Living together in God’s amazing grace,

we invite all people to know Christ,

grow in Christ, and make Christ known.

January 5, 2020

WELCOME

The flowers at the altar are in memory of Robert L. Peters from Dave

and Cindy Peters and Esther Peters.

The flowers at the piano are in memory of Missy Elliott from her

family.

Hospitalized this Week: Marilyn Schaefer, Janette Hesse, Jordan

Showalter, David Spake, and Gaylord Hinderaker

Our Deepest Sympathy to Janet Nieman and her family as they

mourn the death of her sister-in-law, Betty Diekmann; to Marc and Deb

Rhoades, Kim and Mary Rhoades, and Dan and Linda Rhoades and

their families as they mourn the death of Alice Rhoades; to Paul

Creeden and his family as they mourn the death of his sister, Mary Ann

(Creeden) Portis; to Duane Aschbrenner as he mourns the death of his

sister; and to Hope and Howard Aldrich and their family as they grieve

the death of Hope's sister, Camille Jungling.

The Nazareth Membership Directory will be updated in early 2020. If

your contact information (address, phone numbers, email) has

changed, please contact Lori Fegley at 319-266-7589

or lori.fegley@naz.org. All changes must be submitted by Friday,

January 31st.

Please contact the church office at 319-266-7589 to let us know

about illnesses, hospitalizations, births or deaths so that our visitation

team can come for a visit and/or to pray for you/with you.

Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church 7401 University Avenue Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 319.266.7589

Sunday Worship Services 9:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Pastor Brian King Senior Pastor brian.king@naz.org

Pastor Denny Hanson Associate Pastor dennis.hanson@naz.org

Pastor Bob Ericson Visitation/Teaching Pastor bob.ericson@naz.org

TODAY AT NAZARETH

Who is Nazareth? Our Mission Statement Living together in God's amazing grace, we invite all people to know Christ, grow in Christ, and make Christ known.

Our Vision Getting our hands dirty for the cause of Christ.

Our Values Holy Discontent - Righting What's Wrong

Responsiveness - Action, Not Apathy

Relationships - We Are Better Together

Leading Beyond Our Walls - Around the Corner, Around the World

Our Congregational Intention To prepare every person to become a fully committed follower of Christ.

To make the love of God real for people.

To excel in our stewardship of God’s gifts and resources.

Office Hours 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. to Noon Friday

Prayer Chain Call the church office to have your concern placed on the Prayer Chain.

Connect with Nazareth! www.naz.org facebook.com/MyNazareth twitter.com/mynazchurch instagram.com/mynazchurch Be Invitational! Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to worship with us at Nazareth.

Thank you for being here today! Whether you’re joining us from

across town, from out of state or beyond...we are so glad you are

here! There are no perfect people here. We are a people and place

of grace. Whether you’re single, married, divorced, with or without

children, a student or retiree – no matter where you’ve been or what

you’ve done – we invite you to experience the transforming power,

presence, and peace of God here.

New to Naz? We want to connect with you! Please fill out the YELLOW

CONNECTION CARD found in the pew and drop it into the offering

plate or bring it to the Welcome Desk - where you can pick up a

visitor’s packet and a special gift. It is a blessing to have you here!

January 5, 2020

In the Neighborhood

WORSHIP SERMON NOTES SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

In The Neighborhood

Ephesians 1:3-14 and John 1:10-18

Re-read John 1:10-18. We live in a culture where Christmas has

become for so many a day on the calendar that 'comes and goes',

rather than good news of God sending us a redeemer that changes

the course of lives. What does the Gospel writer, John, reveal about

the impact the coming of Jesus makes through his images of 'light' and

'life' that is good news for those who will hear and understand?

Re-read Ephesians 1:3-14. Both the gospel writer, John, and the

Apostle Paul describe God's work in sending us Jesus as God's plan

to 'make us children of God'. What does being made 'children of God,

not born of the flesh but born of God' mean to you?

Read It! In the next seven Sundays, the focus of our worship will be

on how God is opening our eyes through the Holy Spirit to 'see' (be

enlightened) as to who Jesus is for us and the world. In your daily

devotions this next, week read and reflect on the upcoming Gospel

readings, praying God open your eyes to the wonder of Jesus:

Matthew 13:13-17

John 1:29-42

Matthew 4:12-23

Matthew 5:1-12

Matthew 5:13-20

Matthew 5:21-37

Matthew 17:1-9

Watch It! Consider watching A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood.

“Plugged In” - a website that reviews movies, videos, music, TV and

games from a Christian perspective – explains: “Our entertainment

landscape is filled with fun stories, powerful stories, even inspirational

stories. Many a movie will make you laugh or cry or think. But very few

make you want to be a better person. And that’s what makes A

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood a pretty beautiful movie.”

Live It! Jesus was sent into our neighborhood to connect us to God

and change our lives. As Jesus lives and shines in us, we are called

to be 'his lights' that shine into the lives of those who are around us.

To whom this next week can you be a light of encouragement and

hope?

Sermon - In The Neighborhood

- Pastor Dennis Hanson

Today’s Texts - Ephesians 1:3-14 and John 1:10-18

9:00 a.m.

Prelude - Hymn Requests

Gathering Hymn - Word of God, Come Down on Earth - #510 (red)

Children’s Song - Go, My Children, With My Blessing

Offering - Love Has Come - #292 (red)

Communion - Bright and Glorious Is the Sky - #301 (red)

- As with Gladness Men of Old - #302 (red)

Postlude - Glory to God (Pergolisi)

10:45 a.m.

Opening Worship - Glory To God Forever

- Great Are You Lord

Offering - Here I Am To Worship

Communion - Come As You Are

Prayer of the Day

O God our redeemer, you created light that we might live, and you illumine our world with your beloved Son. By your Spirit, comfort us in all darkness, and turn us toward the light of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Nathaniel Parrish, Director of Music and Worship Arts

Steven Heerts, Worship and Technology Coordinator

Eloise Nelson, Reader (9:00)

Emma Cryer, Reader (10:45)

Thank you to all Nazareth volunteers for your faithful service!

January 5, 2020