Fourth Sunday of Advent
10:00 AM Service December 19, 2021
GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
(Please Stand)
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who alone does wonders, who lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things.
C: Amen.
Let us confess our sin trusting in the tender mercy of our God.
(Silence is kept for reflection)
P: God for whom we wait,
C: in the presence of one another, we confess our sin before you. We fail in believing that your good news is for us. We falter in our call to tend your creation. We find our sense of self in material wealth. We fear those different from ourselves. We forget that we are your children and turn away from your love. Forgive us, Blessed One, and assure us again of your saving grace. Amen.
P: God, in Christ Jesus, has looked with favor upon you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, + your sins are forgiven. You are children of the Most High, inheritors of the eternal promise, and recipients of divine mercy. God strengthens you anew to follow the way of peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn # 240 “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” sts. 1-4
1. Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise.
2. Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness,
He shall feed the flock like a shepherd. Gently lead them homeward.
3. Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
Lift your heads and lift high the gateway for the King of glory.
4. Light four candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He is coming, tell the glad tidings. Let your lights be shining!
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
L: Let us pray:
C: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
First Reading Micah 5: 2—5a Pg.1466
R: Word of God, Word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm Pg. 314 in Hymnal
1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: you, the Almighty, have done great things for me and holy is your name.
2. You have mercy on those who fear you, from generations to generation. You have shown strength with your arm and scattered the proud in their con-ceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.
3. You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, to remember the promise of mercy, the promise made to our forebears, to Abraham and his children forever.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5—10 Pg. 1830
R: Word of God, Word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Choir Anthem
(Please rise for the Gospel.)
After the Gospel is announced:
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel Reading Luke 1: 39—45 Pg. 1588
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
(Please be seated)
Sermon
(Please Stand)
Hymn # 254 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee, Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art, dear desire of every nations, joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a king; born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.
L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
All: 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And he will come 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
Prayers
L: . . .Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
Offering
L: O Mighty One,
C: You have done great things for us, and holy is your name. Bless all we offer you—ourselves, our time, and our possessions—that through us your grace and favor may be made known to all the world; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen
MEAL
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy. . .we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
The Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
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
Hymn # 267 “Joy to the World”
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sin and sorrow grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
L: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
*** Hymns reprinted by permission under CCLI Lic. # 2561118
-------------------
Share
Christmas Eve with Us
4 PM and 7:30 PM
Communion • Candlelight • Carols