January 4, 2026 — 9:00 & 10:30 AM Services

Yesterday
Zack Benz
Bulletin

PRELUDE
Linnae Stole

WELCOME

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty Savior,
Prince of Peace.
Amen.

Trusting in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Reconciling God,
we yearn for your presence to transform
our grief, pain, and despair.

We confess that we have not always prepared
room in our hearts for your love;
we have not always recognized
your presence among us;
we have not always embraced your message of peace.
We cry out, weary with the burden of violence,
oppression, and fear.

We confess our failure to make room
for those seeking refuge;
our participation in violent systems
that harm your innocent ones;
our reluctance to embody your good news.
Be born in us today
and teach us to sing the joyful song of your salvation.
Amen.

God’s grace upon grace flows over you.
☩ Christ’s presence redeems the whole creation.
Your sins are forgiven. Let the earth rejoice and be glad!
Amen.

GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

OPENING HYMN
“As with Gladness, Men of Old” (St. 1-4)
ELW # 302

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God,
you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

READING
Matthew 2:1-15

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the eastand have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiahwas to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherdmy people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called for the magiand learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Josephgot up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON
Pastor Peter

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

OFFERING INTRO

OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Winter Snow” (Audrey Assad)
Elliana Meier, Tim Graf, Jeff Perry

OFFERING PRAYER
God of glory,
great are your wonders among us
and many are the blessings you bestow.
Use us and these your gifts for the needs of the world,
that all the ends of the earth may rejoice in your saving grace,
through Christ our Savior. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

AGNUS DEI

MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“Light of the World” (Bergthold/Cash/Cash/Cash)
Elliana Meier, Tim Graf, Jeff Perry, Jodi Edstrom

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

BEFORE YOU GO

BENEDICTION

CAROL
“The First Noel”

SENDING
Go now in peace. Prepare the way for Emmanuel.
Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE
“We Three Kings”
Jeff Perry, Tim Graf

Musicians for today’s worship

Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
Elliana Meier
Jeff Perry
Jodi Edstrom
Linnae Stole

Prayers

As a community of faith, we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Prayers of Mourning

We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:

Trudy, Tom, Turner, and Tatum Gunderson on the death of dad/grandpa, Gary Presser
Jerry, Jeremy, and Jeff Peterso, after the death of Sharon, their wife and mother
Family and friends of Yvonne Kemple
Prayers for Mike Howes (Kris) and family on the death of his father, Michael Howes
Prayers for Penny Meier and family on the death today of her mother, Mavis
Ramona Larson and family on the death of her husband, Douglas

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.
–Psalm 130:1–2
For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
–Romans 8:38–39
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’
–John 11:25–26

Prayers of Healing and General Prayers

As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:

Carol Peterson
Kelly Shephard
Jane & Curt Goke’s niece, Nicole
Jonathan King
Stacy Trenda

Long Term Prayers

Donna Jones and her family
Collin Buzzel 
Crosby Urlick
Nicholas Priest 
Madelyn Astry 
Paul Skoog’s Brother, Dan 
Jim Hornbacher 
Julie Bergquist 
John Rostad 
Kathy Hoagland 
Ron Wolfbauer 
For the people of Haiti, who are enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence. 
For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine, non-violence and peace. 
All those in the military who are serving our country.

Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you.
–Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
–Matthew 11:28

Names will remain listed until more are added unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.

See what’s happening at St. Andrew

There’s always something happening here at St. Andrew and we’re so glad to offer ministries and events for people of all ages! Visit our Events Page to see all of our events, and visit our Ministries Page to learn about all of our communities of faith!

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