SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY
Life Shines in Darkness
January 19, 2025
AS WE GATHER: Life doesn’t just constitute a scientific category. Something about life—especially human life—connects directly to Jesus Christ. “I have come that they may have life” (John 10:10), He proclaims. But He also clearly declares both, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Every human life derives worth and purpose from Him, and without this relationship, an entity does not—in a very real sense—have life: “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Popular definitions of “alive” miss some incredibly important dimensions— and blessings!
Take a moment to notice the * at the beginning of various portions of the order of service. The * indicates the place where it is inappropriate to enter or leave the sanctuary because it marks a time of prayer or respect for the Word of the Lord. Please be considerate of others around you by honoring these notations.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Matins
Organ Prelude
Announcements
Opening Hymn LSB 914 “Light of Light, O Sole-Begotten”
*CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION:
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father,
beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
People: who made heaven and earth.
Pastor: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.
People: and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Pastor: O almighty God, merciful Father,
People: I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
Pastor: Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
“O Lord, open my lips…” LSB 219
PSALMODY
Venite: LSB 220ff
READINGS
Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 Pew Bible Page 1072
Epistle: Ephesians 5:6-13 Pew Bible Page 1822
*Holy Gospel: John 1:1-14 Pew Bible Page 1645
*Common Responsory LSB 221
Office Hymn: LSB 849 “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”
Sermon
Offertory LSB 802 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
*Canticle LSB 941
PRAYER
*Kyrie: LSB 227
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 227
*Prayer of the Church
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, Your Son shed His blood to redeem us and make us His holy and spotless Bride. Sustain us in faithfulness, and increase our desire for Him alone. Turn our hearts from every false god, that we may receive the full joy of life with Christ, now and forever. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, lead all pastors and church leaders to imitate the servants at Cana and do as Christ instructs. Give them boldness to preach the Law and the Gospel rightly, and graciously provide for all their earthly needs. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of marriage and family. Make the relationship between each husband and wife a picture of Christ’s ceaseless love for His Bride, the Church, that we may live in Your forgiving love. Grant parents Your care as they raise their children, and give every father and mother a zeal that points them constantly to Your ways and Your forgiveness. Fill children with obedience, respect and love for their parents. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, guide and give wisdom to the nation and our president, the governor of this state, and all judges and magistrates. Protect those who serve us as firefighters, police, disaster workers and medical personnel. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, remember the sick and those who care for them, the dying and those who mourn, and those who struggle with mental illness. Heal them according to Your will, and grant comfort and peace in their trials. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, recall Your people from the temptation, strife and captivity of this world. Return them to the rich land of Your Church, where the fruits of Your Son’s precious death flourish. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank You that of Your grace You have instituted holy matrimony, in which You keep us from unchastity and other offenses. We implore You, send Your blessing on every husband and wife. Do not let them provoke one another to anger and strife, but let them live peaceably together in love and godliness. Strengthen them with Your gracious help in all temptations, and help them to rear their children in accordance with Your will. Grant us all to walk before You in purity and holiness, putting our trust in You and leading such lives on earth that, in the world to come, we may have everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: O God of all grace,
People: You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to bring life and immortality to light. We give You thanks that by His death He destroyed the power of death and by His resurrection He opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Strengthen us in the confidence that because He lives, we shall live also, and that neither death nor life nor things present nor things to come will be able to separate us from Your love, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*Collect for Grace: LSB 228
*Benedicamus/Benediction: LSB 228
Closing Hymn: LSB 861 “Christ Be My Leader”
SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705