Simeon and Anna react with joy when Jesus is brought to the temple.  This is what they’ve been waiting and watching for over the years.  What are we looking to find as we enter  a new year?

Special worship schedule this week:  One service on January 1st at 10:00 a.m.

Devotions for this week:  Simeon and Anna                                                  January 1, 2017

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:

Sunday: Simeon and Anna, Luke 2:21-38

Monday: Purification of a Woman after Childbirth, Leviticus 12:1-8

Tuesday: The Law Concerning Dedication of Firstborns, Exodus 13:1-16

Wednesday: Levites Become Substitutes for Firstborns, Numbers 3:40-51

Thursday: God’s Servant, Isaiah 42:1-9

Friday: The Boy Jesus Is Found in the Temple, Luke 2:39-52

Saturday: Laws Concerning Festivals, Exodus 23:10-17

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

 Simeon took [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace   Luke 2:28

Two long suffering servants, Simeon and Anna, are about to have the moment for which they have spent their lives waiting.  If we pay attention, we might recognize Jesus in unexpected places in the new year.

• What kinds of rites and rituals are tied to infants in Jesus’ day?
• Where do you see Jesus in the world? Where would you like to see Jesus in the world?
• What’s the meaning of your name? How does your name, title, or identity shape how behave in the world? How does it shape how people treat you? How can you honor your family name? How can your name honor you?

PRAY: O Lord, sometimes we encounter you in unexpected places. May we meet you with joy and honor you in our speaking and acting. In your holy name we pray, Amen.

BLESS:  May God bless you with wisdom to share with future generations. Amen.

Christmas Eve Candlelight worship –

5:00 p.m.  Family Service

8:00 p.m. Traditional Worship with Holy Communio

Christmas Day worship with Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.
 
The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation – all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.
 
For these reasons, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mt. Horeb will offer a special “Longest Night” service on December 21^st  at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel.

Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle  – and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.

Come and share in the joy of our young people as they re-tell the Christmas story at ELC this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.!

As the day draws near, two women, Mary and Elizabeth, share a common bond and a mutual experience of God’s miracles on earth.  But Jesus’ presence will be a challenge to the world’s ways.  Are we ready to celebrate God’s presence in our lives?

Worship this week:

Saturday – 5:00 p.m.  Modified traditional worship with Holy Communion

Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional worship with Holy Communion

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m.  Sunday School Christmas Program

Devotions for this week:

Jesus’ Birth Announced                                               December 17-18, 2016

SHARE:   What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?

READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:

Sunday: Jesus’ Birth Announced, Luke 1:26-45 [46-56]

Monday: Introduction to Luke, Luke 1:1-4

Tuesday: An Angel Tells Zechariah of John’s Birth, Luke 1:5-25

Wednesday: Mary’s Song, Luke 1:46-56

Thursday: Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-66

Friday: Prophecy of Zechariah, Luke 1:67-80

Saturday, Birth of Jesus (Christmas Eve), Luke 2:1-14, [15-20]

TALK:  Consider some of these ideas:

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1:46-49

What to do now? Here is Mary, unmarried, now pregnant, but with the Son of God? There’s nothing else to do but take refuge at her cousin’s, where two women share a common bond and a mutual experience of God’s miracles on earth.  Then Mary spoke on behalf of a nation united in its anticipation of something better.

• How will Jesus’ arrival change the course of human history?
• When have you had to wait for someone or something that had the potential to change your life? What did you do to prepare for its arrival?
• What can you do to help mothers-to-be prepare for the arrival of their babies? How can your community of faith support them as they raise their children?

PRAY: Nothing is impossible with you, O Lord. Gladden our hearts with your promises, and do not let us keep silent about all you have done for us. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

 BLESS:  May God bless whatever you are anticipating in your life. Amen.