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Ascension Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod
8225 Peebles Road January 3, 2021 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Pastor: Rev. Adam Thompson Phone: 412-364-4463 [email protected] Fax: 412-369-0599 Secretary: Barbara Marcellus www.ascensionpgh.com [email protected] www.facebook.com/AscensionPgh Music Director: Vanessa Candreva www.twitter.com/AscensionPgh [email protected] https://plus.google.com/+AscensionLutheranChurchPittsburgh
Welcome To Our Guest It is a great joy to have you here today. We pray that your time with us
has helped to deepen your faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. If we can be of service to you or your family, we invite you to talk to us at
your convenience. You will always be welcome here. Please do us the honor of signing the guest sheet at the podium at the front of the church or at the entrance from
the Education Wing. Thank you for coming!
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SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS January 3, 2021 Worship Service - 9:30 AM WELCOME PRELUDE AS WE GATHER The end of a calendar year and the beginning of a new set of months brings a special opportunity to look at our lives. What has been most memorable in our lives in the past weeks and months? How might our priorities change in the next months? The Readings in today’s service are not often heard because the calendar does not always bring two Sundays after Christmas. Wisdom is waiting to be found by each of us here in this place today as we hear God’s Word and seek His kingdom in this New Year of grace. God’s wisdom is here to bless us each time we gather for worship!
(stand)
INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. OPENING HYMN: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” LW 49
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings,
Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Reprinted from Lutheran Worship, Copyright © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted by permission.
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TIME OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS: Pastor: Let us now make confession of our sins to God, our gracious and heavenly
Father. People: Eternal God, we confess that by nature we are sinful people. We have
transgressed Your Law in many ways, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not always been wise in our thinking and our speaking and our actions. Our motives and thoughts have not always been pure. We deserve Your punishment now and for eternity. O God, in Your mercy forgive our sin and restore us to a full and joyful relationship with You, through the merits of Jesus, our Lord. Direct all that we do by Your Holy Spirit that in the year now beginning we joyfully follow Your will and gladly obey Your Commandments as Your redeemed people.
Pastor: 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. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. Be at peace.
People: Thanks be to God. Amen. (sit)
OLD TESTAMENT: 1 Kings 3:4–15 (Solomon prays to God for the gift of wisdom.) EPISTLE: Ephesians 1:3–14 (We are gifted with God’s spiritual blessings.)
(stand)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:40–52 (The boy Jesus is found in the temple at Jerusalem.)
Congregation reads together: 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him. 41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing Him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for Him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for Him. 46 After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 And when His parents saw Him, they were astonished.
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And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
HYMN OF THE DAY: “We Three Kings”
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign. Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high. Refrain
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, alleluia,
Peels thru the earth and skies. Refrain (sit) THE APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY Pastor Adam Thompson (stand)
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NICENE CREED
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 His 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 Spirit 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 sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian 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. (sit)
OFFERTORY MEDITATION SONG: “Peace Has Come”
(stand) PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people
according to their needs. We pray for the Church, that the light of the Gospel of salvation be proclaimed here and everywhere, the wisdom of God be honored and followed, and the gifts of God be treasured and shared. Lord of the Church,
People: in mercy, hear our prayer. Pastor: We pray as this New Year begins for our nation and for all of the people of
the world, that there be an end to hostilities and that times of peacefulness and wellness everywhere prevail. Lord of all times and all people,
People: in mercy, hear our prayer. Pastor: We pray for our families and our neighbors. Help us to remember that each
person in our lives is a precious gift from God. Guided by the Holy Spirit, help us to choose wisely how we invest our time in the coming weeks and find in our associations with God’s people a source of mutual support and blessing. Lord of all generations,
People: in mercy, hear our prayer.
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Pastor: We pray for all sorts and conditions of people, especially making our petitions for the hospitalized and those who are shut in. We pray for those whose lives are in transition, the unemployed, those who are downcast or grieving, and for all those for whom our intercession is desired, [especially . . . individual prayer requests may be spoken at this time followed by the petitioner saying “Lord, in Your mercy” after each request]. Lord of care and grace,
People: in mercy, hear our prayer. Pastor: As a community of the faithful gathered, we remember those who have
shared the faith with us and now have departed this earthly life, especially those whose earthly lives came to an end in the past year. Direct our ways that we complete our journey of life in faith with divine wisdom to direct us. At the end of our days, bring us to rejoice together eternally with saints and angels and all the company of heaven in light everlasting. Lord of eternity,
People: in mercy, hear our prayer. Pastor: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in
Your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. People: Amen. LORD'S PRAYER THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION PEACE Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And also with you.
HOLY COMMUNION Congregants are welcome to take a Communion kit from the Narthex near the front
door, and will be invited to take Communion in the pews at this time.
HOLY COMMUNION (sit) ANNOUNCEMENTS (stand) THE BLESSING The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace.
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CLOSING SONG: “King of Kings” Pastor: Go in peace and People: serve the Lord.
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LOOKING AHEAD: The assigned readings of the Church Calendar for next week are Genesis 1:1-5, Romans 6:1-11, and Mark 1:4-11.
OUR MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
Acknowledging the great gift of God the Father in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior, we the people of Ascension Lutheran Church, as guided by the Holy Spirit, are committed to the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. We will share and live the Gospel in our homes, our church, our community, and the world. Motivated by Christ’s love for us, we are dedicated to spiritual growth and unity, worship and fellowship, and compassionate service. We recognize this as our common purpose and pray that God will enable us by His strength and wisdom to seek His will.
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MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Hearing from God – “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10b
Sermon Notes:
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Questions:
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Isaiah 55:11
“… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
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PRAYER REQUESTS – January 3, 2021*
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If
he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective.” (James 5:15-16)
FOR HEALTH & HEALING
Susan Stewart and Barbara Howe (cancer – sisters of Carolyn Walker); Tim Koontz
(depression); Ruth Miller; Elva Fields; Sandi Weber; for all those ill with coronavirus; Joe
(mass on heart – Cheryl Sedar’s son); Gene Williams (mesothelioma); Helen Goettmann, Clay
McClellan, Nadine Weber
FOR STRENGTH & COMFORT
For all those who lost loved ones, especially Ruth Holmes, Mark Kitzki and the Kitzki family
on the death of Phyllis Kitzki; for the citizens, survivors, relief workers, missionaries, and
families affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks and disasters worldwide
FOR THANKSGIVING
For the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; all our guests; the gifts of love and God's Word;
family and friends; our country
FOR SAFETY/PROTECTION
For all affected by the coronavirus pandemic; healthcare workers; college students; school
students, teachers, staff and bus drivers; missionaries; our armed forces; unborn children
FOR DIRECTION AND FAITH
For those who are experiencing a crisis of faith; women with unplanned pregnancies
GENERAL PRAYER, GUIDANCE, AND PROVISION
For Pastor Adam Thompson and Fairlawn Lutheran Church during ministry transitions; our
country and leaders; Pastor Lee and his family; the Gaertner family; SOAR Respite Nights
families; Megan and Gene Williams, Jr. and DiscipleMakers; Pastor Eric Andræ and Campus
Ministry in Oakland; seminary students; the residents and staff of Concordia Lutheran
Ministries; Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship; Food For The Poor; Christian Counseling Associates
counselors and their clients; those with special needs (physical, mental, or emotional)
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
*Please note that prayer requests will remain on the prayer list for 60 days and then be removed unless
an extension is requested by notifying the church secretary.
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THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION
JANUARY 3, 2021 WORSHIP SERVICE IN-PERSON AND LIVE-STREAMED 9:30 AM
ADULT BIBLE STUDY IN-PERSON AND ZOOM 10:30 AM
WEDNESDAY MORNING WITH THE LORD VIA ZOOM 10:00 AM
THURSDAY STAFF MEETING 10:00 AM
SATURDAY MEN’S BIBLE STUDY 8:30 AM
ASCENSION NEWS
IMPORTANT – EVERYONE please sign in on one of the attendance sheets located at the
Narthex or the Education Wing entrances.
FACE COVERINGS – Please wear face coverings indoors in all parts of the building (those
who are over age two [2] and medically able to do so). If you forgot a face covering, there are
some available in the Narthex and at the office entrance.
SOCIAL DISTANCING – Please practice social distancing in the Sanctuary (six [6] feet
between households), and seating in every other pew. Please do not linger inside the building
entrances/exits prior to and following worship services. Please enjoy the outside as you visit
from six (6) feet apart!
HAND SANITIZER – Hand sanitizer is available in the Narthex, Fellowship Hall, and at the
office entrance for your use.
HOLY COMMUNION – To avoid excessive contact on Communion Sundays, there will be
prepackaged Communion packets in the Narthex as you walk in. We ask you pick them up on
your way to your seat. When Communion time happens, during the service, we will all partake
as a community.
BUILDING RESTRICTIONS – To limit the need for cleaning and disinfection, the classroom
areas will be taped off. If anyone needs to comfort a child, we will temporarily ask parents to
use the Narthex.
OFFERINGS – Since the offering plate will not be passed during the service, an offering plate
will be available in the Narthex for you to present your gifts as you exit or arrive.
CHILDREN’S BAGS – Children’s bags will be stored in the closet to the right of the main
entrance. Please feel free to take one (or more) from the closet on your first visit and keep it in
your car for your kids’ use during services. Please do not put any bags back in the closet.
HELP NEEDED – We are looking for volunteers to wipe down the handrails after the services.
Please see Pete Candreva if you can help.
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ACOLYTE: ……………………….………...............……….…….........…...…… Isaac Krieger
ALTAR GUILD / JANUARY: ……………………….................................…… Ruth Redondo ELDERS: Mike Fiffik / Cooper Blake / Bob Booth / Pete Candreva / David Dille / Darryl Gunther
LAY READER: …………........................................................................................... Bob Booth
USHERS: ……................................................................................ Cristen Fiffik / Jim Obringer
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
January 3: Diane McClellan, Violet Pfeifer, Paul Redondo; January 4: Nick Koorsen;
January 5: Martha Dodson, Jim Obringer; January 7: Tom Farris, Grady Foust
THANK YOU – We would like to thank those who purchased poinsettias to beautify the
Sanctuary for Christmas: Patricia Young, in memory of her husband, Paul and her son, Craig;
Ron Curcio, in memory of his wife, Lois; the Fiffik family in memory of their aunt, Miriam
Martens; Maggie Larrow, Bob and Karen Booth, Cherie Shaginaw, Dave and Mary Anne Dille,
Jennifer Ciccone, Sally Long, Patti Lopresto, Vanessa and Pete Candreva, and Janet and Bill
Seitz.
PRAYER AND PRAISE GROUP is meeting via Zoom. Join us on Wednesday, (January 6)
from 10 AM to 11 AM and then every Wednesday thereafter until we are able to meet in
person. If you have any questions or need prayer, please call me at 808-295-1835. In the Love
of Jesus, Bob Booth
MEN’S SATURDAY BIBLE STUDY – The Men’s Study Group is scheduled to meet on
Saturday (January 9) at 8:30AM and continue on the second Saturday of each month until
further notice. We will be in the Fellowship Hall. If anyone is interested in participating from
home via Zoom, please call or send Barb an email expressing interest and we will set up a
Zoom link.
BULLETINS and CHILDREN’S BULLETINS are available on our website:
www.ascensionpgh.com.
HELP FILL THE FREEZER FOR PASTOR THOMPSON! We would like to provide
Pastor with a freezer full of home cooked meals to get him started upon his move to Pittsburgh.
As you are cooking over the next several weeks please consider making an extra portion or two
for Pastor. You can bring your meals to church either on Sunday mornings or during office
hours during the week and place them in the freezer. Please try to use disposable containers so
he doesn’t have to worry about returning anything to the correct person, and mark them “For
Pastor Thompson” along with the contents. Bon Appetit!
NEWSLETTER – If you would like a printed copy of the January 2021 issue of The Heart of
Ascension mailed to you, please call Barb in the church office at 412-364-4463.
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FLOWER CHART – The 2021 flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex to
order altar flowers. The cost for altar flowers is $35 per arrangement. We purchase our altar
flowers from West View Floral Shoppe.
THE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE is January 15, 2021. Please submit any
articles/announcements/meeting dates, etc., for the newsletter or February calendar to Barb via
her email at [email protected] or her mailbox in the Narthex. Thank you!
LCMS STEWARDSHIP NOTE – 1 Kings 3:4 – “And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice
there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings
on that altar.” Now that’s a big sacrifice! But, of course, Solomon offered sacrifices in
proportion to his wealth. The Lord had blessed him greatly, so his sacrifices were
correspondingly large. Jesus also praised the widow’s mite, a small amount of money, but a
great sacrifice in proportion to her means.
LIVE-STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES – Our worship services are live-streamed
Sundays at 9:30 AM on our YouTube Channel. Just click on this link
https://www.youtube.com/channel/Ucu_ARgzTTcfZZXuZAeiyEVQ/videos or search in
YouTube for Ascension Lutheran Church PGH Music. More detailed directions are available
on our website (www.ascensionpgh.com). If you have any questions, feel free to contact
Vanessa Candreva at [email protected].
EMAIL ACCOUNTS – Please use the email addresses below for contacting these
individuals/groups:
Pastor Thompson [email protected]
President (Russ Lucas) [email protected]
Treasurer (Patti Lopresto) [email protected]
Financial Secretary (Bob Marcellus) [email protected]
Elders [email protected]
Board of Christian Education [email protected]
Board of Trustees [email protected]
SOAR Respite Nights [email protected]
Music Director (Vanessa Candreva) [email protected]
Secretary (Barbara Marcellus) [email protected]
PENNIES FOR JESUS – Our mission at this time is our local food banks: The North Hills
Food Bank on Perry Highway and the Northside Common Ministries on Brighton Road. This
has been a difficult time for a lot of families and these organizations have been helping many in
our area. If you would like to make a donation to our Pennies for Jesus fund, please mail your
check to the church office, marked with “Pennies for Jesus” in the memo line. There is also a
container on the Narthex table for your donation.
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CANCELLED STAMPS – If you are saving cancelled stamps for the LWML, please make
sure that there is a ¼ inch margin around the stamp and there are no damaged edges. Please put
your stamps in Sandy Malarkey’s or Janet Seitz’s mailbox in the Narthex.
SOCIAL MEDIA – Ascension is on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AscensionPgh), Google
Plus (https://plus.google.com/+AscensionLutheranChurchPittsburgh), and Twitter
(www.twitter.com/AscensionPgh). You don’t have to have accounts to view our pages online.
Please do check us out (and “Like”/follow us).
CLOTHING RECYCLING PROGRAM – Don’t forget to recycle your clothes in our recycle
bins in the parking lot!
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
THE LUTHERAN HOUR is on WWNL/1080 AM on Saturdays at 3:30 PM and on Tuesdays
at 12:30 PM. Read or listen to the sermon at www.lutheranhour.org. January 10, 2021: “The
Backstory Behind a Bible ‘Contradiction’” (Mark 2:13-28) Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael
Zeigler
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATES is a full-service counseling center committed to
using the resources of the Christian faith in helping individuals and families achieve emotional,
spiritual, and physical well-being. Licensed and certified professional counselors provide all
services. Available services include help for those seeking professional help for emotional and
life challenges such as depression, anxiety, marital problems, addictions, grief, trauma, or any
mental health concern. CCA offers services to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
Christian counseling engages a faith-based process of change that can equip individuals to
overcome the challenges they face. CCA accepts many different health insurances
for payment and offers a sliding fee scale if there is no insurance. Ascension provides office
space for CCA. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 724-396-1510.
LIFE QUOTE: “God is not just our God or the God of just our people or just our nation or our
congregation or our denomination or our demographic category or our tribe or our ethnicity or
our language. There is no justice if it’s just about just us. No, God is the God of all time and all
space and all people. In Christ, all things hang together. Step into your new year with this fresh
recognition that the Holy Spirit wants to fill every nook and cranny of your life until you
overflow with God’s everlasting love for everybody.” Pastor John Nunes on The Lutheran
Hour – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
