The Epiphany of Our Lord (observed) 1/8/23
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD (Observed)
JANUARY 8, 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 We Three Kings of Orient Are Setting: Janet Linker
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN #400 Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning
1 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
2 Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.
3 Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion,
Fragrance of Edom and off’rings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?
4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
5 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 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 LSB 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” LSB 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. O God,
by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same 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) Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 72:1-11 (Sung responsively)
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
May they fear you while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
May desert tribes bow down before him
and his enemies lick the dust!
May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
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 Ephesians 3:1-12
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) CHILDREN’S SERMON
GOSPEL VERSE (Stand) We Three Kings of Orient Are
We three kings of orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 2nd chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
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:
“Where is he who is born king of the Jews?” That’s the question the Magi asked King Herod when they entered Jerusalem.
And the fact that they asked a question seems very fitting to us. Because we have lots of questions about them. We hear this story and ask: Who are these Magi? Why did they assume a king had been born? How far did they travel? Did others see the star that they saw? Why did they feel a need or desire to meet this king and give him gifts?
About these questions, some can be answered with a fair amount of certainty. While others simply can’t. For instance, we know that “Magi” is a name given to scholars of a priestly caste in the regions of Persia. We also know that many people in those days assumed that a star appearing in the sky was a sign of a new leader, and that people followed stars quite regularly. But about that star, we don’t know if it was a planetary alignment or a comet or a nova, or what it was. At least one ancient record from the time tells of a new star appearing in the sky within a few years of Christ’s probable birth date, but we have no idea whether that record is accurate. Maybe only the wise men saw the star – we don’t know. And as for the gifts, dignitaries from foreign countries have always brought gifts to new leaders as a sign of their willingness to trade, engage or gain favor.
As you can see, addressing the particular questions just asked shows us that the story as recorded by Matthew is not as fanciful or unbelievable as one might first think. In fact, the scenario it describes is very much in line with how people of the time operated.
Still, this is a story that is definitely meant to raise questions. But the questions to be raised are different than those we first asked. This story should cause us to ask instead: What kind of king would be born outside the court? What does it mean that the king’s first prominent visitors came from a foreign country? And what will happen when the current king finds out that a potential new king has been born?
These questions are all answered for us as the story of Jesus unfolds in the Biblical narrative. And we could spend good time today reviewing those answers in the sermon, just as we normally do on this day.
But instead, I’d like us to think about an even different set of questions… questions that are still related to today’s reading, but ones that people ask more frequently in everyday life.
The Magi asked: “where is he who is born king of the Jews?” People today ask something similar. They ask: “Where is our leader?” They ask this about their government and their businesses, their schools, their churches and their sports.
In sports, the local football team was recently asking this question regarding its quarterback. Should they go with the guy who has more experience and is seemingly more talented, or should they go with the guy who makes more exciting plays and just somehow seems to win more often? It was a tough call, and one that didn’t work out so well for them… whether it was the leader’s fault or not.
As we know, football is one thing, but good leadership in other areas is even more important. We want our community to do well. We want our nation to do well. We want our businesses and schools and churches to do well. And good leadership is critical.
But here we should first do some thinking about what wellness looks like. Does wellness mean to win? Or does it mean something else?
Unfortunately, most people’s definition of wellness – ours included – is far too often about winning. We want our community and nation to win – meaning we want them to be better than others. We want this for our businesses, schools and churches too.
But God has a different vision. He wants us all to do well.
We can compete, yes. Competing is actually helpful – to a point. And in this world of competition, some will do better than others. That’s just the way it goes.
Still, at the end of the day God wants us all to enjoy good health, happiness and the many good blessings he intends for us.
How important it is, then, to have leaders who understand this. And believe it.
Think about ancient Israel choosing its first king. As the Old Testament record clearly shows, the people chose their king based on the power he projected. He was large and in charge, and the people had high hopes for how he would help them win.
But God had other ideas. When that king showed his true colors… usurping the role of the priests and turning to the voice of another religion for advice… God made plans to raise up a new leader – one who would be faithful. And this true leader, the eventual King David, was not chosen because of his large and powerful stature, but because of his heart. The scriptures make this abundantly clear when they repeat the phrase, several times: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”
Israel never became a great nation of size, power and worldly success. But that doesn’t mean it failed. No, it actually ended up impacting the world in the greatest of all ways – doing so through its prophets, writings, and by bringing forth the Messiah, God’s greatest leader.
“Where is our leader?” we ask. And we answer that question best by looking at Jesus. In Jesus we have the leader who shows us how to serve, to love and to cooperate. In Jesus we have the one who shines light in the darkness of our world. In Jesus we have the one who leads us on the path of righteousness and the path of salvation.
Speaking of salvation, this is something we need as well. And something we should seek out. Yet it’s something we don’t always think we need.
We’re fine with the idea of needing a leader because a leader shows us where to go and what to do. And we’re good with that. We like to do things ourselves, with just a little leading. But we don’t like thinking that we need to be saved.
At some point, however, we realize that even with good leading we don’t always do what needs to be done, and we don’t always get to where we want to go.
And this is especially true when we think about our sins. Our sins keep us from having good relationships with others. And they will keep us from making it to the good life to come too.
It is when we think about such things that we realize we need a savior. We need to be saved not only from our mistakes and the evil that is around us, but even more – we need to be saved from sin and death.
We don’t like to admit it, but we need more than just a leader. We need a Savior.
As Christians, we know that we have a Savior – Jesus Christ. Jesus saves us from sin. That’s what his name means, remember? Jesus saved us when he went to the cross to pay sin’s price.
This salvation means that we will overcome the curse of death and live beyond the grave. When we are saved, our years will go well beyond the short time we are given in this life. Our destiny is eternal life in the new creation that awaits.
But the salvation that Jesus gives extends to this life too. Jesus saves us from despairing over the sad conditions of this life. Without the hope he gives, our only hope is simple acceptance and resignation to life’s decline.
And Jesus saves us also by teaching us to forgive one another. Life in this world would be far darker and far more difficult if Jesus had not come into our world and taught us to trust one another and be good to one another.
We need a leader, yes. Always. And we need a savior too. In Jesus, we have both.
Finally, let us remember, too, that Jesus serves in these roles not from some far-off place, but through his presence among us even now.
The wise men asked King Herod: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” And people ask that very same question today: “Where is Jesus?” They ask this because to them he doesn’t seem to be around.
But these people are usually looking in the wrong places. The wise men, remember, looked in Jerusalem, figuring the new King would come from the old. But God works in different kinds of ways.
People look for Jesus in the church. And usually he is found there. I say “usually” because not all churches really teach or reflect the Jesus of the scriptures. And none do it perfectly.
Even more, people tend to look for Jesus in their successes, their wins and blessings. They figure if things are going well, then Jesus must be around. If things aren’t going well, then he must be somewhere else.
Jesus is certainly behind the good and healthy successes, wins and blessings of life, yes. But even more, Jesus is found in our troubles. He is there in our failures. He is there in our pain.
In these, Jesus sustains us in hope. In these, Jesus teaches us patience and the way of endurance. In these, Jesus gives the perspective that these hurts are only temporary – they are not the end.
Jesus is there to give words of encouragement. He is there to gently remind us that in this world we will have troubles, but we can “take heart” – because he has overcome the world.
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” the wise men asked. As they discovered, he is in humble places. He is in his holy word, in his blessed sacraments, and in his painfully imperfect but faithful church.
Jesus will make himself known. He keeps coming to us.
Let us then wisely keep seeking him. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY #395 (Stand) O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
1 O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
You shine with God’s own truth and light,
Aglow with grace and mercy!
Of Jacob’s race, King David’s son,
Our Lord and master, You have won
Our hearts to serve You only!
Lowly, holy!
Great and glorious,
All victorious,
Rich in blessing!
Rule and might o’er all possessing!
2 Come, heav’nly Bridegroom, Light divine,
And deep within our hearts now shine;
There light a flame undying!
In Your one body let us be
As living branches of a tree,
Your life our lives supplying.
Now, though daily
Earth’s deep sadness
May perplex us
And distress us,
Yet with heav’nly joy You bless us.
3 Lord, when You look on us in love,
At once there falls from God above
A ray of purest pleasure.
Your Word and Spirit, flesh and blood
Refresh our souls with heav’nly food.
You are our dearest treasure!
Let Your mercy
Warm and cheer us!
O draw near us!
For You teach us
God’s own love through You has reached us.
4 Almighty Father, in Your Son
You loved us when not yet begun
Was this old earth’s foundation!
Your Son has ransomed us in love
To live in Him here and above:
This is Your great salvation.
Alleluia!
Christ the living,
To us giving
Life forever,
Keeps us Yours and fails us never!
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
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O God, You have made Yourself known to all nations in the person of Your Son. Grant us a right knowledge of Him, that we would abandon the darkness of this world and embrace the joy of His heavenly light. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Giver of all wisdom, You guided the Wise Men from the East to Your holy Son, that they might worship their King. Preserve us in the faith, that we would not be led astray by trends or philosophies which counteract the holy guidance given in your Word. Strengthen us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, Your Son and our Savior, and grant that we may make use of Your gifts according to Your will and with thanksgiving. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You once prepared a place for Your Son, Jesus, in the home of Mary and Joseph. Bless our homes and all who dwell in them, that Your Word would be heard therein, and Your love and mercy be shown. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, may Your light shine in the world for the correction of error and the promotion of virtue. Bless the leaders of this land, especially Joseph, our president; Glenn, our governor; and all elected and appointed civil servants. Guide them in the pursuit of justice and peace for all people. And guard, too, those who protect and defend us against our enemies. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
From distant lands and far off places, O God, You gather a people to bear Your name and live in the light of Your Word. Bless the Church, that it may be united in doctrine, live in harmony and peace, and labor to bring the light of Christ to those still dwelling in darkness and death. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, give to all people the comfort of Your presence, the healing they need, relief of their suffering and an end to all terrors of mind and heart. We pray especially for Trey, Rich and all on our prayer list. Hear our prayers, also, for those we name in our hearts at this time… Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, eternal Light, in the Sacrament of the Altar Your Son shares His glory through bread and wine in order to reveal Your goodness. Bring us to Your table with hearts that are well prepared and that yearn for Your forgiveness and life. Shine the light of Christ into our lives and enable us to arise and shine Your love to others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY VERSE #955 Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
Unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with Your presence, and give us
A foretaste of the feast to come.
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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 #396 Arise and Shine in Splendor
1 Arise and shine in splendor;
Let night to day surrender.
Your light is drawing near.
Above, the day is beaming,
In matchless beauty gleaming;
The glory of the Lord is here.
2 See earth in darkness lying,
The heathen nations dying
In hopeless gloom and night.
To you the Lord of heaven—
Your life, your hope—has given
Great glory, honor, and delight.
3 The world’s remotest races,
Upon whose weary faces
The sun looks from the sky,
Shall run with zeal untiring,
With joy Your light desiring
That breaks upon them from on high.
4 Lift up your eyes in wonder—
See, nations gather yonder
From sin to be set free.
The world has heard Your story;
Her sons come to Your glory;
Her daughters haste Your light to see.
5 Your heart will leap for gladness
When from the realms of sadness
They come from near and far.
Your eyes will wake from slumber
As people without number
Rejoice to see the Morning Star.
NUNC DIMITTIS LSB 182
Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which You have prepared in the sight of ev’ry people:
A light to reveal You to the nations
and the glory of Your people Israel.
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.
PRAYER (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #397 As with Gladness Men of Old
1 As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led by Thee.
2 As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to Thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before
Thee, whom heav’n and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
3 As they offered gifts most rare
At Thy cradle, rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.
4 Holy Jesus, ev’ry day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
5 In the heav’nly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright Setting: Max Drischner
Those serving:
Sunday, January 8,
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Jim Easterly
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Norm Williams
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: Marian Robinson
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Dan Buuck
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2023 Concordia Publishing House.
Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning Text: Reginald Heber, 1783–1826, alt. Tune: James P. Harding, 1850–1911, adapt. Text & Tune: Public domain
O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright Text: tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978, alt. Text and tune: Philipp Nicolai, 1556–1608 Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful Text: John W. Arthur, 1922–80 Tune: Richard W. Hillert, 1923–2010 Text & Tune: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
Arise and Shine in Splendor Text: Martin Opitz, 1597–1639; tr. Gerhard Gieschen, 1899–1987, alt. Tune: Heinrich Isaac, c. 1450–1517 Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
As with Gladness Men of Old Text: William C. Dix, 1837–98, alt. Tune: Conrad Kocher, 1786–1872 Text & Tune: Public domain
