Luke 2:21-40 | Though we celebrated the day of Christmas last week, the season of Christmas continues in the life of the church – celebrating the light of Christ that has come to the world. As we continue our celebration, we travel with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem where Jesus is presented in the temple, according to Jewish custom. Much like the holy family, we, too, observe rituals of worship, prayer, and service as a way in which we live out our faith. These rituals form us and provide a foundation for us as we come to know just who this child is who has been born to us. So as we continue to follow in the light of Christ, leading us on, join us for worship as we root ourselves in ritual and as we testify to God’s salvation revealed to us.
Special thanks to lay leaders of Shepherd of the Cross for leading worship this morning, and to Bishop Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, for providing the sermon for us this morning in Pastor Aleese’s absence.
Sunday, December 31, 2023, First Sunday of Christmas Bulletin
Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Angels We Have Heard On High. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Angels, from the Realms of Glory. Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854, alt., sts. 1-3; Salisbury Hymn Book, 1857, st. 4. Music: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: In His Temple Now Behold Him. Text: Henry J. Pye, 1825-1903, alt.Music: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice. Text: Medieval Latin carol; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866. Music: German carol, 14th cent.; arr. Robert L. Pearsall, 1795-1856. Text and Music: Public Domain. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer
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