January 5, 2025: 2nd Sunday of Christmas 2 OR Epiphany, Transferred
Christmas 2 Lessons and Hymns:
1 Kings 3:4-15: (God grants Solomon’s request for wisdom)
RCL/ELW: Jeremiah 31:7-14: (God will ransom his people, lead them like a shepherd)
Psalm 119:97-104: (You have made me wiser than my enemies because I meditate on your law)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 147: 12-20: Praise for God feeding, protecting, blessing his people)
Ephesians 1: 3-14: (God makes us holy, blameless in Christ, adopts us as children)
Luke 2:40-52: (the boy Jesus with the elders in the Temple)
RCL/ELW: John 1:1-18: In the beginning was the Word, full of grace and truth!
Opening Hymn: Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing (A lovely, simple Bohemian carol): LBW #66
OR Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty: LBW #250, ELW #533, LSB #901
Hymn of Praise: Joy to the World: LBW #39, ELW #267, LSB #387
Hymn of the Day: All Hail To You, O Blessed Morn: LBW #73
OR Of the Father’s Love Begotten: LBW #42, ELW #295, LSB #384
Communion Hymn #1: Children of the Heavenly Father: LBW #474, ELW #781, LSB #725
Communion Hymn #2: Go Tell It On the Mountain: LBW #70, ELW #290, ELW #388
Closing Hymn: The Bells of Christmas: LBW #62, ELW #298
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The Epiphany of Our Lord lessons and texts (transferred or on the day!)
Isaiah 60:1-6: (Arise, shine, your Light has come; kings shall bring riches)
Psalm 72:1-11(12-15): (Give the king justice, O God, let kings from far away bring tribute)
Ephesians 3:1-12 (Paul is an apostle to the Gentiles, who are granted fullness of salvation
through Christ)
Matthew 2:1-12: (The wise men come to worship Jesus, return home by another way)
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Opening Hymn: As With Gladness Men of Old: LBW #82, ELW #302, LSB #397
Hymn of the Day: O Chief of Cities, Bethlehem (a nice English folk tune. And the words really shouldn’t be missed. Still you can use tune for “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”): LBW #81
OR Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies: LBW #265, ELW #553, LSB #873
OR The Star Proclaims the King is Here, LSB #399, v. 1, 2, 5
Communion Hymn #1: We Three Kings of Orient Are: WOV #646
OR Light Shone in Darkness: ELW #307
Communion Hymn #2: Bright and Glorious is the Sky: LBW #75, ELW #301
Closing Hymn: Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning: LBW #84, ELW #303, LSB #400
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With joy and gratitude for the gift of Jesus, let us draw near to our heavenly Father in prayer, asking his mercy for the Church, the world, and all who need his loving-kindness.
A brief silence
Holy God, thank you for Jesus. He shares our life, and shares your life with us. He grew in wisdom and understanding, and gives us the Holy Spirit so we can, too. He takes our sin, and gives us his pure, holy grace and love. He is your unfailing Light in the darkest days and places we endure. Thank you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your Son adorned the earthly Temple with his presence as a baby and as a growing lad. He is your Holy of Holies in our midst. Make your Church a Temple fit for his habitation. Grant that it may adorn his dear presence with faithful words, heartfelt worship, and deeds of love and mercy. May it draw all people to Jesus’ feet, there to learn from him the Good News of our salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Grant to your persecuted servants your imperishable inheritance of grace, faithfulness, and endurance. Make us generous in aiding, defending, and praying for them. Turn the hearts of their adversaries away from sin and hatred, and toward you in repentance and faith.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Bless this congregation, so that people gladly come here to encounter you in Word and Sacrament, in fellowship, learning, and service. Make us wise in the ways of charity and faithfulness, so that all may find your precepts to be sweeter than honey.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray your favor upon this new year; upon our hopes for a better future; and upon all who find no release from the sorrows and cares of the previous years. Give us wisdom and strength to seek your will for our common good. Draw us toward that eternal New Year that you alone shall bring.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Solomon prayed for wisdom to lead your people according to your precepts. The wise men heeded your guiding and warning words. The prophets attended to your wisdom and counsel. Give that wisdom to all of our earthly rulers. Fill them with deep love for justice, mercy, wisdom, and integrity. Let all people live free from the consequences of malice, stupidity, and calamity. Crown not just this new year, but all of our years, with the blessings of your peace.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
These are perilous times, dear Lord! Guide, strengthen and protect our military and first responders. May they accomplish all that is in accordance with your will. Return them swiftly to their loved ones. Bring them healing, hope, and renewed opportunities to serve you in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Be the light and salvation of everyone who calls on you in times of trouble. We plead especially for: {List}. Grant them health, wholeness, and hope. Ease the burdens and bless the labors of all who care for them. Refresh their spirits, and bind us all together in cords of mutual care and compassion.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
The generations rise and fall and pass before you, O Lord. We entrust our beloved dead into your merciful care. Comfort those who grieve, and whose hope falters. Give us eyes to see the suffering around us; lips to pray and encourage; hands to extend in blessing; and hearts to beat with compassion and forgiveness. Grant to all whom you have redeemed through your dear Son, a portion in the imperishable inheritance you have prepared for them. Bring us into your Kingdom, where you reign in unity with your Son and the Holy Spirit, God forever.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Thank you for hearing our prayers, dear Lord. We entrust them, and our lives, into your merciful care. Amen.
