Festival of the Epiphany of our Lord

January 6, 2021

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Tempe, Arizona

Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

—Isaiah 60:1

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WELCOME TO ONLINE WORSHIP

Thank you for joining us online today. May the Word of God that you hear strengthen your faith and increase your desire to serve the Lord!

The world may be in a state of panic, but the Church of Jesus is a place of refuge where we know God’s peace. We gather today to hear God’s Word and to rejoice in his message of comfort and forgiveness, of life and salvation. We are honored that you are joining us for our online worship.

• This service folder will enable you to follow along and participate in the service wherever you are. You are also welcome to use your personal hymnal and Bible at home.

• You may wish to sing along with the hymns or simply reflect upon the text—this is the beauty of our hymns with a strong, Christ-centered message!

If there is any other way in which we can assist you, please let us know.

For the latest information about services schedules, please visit elctempe.org.

THE FESTIVAL OF THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

JANUARY 6, 2021

We have come to worship Jesus

Magi from the East came to worship the newborn King. They came a tremendous distance. They overcame tremendous odds. They surmounted tremendous obstacles. They did it because the Lord led them by the star in the heavens to come kneel before the Christ Child and present him with costly treasures.

Tonight we worship Jesus against tremendous odds. God himself bridged the chasm that separated us from the Christ Child, opening the eyes of our heart to see Jesus as our Savior, and bringing us to kneel before him in worship. We present our offerings to Jesus—not only gifts of costly earthly value, but our hearts and lives laid before him in true devotion and praise.

http://www.elctempe.org

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The sanctuary lights are dimmed for the beginning of the service. Please use your pre-service time for quiet reflection and meditation.

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

LIGHTING OF CANDLES

During the opening hymn the minister will light his candle from the Christ candle. The minister will walk down the center aisle and light the candle of the first person in each pew. These will pass the flame along to others in the pew. When passing the flame, tip the unlit candle into the flame of the lit candle. Always keep the lit candle upright!

At the direction of the minister, please stand.

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

The day before Epiphany marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Today we begin a new season of the Christian church year with a new focus on living out our calling as Christians who have been illuminated by Jesus’ gospel. The light of Jesus’ love shines in our hearts and radiates into the world around us.

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HYMN The First Noel

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KYRIE

Lord of glory, Father of lights,

have mercy on us.

Christ Jesus, human, yet God,

have mercy on us.

Lord of glory, light of the nations,

have mercy on us, and grant us your peace. Amen.

PRAYER

Let us pray:

Lord God, by the leading of a star you once made known to the nations your one and only Son. Guide us, also, who know him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Following the prayer the candles are extinguished. As you extinguish your candle, observe caution so that hot wax does not touch you or anyone around you.

Be seated.

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 60:1-6 1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. 6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.

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PSALM Psalm 72

Endow the King with your justice, O God,

the royal son with your righteousness.

He will judge your people in righteousness,

your afflicted ones with justice.

The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,

the hills the fruit of righteousness.

He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy;

he will crush the oppressor.

He will endure as long as the sun,

as long as the moon, through all generations.

He will be like rain falling on a mown field,

like showers watering the earth.

In his days the righteous will flourish;

prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.

RESPONSIVE HYMN As with Gladness Men of Old Christian Worship 83, stanzas 1,2

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He will rule from sea to sea

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

The desert tribes will bow before him

and his enemies will lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him;

the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.

All kings will bow down to him,

and all nations will serve him.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,

the afflicted who have no one to help.

He will take pity on the weak and the needy

and save the needy from death.

He will rescue them from oppression and violence,

for precious is their blood in his sight.

RESPONSIVE HYMN As with Gladness Men of Old Christian Worship 83, stanzas 3,4

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Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him.

May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.

Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway.

Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field.

May his name endure forever;

may it continue as long as the sun.

All nations will be blessed through him,

and they will call him blessed.

Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

RESPONSIVE HYMN As with Gladness Men of Old Christian Worship 83, stanzas 5

In the heav’nly country bright Need they no created light; You its light, its joy, its crown, You its sun which goes not down.

There forever may we sing Alleluias to our King!

SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:2-12 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

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Please stand for the Gospel.

GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Gospel of our Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Be seated.

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HYMN OF THE DAY How Lovely Shines the Morning Star Christian Worship 79, stanzas 1-4

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SERMON Matthew 2:1-12

We have come to worship Jesus

After the sermon please stand.

SERMON RESPONSE How Lovely Shines the Morning Star Christian Worship 79, stanzas 5

Be seated.

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OFFERING

Many of our worshipers have been giving online or have been mailing their church offerings or dropping them off at the church office. If you would like to give your offering in person today, you may come up now and place it in the offering plate at the front of church. The offering plate is in the front of the church, instead of near the church entrance because our offerings are part of our worship and are an important part of the service. We also want our offerings to be more secure at the front of the church. You may continue giving online, or you may drop off your offering at the church office during regular hours or mail your offering to church at: 715 W Southern Avenue, Tempe AZ 85282. Thank you for your generous offerings to support the ministry of the gospel at Emmanuel!

MUSICAL OFFERING

Please stand.

LIGHTING OF CANDLES

The minister will light his candle from the Christ candle. The ushers will light their candles, and then they will light the candle of the first person in each row. When passing the flame, tip the unlit candle into the flame of the lit candle. Always keep the lit candle upright!

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Mary’s son, in the fullness of time you came into our world to save us from sin and death.

You ushered in the day of grace so long foretold.

Beloved Son of the Father, revered by the Magi, baptized by John, you came preaching and teaching, healing and comforting, forgiving and encouraging.

You brought the light of life to those walking in darkness, and the joy of salvation to those doomed to death.

Prince of Peace, shine like a beacon for us and the people of our world. Let the good news of salvation be heard in the remotest corners of the earth. Open our own lips to speak your name to those around us who still live without faith or hope.

Arouse us and our missionaries to flood the world with the light of your gospel.

Scan this code if you wish to give

online.

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Lord of the church, let your peace rule our hearts that we may use our gifts to serve you and each other in willing gratitude and joy. Watch over our loved ones near and far, that they may remember your love and rejoice in your salvation. Strengthen the faith of the sick and the disheartened. Give hope to those in despair and comfort those who mourn.

Be gracious to all and lead us to reflect your love in everything we say and do.

Special prayers and intercessions.

Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer

Finally bring us and all your believers to the heavenly home where we will stand in the full light of your glory and with all your saints and angels sing the everlasting song of triumph.

Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

BLESSING

May he who by his Epiphany filled the world with light, now fill us with such joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. And the blessing of God Almighty—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

HYMN Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow Christian Worship 587, stanzas 1, 3

Silence for meditation.

At the direction of the minister, please be seated and extinguish your candle. As you extinguish your candle, observe caution so that hot wax does not touch you or anyone around you.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984

by International Bible Society.

Hymns and texts are printed under One License.net #A-705984, used by permission. All rights reserved:

Hymns and texts from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Serving at Worship Preaching Minister Pastor Allen Schroeder

Presiding Minister Pastor Jon D. Buchholz

Organist Kevin Bode

Usher Bill Zidar

Looking ahead January 10 Building open forum

January 12 Rooted group take-out

January 19 Church council meeting

January 24 Quarterly voters’ meeting

Notes and News Safety and social distancing Emmanuel encourages our worshipers to wear masks at church whenever they are closer than six feet from fellow worshipers.

2021 offering envelopes The offering envelopes for 2021 are ready to be picked up. They are on the back counter in the narthex in alphabetical order. If you do not see your name and would like to order some, or if you do not wish to receive offering envelopes but prefer online giving, please contact the church office.

Building project open forum On Sunday, January 10, Emmanuel’s building committee will hold an open forum for the congregation at 9:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall. The building committee will update the congregation on the current status of the building project and money raised thus far through our capital campaign. The building committee can answer your questions related to the project and will be looking for your feedback. Please plan to join us for this information session. A link will be provided for those who wish to join us online.

T he Mission and Objectives of Emmanuel Lutheran Church are to share the truth and love of God’s saving Word, and our personal faith in that Word, within our church, our community, and the world,

through active involvement by all our members, specifically:

• To preach, by proclaiming the Word of God, as we worship and praise God in a loving Christian atmosphere;

• To teach, by fostering an ongoing increase in knowledge and maturity in God’s Word;

• To reach, by sharing the Gospel of God’s Word with all people, and to do so;

• By each member actively participating in the Mission and Objectives.

Pastor Jon D. Buchholz jonbuchholz@msn.com • (602) 377-1915

Pastor Justin H. Gran granjh@gmail.com • (480) 826-9078

Pastor Daniel D. Pautz pdpautz@cox.net • (480) 766-2994

Principal John Campbell jcampbell@elstempe.org • (480) 234-9686

Diana Brocard, Church Secretary church@elctempe.org • (480) 967-3983

E mmanuel Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). We are united in faith and teaching with the other churches of the Wisconsin Synod as well as the churches of the

Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS).

ABOUT US

715 West Southern Avenue Tempe, Arizona 85282

(480) 967-3983 church • (480) 967-3991 school • (480) 967-2809 fax church@elctempe.org

www.elctempe.org

mailto:jonbuchholz@msn.commailto:granjh@gmail.commailto:granjh@gmail.commailto:jcampbell@elstempe.orgmailto:church@elctempe.org