Barb and Pat, Please check these over and if there's anything you'd like to change, add or subtract please let me know. THANKS!
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
(Christmas Eve Morning)
December 24, 2017
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AS WE GATHER
King David is the best known of all of Israel's kings. Under David's reign, the kingdom grew and flourished. Even generations later would look back and view the days of King David as the "Golden Age" of Israel. In today's Old Testament Reading, a promise is made to David: "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). But in this greater kingdom, this eternal kingdom, it's not King David who will reign on the everlasting throne—it's King Jesus. Jesus, the descendant of David, is greater than David and will have a never-ending reign. It's the coming of this King of kings that we prepare to celebrate.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. [LSB 357:5]
OPENING HYMN "A Great and Mighty Wonder" 382
INVOCATION AND OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 89:1
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
People: with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness,
All: to all generations.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Psalm 89:5
Pastor: Since we are gathered to hear God's Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people, let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
People: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
Pastor: "Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!"
Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CHOIR "Good Christians All Rejoice" by Terry Kirkland
SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray. Stir up Your power, O Lord,
People: and come and help us by Your might, that the sins that weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy;
Pastor: for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16
("Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever.")
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HYMN "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" 359
EPISTLE Romans 16:25–27
("To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!")
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL VERSE "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" 338 vs. 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 ev'ry nation, Joy of ev'ry longing heart.
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 1:26–38
(The angel appears to Mary.)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
(The Gospel is read.)
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE DAY "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" 357
SERMON "A Kingdom of Immanuel, God With Us"
APOSTLES' CREED
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us come before our Lord in prayer, asking Him to hear our prayer and grant us love.
Lord of love, during this season of Advent, prepare our hearts that we would be made ready to receive Your Son as He comes in His incarnation and birth, but also in His body and blood. Make us ever ready for His final coming on the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us love.
Pastor: Lord of love, You have called Your Church to bear witness to Christ's redeeming work. Grant that we boldly proclaim the Good News of the One who brings joy to the world through His life, death, and resurrection, that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us love.
Pastor: Lord of love, You have instructed us to pray for workers in your harvest field. Raise up faithful and loving teachers of Your Word so that Christ may be proclaimed near and far. Make us Your instruments to encourage and equip individuals for work in Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us love.
Pastor: Lord of love, we ask that You stretch forth Your almighty arm to protect the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces of our land. Support them, granting them courage and loyalty. Strengthen them to serve with integrity and honor. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us love.
Pastor: Lord of love, You are the creator and sustainer of all things. According to Your will, grant healing to those who suffer in body and mind. Look with favor upon Your servants, [especially . . .], and if it is Your will, restore them to health, or give them grace to accept tribulation, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for them. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us love.
Pastor: Lord of love, thank You for calling us to be Your people through Holy Baptism. Make us ready to receive Your Supper as we remember the One who is truly present in this Meal as He comes to us in Holy Communion. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer and grant us love.
Pastor: Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy and Your promise to hear us for the sake of the One in whose name we come, Your Son, Jesus Christ.
People: Amen.
OFFERING
OFFERTORY "Hark the Glad Sound" 349 vs. 1
Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes, The Savior promised long;
Let ev'ry heart prepare a throne And ev'ry voice a song.
PREFACE
Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
PROPER PREFACE
Pastor: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS "Hark the Glad Sound" 349 vs. 4
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And heav'n's eternal arches ring With thy belovèd name.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
LORD'S PRAYER
PAX DOMINI
Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: Amen.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS
"A Great and Mighty Wonder" 383
"Savior of the Nations, Come" 332
POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE "Joy to the World" 387 vs. 1
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room
And heav'n and nature sing, And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
BENEDICTION Psalm 89:1
Pastor: I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
People: with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness
All: to all generations.
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.
People: Amen.
HYMN "What Child Is This" 370
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2017 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
CHRISTMAS EVE
December 24, 2017
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AS WE GATHER
"Glory to God in the highest!" The expression of praise by the heavenly host on the night when Jesus was born into our world has echoed through the ages. As we gather for this most special day, we find joy in repeating the words of God's heavenly messengers. The angels proclaimed a message of peace and good will, a word from God that was appearing in the Word made flesh—the baby Jesus born to bring the light of redemption to a people on earth lost in darkness. "Gloria in excelsis Deo!" Whether we are singing in English or Latin or some other language, the message of the words is what matters. We worship our Lord and rejoice in the glory of Christmas!
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PROCESSIONAL HYMN "O Come, All Ye Faithful" 379
INVOCATION AND OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 96:1–3, Liturgical Text, Psalm 98:1a
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
People: Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.
Pastor: Declare His glory among the nations,
People: His marvelous works among all the peoples!
Pastor: When all was still, and it was midnight, Your almighty Word, O Lord, descended from the royal throne.
People: Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!
CHOIR "O Come and Worship" by Marty Parks
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Pastor: In peace let us pray to our heavenly Father, confident of His forgiveness for Jesus' sake. Almighty Father,
People: we confess that we are sinners by nature and by thought, word, and deed. We cannot and do not merit any forgiveness. But with repentant hearts, we turn to You for mercy, seeking Your grace. In Your loving kindness, forgive, restore, and lead us so that we may be renewed and may live to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Pastor: With joy I announce God's good news to You. Our gracious God in His mercy has given His Son to be born, to live and then to die for you, and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. Be at peace and rejoice in the Lord.
People: Amen.
HYMN "It Came upon the Midnight Clear" 366
SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray. O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
People: Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge;
Pastor: through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
CHOIR "Glory to the Son of God" by Cindy Berry
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 7:10–14
(Immanuel will be born to a virgin mother.)
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HYMN "Once in Royal David's City" 376
EPISTLE 1 John 4:7–16
(God sent His Son into the world as the Redeemer.)
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
CHOIR "Good Christians All Rejoice" by Terry Kirkland
HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 1:18–25
(An angel appears to Joseph with great news.)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the first chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
(The Gospel is read.)
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE DAY "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" 359
SERMON
APOSTLES' CREED
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray for God's great mercy, asking that He would hear our petitions and grant them according to His gracious will. As we recall the first Christmas, Lord, we thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ. Give us faith to never forget the magnitude and importance of His sacrifice for us in coming to earth to be our Savior, our Brother, and our Friend. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: As we remember Mary and Joseph, we thank You for the gift of family. Give us hearts to fully appreciate the gifts we receive through them and seek to be those who cherish and nourish our family associations. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: As we echo the song of the angels, we thank You for the gifts of poetry and music and for all of the writers and composers who have enriched our celebration with their devotion and creativity. Give us eagerness to ever seek to bring You all that is the best and most beautiful in our worship. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: As we think of the shepherds to whom the angel brought the greatest of news, we thank You for those who serve in the various vocations of life, including those whose daily work often goes unnoticed. We commend to Your special care, Lord, those in the military, our first responders and medical personnel, and all whose labor on our behalf is specially challenging or hazardous. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: As we consider those who were at the inn surrounding Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, we pray for all situations and conditions of people, especially those on our hearts at this time, [including . . .]. Be with them and bless them according to their needs, Lord, and give us opportunities to be of comfort and assistance in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: As we pray, gracious God, we remember our dear ones who have completed their earthly lives and now are in Your eternal keeping. As the brightness of the light of Christ shines on them, may we follow their footsteps in ways of peace and love throughout our lives as we live to Your glory. Lord in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
PAX DOMINI
Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And also with you.
OFFERING
OFFERTORY HYMN (sung during the offering) "O Little Town of Bethlehem" 361
PRAYER OF PREPARATION FOR LORD'S SUPPER
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS
"Away in a Manger" 364
"Angels from the Realms of Glory" Sts. 1–2, 5: 367
"Gentle Mary Laid Her Child" 374
BENEDICTION
Pastor: God Almighty—the Father, who gave His Son for the life of the world, the X Son, who has revealed to us God's grace, mercy, and love, and the Holy Spirit, by whose blessed work in us we are seen to be children of God—bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
An usher will come to each pew to begin lighting the candles. Please pass the flame on to each person in your row.
HYMN "Silent Night, Holy Night" 363
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2017 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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