1st Sunday of Christmas

FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

NAME OF JESUS

Sunday, January 1, 2023


CALL TO WORSHIP-PSALM 8

O LORD our Lord, how exalted is your name in all the world!

Out of the mouths of infants and children your majesty is praised above the heavens.

You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, to quell the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,

     the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

what is man that you should be mindful of him,

     the son of man that you should care for him?

You have made him but little lower than the angels;

  you adorn him with glory and honor;

  you give him mastery over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet:

all sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of the field,

  the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

     and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

O LORD our Lord, how exalted is your name in all the world!

 

GATHERING SONG         “Shine, Jesus Shine”           #671

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Word made flesh, the Lord and giver of life. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

          Silence is kept for reflection.

God of glory, God of peace,

we confess that we have shunned the light that reveals the truth about us.

We cling to worldly things rather than sharing the gifts of this earth.

We trust ourselves above all.Save your people, O God; sustain the rivers and trees that sing your praise; and free us to live boldly in the light and truth of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

The grace of God shines upon us, bringing salvation to the whole world. We are saved, our sins are washed away, not because of anything we have done, but according to God's mercy in + Jesus Christ. Renewed by the Holy Spirit, let us live in hope and joy. Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Today Christ is born: Alleluia, alleluia!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Eternal Father, you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be a sign of our salvation. Plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

 

THE FIRST LESSON: Numbers 6:22–27

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

 

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 2:5–11

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

 

GOSPEL INVITATION   “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”      #634

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Matthew 1:18-25

The holy gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” 

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

 

SERMON  “What's In a Name”            Pastor Phil Wold

HYMN OF THE DAY         “Good Christian Friends Rejoice”                 #288

NICENE CREED 

  

THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

 The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

 

OFFERING & OFFERING PRAYER 

Let us pray. Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven we shout for joy at the coming of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

BLESSING

 

SENDING SONG      “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”           #270

SENDING

Go in peace. Live the gospel.  Thanks be to God.