First Sunday after Christmas Day: January 1 - January 5, 2017

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Wednesday, January 4, 2017

  • 1 This Week's Theme
  • 2 Preparing Our Hearts
  • 3 Praising Our God
  • 4 Listening to His Voice
  • 5 Responding in Faith
  • 6 Departing to Serve
  • 7 For Your Weekly Journey
  • Our High Priest and Brother

    Hebrews 2.10-18

    Because we as the offspring of God share in flesh and blood, so Jesus our Lord also shared with the same nature in order that he through his own death might destroy the devil, the very one who possessed the power of death. Through his death Jesus delivers those who through their fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery to him. Jesus was made in every respect like his brothers and sisters that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in God’s service, as he who made atonement for the sins of the people. Since Jesus himself suffered when he was tempted, so he is able to help those who are being tempted today. He is both our high priest, and our brother.

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Almighty and everlasting God, direct our actions according to Thy good pleasure, that in the name of Thy beloved Son, we may be made to abound in good works; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

    ~ Lindemann, p. 96

    Call to Worship  

    Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

  • Te Deum Laudamus

    You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

    You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

    Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

    Gloria Patri

    Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

  • Chronological Reading for the Day

    Wednesday: Exodus 22-24

    Lectionary Readings

    Psalm: Psalm 148
    OT: Isa. 63.7-9
    Gospel: Matt. 2.13-23
    NT: Hebrews 2.10-18

    (Click here for all readings)

  • The Apostles' Creed

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

    *In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

    Prayers of Confession
    Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

    Assurance of Pardon
    Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

    Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

    --Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

    Doxology (and/or closing song)
    Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise Him all creatures here below;
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

  • Benediction  
    Almighty God, you wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of Jesus Christ who came to share our humanity, and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

    ~ Book of Common Worship, No. 162. p. 188 (Geffen, p. 71)

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, [11] in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? [12] I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. [13] For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

    ~ Psalm 56.10-13

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    I thank you, Father, for in sending us your Son, our high priest and brother, you have rescued us from the power of death.

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    The Word Has Become Flesh

    John 1.1-4



    Book Reading

    Bilezikian, Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says about a Woman's Place in Church and Family

    Special Church Year Service

    Holy Name of Jesus/New Year’s Day: Sunday, January 1, 2017 The Epiphany of the Lord: Friday, January 6, 2017

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      Church Year Overview
      Season of Christmas Description
      2016-2017 Annual Resources
      Return to Annual Index Page

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