Circumcision and Name of Our Lord January 1, 2023
Christmas 1 Circumcision-NamePDF 1.1.23.DS2
CIRCUMCISION AND NAME OF OUR LORD
JANUARY 1, 2023
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
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THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE Let Us All with Gladsome Voice Setting: H. Willan
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN #390 Let Us All with Gladsome Voice
1 Let us all with gladsome voice
Praise the God of heaven,
Who, to bid our hearts rejoice,
His own Son hath given.
2 To this vale of tears He comes,
Here to serve in sadness,
That with Him in heav’n’s fair homes
We may reign in gladness.
3 We are rich, for He was poor;
Is not this a wonder?
Therefore praise God evermore
Here on earth and yonder.
4 Christ, our Lord and Savior dear,
Be Thou ever near us.
Grant us now a glad new year.
Amen, Jesus, hear us.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION p. 167
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
KYRIE p. 168
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE – “Gloria in Excelsis” p. 170
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:
We worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God:
You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Lord God,
You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 8 (Sung responsively)
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
SECOND LESSON Galatians 3:23-29
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 2:21
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON (Be seated)
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Merry Christmas! Yes, we are still in the Christmas season. It lasts twelve days – right up through January 5, after which we celebrate the Epiphany.
Today is the eighth day of the Christmas season, and on this day we celebrate another very important event in the life of our Lord Jesus. As recorded in our very short Gospel reading, on this day Jesus was circumcised and publicly named, according to the tradition of his people.
Naming a child is a very high honor and responsibility. As such, it can be a little stressful. I remember when our first child was born how much we agonized over the right name. We read books, had long conversations… and had a very hard time committing ourselves.
Some people choose to find out the sex of their baby before birth so as to eliminate many names early on. We didn’t do that, wishing to be surprised. We also considered that maybe we should see the child first before committing to a name, as if we might get some sudden inspiration. We didn’t. Looking back, I wonder if these choices helped contribute to our indecisiveness. Or maybe they just reflected it.
After the baby was delivered and we discovered that we had a son, it was now time for us to commit. But in the midst of all the other things to learn and take care of while there in the hospital we kept delaying. Eventually a nurse told us – kindly but firmly – that we couldn’t leave the hospital without a name. So we chose the name David. And we’ve been very, very happy with it.
Others have vastly different experiences naming their child. For some, there is a family name which is expected to be passed on. Others choose a name before the birth but opt not to share with others, in part because people tend to be a bit more forthcoming with their feedback at that point, which can be awkward. Still others freely share the name and refer to their child by name long before the baby is born; and this can be a great celebration of the child’s pre-born life and personhood.
Jesus was given His name even before He was conceived. Reminiscent of the prophet Jeremiah (1:5), He was known to God even before He was formed in His mother’s womb. He was set apart and appointed for this birth from before the foundations of the world.
And this promised child has many names. Coming out of Advent and Christmas, you should have the words of Isaiah 9 fresh in your minds. There the prophet said of him: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Saint Matthew helps us remember the name given him in Isaiah 7, telling us that Jesus is the baby born to the virgin who is “Immanuel,” God with us. Matthew also tells us what the name “Jesus” means, explaining that it indicates how “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Saint Luke is the one who tells us about Gabriel gifting Mary with the name for the child even before the conception (1:31). Luke gives us more, too. He says that this Jesus will “be called the Son of the Most High” (1:32), and he will “be called holy—the Son of God” (1:35). He also explains how the angel tells the shepherds in the field that the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths is “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (2:11). What’s more, throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus, Luke repeatedly calls Jesus “the Lord” – doing so more than any other Evangelist. Each of these names given to Jesus is fitting and tells us something of his person and work.
Our Gospel reading today tells us of the ceremony where Jesus’ proper name was publicly established. The reading is simple and straightforward – and also happens to be the shortest pericope in the entire lectionary. But this one single verse is also full of good news.
Here you are reminded that Jesus is given His name so that you can call on it. To have a name is to be known. Jesus shares his name with us freely and openly.
Our Old Testament reading explained how God put his name upon his people in the words of a benediction. So also, God puts his name upon his people when they learn of his Son, Jesus, and when they take his title, Christ, upon themselves through their identify as Christian.
This name, Jesus, is also given so that you can be confident in his calling and ability to save you. His name reminds you that you can trust Him to be who He is and to do what He does. As the angel said, His name is Jesus because He saves His people from their sins.
We noted earlier that Jesus’ name and identity were given to him even before His conception. And this reminds us that God also graciously chose us before the foundation of the world. We’re told of this in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (1:4).
Likewise, God’s promises regarding a Savior were manifested at just the right time. Jesus was named and circumcised on the right day – the eighth. But even more, he was sent into the world at just the right time – at the “fullness of time” according to Galatians 4:4. And this reminds us that His promises are manifest and given to us at just the right times as well. In fact, because of Jesus, today is the day of salvation! Today is the day Jesus saves!
Furthermore, this naming and circumcision of Jesus on the eighth day speaks to his obedience. In telling of his life and ministry, the Gospels tell of his obedience to the Father’s holy laws and will – what we call his active obedience, meaning he chose the right ways. But today’s reading reminds us that Jesus was also passively obedient. He was brought for circumcision and naming, just as he would at other times, passively, submit himself to God’s will.
Today’s reading, as we can see, is one of the very first clues that Jesus is the covenant people of God reduced to one. It helps us see further that in Him, and in Him alone, the righteous life is lived.
Today’s reading also serves as a reminder that Christ’s righteousness extended even to the point of shedding his blood. The blood shed at his circumcision points ahead to the blood he shed on the cross to forgive our sins.
And through Him, and through Him alone, the righteous life is given and credited to us. St. Paul connects the dots for us in Colossians 2:9-15. Here we learn how the covenant of circumcision is connected to the Sacrament of Baptism. Paul says: “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses” (v.11-13).
In Christ’s circumcision, the Law was beginning to be fulfilled in our place. As Paul says to the Galatians: “[Christ was] born under the law to redeem those who were under the law” (4:5). In our Baptism, we receive the fullness of Christ’s righteousness. We are baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). We know all of this because that is who Jesus is and what Jesus does – by the power of the same Spirit who brought about His conception. In Baptism, the Spirit also brings about our new birth – converting us from death to life.
Because of this conversion, we no longer need the law as guardian in the same way as before. That was the point made in our New Testament reading today. The law still serves an important purpose for us, but we are free from its restraints. We are children of God because we have put on Christ, in faith.
Finally, Jesus’ circumcision and naming on the eighth day can remind us that Jesus also rose from the dead on the eighth day – a Sunday, the beginning of a new week. The eighth day understanding of Easter is important because it helps point us to Easter’s inauguration of the new creation – the one that will appear in full on the last day but is even now happening where hearts are turned to the Lord.
On January 1st, most of the world is thinking about new year’s resolutions – ways in which we can better ourselves. These resolutions are fine of course. But they are also bound to fail. We can’t keep them – certainly not perfectly, nor even sufficiently.
How much better it is to start the new year with Jesus. In him we have the one name given under heaven by which we must be saved – the name that is above every name, at which every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord. This holy, life-giving and life-saving name was placed upon you in Baptism.
And in Jesus we have one who shed his blood for us – who was marked in His flesh as the One who would fulfill all righteousness and earn our salvation. This marking was also given to you as the sign of the cross was made upon you at your Baptism.
In our Baptismal liturgy, we have the sponsor of the baptismal candidate present them for baptism. The ritual serves to convey the name of the candidate, while also emphasizing the important role of the sponsor. But in an alternate version of this same liturgy, the pastor asks the parents: “How is this child to be named?” The question helps emphasize the importance of the candidate’s name, while also reinforcing the church’s care and concern for the child.
Regardless of how this part of the liturgy is done, what’s most important is the name that is given that day by God. At a Baptism, we should hear God saying: “this is my child, a Christian, one whom I love and in whom I am well pleased.”
God reaches out to adopt us as his children. And when we are a child of God, we can be sure that he will care for us with love, mercy and generosity.
Today’s psalm had us sing: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” God’s name is majestic indeed! Therefore, may we know and trust in that name always – for the salvation of our souls and the blessed life that He gives. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY #900 (Stand) Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love
1 Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Name all other names above,
Unto which must ev’ry knee
Bow in deep humility.
2 Jesus! Name decreed of old,
To the maiden mother told,
Kneeling in her lowly cell,
By the angel Gabriel.
3 Jesus! Name of priceless worth
To the fallen of the earth
For the promise that it gave,
“Jesus shall His people save.”
4 Jesus! Name of mercy mild,
Given to the holy Child
When the cup of human woe
First He tasted here below.
5 Jesus! Only name that’s giv’n
Under all the mighty heav’n
Whereby those to sin enslaved
Burst their fetters and are saved.
6 Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Human name of God above;
Pleading only this, we flee
Helpless, O our God, to Thee.
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life T of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For humble hearts, that we would acknowledge the great wonder of our almighty God sending His Son to be born of the virgin Mary, under the Law, working already for our salvation on the day of His circumcision; and that God would receive our heartfelt thanks for the righteousness and forgiveness of sins we have obtained through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For steadfast faith, that we would ever be thankful for the lovingkindness God has shown to us in Christ, and never forget His benefits or lose sight of His promises, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For preservation from prejudice, that we would firmly believe from God’s Word that we are all one in Christ; for a deep appreciation of our distinctive callings, that we would recognize the beauty of God’s diverse creation and our specific place within it; and that we would not resent what God has called us to be and to do, but rejoice to serve as He has ordained, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our leaders, including our president, governor, Congress, legislators, diplomats, judges and magistrates, that our God would give them the wisdom and courage to act with integrity on behalf of all people, especially those least able to defend themselves, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those in need who cry out to God, especially all on our prayer list – including Rich and Trey who are hospitalized – and all whom we name in our hearts… that our Father would remember them, bless and keep them by His grace, lift up His countenance upon them, and give them peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all the children of God invited to the table of His Son here today, that He would give us His Holy Spirit to discern Christ’s body and blood and come with joyful and repentant hearts; and that He would strengthen us by this blessed communion to love Him above all and to love one another in His name, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Gracious Father, in Your steadfast love You have put off the day of Jesus’ return until the perfect time, when the number of Your elect is complete. Keep Your people watchful, vigilant and awake with Your gift of faith until that day; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
PREFACE LSB 177
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good right and salutary…evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS LSB 178
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heav’n 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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING LSB 178
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD LSB 179
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
LORD’S PRAYER
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.
PAX DOMINI LSB 180
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 180
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
THE COMMUNION (Be seated)
The Communion Assistant will come forward to receive first, then those from the pulpit side – by order of pew, front to back. Communicants will come up the center aisle and return via the side aisle. When all from the pulpit side have communed, the baptismal font side will commune in the same manner. We ask that the wine be consumed away from the tray table. Empty cups should be dropped into the receptacles.
COMMUNION HYMN #375 Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising
1 Come, your hearts and voices raising,
Christ the Lord with gladness praising;
Loudly sing His love amazing,
Worthy folk of Christendom.
2 Christ, from heav’n to us descending
And in love our race befriending;
In our need His help extending,
Saved us from the wily foe.
3 Jacob’s star in all its splendor
Beams with comfort sweet and tender,
Forcing Satan to surrender,
Breaking all the pow’rs of hell.
4 From the bondage that oppressed us,
From sin’s fetters that possessed us,
From the grief that sore distressed us,
We, the captives, now are free.
5 Oh, the joy beyond expressing
When by faith we grasp this blessing,
And to You we come confessing
That Your love has set us free.
6 Gracious Child, we pray, O hear us,
From Your lowly manger cheer us,
Gently lead us and be near us
Till we join Your choir above.
PRAYER (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #897 O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly
1 O rejoice, ye Christians, loudly,
For our joy has now begun;
Wondrous things our God has done.
Tell abroad His goodness proudly,
Who our race has honored thus,
That He deigns to dwell with us. Refrain
ref Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,
Christ has done away with sadness!
Hence, all sorrow and repining,
For the Sun of Grace is shining!
2 See, my soul, thy Savior chooses
Weakness here and poverty;
In such love He comes to thee.
Neither crib nor cross refuses;
All He suffers for thy good
To redeem thee by His blood. Refrain
3 Lord, how shall I thank Thee rightly?
I acknowledge that by Thee
I am saved eternally.
Let me not forget it lightly,
But to Thee at all times cleave
And my heart true peace receive. Refrain
4 Jesus, guard and guide Thy members,
Fill them with Thy boundless grace,
Hear their prayers in ev’ry place.
Fan to flame faith’s glowing embers;
Grant all Christians, far and near,
Holy peace, a glad new year! Refrain
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly Setting: D. Rotermund
ALTAR FLOWERS: “To the honor and glory of our Salvation prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of his people Israel.” By Jennifer Zambone
Those serving:
Sunday, January 1,
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Bob Juenger
Comm. assist: Dede Dixon
Reader: Norm Williams
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: Jim Easterly
Comm. assist: Jill Hecht
Reader: Dan Buuck