The First Sunday of Christmas
Prelude
“Once in Royal David’s City”
Gathering
Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness
Please stand as you are able. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation.
C: Amen.
P: Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin.
Please kneel or sit as you are able.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: God of life,
C: you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation.
Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen.
P: Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In ☩ Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God.
C: Amen.
Please stand as you are able.
Entrance Hymn #638 (blue hymnal)
“Holy Child within the Manger”
1 Holy Child within the manger,
long ago yet ever near;
come as friend to ev’ry stranger,
come as hope for ev’ry fear.
As you lived to heal the broken,
greet the outcast, free the bound,
as you taught us love unspoken,
teach us now where you are found.
2 Once again we tell the story–
how your love for us was shown,
when the image of your glory
wore an image like our own.
Come, enlighten with your wisdom,
come and fill us with your grace.
May the fire of your compassion
kindle ev’ry land and race.
3 Holy Child within the manger,
lead us ever in your way,
so we see in ev’ry stranger
how you come to us today.
In our lives and in our living
give us strength to live as you,
that our hearts might be forgiving
and our spirits strong and true.
Greeting
P: 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.
Kyrie
♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 28)
L: Lord, have mercy:
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: Christ, have mercy:
C: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord, have mercy:
C: Lord, have mercy.
Hymn of Praise
♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 29)
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest;
glory to God, glory to God, and peace to God’s people on earth,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.
Let us pray.
Bless Linda, O God, as she proclaims to us the scriptures, and open the mangers of our hearts to welcome the King, Jesus Christ the Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
First Reading: Isaiah 61:10—62:3
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Hymn #540 (green hymnal)
“Praise the Lord! O Heavens”
1 Praise the Lord! O heav’ns, adore him;
praise him, angels, in the height;
sun and moon, rejoice before him;
praise him, gleaming stars and light.
Praise the Lord, for he has spoken;
worlds his mighty voice obeyed;
laws which never shall be broken
for their guidance he has made.
2 Praise the Lord, for he is gracious;
never shall his promise fail.
God has made his saints victorious;
sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation;
hosts on high, his pow’r proclaim;
heav’n and earth, and all creation,
laud and magnify his name!
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
4 When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Verse
♫ WOV Setting 5
(green hymnal, p. 31)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
Alleluia. You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation.
Hymn of the Day
“In His Temple Now Behold Him”
1 In his temple now behold him,
see the long-expected Lord;
ancient prophets had foretold him,
God has sent the promised Word.
Now to praise him, his redeemed
shall break forth with one accord.
2 In the arms of her who bore him,
virgin pure, behold him lie,
while his aged saints adore him,
ere in perfect faith they die.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Lo, the incarnate God Most High!
3 Jesus, by your presentation,
when they blessed you, weak and poor,
make us see your great salvation,
seal us with your promise sure;
and present us, in your glory,
to your Father, cleansed and pure.
4 Prince and author of salvation,
be your boundless love our theme!
Jesus, praise to you be given
by the world you did redeem,
with the Father and the Spirit
God of majesty supreme!
Please stand as you are able.
The Apostles’ Creed
A: Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.
Dedication of the New Year to God’s Glory
P: As we anticipate the beginning of a new year, we are reminded that by God’s abundant mercy, each day is new. Let us give thanks for God’s faithfulness last year and ask for God’s blessing in the year ahead. Let us pray.
O God, as we dedicate this new year to your glory and praise, we give thanks for your presence and mercy in 2023. For feeding us each week through your Word and sacrament,
C: We thank you, Lord.
P: For your faithful provision in the last year—ourselves, our time, our possessions, and life—signs of your gracious love, and for your promise to provide all we need in the year ahead,
C: We thank you, Lord.
P: For giving us this community of faith, for knitting us together into the Body of Christ, for those most dear to us who have died in this last year who have now joined the great cloud of witnesses who surround us,
C: We thank you, Lord.
P: Where we have failed,
C: Forgive us.
P: Where we still hurt,
C: Heal us.
P: In this new year, grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things. So draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, and lead us to the building up of your kingdom so that each day might be lived for the glory of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The ministers and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Invitation to Offering
A: As Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to Almighty God in the temple, so we present our offerings and dedicate our lives to the service of the Lord.
Offertory
♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 34)
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, Lord,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen.
The Meal
Dialogue
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory; that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 36)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Thanksgiving
P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
C: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.
P: With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
P: Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
P: All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
Invitation to Communion
P: Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
♫ WOV Setting 5
(blue hymnal, p. 39)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.
Communion Hymn
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
1 Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
as seers of old have sung,
it came, a flow’r so bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half-spent was the night.
2 Isaiah had foretold it,
the rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it,
the virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright,
she bore to us a Savior,
when half-spent was the night.
3 This flow’r, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
from sin and death he saves us
and lightens ev’ry load.
4 O Savior, child of Mary,
who felt our human woe;
O Savior, king of glory,
who dost our weakness know:
bring us at length, we pray,
to the bright courts of heaven
and into endless day.
Communion Hymn #701 (blue hymnal)
“What Feast of Love“
1 What feast of love is offered here,
what banquet come from heaven?
What food of everlasting life,
what gracious gift is given?
This, this is Christ the king,
the bread come down from heaven.
Oh, taste and see and sing!
How sweet the manna given!
2 What light of truth is offered here,
what covenant from heaven?
What hope of everlasting life,
what wondrous word is given?
This, this is Christ the king,
the sun come down from heaven.
Oh, see and hear and sing!
The Word of God is given!
3 What wine of love is offered here,
what crimson drink from heaven?
What stream of everlasting life,
what precious blood is given?
This, this is Christ the king,
the sweetest wine of heaven.
Oh, taste and see and sing!
The Son of God is given!
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Canticle: Hymn #339 (green hymnal)
1 O Lord, now let your servant
depart in heav’nly peace,
for I have seen the glory
of your redeeming grace:
a light to lead the Gentiles
unto your holy hill,
the glory of your people,
your chosen Israel.
2 Then grant that I may follow
your gleam, O glorious Light,
till earthly shadows scatter,
and faith is changed to sight;
till raptured saints shall gather
upon that shining shore,
where Christ, the blessed daystar,
shall light them evermore.
Post-Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.
God our redeemer, you have fed us at this table with gifts of grace, truth, and life. As you have gathered us in joy, send us forth as messengers of your peace. Make us shine with the good news of your glory, born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Silence for reflection.
Sending
Announcements For God’s Mission in the World
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
P: The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.
C: Amen.
P: The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #47 (green hymnal)
“Let All Together Praise Our God” vv. 1-4
1 Let all together praise our God
before his glorious throne;
today he opens heav’n again
to give us his own Son,
to give us his own Son.
2 The Father sends him from his throne
to be an infant small
and lie here poorly mangered now
in this cold, dismal stall,
in this cold, dismal stall.
3 Within an earthborn form he hides
his all-creating light;
to serve us all he humbly cloaks
the splendor of his might,
the splendor of his might.
4 He undertakes a great exchange,
puts on our human frame,
and in return gives us his realm,
his glory, and his name,
his glory, and his name.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“All Glory Be to God on High”
Johann Pachelbel
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Addy Kruse, Assisting Minister
Linda Miller, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 31: 1 Christmas
**No Sunday School / Adult Bible Study**
10:30 am Worship Service
Wednesday, January 3
2:30 pm Bible study
Sunday, January 7: Epiphany of Our Lord
9 am Sunday School / Adult Bible Study
10:30 am Worship Service
After worship: Evangelism Committee
Wednesday, January 10
2:30 pm Bible study
Thursday, January 11
6 pm Confirmation Class
Copyright Notices
Holy Child within the Manger: Text and music by Marty Haugen © 1987 GIA Publications Inc. All rights reserved.
O Lord, Now Let Your Servant: Text © 1925 Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Setting from the Revised Church Hymnary 1927 by permission of Oxford University Press.
What Feast of Love: Text © 1993 Delores Dufner, published by OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland OR 97213. All rights reserved.
Let All Together Praise Our God: Tr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House; setting © 1953 Württembergisches Choralbuch
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.