Author: Julie Raffa

Introit Psalm 98:1–4; antiphon: Isaiah 52:10
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the | nations,* and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation | of our God. Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done | marvelous things!* His right hand and his holy arm have worked salva- | tion for him. The Lord has made known his sal- | vation;* he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the | nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of | Israel.* All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation | of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, | all the earth;* break forth into joyous song and sing | praises! The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the | nations,* and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation | of our God.
Collect of the Day
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, now and forever.
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 61:10—62:3
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. 2The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Gradual Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 98:1a
To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
Epistle Galatians 4:4–7 4When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Holy Gospel Luke 2:22–40 22When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation 31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Announcements
Cable Worship Schedule Pilgrim’s Sunday 8:00 a.m. Divine Service is broadcast on WB 987 and AT&T Uverse 99 multiple times during the week: Sundays: 6:00 a.m. Mondays: 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 4:00 p.m. Bible Study, Thursdays: 4:00 p.m. This service is also live streamed and archived on the church’s YouTube channel:
Pilgrim Lutheran Church- West Bend, WI
Please Note:
The 2021 Offering envelopes are out and waiting for you to pick them up in the old Fellowship Hall/Cry room. Please do not use them until January 1, 2021. Thank you
Sunday School and Catechism classes will resume January 3rd and January 6, 2021.
Masks are requested to be worn in the building during services and classes to prevent further spread of the Corona virus. Thank you
The New Year’s services are listed in the Coming Up at Pilgrim section.

1st Sunday after Christmas
Divine Service
Lutheran Service Book: Page:
Liturgy: Setting 3 184
Hymns:
Come Your Hearts and Voices Raising 375
Let All Together Praise Our God 389
Communion Hymns:
From East to West 385
The Infant Priest was Holy 624
Angels from the Realm 367
Now Sing We, Now Rejoice 386
Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace 937
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3
Epistle: Galatians 4:4 - 7
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
X X X
In our prayers, we remember:
X all who live under the flag of our nation,
X law enforcement officers and their families,
X military personal and their families,
X those isolated from family and friends,
X those struggling with health issues: Randy Frank, Bill & Bev. Schepp, Cheryl Thill, Keith Gierach, Ruth Mertz, Richard & Chloe Fisher, Judy Clark, Joyce Virchow, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, Carolyn Bren, Lois Pritzlaff, Orville Heckendorf, Donna Sommer, Kandie Darmody, Tracey Leffin-Hedrick, June Fry, Elaine Kuenzel, Louise Kreis, Diane Behrens, Jennifer Jensen
X pastors, missionaries, and those who serve God’s people with the gifts of Christ,
X Christians persecuted for the confession of the faith, and especially we remember
X all who have forsaken the faith, that they may be restored to gladness of heart and be made wise to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
X X X
Preacher: Rev. Christopher Raffa
Liturgist: Rev. Joseph Fisher
Elder: Dennis Engmann, Gary Jenovai
Organists: Samuel Grosskreuz

Coming Up at Pilgrim
Sunday, December 27:
8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
9:30 a.m. Adult Class: Small Catechism
12:30 p.m. Adult Class: Galatians
Thursday, December 31:
6:00 p.m. New Years Eve Divine Service
Friday, January 1:
Office Closed
9:00 a.m. New Years Day Divine Service
Sunday, January 3:
8:00 a. m. & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
9:15 a.m. Sunday school: Growing in Christ
9:30 a.m. Adult Class: Small Catechism
12:30 p.m. Adult Class: Galatians
Saturday, January 9:
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study

2020 Giving Report
The 2020 Giving Report will be updated in the January Pilgrim Herald.

1st Sunday after Christmas
December 27, 2020
40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:40
Welcome and blessings to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!
We welcome all who gather with us around the Altar and Pulpit to hear the Word of God. If you are visiting, we are happy that you could join us today. Please sign the guest book in the narthex and fill out one of the pew cards and pass it in with the offering plate to leave a record of your visit.
Communion Statement: By the design and specific warning of our Lord Jesus Christ in His Word, the precious gift of the Lord’s Body and Blood is to be shared with His blessing only with those prepared to take it rightly. (1 Cor 11:23-32) At the first communion our Lord did not commune all believers, but only those who had been instructed by Him daily for three years. The custom of our church is to offer the Sacrament only to confirmed members of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. So that our pastors would faithfully fulfill their obligations, (1 Cor 4:1; Heb 13:17; 1 Cor 11:27), all first-time visitors should speak to one of the pastors prior to communing. Our pastors are eager and available to provide instruction leading to a right and salutary reception our Lord’s holy Body and Blood, so that in the future you may join us in the blessing of this sacrament.

Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, WI 53090
(262) 334-0375 www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org