FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS December 29, 2024
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Synod
Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827
Organist Karen Davis, Mindy Kane, Church Telephone 763-682-4573
Lorraine Roush Email pastor@myimmanuel.org
WELCOME, VISITORS: We are glad you could be with us and we welcome you back any time. Please sign our “Welcome” card found in the pew holders or sign the guest book in the narthex/entry.
Prayer Before Worship
Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and sing your praise. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Beginning on Page 38 in the Hymnal.
HYMN (#42) “Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising”
M: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
CONFESSION OF SINS
M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.
C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth.
In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.
M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.
C: Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
C: (Sung) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed are they who take refuge in him.
Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues forever.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed are they who take refuge in him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Let us pray: Almighty God, in mercy you sent your one and only Son to take upon himself our human nature. By his gracious coming, deliver us from the corruption of our sin, and transform us into the likeness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 50:4-9
The Lord God gave me a tongue like the learned, an instructed tongue, so I know how to sustain the weary with a word. He wakes me up morning by morning. He wakes up my ears so that I listen like the learned. The Lord God opened my ear, and I myself was not rebellious. I did not turn back. I submitted my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from disgrace and from spit. The Lord God will help me,
so I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have made my face hard like flint. I know that I will not be put to shame. The one who will acquit me is near! Who can accuse me? Let us take our stand. Who can pass judgment on me? Let him approach me. Look, the Lord God will help me. Who then can declare me guilty? Look, all of them will wear out like a garment. A moth will consume them. (EHV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Psalm 84 (page 96)
SECOND LESSON Hebrews 2:10-18
Certainly it was fitting for God (the one for whom and through whom everything exists), in leading many sons to glory, to bring the author of their salvation to his goal through sufferings. For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says: I will declare your name to my brothers. Within the congregation I will sing your praise And again: I will trust in him. And again: Here I am and the children God has given me. Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood, he also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For surely he was not concerned with helping angels but with helping Abraham’s offspring. For this reason, he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, so that he could pay for the sins of the people. Indeed, because he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (EHV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations. Alleluia. (Luke 2:30-31)
C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
These words are written that we may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke 2:41-52
Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Festival. When the days had ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. Since they thought he was in their group, they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? See, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be taking care of my Father’s business?” They did not understand what he was telling them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was always obedient to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (EHV)
M: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!
HYMN OF THE DAY (#41) “Let All Together Praise Our God”
SERMON TEXT Hebrews 2:10-18
SERMON THEME “Jesus, Our Brother”
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
I believe 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, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THANKSGIVING
OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.
HYMN (#53) “To Shepherds as They Watched by Night”
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, You have chosen us from the foundation of the world to be Your people. Strengthen our hearts by Your grace and open our lips to sing Your praises, that Your Holy Word would dwell richly within us from generation to generation. Lord, in Your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, grant Your blessing to the whole Church on earth, that Christ’s people may set their hearts and minds on the things above and be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lover of mankind, bind our families together in perfect harmony and rule our hearts with the peace of Christ. Cause His Word to dwell richly among us, and let fathers and heads of the household teach and admonish their families in all wisdom. Let our songs, words and deeds be done in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You wounded Your own Son to bring us the eternal healing of Your love. Bless all who suffer wounds of body and soul. Grant them healing according to Your will, and sustain them unto the day of the resurrection of all flesh. Lord, in Your mercy,
hear our prayer.
All these things we pray, O Lord, in confidence of Your mercy, trusting that You will grant us all things needful and prevent all things harmful to our faith, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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.
M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your
saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
C: (Sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.
HYMN (#707S) “Peace Came to Earth”
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS December 29, 2024
THE SCHEDULE
Wed., Jan. 1 No Catechism Class
Next Sunday, Jan. 5, Greeters: Terry Weese
OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
BAPTISM: Bryant Brent Long, son of Jayden and Jodie (Kowalke) Long, was baptized on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in the name of our Triune God. Our Lord tells us in John 3:15: “You must be born again of water and of the Spirit.” Bryant was born on Sept. 10, 2024.
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR BIBLE STUDY THIS MORNING.
AREA NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE: Cross-Rockford will be offering a New Year’s Eve Service with Communion at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31.
ANNUAL REPORT: Please have all your reports for the annual report to Julie Gutknecht or Pastor Oehlke by Jan. 15. The annual meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 2. Give prayerful consideration if asked to serve your church family in any capacity.
BLOODMOBILE: The Red Cross has given us a date of Friday, March 7, 2025, and are asking for confirmation of 30 appointments, so please spread the word. You will find a new yellow signup sheet on the island in the narthex (Please register even if you had signed up earlier.)
ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE:
Sunday, Dec. 22 91
Tuesday, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 108
Wednesday, Christmas, Dec. 25 54
