Order of Worship for the 2nd Sunday of Christmas

SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
01-04-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ GATHERING +

OPENING SONG: “GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN” Brown #52
THE OPENING RITE AND PRAYER OF THE DAY:
L In the fullness of time (the Bible says)…
at just the right time (the Bible says)…
midway through the night… in deep silence…
in a quiet little and not-so-important town…
C God’s almighty WORD leaped down from heaven and was born in a cattle stall.
L You see, God wanted to say something really significant after all the years of human sin and searching.
And what was God seeking to say? Do you know?
What message did God want so dearly and clearly to deliver to us in that human person, in that little baby,
in that word coming to live with us?
C It was this: “I LOVE YOU”.
The message was nothing greater or less than the saving grace and shining truth of God’s love.
L It seems so incredible, even all these centuries later.
The Almighty came in person, in humility, in humanity, in flesh and blood, to tell us and to show us:
C “I LOVE YOU”.
The WORD was made flesh and blood. A God we can see and know as our friend and Savior.
L The world, it seems, did not really know him or listen to him (the Bible says)…
His own people did not always accept him or hear him (the Bible says)…
and still some refuse to hear the living Word of God, still reject such a precious gift of life.
C But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become CHILDREN OF GOD.
L Once more we celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth!
Once more we celebrate that God is born among us and for us and even inside us!
Once more we celebrate that life-giving message that was spoken to us, and we pray…
C Mighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us.
We pray to you, take away from us everything that cannot bear this light.
In this year of 2026, let Jesus be a lamp to our feet and a word of freedom and mercy in our journey.
And let the light of our faith shine forth in all we think or say or do.
This we pray with grateful and willing hearts. Amen.

+ HOLY WORD +

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:7-14
[Out of exile into dancing, joy, and abundant food!]
SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:3-14
[Out of sin into inheritance as God’s own beloved children!]
SONG BEFORE THE GOSPEL: “THE VIRGIN MARY HAD A BABY BOY” Brown #53
GOSPEL READING: John 1:1-18
[Out of life’s shadows into light and life through Jesus Christ!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR

THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “THERE’S A STAR IN THE EAST” Brown #58
THE PRAYERS… We pray that the good news and great joy of JESUS CHRIST will touch all lives and transform the world!

+ Holy Meal +

TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
We start again a brand new year of grateful and generous response to God’s grace.
Here in the Sanctuary you can place your offering in the offering plate to share your gratitude and
generosity in response to Christ’s love. If you are farther away, you might: mail a check or money
order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138…
or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring
weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to
register and record your contribution. Inside the Sanctuary or farther away, don’t ignore
the love and call of Christ or your responsibility to think, say, and do right in 2026!
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
CANDLELIGHTING AND CLOSING SONG: “SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT!” Green #65
(1) Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright,
round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
(2) Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savor, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
(3) Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.
OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
Good news! Great Joy! Loving God, if light has dawned on us, we want to share it. And if there is joy
to tell, we can’t help but proclaim it. O how we thank you for the gift of new and eternal life in Jesus
Christ! As we celebrate his birth, guide us to be bearers of light, makers of peace, and heralds of
good news to all the world. AMEN.
THE PREFACE:
L Christ is born among us! The Lord be with you. C AND ALSO WITH YOU!
L Hope and promise are alive! Lift up your hearts! C WE LIFT THEM UP IN LOVE FOR GOD!
L Jesus is our Redeemer! Let us give thanks to our God! C IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE
L Gracious God, we gather together in celebration of all the signs of your love in our lives, too many to count.
But especially we thank you this Christmas Season for speaking your Word, Jesus Christ, to us. You could
have shown no greater love than by sharing what you treasured most, your only Son, your Word of love,
your peace on earth, the light that comforts us, the hope to which we cling. He was born to give us new life,
and he died to deliver us from grave and from hell. We join with heaven and earth in singing our praises…
C (sing) JESUS… JESUS… OH, WHAT A WONDERFUIL CHILD!
JESUS… JESUS… SO HOLY, MEEK, AND MILD!
NEW LIFE, NEW HOPE, TO ALL HE BRINGS;
LISTEN TO THE ANGELS SING,
“GLORY, GLORY, GLO-RY TO THE NEW BORN KING!”

THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous
distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST COMES TO US IN BREAD AND WINE AND BLESSING,
BRINGING US PEACE, UNITY, STRENGTH, AND HOPE!
COMMUNION SONGS: “LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER” Brown #123
“SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER” Brown #242

THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O Lord, with our own eyes we have seen the joy of your salvation, and with our own lips we have tasted
of your Kingdom. We celebrate the birth of your Son among us! Shine out through us to a hurting world
that knows the night and needs the light. Amen.

+ SENDING +

THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God sends us TO SHINE with the Light of Jesus Christ in a shadowy world!
CLOSING SONG: “JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” Brown #59