VIDEO: Sunday, January 4, 2025 - Complete Service

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Audio: Readings & Sermon for Sunday, January 4, 2026

View the bulletin for Sunday, January 4, 2026
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
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Old Testament Reading -- 1 Kings 3:4–15 
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. 

Epistle Reading – Ephesians 1:3–14 
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the second chapter
The child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. 

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

The Pittsburgh Lutheran Chorus presents 
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. 

Zion Ev. Lutheran Church 
237-37th Street ~ Lawrenceville 15201 
Fundraiser Spaghetti Dinner … Freewill Offering 
Find with GOOGLE MAPS

Bulletin: Sunday, January 4, 2026 + This Week at Zion

View the bulletin for Sunday, January 4, 2026
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THIS WEEK AT ZION

Saturday, January 3
No Events Scheduled

Sunday, January 4
The Second Sunday after Christmas
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Monday, January 5
6:00 p.m. - 1st Year Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m. - 2nd Year Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m. - Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, January 6
6:15 p.m. - Bell Choir
7:15 p.m. - Adult Choir

Wednesday, January 7
2:00 p.m. - Afternoon Worship Service
Reminder, we’re back to a single, afternoon service - no evening service
(Service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday, January 8
6:00 p.m. - Event’s Committee Meeting
7:00 p.m. - Elder’s Meeting

Friday, January 9
No Events Scheduled

Saturday, January 10
10:00 a.m. - Christmas Decoration Take-Down - Sign-up sheet in the Narthex

Sunday, January 11
The Third Sunday after Christmas
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

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January 2026 (and December 2025) Newsletter

January 2026 (and December 2025) Newsletter - complete with minor revision to the service participants page
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Happy New Year from Zion Lutheran Church

PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR AND THE ONE JUST PAST
Lord God, we praise You for sending Your Son in our flesh to fulfill the Law on our behalf. We thank You that although we sin much, He is our righteousness and peace. Thank You for the countless blessings You have given this past year — for the whole of our lives, our well-being and that You do not withhold from us Your saving Word. Teach us to number our days so that the blessings and distractions of this life never turn our hearts from You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Eternal God, You have been our dwelling place in every generation, but our years pass quickly. As this year draws to a close, prepare our hearts for Your Son’s return. Forgive the sins of this past year — those we know and those unknown to us. Heal any division in our families, friendships and in this church, and keep us faithful to Christ our Lord in the coming year, repentant of our sins and confident in His mercy and truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, calm the hearts of those who look to the future with foreboding or fear, rather than with confidence and hope. For all who face illness, pain and suffering, and those to whom death draws near, give the peace that only You can give. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, bless this land in the new year. Give us honest work, effective education and leaders of good character. Save us from violence and discord, bringing a common purpose and harmony where there is division. As we elect new officials in the coming year, guide us to make wise decisions and establish policies and laws that serve the common good. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by Your incarnation You joined divinity to humanity and humanity to divinity. Keep far from us all doubts about You, knowing that as the God-Man You have won our salvation. Give us faith in Your promises, and make us worthy, through simple faith, to eat and drink Your body and blood for our forgiveness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Tournament of Roses Parade: January 1, 2026 from 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Watch the Video

In Irwindale, Gayle Anderson previewed the 2026 Rose Parade Floats under construction at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale. You can call the folks at Phoenix Decorating Company, “The First Family of Floats!”, the Lofthouse Family, husband and wife, and now their adult children, have been building, designing, and decorating award winning Rose Parade floats since 1985. We got an early look at what they are producing for Lutheran Hour Ministries, Shriners Childrens’, and the City of Alhambra. Gayle Anderson reports for the KTLA 5 Morning News Dec. 11, 2025.