January 1, 2017 Gospel

Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)

The Escape to Egypt

¹³ Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴ Then Joseph^[a] got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, ¹⁵ and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants

¹⁶ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,^[b] he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.^{[c] 17} Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸ “A voice was heard in Ramah,
    wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

The Return from Egypt

¹⁹ When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ²⁰ “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” ²¹ Then Joseph^[d] got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. ²² But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. ²³ There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 2:14 Gk he
2. Matthew 2:16 Or astrologers; Gk magi
3. Matthew 2:16 Or astrologers; Gk magi
4. Matthew 2:21 Gk he

January 1st, 2017 Readings

First Reading

Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)

God’s Mercy Remembered

⁷ I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
    the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us,
    and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
⁸ For he said, “Surely they are my people,
    children who will not deal falsely”;
and he became their savior
⁹     in all their distress.
It was no messenger^[a] or angel
    but his presence that saved them;^[b]
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 63:9 Gk: Heb anguish
2. Isaiah 63:9 Or savior. ⁹ In all their distress he was distressed; the angel of his presence saved them;

Second Reading

Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)

¹⁰ It was fitting that God,^[a] for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.^[b] For this reason Jesus^[c] is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,^{[d] 12} saying,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,^[e]
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

¹⁴ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. ¹⁶ For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters^[f] in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 2:10 Gk he
2. Hebrews 2:11 Gk are all of one
3. Hebrews 2:11 Gk he
4. Hebrews 2:11 Gk brothers
5. Hebrews 2:12 Gk brothers
6. Hebrews 2:17 Gk brothers

Christmas Eve Service Helpers Needed

Christmas Eve Assitants Needed:
We only have one greeter signed up, we could use another couple of people to help since candles need to be handed out also.
There is no one signed up for communion asstants, we need at least two, four is preferable.
Please let me know if you are willing to do any of these things. Your assistance is much appreciated.

My email is: secretary@geneseelutheranparish.org

Dec. 24th and Dec. 25th Gospels

Dec. 24th

Luke 2:1-14 (NRSV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,^[a] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,^[b] praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”^[c]

Footnotes:

1. Luke 2:11 Or the Christ
2. Luke 2:13 Gk army
3. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people

Dec. 25th

Luke 2:8-20 (NRSV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,^[a] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,^[b] praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”^[c]

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 2:11 Or the Christ
2. Luke 2:13 Gk army
3. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people

Dec. 24th and 25th Readings

Dec. 24th

First Reading

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)

^2 [a] The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
    on them light has shined.
³ You 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.
⁴ For 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.
⁵ For all the boots of the tramping warriors
    and all the garments rolled in blood
    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
⁶ For 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.
⁷ His 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.

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 9:2 Ch 9.1 in Heb

Second Reading

Titus 2:11-14 (NRSV)

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,^{[a] 12} training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior,^[b] Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Footnotes:

1. Titus 2:11 Or has appeared to all, bringing salvation
2. Titus 2:13 Or of the great God and our Savior

Dec. 25th

First Reading

Isaiah 62:6-12 (NRSV)

⁶ Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
    I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
    they shall never be silent.
You who remind the Lord,
    take no rest,
⁷ and give him no rest
    until he establishes Jerusalem
    and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
⁸ The Lord has sworn by his right hand
    and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
    to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
    for which you have labored;
⁹ but those who garner it shall eat it
    and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
    in my holy courts.

¹⁰ Go through, go through the gates,
    prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway,
    clear it of stones,
    lift up an ensign over the peoples.
¹¹ The Lord has proclaimed
    to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
    “See, your salvation comes;
his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.”
¹² They shall be called, “The Holy People,
    The Redeemed of the Lord”;
and you shall be called, “Sought Out,
    A City Not Forsaken.”

Second Reading

Titus 3:4-7 (NRSV)

⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water^[a] of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. ⁶ This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Footnotes:

1. Titus 3:5 Gk washing

Sunday Dec. 18th Bulletin

Genesee Lutheran Parish

648 W. Ash Avenue

208-285-1719

geneseelutheranparish.blogspot.com

Interim Pastor Dean Stewart   (208) 596-8517

Fourth Sunday of Advent                      Dec. 18, 2016

WE GATHER

Prelude

Welcome           

Confessions and Forgiveness (on a slip of paper in with the hymnals)

Hymn         Hark, the Glad Sound               #239

Kyrie                                                           pp 98

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power. Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   AMEN

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

First Reading                               Isaiah 7:10-16

Psalm (tone 77, pg. 337)            80:1-7 17-19         

Second Reading                      Romans 1:1-7

Children’s Time and Children’s Program

Gospel Acclamation                              p. 102

Gospel                                    Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon                                  

WE RESPOND TO THE WORD

Hymn     O Come, O Come Emmanuel   #257

Apostles Creed                                        p. 105

Prayers of the Church

*Each petition ends with   Let us pray…

                                                Have Mercy, O God

Sharing the Peace

Offering

WE ARE SENT TO MISSION

Benediction

Announcements

Hymn:   Canticle of the Turning              #723    

Call to Mission

P: Go in peace…C: Thanks be to God

ANNOUNCMENTS

Today Sunday school Christmas Program during regular services.

No Sunday school on Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st

Wednesday Morning Bible Study and Conversation

There will be no Wednesday Bible Study on Dec. 21st and 28th. Bible study will resume on Jan. 4th at 10 am.

Carly Stutzman will be doing gift wrapping if you would like her to wrap some gifts contact her at 285-1508

Saturday Dec. 24th 7 pm Christmas Eve Services at St. John’s

Sunday Dec. 25th 10 am Christmas Morning Service

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Total offering for Sunday, Dec. 4th offering      $854

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Presiding and Preaching:            John Marone

Organist:                                         Louise Marone

Worship Assistant:                      Jennifer Parkins

Greeters:                                       Stutzman Family

Reader:                                           Connie Sobcyk