No live streamed service this New Years Eve Sunday morning.

Jesus Presented in the Temple 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons.[b] 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lords Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. 33 The childs father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

The Birth of Jesus

2In those days Caesar Augustusissued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.2(This was the first census that took place while[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3And everyone went to their own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehemthe town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to himand was expecting a child.6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9An angelof the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid.I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord.12This will be a signto you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peaceto those on whom his favor rests.

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Lets go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Godfor all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26In the sixth month of Elizabeths pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabrielto Nazareth,a town in Galilee,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,a descendant of David. The virgins name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid,Mary; you have found favor with God.31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over Jacobs descendants forever; his kingdomwill never end.

34How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?

35The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you,and the power of the Most Highwill overshadow you. So the holy oneto be born will be called[a]the Son of God.36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a childin her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.37For no word from God will ever fail.

38I am the Lords servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her.

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.19Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b]did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorceher quietly.

20But after he had considered this, an angelof the Lord appeared to him in a dreamand said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c]because he will save his people from their sins.

22All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through the prophet:23The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel[d](which means God with us).

24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angelof the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.25But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Boaz Marries Ruth

4Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gateand sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer[a]he had mentionedcame along. Boaz said, Come over here, my friend, and sit down. So he went over and sat down.

2Boaz took ten of the eldersof the town and said, Sit here, and they did so.3Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek.4I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you[b]will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you,and I am next in line.

I will redeem it, he said.

5Then Boaz said, On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite,the[c]dead mans widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.

6At this, the guardian-redeemer said, Then I cannot redeemit because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.

7(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemptionand transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandaland gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactionsin Israel.)

8So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, Buy it yourself. And he removed his sandal.

9Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, Today you are witnessesthat I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon.10I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite,Mahlons widow, as my wife,in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown.Today you are witnesses!

11Then the elders and all the people at the gatesaid, We are witnesses.May theLordmake the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah,who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathahand be famous in Bethlehem.12Through the offspring theLordgives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez,whom Tamarbore to Judah.

Naomi Gains a Son

13So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, theLordenabled her to conceive,and she gave birth to a son.14The womensaid to Naomi: Praise be to theLord,who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.May he become famous throughout Israel!15He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law,who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons,has given him birth.

16Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.17The women living there said, Naomi has a son! And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse,the father of David.

The Genealogy of David

18This, then, is the family line of Perez:

Perez was the father of Hezron,

19Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab,

20Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,[d]

21Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

22Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%203&version=NIV

Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor

3One day Ruths mother-in-law Naomisaid to her, My daughter, I must find a home[a]for you, where you will be well provided for.2Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relativeof ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.3Wash,put on perfume,and get dressed in your best clothes.Then go down to the threshing floor, but dont let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.4When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.

5I will do whatever you say,Ruth answered.6So she went down to the threshing floorand did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

7When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits,he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile.Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.8In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turnedand there was a woman lying at his feet!

9Who are you? he asked.

I am your servant Ruth, she said. Spread the corner of your garmentover me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[b]of our family.

10TheLordbless you,my daughter, he replied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier:You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.11And now, my daughter, dont be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.12Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family,there is another who is more closely related thanI.13Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer,good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as theLordlivesI will do it.Lie here until morning.

14So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.

15He also said, Bring me the shawlyou are wearing and hold it out. When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[c]went back to town.

16When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, How did it go, my daughter?

Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her17and added, He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, Dont go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.

18Then Naomi said, Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.

Ruth Meets Boaz in the Grain Field

2Now Naomi had a relativeon her husbands side, a man of standingfrom the clan of Elimelek,whose name was Boaz.

2And Ruth the Moabitesaid to Naomi, Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grainbehind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.

Naomi said to her, Go ahead, my daughter.3So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters.As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

4Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, TheLordbe with you!

TheLordbless you! they answered.

5Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, Who does that young woman belong to?

6The overseer replied, She is the Moabitewho came back from Moab with Naomi.7She said, Please let me glean and gather among the sheavesbehind the harvesters. She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short restin the shelter.

8So Boaz said to Ruth, My daughter, listen to me. Dont go and glean in another field and dont go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.9Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.

10At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground.She asked him, Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice mea foreigner?

11Boaz replied, Ive been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-lawsince the death of your husbandhow you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not knowbefore.12May theLordrepay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by theLord,the God of Israel,under whose wingsyou have come to take refuge.

13May I continue to find favor in your eyes,my lord, she said. You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servantthough I do not have the standing of one of your servants.

14At mealtime Boaz said to her, Come over here. Have some breadand dip it in the wine vinegar.

When she sat down with the harvesters,he offered her some roasted grain.She ate all she wanted and had some left over.15As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, Let her gather among the sheavesand dont reprimand her.16Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and dont rebukeher.

17So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshedthe barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah.[a]18She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left overafter she had eaten enough.

19Her mother-in-law asked her, Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!

Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz, she said.

20TheLordbless him! Naomi said to her daughter-in-law.He has not stopped showing his kindnessto the living and the dead. She added, That man is our close relative;he is one of our guardian-redeemers.[b]

21Then Ruth the Moabitesaid, He even said to me, Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.

22Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone elses field you might be harmed.

23So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barleyand wheat harvestswere finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons

1In the days when the judges ruled,[a]there was a famine in the land.So a man from Bethlehem in Judah,together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a whilein the country of Moab.2The mans name was Elimelek,his wifes name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion.They were Ephrathitesfrom Bethlehem,Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3Now Elimelek, Naomis husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.4They married Moabite women,one named Orpah and the other Ruth.After they had lived there about ten years,5both Mahlon and Kilionalso died,and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

6When Naomi heard in Moabthat theLordhad come to the aid of his peopleby providing foodfor them, she and her daughters-in-lawprepared to return home from there.7With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go back, each of you, to your mothers home.May theLordshow you kindness,as you have shown kindness to your dead husbandsand to me.9May theLordgrant that each of you will find restin the home of another husband.

Then she kissedthem goodbye and they wept aloud10and said to her, We will go back with you to your people.

11But Naomi said, Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?12Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for meeven if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons13would you wait until they grew up?Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitterfor me than for you, because theLords hand has turned against me!

14At this they weptaloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-lawgoodbye,but Ruth clung to her.

15Look, said Naomi, your sister-in-lawis going back to her people and her gods.Go back with her.

16But Ruth replied, Dont urge me to leave youor to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my peopleand your God my God.17Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May theLorddeal with me, be it ever so severely,if even death separates you and me.18When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

19So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirredbecause of them, and the women exclaimed, Can this be Naomi?

20Dont call me Naomi,[b] she told them. Call me Mara,[c]because the Almighty[d]has made my life very bitter.21I went away full, but theLordhas brought me back empty.Why call me Naomi? TheLordhas afflicted[e]me;the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.

22So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite,her daughter-in-law,arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvestwas beginning.

A Living Sacrifice

12Therefore, I urge you,brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship.2Do not conformto the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasingand perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3For by the grace given meI say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,5so in Christ we, though many, form one body,and each member belongs to all the others.6We have different gifts,according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,then prophesy in accordance with your[a]faith;7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;if it is giving, then give generously;if it is to lead,[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9Love must be sincere.Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.10Be devoted to one another in love.Honor one another above yourselves.11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,serving the Lord.12Be joyful in hope,patient in affliction,faithful in prayer.13Share with the Lords people who are in need.Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you;bless and do not curse.15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.16Live in harmony with one another.Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c]Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil.Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19Do not take revenge,my dear friends, but leave room for Gods wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,[d]says the Lord.20On the contrary:

If your enemy is hungry, feed him;if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.[e]

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.