Second Sunday of Christmas~~~January 1-2, 2022
July 21, 2022
Hope Family,
Happy New Year! As we begin another calendar year, let us continue in our efforts to spread kindness in our world. We never know what someone else is going through-so always, be kind. Even if folks are not kind to us, be kind. Even if someone else is grumpy, be kind. Even if they behave or look or act in ways different from us, please be kind. Our kindness reflects the love of Jesus planted in our hearts at Baptism. In Jesus’ name, let us resolve to be even more boldly kind!
In Christ’s love, Pr. Jen+
Second Sunday of Christmas~~~January 1-2, 2022
The Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gospel: John 1:[1-9] 10-18
John begins his gospel with this prologue: a hymn to the Word through whom all things were created. This Word became flesh and brought grace and truth to the world.
[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. 15(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY Back on Christmas Eve, the choir sang the song “Mary, did you know? The words are beautiful-“Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered will soon deliver you. When you kissed your little baby, then you kissed the face of God….” ~Mary, did you know? And actually, the answer is YES-Mary knew. Actually, she told us when she sang the Magnificat. She sang that God had come to the help of his servant Israel and remembered his promise of mercy made to Abraham and his children forever. Mary knew about the prophecy that God would send God’s son-as a faithful Jewish girl, she knew what had been promised. She also had the visit from the Angel Gabriel to reinforce that and to remind her that her pregnancy was from the Holy Spirit, and this would be God’s son. Mary did you know? Yes, she knew.
~~The words of our Gospel today from John explain this truth in a simple but profound way. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word that God created from the beginning continues to dwell with us and within us and we are reminded of that at Christmas as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, the Word made flesh. Christ continues to dwell among us whenever we are gathered in his name, when we ask forgiveness and are cleansed in the waters of Baptism, and whenever we join for Holy Communion when Jesus is born again for us as the Bread and wine become for us his very Body and Blood. Jesus is present in the gathered assembly, in the Scriptures that are read, heard, sung and spoken, in the waters of new birth, and in the bread and the cup. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God’s grace and truth-we receive Jesus.
~~In the version of the Bible called the Message, John 1:14 is translated this way: “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” I love that!
~~~ God has moved into our neighborhood in Jesus. God has moved into our very hearts in Jesus. Mary, did you know? Yes, she knew. And we know-and we celebrate-Jesus is the Word, and he is a word of life, a word of forgiveness, and a word of love. A word of life that was present from creation on, calling everything into being and declaring it good. Jesus is a word of forgiveness who invites us again to confess, to be washed clean, and be welcomed into his open arms, renewed and restored in our relationship with God. And Jesus is a word of love-a love so profound that he suffered the agony of the cross for our sins so that we might live with him forever. The Word became flesh-and yeah, Mary did know. And so do we. And our call is to let others know this Word too. Jesus, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. Amen. Amen.
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
Joining our voices with the heavenly host and Christians throughout time and space, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
You make yourself known in the gift of language in diverse forms. Draw our attention to those who communicate through sign, braille, and technology. Make your church a place where all methods of communication are celebrated. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Creating God, the sun greets us anew each morning. Thank you for waking us up today to witness and share your abundance. Awaken us always to your wisdom and deepen our care for your natural world. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Emmanuel, in your name we are assured that you are with us. Train nations and peoples to honor and respect one another, especially those whose names and identities have been mistreated, neglected, or oppressed. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
You adopt us as your beloved ones. Accompany parents and children navigating the adoption process, especially those in the foster system. Sustain those struggling with infertility or pregnancy loss. Tenderly embrace all in need (especially). Merciful God, receive our prayer.
You journey with us through change. Guide those assuming new roles in this congregation or making transitions in their families, workplaces, or communities (especially). As the seasons and the calendar change, equip us for unexpected challenges. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We give you thanks for all who modeled lives of loving service (especially Wilhelm Loehe, whom we commemorate today). Lead us in your grace until, with all your saints, we enter the fullness of your glory. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Rejoicing in your Word made flesh among us, we commend these prayers to you, confident of your grace and love made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
Our Father…..
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Spirit through Christ for whom we wait. Amen.
Let us go out into the world in peace. Christ is with us as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all. Thanks be to God!
HOPE HAPPENINGS
We welcome all who worship with us today. Please complete one of the visitor cards at our guest table. If you would like to make Hope your church home, please speak to Pastor Jen. Everyone is welcome at Hope Lutheran Church.
Next Week’s Readings: Isiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17,21-22
The January through March Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS
Altar Guild: Gail Zahs and Delores Hall
Usher: Roger McGill
Counters: Pastor Cheryl Armstrong-Kaukis and Karl Kaukis
PRAYER LIST
Please call the church office or email Pr. Jen with any prayer requests you may have so they may be shared with the congregation.
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Brenda for healing
Pastor Tom Barbret for healing
Mary Jones for healing
Gini for healing
Diane & Al for healing and strength
Fred and Cyndi Carley for healing
Sandy Garant for healing
Kim for healing
Doreen Parkinson for healing
Herb Sixbury for healing
Dawn Seibert for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, for healing.
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing & healing for all their family
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing.
NEW AT HOPE
KINDNESS KORNER: Talk to a friend about their memories of past holidays and share your story. To be able to share memories and truly listen to another is an extreme at of kindness.
BIBLE STUDY: On Monday’s, we have a study from 10 to 11am. Join us for an overview of the Bible. Study with us God’s love story for his people! All are welcome! Resuming Monday, January 24, 2022.
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