SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION – COVID-19 Virtual-ONLY

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship Texts

For Virtual Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipHoly Communion Setting 2

December 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic

St. John Lutheran Church

Mineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268

Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.org

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

December 27, 2020 10:30am

First Sunday in Christmas

We are called to glorify God, grow in faith, and build community.Mission Statement

THIS SUNDAY: December 27, 2020

10:30 – Virtual-only Worship and Communion with YouTube Live stream

TUES – No quilting through December

Preschool-Christmas vacation until Jan. 4, 2021 - Preschool is collecting mittens and hats for Mills County Public Health’s NEST Program. Look for the tree outside of the sanctuary. Thank you.

THUR – Christmas Eve Services at 3:30 and 7:00 – Please RSVP to Church Office or Pastor Luke with which time and how many in your group/s (groups will be seated together).

Merry Christmas!

NEXT SUNDAY: January 3, 2021 – Happy New Year!

10:30 – Virtual-only Worship and Communion with YouTube Live stream

ACCOMPANIST:Gretchen Jopp

PREACHER:CeCe Mickells

Virtual Communion:During Sunday worship when we worship virtually-only (through January 10th or longer)OR by other arrangement with Pastor Luke.

Pick up a prepackaged communion cup/wafer at church at any of the following times (or use your own bread and wine/grape juice from home):

Communion Pick-Up Times: 

Monday/Wednesday/Thursday – 9:30am-Noon,      or 1:30pm-5:00pm, or evening as arranged.      Tuesday – 2:00-5:00pm, or evening as arranged.        Friday/Saturday – by arrangement only.

Covid-19 Precautions for in-person worship

· We will require masks be worn while you are in the building (Ages 2 and up). Refusal to wear a mask will result in your being asked to leave.

· We will be practicing social distancing of 6 feet. Closed pews are cordoned off and labelled.

· Please don’t gather in the hallway or enter any closed spaces. Restrooms will be limited to single-person/family use at any given time. Those who do not comply with social distancing policies will be asked to leave.

· There will not be singing, prolonged unison speaking, communion, or fellowship time. Virtual communion begins December 6.

· We continue to advise (not require) that persons in the vulnerable population groups of 65+ years of age and anyone with underlying medical conditions remain home.

· We ask that anyone with any respiratory symptoms (cough, sniffles, sneezing, sore throat) or fever please remain home. You will be asked to leave if you are displaying such symptoms.

· We ask that if you are traveling to areas of high virus activity, you remain home for the Sunday following your travels.

· Hand sanitizers are located throughout the open areas. Feel free to use them!

The Mills County Ministerial Association will not be hosting Soup and Song this year due to pandemic concerns.

Please designate gifts to the MCMA Energy Assistance Fund to support Mills County residents in need.The church office can collect these gifts and send them all together!

Food Drive

The Women of St. John are having a food drive and collecting for Mills County Store House all through the month of January.

Kid-friendly cereals, canned tuna, chicken, pears, peaches and mixed fruits, dry pastas, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products ALWAYS welcome and needed.

Items will be collected in the shopping cart. Only food items are counted for weight, but hygiene items are still needed!

Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Setting 2) (*Stand)

Prelude

Welcome/Announcements

Gathering

*Confession and Forgiveness (from sundaysandseasons.com)

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who was in the beginning,

who makes a dwelling among us, who covers us with justice and mercy. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.Silence is kept for reflection.

God of goodness and lovingkindness,

we confess that we have sinned against you and our neighbors.

We have turned away from your invitation to new life.

We have turned away from the lowly and downtrodden.

In your abundant mercy, forgive us our sins,

those we know and those known only to you,

for the sake of the one who came to live among us,

Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Hear the good news of peace and salvation!

God forgives us all our sins, not through our own work,

but through ☩ Jesus Christ, made known to all people.

With all who come to the manger, rejoice in this amazing gift of grace. Amen.

Gathering Hymn“O Come, All Ye Faithful”#283

GreetingThe grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Kyriep. 120

*This is the Feastp.122

SalutationThe Lord be with you. And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen.

WORD

First Reading: A reading from Isaiah 61:10—62:3.

10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

62:1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God....Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 148Two lectors read responsively by whole verse.

1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights.

2Praise the Lord, all you angels; sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.

3Praise the Lord, sun and moon; sing praise, all you shining stars.

4Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.

5Let them praise the name of the Lord, who commanded, and they were created,

6who made them stand fast forever and ever, giving them a law that shall not pass away.

7Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps;

8fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;

9mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;

10wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds;

11sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world;

12young men and maidens, old and young together.

13Let them praise the name of the Lord, whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven.

14The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants, the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. Hallelujah!

Second Reading: A reading from Galatians 4:4-7

4When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. …Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

*Gospel Acclamation

Let the peace of | and let the word of Christ rule   in your hearts,| Christ dwell  in you richly.

*Announcement of the Gospel The holy gospel according to Luke 2:22-40. Glory to You, O Lord!

*The Gospel is proclaimed

22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”  25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,  according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation,  31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles  and for glory to your people Israel.”  33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.  39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

…the gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ!

SermonCeCe Mickells Spiritual Care Coordinator at Bethany Lutheran Health Services

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,true God from true God, begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,*

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Joining our voices with the song of the angels, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. A brief silence.

Night and day, all creation praises you, O God. Strengthen your church across nations, denominations, and traditions. Fill us with wisdom and unify our proclamation of your forgiveness and mercy. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

All creation is holy to you, O God. You cause the earth to bring forth its shoots and gardens to spring up. Protect hibernating animals and frozen lands that wait earnestly for longer days of awakening and growth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

The nations are upheld by your hand, O God. Cause righteousness and praise to spring forth, inspiring leaders to serve with compassion and integrity. Send your spirit of discernment upon legislators grappling with complex decisions for the sake of the common good. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send the spirit of your Son into our hearts, O God. Come quickly to hearts that race with fear, hearts that break with grief, and hearts that long for wholeness especially: Rae Christensen, the family of Jerry Christensen on his death, the family of Shawn Havick on his death, Bert Crum, Cindy McCollester, Jeremy and Jillian Kahl, Katie Hannasch, Kathy Deitchler, Matt Rutledge, Greg Kruse, Paul Heinecke, Ann Pestal-Vorce, Randy Williams, Luke Harms, Mark Weiler, Karen Engelke, Betty Brotherton, PJ, Flo Tompkins, Linda, Erin and her infant in the NICU, the family of Dennis on his death, Mario, the family of Mary Vaughan on her death, Becky, Galen, the family of Corinne Rohrberg on her death, James Cook, Tina Carpenter, . Reveal your power to heal and to save. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Adopt us into your family, O God. Bless our elders with the peace and joy of Simeon and Anna. Strengthen those who have retired, those who work in older age, and those in need of income, food, company, or health care. Connect young and old across generations. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Let us depart in peace, O God, according to your word. For all your saints, we give you thanks. Prepare our salvation in the sight of all your witnesses of every time and place. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.Share a word or a sign of peace with those around you, or send a virtual greeting of peace to someone you’re thinking of.

MEAL

Great Thanksgiving

The presiding minister continues:

Eucharistic Prayer and Words of Institution

This God of whom we speak, of whom we sing, in indeed a Holy and Mighty God, powerful and merciful. And this God not only came to us, but became one of us; God grew in Mary’s womb, nurtured by her body, and as he grew, the hope and fears of all the years drew near to their fulfilment.

On the night in which he was born, our Lord Jesus took a body, in all its human brokenness, and his mother placed him in a feeding trough – a foreshadowing of another night, when Jesus would offer his own body, broken as food. That night, when God came to earth, the new covenant began to take shape, a covenant begun with the pains of labor and brought to completion with the agony of the cross. On the night in which he was born, our very God became very human, so that he might live and die for us.

On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks; and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, take and drink, this is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim that the Lord comes, that the Lord has come, that the Lord will come again. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

God who comes to us, pour out your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine, and upon all your people gathered here: grant us faith so that we may live in hope; lead us into Peace with self, neighbor, creation, and Creator; bring us the Joy of living in the freedom of salvation; send us out with the Love that is born in Bethlehem and in our hearts; so that we may proclaim Christ in word and deed. Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

All glory and honor is yours, O God, who comes to fulfill all expectation in the most unexpected of ways, through Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, with the Holy Spirit who breathes life into a dying world; now and forever. Amen.

Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, we pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion:The Word is revealed in a manger, in simple bread and wine. Come meet Christ in this meal.

At this time, peel back your pre-packaged communion cup’s top (clear) layer to remove the wafer, then the next (foil) layer to open the juice cup.

OR, prepare your bread and wine or grape juice from home for your communion.

If you are by yourself, eat the wafer or bread as the Pastor speaks these words: The body of Christ, broken for you. You may reply: Amen.

And drink the wine or grape juice as the Pastor speaks these words: The blood of Christ, shed for you. You may reply: Amen.

If you are with family members or others, you may choose to serve the meal to one another using the words above.

May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen us and keep us in his grace, now and forever. Amen.

After communion, we sing:

Prayer after Communion

We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us from your very self with the body and blood of Christ. Through this mystery, send us forth to proclaim your promise to a world in need, through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Sending

Blessing

Almighty God, who sent the Holy Spirit to Mary, proclaimed joy through the angels, sent the shepherds with good news, and led the magi by a star, bless you this day ☩ through the Word made flesh. Amen.

Sending Hymn“Go Tell It on the Mountain”#290

DismissalGo in peace. Share the gift of Jesus! Thanks be to God!

From Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

Permission to stream music in this service obtained

from ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A. All rights reserved.

January 17th – Annual Congregational Meeting after Sunday WorshipVirtual Meeting Option: meet.google.com/pwo-bcny-rip

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