First Sunday after Christmas
December 28, 2025
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 63:7–14; Psalm 111:1–10; Galatians 4:4–7; Matthew 2:13–23
Sermon: God’s Unfailing Grace
Join us in worship Sunday at 10:30am that includes a message from Pastor Lord about the unfailing grace of God, as well as sacred music, readings from the four major sections of the Holy Bible, the Lord's Supper, and a chat with our children and Pastor Ryman.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
First Sunday after Christmas
Order of Worship
Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more.
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Lord Jesus, we pray for all those gathered this day in your Father’s house. Bestow your blessings upon your church as we gather in your name. Receive our questions with patience. Turn our fears to trust. Place us where we need to be. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We thank you, Holy Spirit, for bringing to our remembrance all the great works of the Lord. Recalling your grace and mercy, we rejoice in our redemption, knowing that this work of your hand is both faithful and just. Bless to our remembrance and understanding your merciful grace as we come to the table this morning, remembering the redemptive death of Jesus until he comes again. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, because of your great love you sent you Son, born of a virgin, and born a true man under the law, to deliver us who are under that same law. Give us grace to comprehend and believe that you care for sinners like us and have provided a way into your kingdom family. Open the ears of our hearts that we may hear the Spirit of Jesus crying to you in praise for all the blessings in our adoption. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Just as your Son was called out of Egypt, you have called all your sons and daughters out of bondage to sin and death. Continue to call us homeward; lead us out of temptation; and deliver us from the evil one. Give our homebound and hospitalized trust in your love and care, and the belief that you are leading them with all the redeemed out of captivity and into the liberty of your people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy — through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Teaching
Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson.
Vespers Tonight


There is no Vespers service this evening in the parsonage. The readings for the First Sunday after Christmas are 1 Samuel 1:1–2, 7b–28; Colossians 1:9–20; Luke 2:22–40.
Morning Prayer
Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday at 8:30am, where we read and discuss Scripture and pray together. Our readings for the week of the First Sunday after Christmas:
Monday: 2 Samuel 23:13–17b; 2 John 1–13; John 2:1–11
Tuesday: 1 Kings 17:17–24; 3 John 1–15; John 4:46–54
Wednesday: 1 Kings 3:5–14; James 4:13–17; 5:7–11; John 5:1–15
Thursday: Isaiah 62:1–5, 10–12; Revelation 19:11–16; Matthew 1:18–25
Friday: 1 Kings 19:1–8; Ephesians 4:1–16; John 6:1–14
*Saturday: 1 Kings 19:9–18; Ephesians 4:17–32; John 6:15–27
* We do not meet in the chapel on Saturdays. On Sundays, we meet in the parsonage. See above.
Visitor Info
If you live in the area or are passing through, please worship with us in-person. We also livestream our services on this page.
Expect traditional worship with liturgy and Holy Communion each Sunday and a message grounded in the Scriptures and guided by the Lutheran Confessions — all in a friendly, multigenerational environment.
We welcome and encourage children to worship with us. Just before the sermon, our children take up a spare change offering for mission. Then they join one of our pastors on the chancel steps for a chat about today's Scriptures. We think you will love this part of the service.
Giving
You may give an offering online to the General Fund and to some specific funds, using this secure link. If you do not have an account with Tithely, it will only take a few minutes to set that up. If you need help, please call the church office at 704-633-0922. Please note that a small, typical percentage is retained by Tithely.
You may also mail offerings to:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
205 St. Paul's Church Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
License
Streaming License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 URL: stpaulslutheran.church GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC),as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.
Performance License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play and perform in any of the Licensee’s facilities within the United States any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP,BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS PERFORMmusic License Terms and Conditions.
CCLI License # 11395633