ORDER OF WORSHIP
Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2023

+ GATHERING +

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah
ELW 240 (v 1,2,&3)

Light one candle to watch for Messiah:
let the light banish darkness.
He shall bring salvation to Israel,
God fulfills the promise.

Light two candles to watch for Messiah:
let the light banish darkness.
He shall feed the flock like a shepherd,
gently lead them homeward.

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.

PRELUDE 

 Come, Long-Awaited Savior
David Paxton

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the  Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN

Light Dawns on a Weary World
ELW 726

Light dawns on a weary world
when eyes begin to see
all people's dignity.
Light dawns on a weary world:
the promised day of justice comes.

Refrain
   The trees shall clap their hands;
   the dry lands, gush with springs;
   the hills and mountains shall break forth with singing!
   We shall go out in joy,
   and be led forth in peace,
   as all the world in wonder echoes shalom.

Love grows in a weary world
when hungry hearts find bread
and children's dreams are fed.
Love grows in a weary world:
the promised feast of plenty comes.    Refrain

Hope blooms in a weary world
when creatures, once forlorn,
find wilderness reborn.
Hope blooms in a weary world:
the promised green of Eden comes.    Refrain

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. 

KYRIE    (ELW 155)

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

+ WORD +  

FIRST READING:   Isaiah: 61:1-4, 8-11
Though the people had returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon, they continued to face hardship and oppression. In the language of the jubilee year described in Leviticus 25, the prophet, moved by the spirit of God, announces deliverance for those who are oppressed and comfort for those who mourn.

¹The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
 because the LORD has anointed me;
 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
 to bind up the brokenhearted,
 to proclaim liberty to the captives,
 and release to the prisoners;
 ²to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
 and the day of vengeance of our God;
 to comfort all who mourn;
 ³to provide for those who mourn in Zion —
 to give them a garland instead of ashes,
 the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
 the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
 They will be called oaks of righteousness,
 the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
 ⁴They shall build up the ancient ruins,
 they shall raise up the former devastations;
 they shall repair the ruined cities,
 the devastations of many generations.
 ⁸For I the LORD love justice,
 I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
 I will faithfully give them their recompense,
 and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
 ⁹Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
 and their offspring among the peoples;
 all who see them shall acknowledge
 that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.
 ¹⁰I 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.
 ¹¹For 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.

The worrd of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 126    (sung responsively)

¹When the Lord restored the for- ^| tunes of Zion,
  then were we like ^| those who dream.
²Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with ^| shouts of joy.
  Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great ^| things for them.”
³The Lord has done great ^| things for us,
  and we are ^| glad indeed.
⁴Restore our for- ^| tunes, O Lord,
  like the watercourses ^| of the Negeb. 
⁵Those who ^| sowed with tears
  will reap with ^| songs of joy.
⁶Those who go out weeping, carry- ^| ing the seed,
  will come again with joy, shoulder- ^| ing their sheaves. 

SECOND READING:   1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonians by encouraging them to live lives of continual joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. The closing blessing is grounded in the hope of Christ’s coming.

The word of the Lord.       
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION   (ELW 175)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL:      John 1:6-8, 19-28
Jesus encourages his followers to look forward to the day when he returns in power and glory to end all sufferingJohn’s gospel describes Jesus as the “light of the world.” John the Baptist is presented as a witness to Jesus, one who directs attention away from himself to Christ, the true light.

The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ¹⁹This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." ²¹And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." ²²Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" ²³He said,
 "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as the prophet Isaiah said.
²⁴Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" ²⁶John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON  

HYMN OF THE DAY    

Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW 250

Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us:
a Branch from David’s tree.
So have the prophets long declared 
that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies 
and all who wish us harm.

With promised mercy will God still
the covenant recall,
the oath once sworn to Abraham,
from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear
and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness
to serve God all our days.

My child, as prophet of the Lord
you will prepare the way,
to tell God’s people they are saved 
from sin’s eternal sway.
Then shall God’s mercy from on high
shine forth and never cease
to drive away the gloom of death
and lead us into peace.

APOSTLES’ 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 THE PEOPLE

With hope and expectation, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all who await God’s day of restoration.

Hear Our Prayer
ELW 178

Hear our prayer, Hear our prayer,
Lord make us whole:
peace to all people, hope for each soul.
God of Grace, in this place,
hear now our prayer.

Fill our hearts with wonder, our mouths with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy as we bear witness to the great things you have done. Give your church a spirit of gladness as we gather and as we are sent. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Let the trees of the field sing your praise. Protect forests, orchards, rainforests, and all wooded areas from disease and deforestation. Keep us grateful for their gifts of oxygen, food, shade, and shelter. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

You love justice and promise your favor to those who are oppressed, brokenhearted, and incarcerated. Grant wisdom and compassion to those who work for public safety and all who work within prisons, jails, and courts, that mercy may increase and violence wither away. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Give us strength to pray for our world without ceasing and urge us to good deeds and love for all who are in need, particularly Arlene, Anne, Mabel, Mike, Anna Mae, Doris, Michael, Julie, Carol, Anne, Tom, Lydia, Brian, Paul, Wil, Amy, Bob, Jane, Marian L., Monica, Scott, Ron, Flo, Doris, Dottie, Marian, Tim, Betty, Henry, Mary, Greg, Ann Joyce, Jim, Yolanda, and Max. Provide for all without adequate housing, food, employment, or access to health care. Empower us as helpers and advocates. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Open our hearts to those who serve as truth-tellers in our church and in our society. Bless leaders in church and society in their task of proclamation. Amplify voices of peacemakers, advocates, and especially those whose voices are ignored or marginalized. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

     Other petitions may be offered.

With gratitude we rejoice in the saints who witnessed to your life in all circumstances, in whom your Spirit was not quenched, even in death. Through them, teach us always to hold fast to what is good. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Listen to these and all our prayers, O God of hosts, and restore us with your great and everlasting mercy.
Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

Let Your Peace Rain upon Us
ACS 989

Let your peace rain upon us,
O living God of peace.
Let your peace rain upon us,
Lord, fill our hearts with your peace.

Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

  + MEAL +  

OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service.  Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option.  Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.

MUSICAL OFFERING

 In the Silence, Wondrous Love
 Arr. Ruth Elaine Schram

OFFERING SONG  

Create In Me a Clean HEart
ELW 188

OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God our provider, by your merciful hand abundance springs up from the earth. Receive and bless these gifts of your own bounty.  Let them be a sign of your steadfast love and faithfulness for all people, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

    HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

DIALOGUE
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.

PREFACE    

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:

SANCTUS     (ELW 190)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heav’n and earth are full, full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest,
hosanna in the highest.   

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE 

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
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.

DISTRIBUTION 
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the head of the aisle where we receive the host. Then to Pastor’s side  is first, a chalice for intinction and second, a common cup for drinking, and a third chalice of juice. Gluten free bread is available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.

AGNUS DEI     (ELW 196)

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace.  Amen.

HYMN DURING COMMUNION

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
ELW 257

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

Refrain
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
embracing all things far and nigh:
in strength and beauty come and stay;
teach us your will and guide our way.  Refrain

O come, O come, O Lord of might,
as to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times you gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.  Refrain

O come, O Branch of Jesse, free
your own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell your people save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.  Refrain

O come, O 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.  Refrain

O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer;
O Sun of justice, now draw near.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadow put to flight.  Refrain

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.  Refrain

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

BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION

And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.  
Amen.

SONG AFTER COMMUNION  

Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (vs. 3)  
ELW 470

All our meals and all our living
make as sacraments of you,
that by caring, helping, giving,
we may be disciples true. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We will serve with faith anew.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Generous God, in bread and cup you have revealed your glory for all people to see together. Nourished by this meal, send us out to proclaim your good news of liberation and release, brought to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

+ SENDING +  

SENDING HYMN

Savior of the Nations, Come
ELW 263

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.

Now your manger, shining bright,
hallows night with newborn light.
Night cannot this light subdue;
let our faith shine ever new.

Praise we sing to Christ the Lord,
virgin's son, incarnate Word!
To the holy Trinity
praise we sing eternally!

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL
Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Savior of the Nations, Come
Karen Keene

---

Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah, Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954. Text © 1954 Fortress Press. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. Music: Yiddish folk tune, Public Domain.

Light Dawns on a Weary World.  Text: Mary Louise Bringle, b. 1953. Text © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: William P. Rowan, b. 1951.  Music © 2000 William P. Rowan, adnin, GIA Publications, Inc.Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Kyrie, Music: Russian Orthodox taditional, Public Domain.

Gospel Acclamation, Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994, and the Taize Community.  Music ©1981 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Blessed Be the God of Israel,Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944, based on Luke 1:68-79. Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. Music: English folk tune; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Arr. ©  Oxford University Press. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Hear Our Prayer, Text and music: Paul Andress, b. 1956. Text and music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.  

Let Your Peace Rain upon Us, Palestinian traditional; tr. Mark Swanson, b. 1955, and Mark Sedio, b. 1954.  English text © 2020 Augsburg Fortress.  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved Music: Palestinian traditional.  Public Domain.

Create in Me a Clean Heart, Music: J. A. Freylinghausen, 1670-1739. Public domain.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: Franz Schubert, 1737-1828; adapt. Richard Proulx, b. 1937.  Adapt. © 1985, 10989 GIA Publications, Inc.  Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528.  Public Domain.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710; tr. composite.  Text sts. 2,6,7 © 1997 Augsburg Fortress.  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. Music: French processional, 15^th cent. Public Domain.

Savior of the Nations, Come, Text: attr. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397; Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. hymnal version. Text © 2006 Augsburg Fortress.  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.Music: J. Walter, Geistliche Gesangbüchlein,1524.  Public domain.