Worship Leader: Michele Rizoli
Speakers: Florence Latabu, Ezra Unger-Brandt, Bill and Marlene Defehr
Song Leader: Peter Voth
Pianist: Ed Heese
Ushers: Jennifer Stolte/ Lara Munro
Tech Team (In-Person / Online): Lyf Stolte and Jason Booy
Coffee: Leanne Buck and Evan Heise
NO ACTIVITY PERIOD
2023-12-31 – Order of Worship – The Christmas story continues
Gathering Songs
269 – Break forth, O beauteous Heavenly Light
274 – See whose glory fills the skies
Opening Prayer
Welcome, introductions and announcements
273 Arise our light is come!
Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
277 – As with Gladness
Giving with gratitude and Children’s Time
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 – Jay Thiessen (online)
Speaker 3: Ezra Unger Brandt (online)
Psalm 148
Speaker 1: Florence Latabu – Lapu pi Kun. (A farmer does not give up).
808 Between Darkness and Light
Speakers 2: Bill and Marlene DeFehr – And Heaven and Nature Sing
240 – Joy to the world
Congregational Prayer and Benediction
258 – Love Has Come
Scripture Readings
Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
22 When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (23 It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) 24 They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.[a]
25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,
29 “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation.
31 You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
32 It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and a glory for your people Israel.”
33 His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. 37 She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
Psalm 148
Praise God! Praise the Creator from the sky, Praise the eternal from the heights,let all the angels sing out and praise! Let’s the heavenly array praise our Upholder, the sun and the moon praise the Holy Name: let all bright stars give forth praise. Praise God, great dawn of the sky, along with the water above even that.
Praise the name of God. For the Infinite commanded you into being and you were created. The Holy One sustains you for all time, promising a decree that will never end.
Praise the Creator from the Earth, sea serpents and creatures of the deep. Fire and hail, snow and thunder, clouds, wind, and storm – each act in keeping with the holy word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit, trees, and all the cedars, beasts and cattle, crawling insects, and soaring birds, kings of the earth and all the nations, princes and every judge on the earth. Young men and maidens, old people, and youth — Praise the name of God!
For your name alone is exalted. Your glory is spread over earth and sky. You lift up a ray of strength for your people, bringing out praise from all who love you, from the children of Israel, with whom you are close. Praise God!
Listen to the service here.
Listen to the three talks here. First is Ezra Unger Brandt, second is Florence Latabu and third are Marlene and Bill DeFehr.
Read the talk by Marlene and Bill DeFehr here.