WELCOME TO TRINITY! On the first Sunday of Christmas we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus, both in the temple, both growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God "to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God," who has gifted us with a savior. As the festival continues, "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." It is Christmas, still. A joyous greeting to one and all! A special welcome to those who are visiting with us. Please take time to sign our guest book in the entry leaving both an address and a telephone number.
(Worship-Setting# 8 in ELW-page 184-items designated by*)
GATHERING
Prelude .........................Laurie Wiedeman
Welcome and Announcements
Confession and Forgiveness
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Let us confess our sins with confidence in God’s promise of forgiveness.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: God, wonderful counselor, C: we confess that we have turned from your gifts and chosen our own way. We have not made room for you in our hearts or in our world. We have lived in fear; we have not welcomed the stranger; we desire gifts that will not endure. Forgive us our sins, known and unknown, and open us to receive the peace of Jesus dwelling in and among us. Amen.
P: God's loving kindness has appeared to us in Christ our Savior. We are saved, not by anything we have done, but by God's mercy poured out on us richly. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. God give you faith to trust Jesus, who is Love born for you now and always. Amen
Opening Hymn "Once in Royal David's City" ELW# 269
The Greeting: P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.
Opening Sentences
P: Come people of God. Let us give thanks for these holy days of Christmas.
C: Here we have come to worship the God of new beginnings and new opportunities. P: Come people of God. Let us celebrate and rejoice for the wondrous gifts given to us. C: Here in our worship, we look to the future as we are filed with the gifts of Christmas: love, hope, peace, joy!
P: Now we again sing the joyous carols of Christmas and witness to our Savior's birth.
Hymn of Praise "Joy to the World" (vs. 1,4) ELW# 267
Prayer of the Day P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.
P: Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, 0 God, C: and open our minds to
the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may think and act according to. your good will and may live continually in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE WORD
First Reading: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm: Psalm 148
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
*Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we" p.188 ELW
Response after announcement: Glory to you, 0 Lord. Luke 2:41-52
Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, 0 Christ.
Children 's Sermon
Sermon Pastor Ted Gulhaugen
Hymn of the Day "Let All Together Praise Our God" (v. 1-4)ELW# 660
Apostles' Creed
Prayers of Intercession P: Lord, in your mercy. C: Hear our prayer.
MEAL
Offering
Offering Prayer: P: Creator God, C: you made everything, and you provide for every need.
The bread we break and the wine we pour come from you. As we eat and drink with thanksgiving, fill us with your love; let that love flow through us to others; and join us to the saints before us in a holy and boundless communion; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Great Thanksgiving p. 190 ELW
*Proper Preface "Holy, holy, holy Lord, " p. 190 ELW
*Words of institution
*Lord 's Prayer p. 191 ELW
Invitation to Communion: P: Come to the table where Christ meets you. Eat, rejoice, and be glad!
Communion Hymns:*"Lamb of God, you take away .... ." p. 191 ELW
"Your Little Ones, Dear Lord" ELW# 286
"Our Father by Whose Name" ELW# 640
Post Communion Blessing: P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. C: Amen
Prayer after Communion: P: God of wonder, C: in Jesus we behold the light of the world come near. As you have come among us now, send us out in joy, hastening to share the good news of your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, through the Spirit dwelling among us now and forever. Amen.
THE SENDING
Benediction
Closing Hymn "Go Tell It On the Mountain" ELW# 290
Dismissal: P: Go in peace. Share the joy of Christ. C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude: Laurie Wiedeman
THANK YOU TO PASTOR TED GULHAUGEN FOR LEADING WORSHIP TODAY: Special thanks today for the leadership of Pastor Ted Gulhaugen. Pastor Gulhaugen served "Our Savior's Lutheran, Merrill for a number of years and recently retired after serving as associate pastor at Zion Lutheran in Wausau. These days he spends a lot of time with his grandkids.
TRINITY'S FINANCIAL BOOKS WILL CLOSE TOMORROW MONDAY, DECEMBER 31ST: The Church Council asks that you complete your 2018 financial giving by that date. Any and all offerings received after December 31st by either the Treasurer or Financial Secretary (whether mailed or in person) will be credited to 2019. There will be no exceptions.
TRINITY LUTHERAN ANNUAL REPORTS BY COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS need to be submitted to the church secretary by next Sunday, January 6,2019. You can submit the reports either by email to trinitystettin@yahoo.com, or by placing them in the church secretary mailbox. Thank you.
Annual Meeting will be held on January 20th following worship. Please mark your calendars to attend this important meeting of the church.
GIVING ENVELOPES FOR 2019 have been placed in mailboxes. If you did not receive envelopes & want them for your donations, please contact financial secretary, Nancy Buttke. Giving envelopes enable the church to track your donations for tax purposes. As a reminder, electronic funds transfer is available to our membership and is an easy way to budget your donations.
DON'T FORGET WORSHIP TIMES ARE SWITCHED LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Worship times for January 27 will be 8:30 a.m. at Trinity and 10:15 a.m. at St. Peter. Please get the word around about our change of worship times on the last Sunday of the month.
TRINITY JANUARY COUNCIL MEETING SET FOR Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 6:30pm
CONFIRMATION TAKES BREAK FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS: Confirmation will not meet during the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. Confirmation classes will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. Seventh graders will meet at 6 p.m. along with their mentors to begin the Dear Theophilus unit. Eighth graders will meet at 7 p.m. with their mentors present to begin their faith statements. These meetings will be at the Trinity basement.
MEN'S BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY EVERY SECOND SATURDAY AT VILLAGE INN Men's breakfast and Bible Study will again be meeting on the second Saturday of the month starting in September. Next men's breakfast and Bible study is scheduled for January 12, 2019, 8:00a.m. at the Village Inn in Marathon. This is a great time for fellowship and a discussion on the upcoming Sunday gospel. No sign up needed; just show up; friends and neighbors are welcome!
TRINITY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY WILL NOT MEET IN DECEMBER: The
Trinity Women's Bible Study will not meet in the month of December. They will
meet again on January 22 for a special meeting at Kurt and Jo's at 11 am. This will be a belated Christmas celebration and we will use the December Gather magazine as our guide of Bible Study. Women from both Trinity and St. Peter are invited to come.
PASTOR PHIL WILL BE ON VACATION FROM DECEMBER 26th THRU JANUARY 2nd: Pastor Dan Sire will be on call for emergencies and can be reached at
715-212-7359.
PHONE NUMBER CHANGES & ADDRESS CHANGES FORWARDED TO SECRETARY: Please remember to notify the church secretary if you have a phone number change or an address change. We want to make sure we are listing and getting information to the correct places. Please leave the change in the church secretary mailbox or email the change to trinitystettin@yahoo.com