15870 46th Avenue N, Plymouth | (763) 559-0579 Email: office@AscensionPlymouth.com Website: www.AscensionPlymouth.com A member of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

Brian Roloff, Pastor | pastorroloff@AscensionPlymouth.com

Welcome! We are glad that you have joined us for worship today.

Brian Roloff, Pastor | pastorroloff@AscensionPlymouth.com Susan Decker, Music Director

Tammy Melott, Preschool Director/Teacher Jennifer Tripp, Teacher

January 26, 2020

We are pleased you could join us. May your worship with us draw you closer to God and equip you for a life of even more dynamic Christian discipleship. There is a visitor/worshiper welcome card in the pew rack or under your chair. Please take a moment to fill it out, then drop it in the basket at the time of the offerings. We welcome your comments. If you need assistance during the service, please speak to one of the ushers.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

(P:=Pastor, L:=Choir, C:=Congregation, ♫:=Congregation sings) (All hymns used by permission. CCLI License #440614.)

All scripture quotations are taken from the NIV and are used by permission.

WORSHIP THEME: Jesus appears as the light in the darkness

OPENING HYMN: # 343 Christ is the World’s Light

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Please stand

CALL TO WORSHIP

P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. PSALM OF REPENTANCE: Psalm 32:1-5

P: Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,

C: whose sins are covered.

P: Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him

C: and in whose spirit is no deceit.

P: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

C: through my groaning all day long.

P: For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

C: my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

P: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover my iniquity.

C: I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" — and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

CONFESSION OF SINS AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESS

P: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us approach the Lord with sincere hearts and confess our sins to God our Father, that He might, for the sake of Jesus Christ, grant us forgiveness.

C: Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, we poor sinners confess to you that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against you by thought, word, and deed. Therefore we come to you, seeking your mercy and imploring your grace, for the sake of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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SONG OF CONFESSION: # 397 Just as I am (vs. 1)

♫: Just as I am, without one plea But that thy blood was shed for me And that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God I come, I come.

P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given His only-begotten Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all.

SONG OF PRAISE: Here I am to Worship (Congregation joins on the refrain)

Refrain:

Light of the World, You stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes, let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore You, hope of a life spent with You.

Refrain

King of all days, oh so highly exalted, glorious in heaven above. Humbly You came to the earth You created, all for love’s sake became poor. You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.

Refrain

And I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. And I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.

Refrain

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we too may walk in Christ’s grace and proclaim his truth, who reigns with you and the Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Please be seated THE WORD

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 9:1-4

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

SUNG RESPONSE: Awaken Me to Pray (Choir)

Awaken me to pray, O my Father, When the night is long, O my Lord. Hear my earnest plea, God, remember me - Awaken me to pray, O my Lord.

Awaken me to pray, O my Father, When I leave your side, O my Lord. When my footsteps roam, Bring me safely home. Awaken me to pray, O my Lord.

Awaken me to pray, O my Father, Awaken me to pray, O my Lord.

Awaken me to pray, O my Father, When the trials come, O my Lord. Give me strength to stand, Hold me by the hand. Awaken me to pray, O my Lord.

Awaken me to pray, O my Father, Awaken me to pray, O my Lord. Awaken me to pray, O my Lord. Awaken me to pray, O my Lord.

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SECOND LESSON: Matthew 4:12-17

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” THE APOSTLES' CREED (all say)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS

We invite the children ages 3 through 3rd grade to come forward for a message from God’s Word just for them. HYMN: # 90 The People that in Darkness Sat (v. 1-3)

Please stand for the reading of the text SERMON THEME: GOD IS LIGHT

I. We want and need to share in his light

II. His light is a problem for us

III. God’s truth reveals the three deceptions proposed by the sinful nature:

1.) If we say, “We can enjoy light and darkness at the same time!” Then…

2.) If we say, “Sin is an illusion!” Then…

3.) If we say, “We have not sinned!” Then…

TEXT: 1 John 1:5-10 (New American Standard Bible)

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are de-ceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. After the sermon please stand and sing ♫: (Hymn #324:1-2) Almighty God, your Word is cast Let not the foe of Christ and man Like seed into the ground; This holy seed remove, Now let the dew of heav’n descend But give it root in ev’ry heart And righteous fruits abound. To bring forth fruits of love. Please be seated

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CONNECTION CLIPBOARDS

At this time we ask everyone to take a moment and fill out the info on the connection clipboards, located under the aisle-side chair of each row. Please fill out and pass it down to your neighbor. THE OFFERING

Dear guests, please don’t feel obligated to take part in our offering. We’re glad you’re here to listen to the message about Jesus.

If members or guests would like to give an offering electronically, they can do so by going to ascensionplymouth.com and click on the GIVE tab on your right hand side or go to https://secure.subsplash.com/ui/access/ZJJGFB/. After the offering please stand and sing:

: (Hymn #485:1 & 2) We give thee but thine own, May we thy bounties thus Whate’er the gift may be; As stewards true receive All that we have is thine alone, And gladly, as thou blessest us, A trust, O Lord, from thee. To thee our first-fruits give. THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: As those who live in the light of Christ and have been enlightened by the radiance of his Word we pray to the Lord:

That the light of Christ may continue to shine among us and through us by the joyful proclamation of the Gospel, and that his light may shine where the darkness of unbelief still holds people captive to sin and death.

That the Christian Church may enjoy unity of doctrine and a spirit of harmony in the work that God has given us to do, and that the Lord may advance his kingdom by supplying us with faithful pastors and church workers.

That our congregation may be strengthened by the preaching of the Gospel and the

faithful administration of the Holy Sacraments, and that God may bless those who hear and bring back those who have strayed.

That every Christian may learn God’s Word and then share what they have learned with their family and children, with their acquaintances and all who are within their care.

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That the nations may enjoy peace; that we may know the gift of good and faithful leaders in our land; and that justice may be served in every place, for the good of every people and for the protection of the weak.

That the Lord may give healing, comfort and peace to the sick, to the troubled in mind, to the lonely, the grieving, and the dying. And that they may know the comfort of his presence and be sustained in every sadness and affliction.

Everlasting Father, this last week was the 47th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in our country. We thank you for leading us to realize that you are the source of all life, and every good gift comes from you. Help us to honor and defend your gift of life, from conception to its natural end. Help us to guard those most in danger and to resist the forces that would cheapen life or rob it of the dignity you have placed upon it by giving your only Son to redeem us, lost and condemned sinners.

Hear all that we ask, O gracious Lord, on behalf of him who gave his life for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior.

C: Amen. LORD'S PRAYER (all pray)

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. BLESSING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: Amen. Please be seated CLOSING HYMN: # 85 O God from God, O Light from Light (printed on pg. 9)

O God from God, O Light from Light

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THANKS TO THOSE WHO SERVED:

Organist: Susan Decker

Soloists: Kay Morrissey & Mitch Tellers

Choir

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