ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
DICKINSON, ND
We Say Yes to Share, Save & Spend
EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
JANUARY 6, 2008
10:30 a.m. Sunday

CONFESSION OF SINS

P We gather as the people of God to offer our repentance and praise, to pray for the unity of the church and the renewal of our life together. Trusting in God’s mercy and compassion, let us ask for the forgiveness of our sins. (Silence for reflection & self-examination)

P Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father: Lord, have mercy on us. Assembly Lord, have mercy on us.

P Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of pride and intolerance. Christ, have mercy on us. A Christ, have mercy on us.

P Lord Jesus, you pardon the sinner and welcome the repentant. Lord, have mercy on us. A Lord, have mercy on us.

P Almighty God grants you pardon and the forgiveness of all your sins. May Christ, the dawn from on high, shine upon you, and by the light of the Holy Spirit, guide your feet into the way of peace. A Amen

GATHERING

OPENING SONG Come, Now Is the Time to Worship

Come, now is the time to worship. Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship. Come just as you are before your God come.
One day ev’ry tongue will confess you are God, one day ev’ry knee will bow.
Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now.

(The congregation joins in on second & third repeats)

THE GREETING

P The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The grace and peace of Jesus Christ, who shines among us, be with you all.
A And also with you.

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY Insert

WORD

FIRST READING Isaiah 60:1-6
The Word of the Lord A Thanks be to God.
THE PSALM Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (Insert)
THE SECOND READING Ephesians 3:1-12
The Word of the Lord A Thanks be to God.

(stand) THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (spoken)
A Alleluia. We have observed his star at its rising, and have come to worship him. Alleluia

THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12
P The Holy Gospel according to Matthew
A (spoken) Glory to you, O Lord & Praise to you, O Christ

THE SERMON

SONG OF THE DAY: This Little Light of Mine #677

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM p. 227

SONG Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying

Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.

THE PRAYERS (spoken response is Hear our prayer.)
THE PEACE (spoken response is And also with you.)

MEAL

OFFERING & OFFERING MUSIC Lord, Reign in Me
OFFERING RESPONSE Create in Me

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (repeat)
Cast me not away from thy presence, O Lord.
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

OFFERTORY PRAYER

THE COMMUNION LITURGY

P The Lord be with you
A And also with you
P Lift up your hearts
A We lift them to the Lord
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
A It is right to give our thanks and praise

P It is indeed right . . . join their unending hymn, saying
A Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might;
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER FOR EPIPHANY

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen

(Sit) DISTRIBUTION & COMMUNION SONGS

Lord, I Lift Your Name On High

Verse: Lord, I lift your name on high. (Echo)
Lord, I love to sing your praises. (Echo)
I’m so glad you’re in my life. (Echo)
I’m so glad you came to save us. (Echo)

Chorus: You came from heaven to earth to show the way,
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift your name on high.

Repeat verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus

Spirit Song

Verse 1: O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love,
Let him fill your life and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit, like a dove,
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Chorus: Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. (Repeat)

Verse 2: O come and sing the song of gladness,
As your hearts are filled with joy.
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
O give him all your tears and sadness,
Give him all your years of pain,
And you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name. (Chorus)

Jesus, All for Jesus

Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans I surrender these into your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans, I surrender these into your hands.

For it's only in your will that I am free, for it's only in your will that I am free, Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be.

POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & TABLE PRAYER

SENDING

BENEDICTION

SENDING SONG: Shine, Jesus, Shine #671

1. Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness,
shining; Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me.

Chorus Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with love and mercy;
Send forth you word, Lord, and let there be light.

2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your
radiance. By the blood I may enter your brightness, search me, try me,
Consume all my darkness. Shine on me, shine on me. (Chorus)

3. As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness,
Ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here,
May our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me. (Chorus)

DISMISSAL Go in peace; serve the Lord A Thanks be to God.

_____________________________________

Preaching Minister: Pastor Lisa Lewton
Presiding Minister: Pastor Steve Tangen
Assisting Minister: Julie Kittelson
Deacon: Chad Hysjulien
Servers: Nicole Urbanec & Ali Moody
Contemporary Band: Curt Kittelson
_____________________________________

WELCOME to the Lord’s Table. All the baptized are invited to receive the Sacrament. You may stand or kneel to receive the elements. Children who commune should extend their hands; those who don’t yet commune should have hands folded and they will receive a blessing. Gluten-free wafers are available for those who cannot have wheat products. White grape juice is available for those who cannot have wine. Let a pastor or server know when communing.

NEXT SUNDAY is The Sunday of the Baptism of our Lord. It marks the First Sunday after Epiphany and is a time when we meet Jesus as the beloved Son of God through his baptism. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and called God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who seek to meet God.

WORSHIP INFORMATION: Attendance last week 430 . . . Transmitters are available for the hearing impaired. Ask an usher for help . . . Children’s worship bags may be found in the Commons Area and in the main church entry . . . If it is uncomfortable for you to stand during the service, please feel free to remain seated . . . The nursery, located in the Commons Area, is open from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. for infants and children up to age four . . .

BAPTIZED TODAY is Taylor Rae VanDoorne, daughter of Adam & Alissa VanDoorne. Her sponsors are Cody Wolf and Jess Kouba.

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Family Sunday School, Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:15 a.m. Adult Class: Keys to Effective Congregations

Monday: 7:00 p.m. W-ELCA Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spiritual Maturity - Nancy Sprynczynatyk

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Quilting

Wednesday: 6:00 p.m. Church Directory Team Meeting
6:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal
6:30 p.m. Angel & Cherub Choirs
7:00 p.m. Carol Choir
7:00 p.m. Wednesday School
7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class

Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Midweek Worship
7:30 p.m. Congregation Council Meeting
Friday: 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study at Days Inn

YOU 2007 OFFERING STATEMENTS will be available Sunday, Jan 13. Thank you for your many generous gifts to the ministry of St. John Lutheran Church.

BABIES AND BAPTISM: Was your baby born or baptized in 2007? At services on Sunday, Jan. 13 (The Baptism of our Lord), we’re inviting parents with babies born or baptized in 2007 to celebrate God’s gift of new life at the 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. service.

GARAGE BIDS: We are seeking bids for a new garage to be built next spring or summer, if approved at the January 27 Annual Meeting. It will replace the existing garage located south of the church on the alley. Contact the church office for the plans (225-6747) and return bids to the office by Monday, Jan. 7.

JANUARY ADULT CLASS: Pastor Tangen’s Sunday class meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Room for a study called Keys to Effective Congregations. Topics include 1) Genuine Worship, 2) Welcoming New Members, 3) Holistic Stewardship, 4) Equipping Families.

EARLY CONFIRMATION CLASSES for fifth graders and parents will meet on Sunday, Jan. 13, 20 & 27 at 9:15 a.m. in the basement.

THE CONFIRMATION CLASSES on the Lord’s Prayer will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 7:00 p.m.

ST. JOHN SERVICE COMMITTEE is seeking women of the congregation to assist with serving at funeral receptions in the basement. Some funerals are on Saturdays, so even if you work during the week we could use your help. If you are interested in helping please contact Bev Olheiser, Administrative Secretary, in the church office - 225-6747 or olheiser@stjohnelc.org.

SAVE THE DATE: The St. John Friends of the Fund annual celebration is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The featured speaker is Jan Zook, Assistant to the WND Synod Bishop.

GUEST SPEAKER ON SPIRITUAL MATURITY: On Monday, Jan. 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the main floor Fellowship Room, Nancy Sprynczynatyk, LPC-MH, will present a talk titled “Spiritual Maturity.” Her presentation will address societal and technological changes and their impact on our emotional and spiritual lives. Participants will leave recharged, better informed and “SOUL-FULL.” There’s no cost to attend. Bring a friend!

A HEARTLAND HOSPICE benefit breakfast is Sunday, Jan. 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at St. Joseph’s Church.

THE ANNUAL MEETING of the congregation will be held Sunday, Jan. 27 at 12:45 p.m. In addition, elections for the Congregation Council and Trust Fund Committee will be held, and a proposed budget for 2007 of $471,695 will be presented for approval. The budget includes $80,000 for benevolences and $391,695 for general ministry.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CONGREGATION? Contact one of the pastors or Faith Simonieg in the church office (225-6747).

A BARBEQUE LUNCH will be served, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27 (prior to the 12:45 p.m. Annual Meeting). The lunch is served by Divine Swine. Cost of the lunch is $5 and all contributions go to the Senior High Mission Trip to Belize next summer.

THE W-ELCA BOARD MEETING will be held Monday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m.

CLUB 56 is not meeting in January. The Youth & Family Ministry Committee is evaluating this ministry and looking at changes for the future.

VISITATION TEAM: We are seeking additional people to join our visitation team. The team visits our homebound members once a month, and makes weekly visits to the hospital. You may visit once a month or more, depending on your time. For more information, call Pastor Tangen or Faith Simonieg, or attend the Visitation Team meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 12:00 p.m. in the main floor Fellowship Room.

TRUST FUND: You’ll find a Trust Fund envelope in your offering packet in January. Gifts to the Trust Fund are shared with ministries in the congregation and in our community.

HARVEST HOME DONATIONS: The Harvest Home provides housing for family and friends of patients during their stay at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Senior High youth are seeking donations for the home. Items needed by the Harvest Home are listed on the bulletin board in the Commons Area. Choose an item you wish to donate and return the time by Feb. 24 to the collection baskets in the man church entry or the Commons Area.

CHRIST IN OUR HOME booklets are available in the narthex and Commons Area for January through March 2008. Also available is The Lutheran Magazine for January 2008.

FAMILY SUNDAY SCHOOL meets the first Sunday of each month at 9:15 a.m. and is intended for kids and parents to grow in faith together.

SUMMER MISSION TRIP: Why is the senior high youth group heading to Belize next summer? There are three criteria for choosing a site: 1) Is it safe? 2) Is there meaningful work available that will enable us to be disciples? 3) Will this site remove us from what we know as familiar? Belize is the safest country in Central America, and has crime rates lower than our own! With one-third of their population under the poverty line, there is significant “mission” work to be done. Our youth and adults will participate in hands-on ministries such as home repairs, and in relational ministries by working with children. And, by leaving what is familiar, we will be able to submerse ourselves in ministry.