WELCOME TO WORSHIP
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we welcome you to St. Paul’s. We especially welcome our guests who have joined us today. We pray that your soul will be strengthened by the good news of God’s forgiveness through Jesus.
PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S WORSHIP
Jesus, Light of the world, shine your light into my heart today. Help me see ever more clearly my sins that might try to exclude others from your gospel. Reveal the bright light of your forgiveness, which covers the darkness of even my sins. Bless my work as I share the light of your grace with those who need to hear it. I ask this in your glorious name. Amen.
OPENING HYMN Angels from the Realms of Glory | 80
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
LORD, HAVE MERCY
O LORD, OUR LORD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Word
FIRST LESSON 1 Kings 10:1-9
CHOIR Give Thanks
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 3:2-12
VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 2:2b
GOSPEL Matthew 2:1-12
HYMN OF THE DAY The Lord Is My Light | 767
SERMON Ephesians 3:2-12 Co-Everything in Christ
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
The Sacrament
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN The People that in Darkness Sat | 90
DISTRIBUTION HYMN O Christ, Our True and Only Light | 569
Thanksgiving
THANK THE LORD
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light | 771
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAITH FEEDING (BIBLE STUDY) CONTINUES
Sunday School and Bible Study: back on Jan. 9
Midweek Bible Study (Tues., 7pm; Wed. 9am): back on Jan. 4 & 5
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE STUDY PLAN
There will be only Fellowship Hour between services today, January 2. Midweek study will resume on January 4 and 5 with our next evangelism workshop (see below), and Sunday studies will resume on January 9.
PRINCIPAL CALL MEETING TODAY
We will be having a meeting at 11:15 am (after the second service) today to extend a new call for a principal and grades 7-8 teacher for our school.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
New offering envelopes can be found in the church basement. Please make sure to pick yours up. Online giving is also available (and is much easier for congregational bookkeeping, if you’re able to given that way).
ST. PAUL’S APPAREL
We’ve set up our own webstore of St. Paul’s apparel and other merchandise through Games People Play. Check out the web page below and submit your orders. They’ll be accepting orders through January 31 before the orders are processed and delivered. Many of the options do have minimum order amounts, so feel free to order one for a friend so we can meet our minimum! There are different types of t-shirts, sweatshirts, pullovers, and soft shell jackets to choose from, as well as a travel mug and a cinch pack. Ceramic mugs will be on sale via a different format in the near future. Gear up to show your support for St. Paul’s and as an easy way to let the community know about our ministry!
https://gppsports.chipply.com/stpaulbangor21/
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
Sylvia Horstman is the new contact for Fellowship Hour. Her phone number is 608-486-4246. We’re in need of people to host for 2022, so please contact Sylvia or sign up in the church lobby if you’d like to help out.
NEXT EVANGELISM WORKSHOP
On January 4 and 5, we’ll begin our next evangelism workshop entitled Let’s Go. Let’s Go is designed to encourage and equip Christians to connect unchurched people in their lives to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Seven lessons will help us focus on three important aspects of evangelism: Love, Listen, and Lead. Each lesson consists of a video followed by Q&A and application. Come join us as we now equip ourselves to be better proclaimers and ambassadors of the gospel for our Lord and for those who need to know his grace!
SCHEDULE YOUR TIME FOR CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTOS
We’ll be using Universal Church Directories to run the production of our new church directory. They will be at St. Paul’s to take our photos February 1-5 and February 8-9. To schedule your photography appointment online, simply go to www.ucdir.com, click on “Photography Appointment Scheduling Login” on the right side, enter wi163 in the Church Code field and enter photos in the Church Password field. Follow the prompts to schedule your family’s appointment time. If you have six or more in your family please use two consecutive time slots. The online scheduling option is available Monday through Friday. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time. Please call Shelly Lafky (608-797-4167) if you need assistance in scheduling. Pictures will take place in the church basement. Everyone who is photographed will receive a complimentary 8×10 portrait and a directory.
MORNINGS WITH MOMMY
We’re starting a program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers in the new year! The sessions all filled up within a day of posting registration. The program will take place on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. We’re looking for volunteers that could help organize, set up, prepare materials, and meet and greet! If you’re interested in helping with this program in any way, please contact Heather Groth at 608-351-1025 or heather.l.korb@gmail.com.
NEW BLEACHERS
Thank you to all of those who were able to help assemble the new bleachers, and thank you to the generous donor who paid for them for the school. Come check out the bleachers this Friday at 5:00 pm at our next home basketball game!
BASKETBALL GAMES HELP
Would you be able to help with homes games for our St. Paul’s Redwings basketball team? If you would be able to help with the games and with concessions, please contact Mrs. Handy at 608-394-8681 or chandy@stpaulsbangor.com.
A GIFT TO THE CONGREGATION
In Memory of Arnold and Lily Sprehn, $1,000 has been given to the General Fund by William and Lisa Schwartz.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
10:00 am Worship with Communion
11:15 am Call Meeting for Principal
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
5:00 pm Public School Catechism Class
6:00 pm Education Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Council Meeting
THURSDAY 7:00 pm Choir Practice
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship