We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1,14b
Introit
In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter. Never let me be humiliated.
Vindicate me by rescuing me. Listen to me. Deliver me.
Be my protector and refuge, a stronghold where I can be safe.
For you are my high ridge and my stronghold.O God, do not remain far away from me. My God, hurry and help me.
Psalm 71,1-3.12.14-18
As for me, I will wait continually, and will continue to praise you.
I will tell about your justice, and all day long proclaim your salvation,
though I cannot fathom its full extent.
I will come and tell about the mighty acts of the Sovereign Lord.
I will proclaim your justice—yours alone.
O God, you have taught me since I was young,
and I am still declaring your amazing deeds.
Even when I am old and gray, O God, do not abandon me,
until I tell the next generation about your strength,
and those coming after me about your power.
God’s holy Word from the Old Testament: Isaiah 49,13-16
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Isaiah 49,13-16
The Holy Epistle
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1. John 1,1-4
The Holy Gospel
Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,
29 “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: 32 a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 So the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”
There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. 37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2,25-38
The Confession of the Church
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 the 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 Ghost 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 sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Nicene Creed
Sermon text
But Jesus shouted out, “The one who believes in me does not believe in me, but in the one who sent me, 45 and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has a judge; the word I have spoken will judge him at the last day. 49 For I have not spoken from my own authority, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Thus the things I say, I say just as the Father has told me.” The liturgical colour is white.
John 12,44-50
Collect for Sunday after Christmas
O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn of the week:
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free;
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight.
He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.
To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.
Author: James Montgomery (1821)
Prayer of the week
Eternal Lord God, in the fullness of time, You sent forth Your Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem us and give us the adoption as Your sons and heirs. Hear us, Father, as we call to You in His name. Give us grace to rejoice in Christ’s blessed incarnation, and grant us a glad new year.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lead Your Church, Lord, to follow the example of blessed Simeon, that all baptized Christians would embrace the Christ Child by Word and faith, and so be ready to depart whenever they are called.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood on earth is named, bless Christian families with Your promises. Give parents diligence and delight in their work, and grant Your favor on all children, that they may grow in strength and wisdom. Bless widows, orphans and broken families also with Your mercy, and give them joy in the redemption You have won for us in Christ.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O worthy Judge, from You proceeds the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Give wisdom to those who make, administer and judge our laws, that they may serve faithfully in their tasks, according to Your good pleasure and for the benefit of our people.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, receive our prayers for those who suffer from loneliness. Comfort them with the sure and certain knowledge that You will never forsake them. Give them family and friends within the household of faith with whom they can find loving companionship. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Blessed Lord, help the sick and suffering, especially those who desire our prayers: June, Karin & Ingrid, Ingrid, Bärbel, Peter und Gerhard, Marie-Luise, Dieter & Cäcilie, Erlo & Val; Matt and Kathy, Hans-Jörg, David & Lucy, Xhotso & Mamohau, Thomas & Markus, Margreth, Thomas & Andreas, Johann, Felix, Mark und Mindy, Armin und Susanne, Sami und Seila, Martti, Christian & Lula, Tim & Annette, Art & Linda, Beverly, Jim & Peggy, Dean, Sara & John, Matt & Christa, Vivian, Götz & Sylvia, Natalia, Kyril & Olga, Mark & Mindy, Abigail, Alex & Andrew, Maria & Tamara, Bernhard, Reinhard, Felix, Vadim, Michael & Janet, Scott & Maryann, Daniel & Linda, Larry & Amy, Alison, Michael, Thomas, Mario, Thomas und Annette, Dietmar, Monika, June, Elisabeth, Mike, Steve, Manuela, Inke, Imke, Christoph, Friederike & Ollie (Charlottchen), Ele, Max & Louis, Detlev und Biljana, Matthias, Bärbel, Inga, Thomas, Peter, Soja und Linus, Maisa & Heidi, Lothar & Katharina, Wolfgang & Elsmarie, Margrit & Hartmut, Gisela und Günther, Karl-Heinz & Sharon, Eckart, Dieter und Yvonne, Gerhard, Walter & Ruth, Hans & Renate, Anne & Bernhard, Gerrie & Carmela, Lisa & Manfred, Piet & Simone, Chris & Sigrid, Lene & Kurt, Thomas & Liesel, Sofie, Daniel, Joni, Eckart & Kirstin, Peter & Sigrid, Michaela & Werner, David, Renate & Bossie, Emma, Andile & Sazza, Dietrich & Marilena (Pia and Romy), Chrissie & Kristin (Hans Peter/Oliver Christian), Werner & Nadia (Eli & Liam); Bernhard-Daniel, Tobias, Benjamin, Christine, Judith, Charlotte; Miriam & Kai; Martin, Gerhard, Karin & Erwin (Katja), Christiane, Ruth & Angelika; Luca, Fynn, Sara Thandazile; Cornelia, David, Lydia, Maria Karin; Robert & Sandra, Johannes Wilhelm, Thomas; Walter & Uta, Christel & Allan, Dieter & Johanna, Gerald & Elsmarie, Manfred & Manuela, Ulrike & Ian, Gisela & William, Lizzy und Sebastian Lübcke, Liz, Heinrich, Lizelle, Heinz, Enoch, Peter, David, Matthias Johannes, Harry & Heidrun, Dietrich,
Surround them with Your love in Christ and, according to Your gracious will, heal them. Comfort those who mourn and suffer – especially in Israel, Ukraine, but also Christian brethren in Sudan and the rest of Africa and Asia and fill their hearts with the certain hope of the resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of lasting peace, show Your mercy to those who receive the Lord’s Supper this day, that they would behold their salvation in the very body and blood of Christ given for them and, with St. Simeon, be well-prepared to depart in peace according to Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we here remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Praising His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer of the LCMS
If you are called to preach this week- month- and yearend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, wisdom, knowledge and insight, that You preach His holy will faithfully and His gracious promises invitingly! His most precious Gospel is “the power of God to save all who believe.” (Rom 1:16)
+ Dominum vobiscum +
Numbers 6,24-26The Lord bless Thee, and keep Thee;
The Lord make His face shine upon Thee, and be gracious unto Thee;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon Thee + give Thee peace.
Wilhelm's space 
