Arise! Shine! Your Light has come! Isaiah proclaims to the people.

The Wise Men follow a star and find the source of all light shining in the infant Jesus.

Now Christ shines his light on us so we can reflect it into the world around us.

New to Grace? Please stop by our Welcome Center in the entryway. All are welcome to receive Holy Communion as we celebrate the presence of Jesus among us. As you

prepare for worship, please fill out worship information sheets in the red folders in each pew. Congregation responses in Bold. *Those who are able, please stand.

A children’s Wiggle Room is available in the back of the sanctuary.

Congregation responses in Bold. *Those who are able, please stand. A children’s Wiggle Room is available in the back of the sanctuary.

We Gather to Praise

GATHERING MUSIC

*CALL TO WORSHIP

The star shone bright in the Bethlehem sky. Arise, shine, your light has come!

The shepherds ran to see the baby. Arise, shine, your light has come!

The magi knelt at the child’s feet. Arise, shine, your light has come!

Christ shines with God’s own truth and light. Arise, shine, your light has come!

*SONGS OF CELEBRATION

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY Everlasting God, Your bring the nations to the brightness of your rising. Fill the world with

your glory, and show yourself to all the world through him who is the true

light and the bright morning star, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

we hear God's word

READING Isaiah 60:1-6 We hear prophesy from Isaiah.

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD

will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3Nations shall come to your

light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and

your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 5Then you shall see and be

radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall

be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6A multitude of

camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from

Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the

praise of the LORD. (NRSV)

Word of God; word of life!

Thanks be to God!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILD IN US ALL SONG *GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12

Good News from Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men

from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born

king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him

homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with

him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired

of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea;

for so it has been written by the prophet: 6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of

Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a

ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time

when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and

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search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I

may also go and pay him homage.” 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and

there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped

over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they

were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary

his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure

chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been

warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another

road. (NRSV) The Good News of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

MESSAGE Pastor Matthew Manz

*SONG

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We share God’s BlessinGs

*PRAYERS Guided by the star, together with the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of creation.

A brief silence.

O Splendor of God’s glory, shine your radiance within our world. Remove the barriers that divide us, and teach us to love with all our might. Lead us, O God, by your light. True Dawn in our darkness, set us free from the power of guilt and grave. Shine your light on the nations, that leaders may govern with wisdom, and oppression and terror and hunger and war may pass away. Lead us, O God, by your light. Dayspring from on high, guide the Church throughout the world and increase its reflection of your glory; bless our congregation by its words and deeds to shine your light on those around us. Lead us, O God, by your light. God of light, renew the strength of all who suffer: the poor, the sick, and those who mourn (especially). Lead us, O God, by your light. Radiant God, into your hands we place all for whom we pray, trusting in your

mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen.

OFFERING We Three Kings

*OFFERING PRAYER God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

We invite all baptized believers to share with us in Holy Communion.

This morning the method of distribution will be pouring chalice. Please come to the front by the outside aisles and return by the center aisle.

*GREAT THANKSGIVING God’s light shines! We rejoice in the glory. Wise men sought Jesus. We seek him every day. Wise men were overwhelmed with joy. We join with all the saints to sing a song of joy.

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*WORDS OF INSTITUTION

*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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

*INVITATION God fills the hungry with good things. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Thanks be to God.

MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION

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*POST-COMMUNION PRAYER O Lord, you look upon us in love and refresh our souls through the gift of your true presence. Send us out, reflecting the light of your grace, to tell the story of Jesus Christ, our bright morning star. Amen.

*BLESSING The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. May the light of Christ shine on you with grace and mercy and fill you with joy and peace. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS *SENDING SONG

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Grace Group Planning

Grace Group leaders meeting Monday, January 4, 2016, at 6:30 pm.

We will plan topics and set meeting schedules.

*ANNUAL REPORTS*

All annual reports to be included in the Annual

Report Booklet are due by January 8, 2016.

Please submit reports by email if possible to

gracefd@frontiernet.net

or

gracefd211@gmail.com.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

***NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING***

Grace Lutheran Church Annual Meeting is scheduled for

Sunday, January 24, at 12:30 pm.

Please meet in the Lower Level Fellowship Hall. ARiSE youth will serve a fundraising lunch at 11:45,

in the Lower Level. Free-Will Donations will be accepted. In the event of inclement weather, the Annual Meeting

will be held January 31.

If you have not already taken your poinsettia home,

please do so today.

There are numerous Sundays open for people to donate altar flowers.

Please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex.

The altar flowers today are presented by

Chuck and Leslie Reetz in honor of Leslie’s birthday.

Portions of the service are from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2008 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26869. Songs reprinted under OneLi-

cense.net A-707336. and under CCLI#1382075.

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Altar Care Volunteers

There will be a

meeting Saturday,

January 16 at 9:30

am in the Fireside

Room. We will be

reviewing the duties

of the altar care volunteers.

Anyone who is interested in serving

in this manner is welcome to attend.

Refreshment Hosts

Needed after Services

You and/or your group are

encouraged to sign up to

provide snacks, bars

or cookies for Fellowship

Time after each service.

Please sign up on the

calendar on the counter on

Sunday morning.

Help keep Grace known as the

welcoming place!

New Year’s Resolutions

As we look around Grace, many good resolutions come to mind. If we each added one thing on

the list, Grace would be an even more energized church.

Join a Grace Group.

Sign up to bring refreshments.

Volunteer for Altar Care.

Invite someone to worship.

Help with Sunday School.

Volunteer as a service assistant.

Sing in the choir.

Play in bell choir.

Join a women’s group.

Help with Knit-Purl.

Come to Bridge-A-Rama.

Become a caregiver.

Join a ministry team.

Help with quilting.

Lutheran Men in Mission

Thanks to the volunteers who have helped cover the

office duties during Tammy’s vacation time.

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Remember our Companion Congregation in Matembwe, Tanzanian during this Christmas Season.

Baptism of Elijah John Nyasanga, baptized December 27 at Grace

Those dealing with chronic conditions: John DeBaun (father of Cassie Jordison), Sandy Mickelson, Irene Pearson, Robert Rasmussen, Cleo Swanson, Richard & Sandra Vinson.

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Acolyte: Jessica Jordison Greeter: Helen Patterson

Ushers: Bill Albers, Scott McColley, and Marty Alne Lay Reader: Ellyn Lemke Communion Assistants: Cassie Jordison, Jim McColley, and Ilene Olson

Altar Care: open First Caller: Kim Motl

Refreshments: Yvonne Kihuga and Edna Karisa Council on Duty: Mark Gustafson

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November Income: $ 22,459 Expenses: $ 15,279 Difference: $ 7,180

Year to Date Income: $ 225,992 YTD Expenses: $ 221,639 Difference: $ 4,353

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Sunday, January 3 CELEBRATION OF EPIPHANY

8:30 am Traditional Worship 9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Creative Spirit Worship

Tammy Away

Monday, January 4 5:30 pm Melodibells

6:30 pm SEAP session 7:30 pm Fort Dodge Choral Society

Tammy Away

Tuesday, January 5 2:30 pm Knit-Purl

6:30 pm Ministry Teams

Tammy Away

Wednesday, January 6 6:30 am Men's Bible Study

6:00 pm Confirmation 6:00 pm ARiSE

7:00 pm Choir

Thursday, January 7 1:00 pm WELCA Bpard <eetomg

Friday, January 8 Annual Reports Due

Saturday, January 9 8:00 am Lutheran Men in Mission

Sunday, January 10 BAPTISM OF OUR LORD 8:30 am Traditional Worship

9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Creative Spirit Worship

2-5 pm Bridge-A-Rama

Phone: (515) 576-4106 Email: gracefd@frontiernet.net Website: www.graceELCA.com

PASTOR MATTHEW MANZ

BRUCE PERRY — Worship & Music Coordinator TAMMY MICKELSON — Office Administrator

JOAN MEYER — Youth Coordinator

Mission Statement

In celebration of God’s grace, given through Jesus Christ, we

seek to grow through worship,

teaching, fellowship and

reaching out with our gifts to

share the gospel and serve the

needs of all people.

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