A Happy New Year from Zion (CC)

WELCOME TO WORSHIP! (CC) NEW YEAR'S EVE WORSHIP SERVICE PASTOR DAVE BOSTEDT - ZION TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA GOOD EVENING! THIS EVENING WE HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER TO USHER OUT 2014 AND TO ENTER IN WITH THE LORD INTO THE NEW YEAR. OUR LITURGY IS PRINTED IN YOUR SERVICE FOLDER. LET'S NOW JOIN TOGETHER IN OUR OPENING HYMN. [PIANIST PLAYS HYMN 478: "WITH THE LORD BEGIN YOUR TASK" HYMNS FOUND IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP - A LUTHERAN HYMNAL (WELS) NORTHWESTERN PUBLISHING HOUSE, MILWAUKEE, WISCONISN] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [CONGREGATION BEGINS SINGING VERSE 1:] WITH THE LORD BEGIN YOUR TASK; JESUS WILL DIRECT IT. FOR HIS AID AND COUNSEL ASK; JESUS WILL PERFECT IT. EVERY MORN WITH JESUS RISE, AND WHEN DAY IS ENDED, IN HIS NAME THEN CLOSE YOUR EYES; BE TO HIM COMMENDED. VERSE 2: LET EACH DAY BEGIN WITH PRAYER, PRAISE AND ADORATION. ON THE LORD CAST EVERY CARE; HE IS YOUR SALVATION. MORNING, EVENING, AND AT NIGHT JESUS WILL BE NEAR YOU. SAVE YOU FROM THE TEMPTER'S MIGHT, WITH HIS PRESENCE CHEER YOU. VERSE 3: WITH YOUR SAVIOR AT YOUR SIDE FOES NEED NOT ALARM YOU; IN HIS PROMISES CONFIDE AND NO ILL CAN HARM YOU. ALL YOUR TRUST AND HOPE REPOSE IN THE MIGHTY MASTER. WHO IN WISDOM TRULY KNOWS HOW TO STEM DISASTER. VERSE 4: IF YOUR TASK IS THUS BEGUN WITH THE SAVIOR'S BLESSING, SAFELY THEN YOUR COURSE WILL RUN, NAUGHT YOUR SOUL DISTRESSING. GOOD WILL FOLLOW EVERYWHERE WHILE YOU HERE MUST WANDER; YOU AT LAST THE JOY WILL SHARE IN THE MANSIONS YONDER. MINISTER: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. CONGREGATION: AMEN. M: AS WE GATHER IN THE NAME OF OUR HOLY GOD -- FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT - WE ARE IMMEDIATELY STRUCK WITH THE REALITY OF OUR OWN SINFULNESS. WE STAND ON THE EVE OF A NEW YEAR. IN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED JOY AND SORROW. WE HAVE COME TO THE ALTAR TO RECEIVE THE GIFTS OF GOD'S BODY AND BLOOD AND WE HAVE GATHERED AT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS, AND BAPTISMS AND CONFIRMATIONS, THANKING GOD FOR HIS TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL PROMISES. LET US MAKE OUR CONFESSION TO GOD, TRUSTING IN THESE VERY SAME PROMISES. C: WE CONFESS IN YOUR PRESENCE, HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT WE ARE SINNERS. WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU IN MANY WAYS, SOME OF WHICH WE ARE AWARE, AND YET THERE ARE MANY SINS WE DID NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE. FORGIVE US, FATHER, NOT BECAUSE WE ARE WORTHY, BUT BECAUSE WE TRUST IN THE PROMISES YOU HAVE MADE TO US IN YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN. M: GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE PAST, AND GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL IN THE FUTURE, BUT IN PARTICULAR WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL NOW -- HEARING OUR CONFESSION AND GRANTING US FORGIVENESS. HIS PROMISE TO US IS THAT, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE HEARS AND FORGIVES SO THAT WE MAY BE ASSURED AND COMFORTED IN OUR HEARTS. THEREFORE, WE RELY ON THIS PROCLAMATION OF THE LORD'S FORGIVENESS. I, AS A CALLED AND ORDAINED SERVANT OF THE WORD, ANNOUNCE THE GRACE OF GOD TO YOU AND IN THE PLACE 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. C: AMEN. M: WE PRAY: LORD GOD, HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU WHO SENT US YOUR ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON FOR OUR SALVATION AND GAVE HIM THE NAME JESUS, GRANT THAT WE MAY BEGIN THE NEW YEAR TRUSTING IN HIS SAVING NAME AND LIVE ALL OUR DAYS IN HIS SERVICE AND PRAISE TO THE GLORY OF HIS HOLY NAME; WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, NOW AND FOREVER. C: AMEN. WE JOIN TOGETHER IN HYMN 339. [PIANIST PLAYS HYMN 339: "TODAY YOUR MERCY CALLS US". [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [CONGREGATION BEGINS SINGING VERSE 1:] TODAY YOUR MERCY CALLS US TO WASH AWAY OUR SIN. HOWEVER GREAT OUR TRESPASS, WHATEVER WE HAVE BEEN. HOWEVER LONG FROM MERCY OUR HEARTS HAVE TURNED AWAY, YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD CAN WASH US AND MAKE US CLEAN TODAY. [VERSE 2] TODAY YOUR GATE IS OPEN, AND ALL WHO ENTER IN SHALL FIND A FATHER'S WELCOME AND PARDON FOR THEIR SIN. THE PAST SHALL BE FORGOTTEN, A PRESENT JOY BE GIV'N, A FUTURE GRACE BE PROMISED: A GLORIOUS CROWN IN HEAV'N. [VERSE 3] TODAY OUR FATHER CALLS US; HIS HOLY SPIRIT WAITS. HIS BLESSED ANGELS GATHER AROUND THE HEAV'NLY GATES. NO QUESTION WILL BE ASKED US HOW OFTEN WE HAVE COME; ALTHOUGH WE OFT HAVE WANDERED, IT IS OUR FATHER'S HOME. [VERSE 4] O ALL-EMBRACING MERCY, O EVER OPEN DOOR, WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU WHEN HEART AND EYE RUN O'ER? WHEN ALL THINGS SEEM AGAINST US, TO DRIVE US TO DESPAIR, WE KNOW ONE GATE IS OPEN, ONE EAR WILL HEAR OUR PRAYER. OUR OLD TESTAMENT LESSON FOR THIS EVENING IS RECORDED FOR US BY THE PROPHET ISAIAH WHERE WE READ THE FIRST SIX VERSES OF CHAPTER 51. IT IS HERE THAT THE LORD REMINDS US THAT HE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US TO COMFORT US WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF KNOWING THAT OUR SALVATION WITH HIM IS ETERNAL. "LISTEN TO ME, YOU WHO PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WHO SEEK THE LORD: LOOK TO THE ROCK FROM WHICH YOU WERE CUT AND TO THE QUARRY FROM WHICH YOU WERE HEWN; LOOK TO ABRAHAM, YOUR FATHER, AND TO SARAH, WHO GAVE YOU BIRTH. WHEN I CALLED HIM HE WAS ONLY ONE MAN, AND I BLESSED HIM AND MADE HIM MANY. THE LORD WILL SURELY COMFORT ZION AND WILL LOOK WITH COMPASSION ON ALL HER RUINS; HE WILL MAKE HER DESERTS LIKE EDEN, HER WASTELANDS LIKE THE GARDEN OF THE LORD. JOY AND GLADNESS WILL BE FOUND IN HER. THANKSGIVING AND THE SOUND OF SINGING. LISTEN TO ME MY PEOPLE; HEAR ME, MY NATION: INSTRUCTION WILL GO OUT FROM ME; MY JUSTICE WILL BECOME A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS. MY RIGHTEOUSNESS DRAWS NEAR SPEEDILY, MY SALVATION IS ON THE WAY, AND MY ARM WILL BRING JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS. THE ISLANDS WILL LOOK TO ME AND WAIT IN HOPE FOR MY ARM. LIFT UP YOUR EYES TO THE HEAVENS, LOOK AT THE EARTH BENEATH; THE HEAVENS WILL VANISH LIKE SMOKE, THE EARTH WILL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT AND ITS INHABITANTS DIE LIKE FLIES. BUT MY SALVATION WILL LAST FOREVER, MY RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NEVER FAIL. HERE ENDS OUR OLD TESTAMENT LESSON. OUR PSALM FOR THIS EVENING IS PSALM 90. WE WILL READ SELECTED VERSES [PSALM 90:1-4] AND SING VERSES BASED UPON THIS PSALM REMINDING US THAT THE LORD IS TRULY WITH US ALWAYS: M: LORD, YOU HAVE BEEN OUR DWELLING PLACE THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS. BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BORN OR YOU BROUGHT FORTH THE WHOLE WORLD, FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING YOU ARE GOD. YOU TURN PEOPLE BACK TO DUST, SAYING, "RETURN TO DUST, YOU MORTALS." A THOUSAND YEARS IN YOUR SIGHT ARE LIKE A DAY THAT HAS JUST GONE BY, OR LIKE A WATCH IN THE NIGHT. [MUSIC INTRO PLAYS] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [SINGING BEGINS] C: O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST, OUR HOPE FOR YEARS TO COME, OUR SHELTER FROM THE STORMY BLAST, AND OUR ETERNAL HOME. BEFORE THE HILLS IN ORDER STOOD OR EARTH RECEIVED HER FRAME, FROM EVERLASTING YOU ARE GOD, TO ENDLESS YEARS THE SAME. THY WORD COMMANDS OUR FLESH TO DUST: "RETURN, YOU SONS OF MEN!" ALL NATIONS ROSE FROM EARTH AT FIRST AND TURN TO EARTH AGAIN. A THOUSAND AGES IN YOUR SIGHT ARE LIKE AN EVENING GONE, SHORT AS THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RISING SUN. [PSALM 90:5-12] M: YET YOU SWEEP PEOPLE AWAY IN THE SLEEP OF DEATH -- THEY ARE LIKE THE NEW GRASS OF THE MORNING: IN THE MORNING IT SPRINGS UP NEW, BUT BY EVENING IT IS DRY AND WITHERED. WE ARE CONSUMED BY YOUR ANGER AND TERRIFIED BY YOUR INDIGNATION. YOU HAVE SET OUR INIQUITIES BEFORE YOU, OUR SECRET SINS IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR PRESENCE. ALL OUR DAYS PASS AWAY UNDER YOUR WRATH; WE FINISH OUR YEARS WITH A MOAN. OUR DAYS MAY COME TO SEVENTY YEARS, OR EIGHTY, IF OUR STRENGTH ENDURES; YET THE BEST OF THEM ARE BUT TROUBLE AND SORROW, FOR THEY QUICKLY PASS, AND WE FLY AWAY. IF ONLY WE KNEW THE POWER OF YOUR ANGER! YOUR WRATH IS AS GREAT AS THE FEAR THAT IS YOUR DUE. TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS, THAT WE MAY GAIN A HEART OF WISDOM. [MUSIC] C: [SINGING] TIME, LIKE AN EVER-ROLLING STREAM, SOON BEARS US ALL AWAY; WE FLY, FORGOTTEN, AS A DREAM DIES AT THE OP'NING DAY. LIKE FLOW'RY FIELDS THE NATIONS STAND, PLEASED WITH THE MORNING LIGHT; THE FLOW'RS BENEATH THE MOWERS HAND LIE WITH'RING ERE 'TIS NIGHT. O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST, OUR HOPE FOR YEARS TO COME, STILL BE OUR GUARD WHILE TROUBLES LAST AND OUR ETERNAL HOME! [PSALM 90:13-17] M: RELENT, LORD! HOW LONG WILL IT BE? HAVE COMPASSION ON YOUR SERVANTS. SATISFY US IN THE MORNING WITH YOUR UNFAILING LOVE, THAT WE MAY SING FOR JOY AND BE GLAD ALL OUR DAYS. MAKE US GLAD FOR AS MANY DAYS AS YOU HAVE AFFLICTED US, FOR AS MANY YEARS AS WE HAVE SEEN TROUBLE. MAY YOUR DEEDS BE SHOWN TO YOUR SERVANTS, YOUR SPLENDOR TO THEIR CHILDREN. MAY THE FAVOR OF THE LORD OUR GOD REST ON US; ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS FOR US - YES, ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS. [MUSIC] [CONGREGATION SINGING] UNDER THE SHADOW OF YOUR THRONE YOUR SAINTS, HAVE DWELT SECURE; SUFFICIENT IS YOUR ARM ALONE, AND OUR DEFENSE IS SURE. ALL GLORY TO THE FATHER BE, ALL GLORY TO THE SON, AND WITH THEM REIGNS ETERNALLY THE SPIRIT, THREE- IN-ONE. M: ALLELUIA. YOUR WORD IS A LAMP FOR MY FEET AND A LIGHT ON MY PATH. ALLELUIA. [PSALM 119:105] LET US RISE FOR THE READING OF THIS EVENING'S GOSPEL LESSON RECORDED FOR US IN LUKE'S GOSPEL WHERE WE READ FROM CHAPTER 13, BEGINNING WITH VERSE 6. IT IS HERE THAT JESUS REMINDS US IN THE FORM OF A PARABLE THAT WE, AS HIS CHILDREN, ARE TO BEAR FRUIT -- THE FRUIT WHICH HE IS LOOKING FOR. [LUKE 13:6-9] THEN HE TOLD THIS PARABLE: A MAN HAD A FIG TREE GROWING IN HIS VINEYARD, AND HE WENT TO LOOK FOR FRUIT ON IT BUT HE DID NOT FIND ANY. SO HE SAID TO THE MAN WHO TOOK CARE OF THE VINEYARD, 'FOR THREE YEARS NOW I'VE BEEN COMING TO LOOK FOR FRUIT ON THIS FIG TREE AND HAVEN'T FOUND ANY. CUT IT DOWN! WHY SHOULD IT USE UP THE SOIL?' " 'SIR,' THE MAN REPLIED, 'LEAVE IT ALONE FOR ONE MORE YEAR, AND I'LL DIG AROUND IT AND FERTILIZE IT. IF IT BEARS FRUIT NEXT YEAR, FINE! IF NOT, THEN CUT IT DOWN.' " HERE ENDS OUR GOSPEL LESSON. THE CONGREGATION MAY BE SEATED FOR OUR HYMN-OF-THE-DAY: HYMN 71. [PIANIST PLAYS INTRO TO "THE OLD YEAR NOW HAS PASSED AWAY". [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [CONGREGATION BEGINS SINGING HYMN 71, VERSE 1] THE OLD YEAR NOW HAS PASSED AWAY; WE THANK YOU, O OUR GOD, TODAY THAT YOU HAVE KEPT US THROUGH THE YEAR WHEN DANGER AND DISTRESS WERE NEAR. [VERSE 2] WE PRAY YOU, O ETERNAL SON, WHO WITH THE FATHER REIGNS AS ONE, TO GUARD AND RULE YOUR CHRISTENDOM THROUGH ALL THE AGES YET TO COME. [VERSE 3] TAKE NOT YOUR SAVING WORD AWAY, WHICH LIGHTS AND CHEERS OUR SOULS EACH DAY. ABIDE WITH US AND KEEP US FREE FROM ERROR AND HYPOCRISY. [VERSE 4] OH, HELP US TO FORSAKE ALL SIN, A NEW AND HOLIER LIFE BEGIN! FORGIVE THE OLD YEAR'S SINS, AND BLESS THE NEW YEAR WITH TRUE HAPPINESS. [VERSE 5] WHEREIN AS CHRISTIANS WE MAY LIVE OR DIE IN PEACE THAT YOU CAN GIVE, TO RISE AGAIN WHEN YOU WILL COME AND ENTER YOUR ETERNAL HOME. [VERSE 6] THERE SHALL WE THANK YOU AND ADORE WITH ALL THE ANGELS EVERMORE. LORD JESUS CHRIST, INCREASE OUR FAITH TO PRAISE YOUR NAME THROUGH LIFE AND DEATH. LET US RISE FOR THE READING OF THIS EVENING'S SERMON TEXT RECORDED FOR US BY THE APOSTLE PAUL IN HIS LETTER TO THE ROMANS, WHERE WE READ FROM CHAPTER 8, BEGINNING WITH VERSE 31: WHAT, THEN, SHALL WE SAY IN RESPONSE TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? HE WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL -- HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS? WHO WILL BRING ANY CHARGE AGAINST THOSE WHOM GOD HAS CHOSEN? IT IS GOD WHO JUSTIFIES. WHO THEN IS THE ONE WHO CONDEMNS? NO ONE. CHRIST JESUS WHO DIED -- MORE THAN THAT, WHO WAS RAISED TO LIFE -- IS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD AND IS ALSO INTERCEDING FOR US. WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? SHALL TROUBLE OR HARDSHIP OR PERSECUTION OR FAMINE OR NAKEDNESS OR DANGER OR SWORD? AS IT IS WRITTEN: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE FACE DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." NO, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US. FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. THIS IS THE WORD OF OUR LORD. LET US PRAY: GLORIOUS AND GRACIOUS GOD, MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF EACH OF OUR HEARTS BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT, OUR ONLY SOURCE OF HOPE AND COMFORT. AMEN. [SCRIPTURE VERSES TAKEN FROM THE HOLY BIBLE, NEEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, BY BIBLICA, INC.] DEAR FOLLOWERS OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST: IT ALWAYS INTERESTS ME IN THIS LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER HOW THE NEWS STATIONS START PUTTING TOGETHER THOSE YEAR IN REVIEW THINGS. REMINDING US OF ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THIS PAST YEAR. THOSE THINGS FALLING UPON THOSE CHRISTMAS LETTERS WE GET WHERE FAMILIES HAVE PUT THEIR YEAR IN REVIEW TOGETHER FOR ALL OF US TO GET CAUGHT UP ON THEIR ACTIVITIES. RATHER INTERESTING TO ME THAT THOSE CHRISTMAS LETTERS THAT WE GET, FOR THE MOST PART, SEEM TO BE RATHER POSITIVE. ONE OF THE BIG COMPLAINTS IS: THAT THEY'RE TOO POSITIVE! NOBODY'S LIFE COULD BE THAT GOOD. AND, OF COURSE, WE ALL REALIZE THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT A POSITIVE SPIN ON THE YEAR THAT WE HAD. I MEAN IF WE REALLY SAT DOWN AND WROTE A CHRISTMAS LETTER ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFICULTIES AND HARDSHIPS AND HORRIBLE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO US OVER THE YEAR: IS THAT WHAT WE WANT TO PUT OUT THERE? OF COURSE NOT! BUT YET WHEN WE COME TO THOSE YEARS IN REVIEW, IN THE NEWS ... THERE'RE VERY FEW THINGS THAT ARE POSITIVE THERE. THE MOMENTOUS DEATHS OF THE YEAR. THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED KIND OF STRUCK ME ODD THIS YEAR THAT I HAD TOTALLY FORGOTTEN, CALLED "THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE". I COULDN'T WAIT FOR THAT THING TO END. I WAS SICK AND I WAS TIRED OF IT AND IN JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT, AND IT COMPLETELY PUT IT OUT OF MY HEAD. LIKE IT NEVER EVEN HAPPENED. AND THEN SOMETIMES WE'RE REMINDED OF PEOPLE THAT WE TRULY LIKED. APPRECIATED THEIR WORK. SOMEBODY LIKE, MAYBE ROBIN WILLIAMS. AND WE'RE REMINDED HOW TRAGICALLY HIS LIFE ENDED THIS PAST YEAR. BUT THEN WE STOP AND THINK OF ALL OF THOSE OTHER PEOPLE WHO DIED THIS PAST YEAR. LIKE SPOUSES WHO HAD CHILDREN WHO HAD FAMILIES WHO HAD FRIENDS WHO MISS THEM TERRIBLY. AND YET WE DON'T THINK ABOUT THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THEM. OR CONNECTIONS TO THEM. YET HOW PERSONAL IT IS FOR US IN OUR OWN YEAR IN REVIEW THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO US. THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO US. THE THINGS THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES. THE EVENTS THAT HAVE TRULY SHAPED US IN THIS YEAR. IT CAN BE INTERESTING FOR US TO START THINKING BACK, AND EVEN A LITTLE SAD. A LITTLE MELANCHOLY. MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE. AND WHAT IT HOLDS. BUT WHAT DOES THE APOSTLE PAUL SAY TO US THIS EVENING? WHAT DO WE SAY IN RESPONSE TO ALL THESE THINGS? AND THE APOSTLE PAUL, IN HIS LETTER TO THE ROMANS, HAS FILLED THEM WITH CHAPTERS OF THINGS. LOGICAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE GOODNESS OF GOD, THE GRACE OF GOD; HOW GOD HAD SAVED THEM. HOW GOD HAD REACHED OUT TO HIS OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE. HOW GOD IN HIS LOVE HAD REACHED OUT TO THE GENTILES. THAT IT WAS GOD WHO HAD DONE ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL AND MARVELOUS THINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE ... CONSTANTLY THROUGH THE AGES. GUARDING THEM, GUIDING THEM, PROTECTING THEM. CARING FOR THEM. AND THEN PAUL COMES TO THE CHURCH AT ROME AND SAYS: WHAT IS GOING TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD? OF COURSE HE WANTS US ALL TO STAND UP AND SAY: NOTHING! NOTHING IS GOING TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. AND I THINK WE WANT TO AS WELL. WE WANT TO GET BEHIND THAT STATEMENT. WE REALLY DO. BUT WHAT HOLDS US BACK? WHAT KEEPS US FROM SCREAMING IN AFFIRMATION SO THAT THE LORD IS WITH US; THAT HIS LOVE IS WITH US. NOTHING IS GONNA SEPARATE US FROM HIM. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO HAS LOVED US. WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON FOR US. BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL. BUT WE KNOW HOW THOSE ENEMIES OF OUR FAITH COME AT US. HOW THE WORLD WEARS US DOWN. HOW WE GET TIRED OF COMBATING ALL OF THEIR ATTACKS ON OUR FAITH WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY TO US. AND SOMETIMES WE JUST KINDA SIT BACK AND WE GIVE UP. NOTHING'S GONNA SEPARATE US FROM THAT LOVE OF GOD THAT'S IN CHRIST JESUS THE LORD? CHRIST JESUS THE LORD. EXCEPT WHEN WE GET TIRED. WELL SOMETIMES GOD SENDS SOMETHING INTO OUR LIFE THAT IS NOT PLEASANT. MAYBE IT'S A SICKNESS. MAYBE IT'S A TRIAL. OR MAYBE IT'S A TEMPTATION. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE AT ODDS WITH GOD. WE WANT TO FIGHT WITH GOD. WE WANT TO ARGUE WITH GOD. WE WANT TO COME TO HIM AND TALK HIM OUT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHAT HE'S ALLOWING IN OUR LIFE TO SAY: LORD, YOU DON'T LOVE ME UNLESS YOU CHANGE THIS AROUND. I CAN'T HANDLE THIS. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT. YOU HAVE TO TAKE ME INTO CONSIDERATION. NOTHING WILL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS THE LORD? EXCEPT OUR VERY OWN MINDS AND OUR VERY OWN SELFISHNESS. AND HOW OFTEN DON'T WE LET SOMEONE ELSE AFFECT OUR FAITH-LIFE? OR THAT LITTLE SEED THAT GETS INTO OUR TOOTH? THAT POPCORN HULL THAT WE CAN'T GET OUT? AND THEY JUST ANNOY US AND ANNOY US AND ANNOY US AND IT FILLS OUR MIND AND WE THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. ABOUT THE HORRIBLE THING THAT THEY DID TO ME. THAT TERRIBLE THING THAT THEY DID TO ME. I DON'T WANNA SEE THEM ANYMORE. I DON'T WANNA TALK TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM AND I'M NOT GOING TO CHURCH IF THEY'RE THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE THE BIGGEST HYPOCRITE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH! NOTHING WILL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD? EVERY DAY WE FIGHT THAT STRUGGLE. AGAINST THE SIN THAT IS IN THE WORLD. AGAINST THE SIN THAT IS IN US. AGAINST SATAN WHO IS OUT TO DESTROY US AND TAKE US AS HIS OWN. TO CONSTANTLY FIGHT AND STRIVE TO BE ALIVE IN CHRIST. GOD IS NOT GOING TO LEAVE US. GOD IS NOT GOING TO FORSAKE US. WE WERE CERTAINLY REMINDED OF THAT THROUGH OUR OLD TESTAMENT LESSON. GOD SAID HE IS GOING TO COME AND COMFORT ZION. HE IS GOING TO COMFORT HIS PEOPLE. HE IS GOING TO COME BACK TO THOSE RUINS OF JERUSALEM AND BUILD THEM UP. PEOPLE DIE LEFT AND RIGHT IN THIS WORLD. BUT GOD'S SALVATION IS ETERNAL. HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS LASTS FOREVER. OUR PSALM THIS EVENING CLEARLY POINTS US ... OUT TO US ... THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING TO NUMBER OUR DAYS. EIGHTY YEARS. WHEN YOU'RE FIFTEEN YEARS OLD THAT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME AWAY. WHEN YOU'RE FIFTY ... NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE. AND WHEN YOU'RE SEVENTY-NINE, OR EIGHTY-FIVE? IT'S A WHOLE OTHER PERSPECTIVE. HOW QUICKLY TIME PASSES. AND I KNOW ... I'M IN THAT UPPER-AGE BRACKET NOW AND I FIND MYSELF THINKING: BOY, LAST YEAR WENT BY REALLY FAST! IT DOES! AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE. WE'RE ALL GONNA PASS AWAY FROM THIS WORLD. GOD SAYS: UNDERSTAND YOUR TIME. UNDERSTAND YOUR DAYS ... HOW PRECIOUS THEY ARE. HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE ... TO BE LIVED IN HIS LOVE AND LIVED IN HIS GRACE BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS WITH US. HE ALWAYS SUPPORTS US. HE HAS GIVEN HIS OWN SON TO BE OUR SAVIOR. HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THE THINGS THAT WE NEED? OF COURSE HE IS. BUT AS HIS CHILDREN, WE NEED TO LEARN TO TRUST HIM. TO TRUST THAT PROMISE. TO HOLD ONTO THAT PROMISE TO KNOW THAT HE IS THE ONE WHO SUPPLIES US WITH ALL OF OUR NEEDS, BOTH SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL EVERY DAY OF OUR LIFE. HIS LOVE FOR US IS ABUNDANT. AND WE KNOW THAT AND WE SEE THAT AND PAUL COMES BACK WITH WORDS TO REMIND US HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TREASURE THOSE WORDS. TO UNDERSTAND THAT LOVE OF GOD. TO REALIZE THAT IN THIS LIFE WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S LOVE WHEN HE CALLS US OUT OF THIS WORLD TO BE WITH HIM FOR ALL ETERNITY. WHERE HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE WITH US. THE APOSTLE PAUL SAYS TO US: WHAT IS GOING TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD? IS HARDSHIP GOING TO DO THAT? WOULD YOU REALLY ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN? IF GOD TESTED YOUR FAITH AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT IN 2015 FOR YOU TO LIVE. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? IS DANGER GOING TO SEPARATE YOU FROM THAT LOVE OF CHRIST? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? BECAUSE THINGS IN OUR LIFE BECOME DIFFICULT? OR DANGEROUS? SOME CRAZY PERSON WITH A GUN COMES INTO THE PLACE WHERE YOU WORK? OR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE JUST BLOWS UP! OR YOU'RE JUST ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENS. IS THAT GOING TO SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? WE GO THROUGH THOSE THINGS AND WE SEE THAT GOD IS NOT GOING TO LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US. BUT WE WANT TO TURN TO HIM WITH HEARTS THAT ARE TRUSTING. HEARTS THAT RELY ON HIS PROMISES WITH A FAITH THAT IS SURE, WITH A FAITH THAT IS STRONG, WITH A FAITH THAT IS ACTIVE IN CARRYING OUT GOD'S WILL. BEING THAT FIG TREE OF OUR GOSPEL LESSON THAT TRULY IS BEARING FRUIT. BUT NOT WAITING FOR NEXT YEAR TO DO SOMETHING. OR WAITING UNTIL I FEEL LIKE IT'S MY TURN TO DO SOMETHING. THAT MAN IN THE VINEYARD CAME TO THAT FIG TREE FOR THREE YEARS AND IT HADN'T DONE A THING. AND HE SAID: CUT IT DOWN. GET RID OF IT. WHY SHOULD IT BE USING UP THE SOIL? AND HOW OFTEN DON'T WE JUST SIT BACK AND THINK WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO WHAT GOD WANTS. I'M GONNA DO WHAT I WANT. I'M GONNA TAKE CARE OF ME. GOD TELLS US: LIVE YOUR LIFE OF FAITH. PUT THAT FAITH AND TRUST IN CHRIST INTO PRACTICE. BE FRUITFUL! SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR CHRIST. SHOW IT TO OTHERS. SHOW THEM WHAT IT MEANS TO SUFFER AS A CHILD OF GOD AND DO SO KNOWING AND RELYING AND TRUSTING IN YOUR LORD. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE EXTRA ... CLOTHES! SHARE WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE OTHERS ... THAT DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHING. REALIZE THE ABUNDANCE OF OUR LIFE. THAT GOD IS GOING TO BLESS US AND TAKE CARE OF US. REALIZE WE DON'T PUT OUR TRUST IN THE PRINCIPALITIES OF THIS WORLD, OR THE GOVERNMENTS THAT RISE UP FROM THE EARTH THAT ARE GONNA GO BACK INTO THE EARTH. BUT WE TRUST IN THE ONE WHO IS LORD OF ALL AND KING OF KINGS. BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT HE IS ALWAYS WITH US. HE IS FAITHFUL ... AND JUST. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US. AND WE LOOK AT THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY OF OUR LIFE ... AND REMIND OURSELVES TO TRUST HIM, TO LOVE HIM, TO WORK IN HIS SPIRIT. TO STAY AT HIS SIDE. TO LIVE WITH HIM. TO INVITE HIM INTO OUR LIVES TO BE THE LORD; TO BE THE ONE WHO GOVERNS OUR THOUGHTS, GOVERNS OUR ACTIONS. WHO GUIDES OUR LIFE WHO WALKS WITH US THROUGH THIS EARTHLY LIFE SO SO THAT WE MAY LIVE WITH HIM IN ALL ETERNITY. SO WHAT IS GONNA SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! OUR LORD IS WITH US ALWAYS; HIS LOVE IS ETERNAL. LET US TRUST AND TURN TO HIM EVERY DAY. AMEN. LET US RISE. NOW MAY THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH GOES BEYOND ALL OF OUR UNDERSTANDING KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS AND ESPECIALLY YOUR LIVES IN THE ONE TRUE FAITH UNTO LIFE EVERLASTING. AMEN. WE JOIN TOGETHER IN THE CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH USING THE WORDS OF THE NICENE CREED. C: WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, THE FATHER, THE ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, OF ALL THAT IS, SEEN AND UNSEEN. WE BELIEVE IN ONE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD, ETERNALLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER, GOD FROM GOD, LIGHT FROM LIGHT, TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD, BEGOTTEN, NOT MADE, OF ONE BEING WITH THE FATHER. THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE. FOR US AND FOR OUR SALVATION, HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, WAS INCARNATE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE VIRGIN MARY, AND BECAME FULLY HUMAN. FOR OUR SAKE HE WAS CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE. HE SUFFERED DEATH AND WAS BURIED. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES. HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER. HE WILL COME AGAIN IN GLORY TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, AND HIS KINGDOM WILL HAVE NO END. WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE, WHO PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON, WHO IN UNITY WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON IS WORSHIPED AND GLORIFIED, WHO HAS SPOKEN THROUGH THE PROPHETS. WE BELIEVE IN ONE HOLY CHRISTIAN AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH. WE ACKNOWLEDGE ONE BAPTISM FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. WE LOOK FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND THE LIFE OF THE WORLD TO COME. AMEN. THE CONGREGATION MAY BE SEATED FOR THIS EVENING'S OFFERING. [OFFERING PRAYER] M: GRACIOUS GOD, YOU YOU ARE THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD THINGS. C: AS WE BRING THESE GIFTS TO YOU, WE GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN US DURING THE PAST YEAR. M: BLESS THESE GIFTS, THAT THEY MAY BRING GLORY TO YOUR NAME AND MAY BUILD YOUR KINGDOM. C: THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN. M: GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH IN ALL GENERATIONS. STANDING ON THE DOORSTEP OF ANOTHER YEAR OF HIS GRACE, LET US THANK AND PRAISE HIM FOR ALL OF HIS BENEFITS TO US: FATHER, FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS IN ALL THE DAYS PAST, C: WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU! M: LORD, FOR YOUR STRENGTH FOR OUR DAILY LIVES AND FOR YOUR GUIDING HAND IN THE DAYS TO COME, C: WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU! M: FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE, FOR FOOD AND DRINK, FOR HOUSE AND HOME, FOR ALL THAT WE NEED TO SUPPORT THIS BODY AND LIFE, C: WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU! M: FOR YOUR HEALING HAND, LORD JESUS, UPON ALL THE SICK, LONELY AND DEPRESSED WE THANK YOU, AND WE ASK FOR THE STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT ONLY YOU CAN GIVE. C: LORD, IN YOUR MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYER. M: FOR THE BEAUTY OF YOUR CREATION; FOR THE GIFTS OF ART AND MUSIC TO ENRICH OUR WORSHIP, FOR THE FREEDOMS WE ENJOY TO WORSHIP AND SERVE YOU, C: WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU! M: HOLY SPIRIT, WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF FAITH GIVEN TO US, AND AS THE ONE WHO CREATES AND SUSTAINS ALL FAITH WE ASK YOU TO TOUCH THE HEARTS OF UNBELIEVERS THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED. C: TO THIS END, REVEAL TO US HOW WE MAY BE USED IN THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL. M: FOR THE BLESSINGS OF FORGIVENESS, LIFE AND SALVATION; FOR HAVING CALLED US TO FAITH AND RESTORED US TO YOUR FAMILY, C: WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU! M: LORD, WE ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON THIS NEW YEAR, THAT YOUR CHURCH MAY BE ENABLED TO PROCLAIM YOUR LOVE IN CHRIST WITH GREAT BOLDNESS. C: BLESS THE PASTORS AND TEACHERS AND ALL WORKERS OF THE CHURCH THAT THROUGH THEM OUR HEARTS MAY BE STRENGTHENED. M: FOR THE BLESSINGS OF HEALTH AND CONTENTMENT IN THE YEAR TO COME; FOR THE STRENGTH OF FAITH TO TRUST IN ALL OF YOUR PROMISES, LOVE, AND CARE FOR US, C: WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU! M: INTO YOUR HANDS, O LORD, WE COMMEND ALL FOR WHOM WE PRAY, C: TRUSTING IN YOUR MERCY; THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN. [SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR] M: THE LORD BE WITH YOU. C: AND ALSO WITH YOU. M: LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS. C: WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD. M: LET US GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD OUR GOD. C: IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE. M: IT IS TRULY GOOD AND RIGHT FOR YOUR PEOPLE GATHERED IN YOUR NAME, O LORD, TO PROCLAIM YOUR PRAISES TO THE WORLD AND TO SEEK YOUR BLESSINGS ON A NEW YEAR. WE ESPECIALLY BLESS YOU FOR THE LOVE YOU HAVE SHOWN US IN YOUR SON, OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, WHO THIS DAY WITH SIMPLE BREAD AND WINE GIVES TO US GIVES TO US HIS BODY AND BLOOD. GRANT THAT EACH OF US WHO RECEIVES THIS GIFT MAY KNOW WITH CERTAINTY THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. WE LIFT OUR VOICES WITH THOSE OF THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN AND THE SAINTS WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE, SINGING: [MUSIC] [HOLY, HOLY, HOLY] TO GOD THE HOLY THREE-IN-ONE OUR PRAISES BRING, OUR THANKS BE SUNG: O HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD --- BY HEAV'N AND EARTH IN ONE ACCORD. O BLEST IS HE WHO IN GOD'S NAME FOR OUR SALVATION, LIFE ONCE CAME. HOSANNA, PRAISE TO HIM BE GIV'N ON EARTH AND IN THE HIGHEST HEAV'N. [THE LORD'S PRAYER] WE JOIN TOGETHER IN THE PRAYER OUR SAVIOR TAUGHT US: OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME, YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD. FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. FOR THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY ARE YOURS NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN. [WORDS OF INSTITUTION] OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ON THE SAME NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES SAYING: TAKE AND EAT. THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. IN THE SAME WAY ALSO HE TOOK THE CUP AFTER SUPPER AND AFTER HE HAD BLESSED IT, HE GAVE IT TO THEM SAYING: DRINK FROM IT ALL OF YOU. THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT OF MY BLOOD WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. [LAMB OF GOD] [MUSIC] O CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD WE PRAY TO TAKE OUR SIN AND GUILT AWAY. YOU DIED, YOU ROSE THAT WE MIGHT LIVE --- O LAMB OF GOD, OUR SIN FORGIVE. O CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD, WE PRAY TO TAKE OUR SIN AND GUILT AWAY. YOUR LIFE, YOUR PEACE, TO US NOW GIVE THAT WE WITH YOU IN JOY MIGHT LIVE. [DISTRIBUTION] THE CONGREGATION MAY BE SEATED FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. ...FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF ALL OF YOUR SINS. TAKE AND DRINK. THIS IS THE TRUE BLOOD OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST SHED FOR YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SINS. NOW MAY THE TRUE BODY AND TRUE BLOOD SANCTIFY AND KEEP YOU IN THE ONE TRUE FAITH UNTO LIFE EVERLASTING. GO IN THE JOY AND KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL OF YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN. DEPART IN PEACE. AMEN. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] WE JOIN TOGETHER IN THE SONG OF SIMEON PRINTED IN YOUR SERVICE FOLDERS. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] IN PEACE, LORD, LET YOUR SERVANT GO, YOUR PROMISED WORD FULFILLED, AGLOW, FOR I HAVE SEEN YOUR LOVE AND GRACE AND GLORY FLOW TO ALL OUR RACE. O CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR AND OUR LIGHT, TO SHAME FOREVER IN SIN'S NIGHT. TO YOU OUR THANKS AND PRAISE BE SUNG, O FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT ONE. [POST-COMMUNION PRAYER] M: WE THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER FOR THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS AND FOR THE LIFE WHICH YOU HAVE GRANTED TO US IN THE BODY AND BLOOD OF YOUR SON, JESUS. AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR CONTINUED BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE, FOR YOU HAVE GRANTED TO US ETERNAL LIFE. STRENGTHEN US IN OUR FAITH THAT WE MAY TRUST YOUR GUIDING HAND IN THE DAYS TO COME, EVEN AS YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND LOVE TO US IN THE DAYS PAST. WE THANK AND PRAISE YOU IN AND THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. C: AMEN. [BENEDICTION] RECEIVE THE BLESSING AND BENEDICTION OF OUR LORD. M: THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE ON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU. THE LORD LOOK ON YOU WITH HIS FAVOR AND GIVE YOU PEACE. C: AMEN. WE JOIN TOGETHER IN OUR CLOSING HYMN. [HYMN 70 "HELP US, O LORD, FOR NOW WE ENTER"] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] HELP US, O LORD, FOR NOW WE ENTER UPON ANOTHER YEAR TODAY. IN YOU OUR HOPES AND THOUGHTS NOW CENTER; RENEW OUR COURAGE FOR THE WAY. NEW LIFE, NEW STRENGTH, NEW HAPPINESS WE ASK OF YOU -- O HEAR AND BLESS. MAY EV'RY PLAN AND UNDERTAKING BEGIN THIS YEAR, O LORD, WITH YOU; WHEN I AM SLEEPING OR AM WAKING, HELP ME, DEAR LORD, YOUR WILL TO DO. IN YOU ALONE, MY GOD, I LIVE; YOU ONLY CAN MY SINS FORGIVE. AND MAY THIS YEAR TO ME BE HOLY; YOUR GRACE SO FILL MY EV'RY THOUGHT THAT ALL MY LIFE BE PURE AND LOWLY AND TRUTHFUL, AS A CHRISTIAN OUGHT. SO MAKE ME WHILE I'M LIVING HERE YOUR FAITHFUL SERVANT THROUGH THE YEAR. JESUS, BE WITH ME AND DIRECT ME; JESUS, MY PLANS AND HOPES INSPIRE; JESUS, FROM TEMPTING THOUGHTS PROTECT ME; JESUS, BE ALL MY HEART'S DESIRE; JESUS, BE IN MY THOUGHTS ALL DAY AND NEVER LET ME FALL AWAY. AND GRANT, LORD, WHEN THE YEAR IS OVER, THAT IT FOR ME IN PEACE MAY CLOSE. IN ALL THINGS CARE FOR ME AND COVER MY HEAD IN TIME OF FEAR AND WOES. SO MAY I, WHEN MY LIFE IS DONE, APPEAR WITH JOY BEFORE YOUR THRONE. AMEN.