to us, giving your Son as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive your every gift of grace always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.
The Lord come to you and bless you this New Year’s morning, and give you His light. The Lord bless you with His presence and fill you with the warmth and quiet of the manger. The Lord bless you for Christ is salvation and hope, life and grace, love and peace, comfort and joy. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the peace of Christ, in the presence of Emmanuel, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God! Peace on earth! Joy to the world!
Carol Going In New Joy
Joy To The World
Handel & Watts
vs. 1
Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let earth receive its King
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n
And nature sing
vs. 4
He rules the world
With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders wonders
Of his love
Liking posts like this one helps get the word out about Lord of Life! Consider sharing posts like this with friends who may be missing their faith-based communities. Leave a comment and let us know what you liked or what moved you this week!
Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE now on YouTube! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!
Today we celebrate New Year’s Day and The First Sunday After Christmas, January 1, 2023, 9:30 a.m. “Still Searching For Comfort And Joy!” Our service today includes a blessing on God’s beloved as a new year begins!
Next Sunday, January 8, 9:30 a.m., Faith Quest, Sunday School resumes!
As we continue to share the ministry God places in our care, we are seeking more volunteers! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion.
For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary. Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org
We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love and grace!
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Litany of Comfort & Joy, In Hope & Light, written based on Psalm 98:1-4. “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” “Go Tell It On the Mountain” “Joy To The World” © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 “Caroling, Caroling,” © 1954, renewed 1957 Hollis Music, Inc. All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.