Psalm 96

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

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. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Epistle Lesson: Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Holy Gospel: John 1:1-14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

THANK YOU to Connor Kelley for providing the instrumental selections in this worship service. Thank You to all who contributed a Poinsettia

for our chancel! In memory of Kaye Schlake by Jason & Ashley Duff and children Caleb, Tanner, Brooke and Neeley In thanksgiving for my family by Marlene Gakle In memory of Elmer & Clara Johnson & Leo Pacha by Mike & Dixie Johnson In memory of our parents Harold & Luella Loemker and Elmer & Irene Beethe by Ken & Carla Loemker In memory of Merle & Erma Keilig and Jerry Keilig by Marilin Keilig Carlyn Koenig In memory of Spc. Brandon Meyer, by Pastor Terry Meyer and Norbert Meyer families In memory of Vic Meyer by Floice Meyer In memory of Herman F. Neumann by Joyce Neumann In memory of Dale & Ross Riekenberg by Elda Riekenberg In memory of Martin H. Roebke, Sylvia K. Roebke, Martin J. E. Roebke, and Marvin L. Roebke by Robert & Myra Denton and family and Roger & Marjorie Itzen and family Social Club Lawrence & Norma Sohl Dianne Springer In memory of Mike, Michelle, Roweina Thomas and Jordan White by Virginia Thomas In memory of Elvin & Joyce Waltke, Rose Mentgen, and Connie Robertson by Al & Candy Mentgen In memory of Elvin & Joy Waltke by Norman & Cheri McConnell and their family In memory of Raymond Wiegand, by Jon, Michelle, Braelynn, Amelia & Lucas Wiegand Arvid & Althea Wiest