St Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

January 7, 2024 Epiphany O Come, Let Us Worship Christ, the King!

May the holy LORD God bless your worship

and encourage you with his Word and Sacrament.

WELCOME

HYMN 80 “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

– please stand for last stanza

COMMON SERVICE - pages 15-17

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

LORD God, by the leading of a star you once made known to the nations your one and only Son. Guide us, also, who know him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

(Sing) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Numbers 24:15-17a

God can use the most unexpected sources to proclaim his plan of salvation.

15Then he spoke his message:

“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: 17“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 11:13–15,28–32

Although God used his people, the Israelites, to bring into this world the Messiah/Christ, his plan included the salvation of all the nations (Gentiles).

13I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14in the hope that I may somehow i my own people to envy and save some of them. 15For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 28As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their dis-obedience, 31so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Alleluia.

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-11

Epiphany is the often called the Christmas of the Gentiles. The Magi come to worship and present their gifts to the Gift of the World, Jesus Christ.

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

NICENE CREED – pages 18, 19

HYMN 83 “As with Gladness Men of Old”

SERMON: Numbers 24:15-17a

A Star is Born

PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER

COMMUNION LITURGY – pages 21-23

DISTRIBUTION

SONG OF SIMEON – pages 24

PRAYER – page 25

BLESSING

(Sing) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN 84 “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Guests, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway.

DE-DECORATING of the church will take place after worship and refreshments. Please stay and lend a helping hand and enjoy some pizza.

SERVING YOU TODAY:

• Organist: Nancy Skory

• Pastor Dennis Himm

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.