Welcome & Announcements

Prelude

Confession and Forgiveness:
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be God’s name forever! Amen.

Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep. Let us confront our sins, and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of new beginnings,
we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign.  We have strayed from your paths.  We prepare for war instead of peace.  We dishonor one another and your creation.  Purify us with your refining fire and set us again on your way of love, that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance, and welcome your coming among us.  Amen.

People of God, a new thing is growing in our midst, a tender branch, a living sign. By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder. You have put on + Christ, and your sins have been washed away. Rejoice in the way of the Lord.
Amen.

Opening Hymn: ELW 263 “Savior of the Nations Come”
Savior of the nations, come; virgin’s son, make here your home.
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth: God has chosen such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood, but the mystic Breath of God,
was the Word of God made flesh, fruit of woman, blossom fresh.

Wondrous birth—oh, wondrous child— from his throne, a virgin mild!
Very God, and Mary’s son, eager now his race to run!

From God’s heart the Savior speeds, back to God his pathway leads;
out to vanquish death’s command, back to reign at God’s right hand.

Apostolic Greeting:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

O come, O King of nations, come, O Cornerstone that binds in one:
refresh the hearts that long for you; restore the broken, make us new.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.

Prayer of the Day:
Let us pray.
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

First Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1-10
¹Hannah prayed and she said, “My heart exults in the HOLY ONE OF OLD; my horn is lifted up in my God. My mouth [opens] wide against my enemies, for I will rejoice in my victory. ²“There is none like the MOST HIGH, none besides you; there is no rock like our God. ³Speak proudly no more, multiplying pride, nor let arrogance come from your mouth, for the AGELESS GOD is a God of knowledge, and by God deeds are accounted. ⁴The bows of the mighty are broken, yet the feeble gird on warrior-strength. ⁵Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, yet those who were hungry are fat. She who was barren has birthed seven children, yet she who has many children languishes. ⁶The CREATOR OF ALL kills and gives life; brings down to Sheol and raises up. ⁷The GRACIOUS ONE makes poor and makes rich; brings low and also lifts up. ⁸God raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from heaps of human waste to seat them with the nobles and inherit a seat of honor. For to the CREATOR belong the pillars of the earth, and on them God has set the world.

⁹God will guard the feet of the faithful who belong to God, but the wicked will perish in shadow, for it is not by might that one prevail. ¹⁰The HOLY ONE OF SINAI!  Those who strive against God shall be shattered; God thunders against them from heaven. The FOUNT OF JUSTICE will judge the ends of the earth; God will give strength to God’s ruler and exalt the power of the anointed of God.”

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

Lighting of the Advent Wreath:
Let us pray.
Praise to you, O God, who lives with us, sharing our flesh and bones. As Mary waited and Joseph dreamed, so we wait and dream for you. Bless us and let your face shine upon us, more radiant than these candles, and more dear than all else we seek. Restore us when we fail to refuse the evil and choose the good, and banish all our fears. We pray in the name of Emmanuel, your promised child and our Savior.
Amen.

Light four candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He is coming, tell the glad tidings. Let your light be shining.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
This is the Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 1st chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

¹⁸Now this is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to have a child in her womb from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Joseph her husband was a just man and unwilling to shame her, he wanted to divorce her secretly. ²⁰But when he deliberated this, suddenly an angel of the Most High God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for in her is conceived a child from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²²All this happened to fulfill what had been spoken by the Most High God through the prophet:

²³“Look now!  The virgin shall conceive a child in her womb and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel,” Which translated means, “God is with us.” ²⁴When Joseph got up from sleep, he did as the angel of the Most High God commanded him. He took her as his wife, ²⁵yet did not know her sexually until her birthing of a son and named him Jesus.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: ELV 254 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
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.

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.

Apostle’s Creed:
Let us confess our faith using the Apostle’s Creed:
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 of Intercession:
As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.

Prayers continue with each petition ending:

God, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.

Sharing of the Peace:
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

Offering:
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/468062

Offertory Hymn:
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cups 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;
united them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

Offering Prayer:
Let us pray.
Eternal God, you make the desert bloom and send springs of water to thirsty ground. Receive these simple gifts of bread, wine, and money, and make us messengers of your mercy and love for all in need of your healing and justice. We ask this through Christ our Savior.
Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving:
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might,
heav’n 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.

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:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

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.
Come, Lord Jesus.

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.
Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Lord’s Prayer:
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us saying:
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.

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

Table Blessing:
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle:
Thankful hearts and voices raise; tell everyone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and bear Christ’s holy name.
Send us with your promises, O God, and lead us forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving.  Alleluia

Post-Communion Prayer:
Let us pray.
Faithful God, in this meal you have remembered your mercy, bringing heaven and earth in the body and blood of Christ. As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled, sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery. Guide us toward your promised future, coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Benediction:
God the eternal Word, who dwells with us in Jesus, and who holds us in the grace of the Holy Spirit, + bless you now and forever.
Amen.

Sending Hymn: ELW 266 “All Earth Is Hopeful”
All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!
Furrows lie open for God’s creative task:
this, the labor of people who struggle to see
how God’s truth and justice set ev’rybody free.

People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”;
she conceived him, “God with us,”
our brother, whose birth
restores hope and courage to children of this earth.

Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared;
new highways opened, new protocols declared.
Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace!
All clear ev’ry gateway, in haste, come out in haste!

We first saw Jesus a baby in a crib.
This same Lord Jesus today has come to live
in our world; he his present, in neighbors we see
our Jesus is with us, and ever sets us free.

Dismissal:
Go in peace. Christ is near!
Thanks be to God!

Postlude

Prayer Requests:
Annette Baker, family and friends of Jean Pfirman, Betsy Thomas, Dale Strassner, Alec Brock, Dave Wall, Liz Smith and Baby Grace, family and friends of Matt Rosamilia, family and friends of Michael McCollum, Mark Rabuck, Ryan Hunter, Rusty, Shirley Russell, Russ Wynn, Viv Marsh, Gladys Fawcett,  Alice Snyder, Marie Tanner, Peg Swinehart, Martha Ketchem, Bob Keifer.

 

In this season of Advent, our biblical translations come from the work of the Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. This season’s lectionary texts and translations can be found in Dr. Gafney’s work, A Woman’s Lectionary for the Whole Church: Year W, copyright 2021, Church Publishing in New York, NY.

Portions reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006.  Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress, license #SBL09796L. Music reprinted from the ELW, by permission of OneLicense, license #A712349.  Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.