Prelude – Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, arranged by H. Hopson
Paul Swenson, organist

Welcome

Gathering Song – Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing Worship 886 (vs 1, 3, 6)
1    Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

3    The name of Jesus charms our fears
and bids our sorrows cease,
sings music in the sinner’s ears,
brings life and health and peace.

6    To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever giv’n
by saints below and saints above,
the church in earth and heav’n.

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.

Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple. May we be presented to you with clean and pure hearts by the same Jesus Christ, our great high priest, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading              (Malachi 3:1-4)
A reading from Malachi:
¹See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ²But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? 
  For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; ³he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Word of God, word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message

Alleluia – Worship 175

Gospel     Luke 2:22-40
The gospel from Luke:
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 firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), ²⁴and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated 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; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
 ²⁹“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
  according to your word;
 ³⁰for my eyes have seen your salvation,
  ³¹which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
 ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles
  and for glory to your people Israel.”
  ³³And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
  ³⁶There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
  ³⁹When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Message – The Rev Larry Wohlrabe

Song – Baptized and Set Free Worship 453
1    We are people created,
chosen by God.
Then we’re washed, ever gently, 
in mercy and love.
Sin has power no more. 
Jesus opened the door
to a fountain bringing healing,
and wholeness and more.

2    We are fed and we’re nourished, 
filled and refreshed.
Then our hunger returns and 
again we are blessed.
For whatever the need,
God is greater indeed:
endless ocean, always deeper 
than all of our need.

3    We are nourished by water, 
all living things,
and by life that the Spirit
abundantly brings.
As we journey toward home, 
may your presence be known:
precious river, ever-flowing, 
now carry us home.

4    Now with praise and thanksgiving, 
we join the song.
All are welcome! We gather
to sing loud and strong.
Not enslaved, but set free!
From now on, all will be
one in Jesus, one in water, baptized and set free!

Text: Cathy Skogen-Soldner, b. 1956
Text © 1999 Augsburg Fortress.

Song – Baptized and Set Free Worship 453

1    We are people created,  chosen by God. Then we’re washed, ever gently, in mercy and love. Sin has power no more.  Jesus opened the door to a fountain bringing healing, and wholeness and more.

2    We are fed and we’re nourished, filled and refreshed. Then our hunger returns and  again we are blessed. For whatever the need,  God is greater indeed: endless ocean, always deeper than all of our need.

3    We are nourished by water,  all living things, and by life that the Spirit  abundantly brings.
As we journey toward home, may your presence be known: precious river, ever-flowing, now carry us home.

4    Now with praise and thanksgiving, we join the song.
All are welcome! We gather to sing loud and strong. Not enslaved, but set free!
From now on, all will be one in Jesus, one in water, baptized and set free!

Text: Cathy Skogen-Soldner, b. 1956

Text © 1999 Augsburg Fortress.

Baptism
God, who is rich in mercy and love…

The presiding minister addresses the assembly:
People of God, do you promise to support Malachi and pray for him in his new life in Christ? We do.

PROFESSION OF FAITH
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
We renounce them

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
We renounce them

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?We renounce them.

The presiding minister addresses the candidates and the assembly.

Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT
Water may be poured into the font before or during the thanksgiving. At the font, the presiding minister begins the thanksgiving:

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, O God… with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

BAPTISM, BLESSING, ANOINTING

WELCOME
A lighted candle may be given to each of the newly baptized (to a sponsor of a young child) as a representative of the congregation says:
Let your light so shine before others
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.

Let us welcome the newly baptized.
We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God’s creative and redeeming word to all the world.

Song – Welcome to the Family – Dan Koopmans

Prayers of the People
Called together through water and the Word, we boldly pray for the church, the world, and all who long to hear God’s voice.
A brief silence.

Almighty God, you grant wisdom to our elders in every land and generation. Give elders boldness to share the faith and a spirit of curiosity and joy to continue learning as your disciples. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Everlasting God, you provide beauty and warmth in sun, moon, stars, and fire, and you give us abundant gifts of water, land, and air. Break our patterns of overusing resources across the world so that all experience your beautiful creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creating God, thank you for your daily presence in our community and throughout the world. Inspire leaders with your strength and wisdom, that all communities may be safe places for children, adults, seniors, infants, and youth. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Incarnate God, thank you for being born among us and experiencing human pain and sorrow. Bring wholeness to all who live with chronic illness, and rest your Spirit on those who are near death. Strengthen the sick (especially those we think of now………………………). Bless those who care for them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful God, you encourage us through strong communities of faith. Open our hearts and minds to new people and ideas. Bless our vibrant traditions that bring life and hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, you call us your own family. We give thanks for the gift of Baptism for Malachi Lawrence Wohlrabe today and for the opportunity to witness all that you have done for him and for all the baptized, reminding each one that we are your children, empowered to love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of hope, thank you for the saints who have gone before us (especially). Keep us faithful in service to you until we are one with all the faithful departed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We place our prayers before you, God, united in your Spirit; through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sharing Peace
Johm riab sua.
Selam.
The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.

Offering – Amazing Grace, arranged by David Cherwien
Paul Swenson, organist

Offering Prayer
O God, receive these gifts as you receive us: like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care, and empower us in faithful service to tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen.

Communion
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dream. Blessed are you for Mary and Joseph’s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Remember, beloved ones… how in the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

With bread and cup, we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.  Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people, fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One, Word of God Incarnate, one God, now and forever.

Invitation to Communion                                                                                                      
Beloved: here is bread; here is wine. Here is Jesus. Come and be fed.

Now, if you are gathered with others, when the music begins, please share with one another first the bread and then the cup with the words, 

The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, poured out for you.

If you are by yourself, I offer this invitation… 
Receive the body of Christ, given for you.
Receive the blood of Christ, poured out for you.

And if for any reason you will not receive Communion bread & cup today, a blessing for you…

May God fill you up with the Holy Spirit and give you all that you need.

Communion Song – All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly Worship 461
1    All who hunger gather gladly; holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wand’ring. Here in truth we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

2    All who hunger, never strangers;  seeker, be a welcome guest. Come from restlessness and roaming. Here in joy we keep the feast. We that once were lost and scattered in communion’s love have stood. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

3    All who hunger, sing together, Jesus Christ is living bread. Come from loneliness and longing. Here in peace we have been fed. Blest are those who from this table live their days in gratitude. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1955-1993

Prayer after Communion
Christ Jesus, at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim your good news and serve others in your name. Amen.

Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Blessing
God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.

Prayer after Communion
Christ Jesus, at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim your good news and serve others in your name. Amen.

Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Blessing
God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.

Sending Song – Remember and Rejoice Worship 454
1    Remember and rejoice, renewed by floods of grace. We bear the sign of Jesus Christ, that time cannot erase.

2    In life, in death, we trust in God’s most holy name, forever traced by water sign, and sealed by Spirit flame.

3    We pledge ourselves anew to flee the lures of hell, to cling to Christ’s community, in justice, peace to dwell.

4    God, bless us by your grace; remind us of your care. Renewing Spirit, fill us now inspire our work, our prayer.

5    Remember and rejoice, renewed by floods of grace. We bear the sign of Jesus Christ, that time cannot erase.

Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947

Charge
Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. Thanks be to God.

Postlude – Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, arranged by Malmos
Paul Swenson, organist