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Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
January 11, 2026
Pastor Leonard Bolick
Kim Ledford, Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to our service today! May God richly bless you as you worship here. If you are visiting for the first time this morning, we ask that you please sign the guest register found in the narthex.

Gathering music
P: Welcome and announcements
Musical Prelude “people, look east” krug
(Remain seated during prelude)
GATHERING: We have been gathered by the Holy Spirit.
*(As the music begins, we are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)
*Gathering song “as with gladness men of old”
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*greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
P: *confession and forgiveness
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, X one God,
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty Savior,
Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Trusting in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness,
let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Reconciling God,
we yearn for your presence to transform
our grief, pain, and despair.
We confess that we have not always prepared
room in our hearts for your love;
we have not always recognized
your presence among us;
we have not always embraced your message of peace.
We cry out, weary with the burden of violence,
oppression, and fear.

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*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

We confess our failure to make room
for those seeking refuge;
our participation in violent systems
that harm your innocent ones;
our reluctance to embody your good news.
Be born in us today
and teach us to sing the joyful song of your salvation.
Amen.
God’s grace upon grace flows over you.
X Christ’s presence redeems the whole creation.
Your sins are forgiven. Let the earth rejoice and be glad!
Amen.

P: *Kyrie

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CANTICLE OF PRAISE

Assisting Minister

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*PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray….

(The congregation may be seated.)

Children’s message

Word: God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

First Reading Isaiah 60: 1-6
Jerusalem is assured that nations will make a pilgrimage to her because the light of God’s presence is in her midst. The bountiful food of the sea and the profits of international trade will come streaming to Jerusalem and thereby declare God’s praise.
A reading from the sixtieth chapter of Isaiah
1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together; they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

second reading ephesians 3: 1-12
What had been hidden from previous generations is now made known through the gospel ministry of Paul and others. In Christ both Jews and Gentiles participate in the richness of God’s promised salvation.
A reading from the third chapter of Ephesians
1 This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you gentiles, 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Assisting Minister: Psalm 72 1-7; 10-14
(sung 2 x 2; cantor 2, congregation 2)
1 Give the king your jus- | tice, O God, and your righteousness to | the king’s son; 2 that he may rule your | people righteously and the | poor with justice; 3 that the mountains may bring prosperity | to the people, and the | hills, in righteousness. 4 Let him defend the needy a- | mong the people, rescue the poor, and crush | the oppressor. 5 May he live as long as the sun and | moon endure, from one generation | to another. 6 Let him come down like rain upon | the mown field, like showers that wa- | ter the earth. 7 In his time may the | righteous flourish; and let there be an abundance of peace till the moon shall | be no more. 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the | isles pay tribute, and the kings of Sheba and Seba | offer gifts. 11 May all kings bow | down before him, and all the nations | do him service. 12 For the king delivers the poor who cry out | in distress, the oppressed, and those who | have no helper. 13 He has compassion on the low- | ly and poor, and preserves the lives | of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he re- | deems their lives, and precious is their blood | in his sight.

P* Gospel Acclamation

P: *Holy Gospel matthew 2: 1-12
God’s promise shines bright in the night as magi follow a star to honor a new king. Strangers from a faraway land, they welcome the long-awaited messiah of Israel.
The Holy Gospel according to the second chapter of St. Matthew
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had

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stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Praise to you, O Christ. (The assembly is seated.)

Sermon pastor leonard bolick

*hymn of the day “we three kings ”

P: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
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 into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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. Amen.

Installation of 2026 Council Members

Prayers of Intercession
(Assisting Minister: Empowered by the news of Christ’s birth, let us pray boldly for the church, creation, and all who are in need.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
Repairer of the breach, you separate us from our sin and unite us with one another. Heal the animosity in our hearts, and bind us together in love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

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Author of life, you sent your spirit over the waters, your breath into your children, and guiding stars across the sky. Awaken us to the plight of the planet and send us to care for your creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Light that leads the way, you make yourself known to the nations. Illuminate just paths and guide leaders in the church and the world in your holy will. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Voice of the silenced, you cast the mighty from their thrones and fill the hungry with good things. Grant those in need the courage to demand equality and those with abundance the wisdom to share. Respond to any who call out in need this day. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Proclaimer of promises, you raise up prophets and messengers in the places we least expect. Equip us to listen well to those who bring both good news and painful truths. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Redeemer of the saints, you gift us with many people throughout our lives who point the way to you. We give you thanks for the recently departed and all who have loved us. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
P: Are there any other prayer requests?
P: With the joy of Christ’s birth in our hearts, we commend our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your boundless mercy and eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

Blessing of the chalk

*Sharing of the Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Offering/noisy offering (You may remain seated.)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful response for all God’s gifts.)
Offertory “the kings”

*Lord's Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Sending: (God blesses us and sends us with gifts of grace in mission to the world.)

P: blessing
The triune God,
glorious Mystery,
holy Incarnate One,
abiding Comforter,
X bless you with endless grace, peace, and joy. Amen.

*sending song “brightest and best of the stars”
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*Dismissal-assisting minister
Glory to God in the highest!
And peace to God’s people on earth!
Go in joy. Embody God’s redeeming grace.
Thanks be to God.

Postlude “we three kings” young

The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Judy Parker by Jim & Kim Ledford

The sanctuary lamp is given to the Glory of God and in memory of Walter Brock, Iona Mae, & Frederick Griffin by Jance Griffin

Many thanks to the following the following outgoing council members who have served PLC for the past three years: Mary Catherine Belk, Mike Fox, Leah Isley, and Marc Woodie. We appreciate those who will continue to serve: Art Chaffee, Malindan clay, and and Amanda Pritchard and those newly installed today for three year terms: David Hartmann, Katie Hamann, and Jim Ledford.

WELCA is collecting paper products and cleaning supplies for the kitchen. There is a list on the cart in the narthex and in the January newsletter. The congregation is invited to participate in this project. You may place your donations in the cart in the narthex.

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship
Church Council Meeting (After worship service)
11:30 a.m. WELCA Christmas Party
Chord B Restaurant Granite Falls
Monday 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 8:00 p.m. A.A.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

Sunday Servants January 4th
Assisting Minister...........................................................................................Leah Isley
Lay Reader…………………………….....................…….............................Leah Isley
Ushers ………………...................................................................Dale & Stacie Myers
Greeter............................................................................................................Lou Perry
Acolyte………………..…………...............................................................Kelly Taylor
Crucifer.............................................................................................Amanda Pritchard
Tabulators………………...............................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Altar Guild……..............………...........................................Leah Isley & Dot Fairchild
Presenters.....................................................................................Dale & Stacie Myers
Children’s Message..............................................................,.................Katie Hamann

O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Amen.

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