Prelude:
Welcome Pastor Wesley
Grace Lutheran Church, Upland, CA
Pastor Wesley Menke
Accompanist: Tatiana Thibodeaux
Lay Participants 8:30am
Sound: John Holmgren
Lector:
Ushers: Roy Clinton
Accompanist: Joisanne Dailey
Special Music: Charles and Rebecca Menke
Communion Server:
Acolytes:
Covid 19 Safety Protocol: The California Department of Health recommends wearing a mask while indoors.
Prayer request: please fill out the card and give to the usher during hymn of the day
Unsupervised cry room with live feed of service available in the preschool.
Gathering Hymn
Greeting
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.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Children Sermon
First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
2The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]
1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. [
5For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”?
6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his servants flames of fire.”
8But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10And,
“In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like clothing;
12like a cloak you will roll them up,
and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will never end.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel according to John 1:1-14
Glory to you Oh Lord.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Oh Christ.
Sermon Pastor
Hymn of the Day
Apostles’ Creed Assisting Minister (Lector)
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession* Assisting Minister (Lector)
With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ’s coming into the world, we pray for the church, the life of the earth, and the whole human family.
A brief silence.
The church in every land makes a joyful noise to herald your coming, O God. We give thanks for poets, musicians, and hymn writers who give voice to our praise, and for all who lead the church’s worship. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
This day dawns with new hope for all living things, and from ocean depths to mountain peaks the earth rejoices. Inspire in us an urgent zeal to protect the planet and renew its resources (local environmental concerns may be named). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bring heavenly peace to this world and an end to armed conflict. Raise up leaders in every nation who will honor human rights and establish equal justice for all people. Give courage to all who speak out against oppression and advocate for the powerless. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Guard the lives of any in danger, especially those who work to protect others. Lead any who are in desperate circumstances to sanctuary, help, and safety. Grant rest to the weary and soothe those who are troubled (especially). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bless all who gather to worship on this holy day. Be present at our tables and celebrations, and watch over those who travel. Sustain charities, outreach ministries, and food pantries that give generously to people in need (local organizations may be named). God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered. Pastor
12/18
Ryan for health, peace and healing, from Dad.
Ome, good and fast recovery. From the Menke’s
Sandra , very sick from AS.
Aurora safe travels to and from Idaho, from the Uhlers.
Family of Robyn, she died last week, from Loretta
Gracie, she is sick, from Katherine.
Bob and Karla M., healing from cancer, successful CAR T therapy.
Mary Ann M. for healing in her legs
12/11
Arianna’s mother battling cancer. From the Uhlers
Reina to be safe and come home
Marian M. having knee replacement surgery
Jerry H. having basil cell surgery
Mirthita my daughter, she is sick – hands and arms, from her mother Lydia.
Samuel, Luciana, Saul, Yessica, Sheyla, Gabriel, and Shirley
Barbara Dinger
Peace Family on the passing of Max.
Please pray for Cristie Fish, mother of preschooler Becca. Cristie is fighting cancer and is undergoing surgery Thursday, 12/1 ,morning. We pray for healing, strength and remission!
You welcome those who have died into the joyous light of glory. We give thanks for the saints of every time and place who have praised you with lives of faith and humility. Inspire us by their example to love you by serving others. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Pondering the mystery of eternal love made flesh in Christ Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray to the mercy of God.
Amen.
Assisting Minister (Lector) resumes praying:
Faithful God, we rejoice with Mary, Mother of our Lord, and with all the saints, that your mercy endures for all generations. Look with favor on those who have died and lead us to joyfully sing of your everlasting promises. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace* Assisting Minister (Lector)
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
**You may make your offering or donation through our website HERE.
Offertory
Offering Prayer
God of abundance,
receive and bless these gifts we have offered.
Join our hearts with the song of the angels,
and gather us at your table of celebration.
Strengthen us to share with all the world
the abundance of your grace upon grace,
poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
Amen.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Words of Institution
[[In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
La noche en que fue entregado,
nuestro Señor Jesús tomó pan y dio gracias; lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: Tomen y coman; esto es mi cuerpo, dado por ustedes.
Hagan esto en memoria mía.
De igual manera, después de haber cenado, tomó la copa,
dio gracias y la dio a beber a todos, diciendo: Esta copa es el nuevo pacto en mi sangre, derramada por ustedes y por todo el mundo para el perdón del pecado.
Hagan esto en memoria mía.]
Lord’s Prayer*
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.
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos de mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo el poder y tuya la gloria ahora y siempre. Amén.
[NOTE: PLEASE SWITCH OFF MIC BEFORE LEAVING AMBO]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 27 Staff Meeting 10:30am
December 27 Church Council 7:15pm
January 1 Worship 8:30am in English and 11:00am Bilingual (Spanish & English)
January 6 Sock Hop?
January 8 Sunday School resumes adults New Member Class 9:45am
January 8 Finance Committee 12:15pm
January 15 12:30 Confirmation Youth Group Begins
January 24 Synod Financial Training, 6:30pm council, staff, all members welcome
February 5 Church Wine Bottling Party
February 12 Souper Bowl of Caring non-perishable food item collection
December Birthdays and Anniversaries!
Kevin Macias, Noella Macias, Debbie Haines, Erik Hopkins, Keith Calvert, Brian Berg, Tyler Lott, and Debbie Haag
Happy Anniversary to: Earl and Carolyn Schoenwetter
Blessing*
God bless you and keep you,
☩ Jesus grant you grace and truth,
and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts,
now and forever.
Amen.
Sending Hymn
Dismissal
Christ the Savior is born!
Go in peace. Proclaim this good news.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
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