ORDER OF WORSHIP
First Sunday of Christmas
December 31, 2023
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
arr. Lani Smith
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Word made flesh,
our life and our salvation.
Amen.
Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior,
let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of life,
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.
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.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Angels, From the Realms of Glory
ELW 275
Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Once you sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
yonder shines the infant light.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great desire of nations,
you have seen his natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore your voices raising
to the eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
ELW 270
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth. Refrain
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3
To the people who returned to Jerusalem after the exile, the prophet proclaims that God’s salvation will fully come to pass. Jerusalem will become a shining light to the nations and righteousness and praise will spring up as surely as the earth puts forth vegetation.
61:10I 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.
62:1For 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.
2The 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.
3You 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.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 148 (sung responsively)
1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord | from the heavens;
praise God | in the heights.
2Praise the Lord, | all you angels;
sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
3Praise the Lord, | sun and moon;
sing praise, all you | shining stars.
4Praise the Lord, heav- | en of heavens,
and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
5Let them praise the name | of the Lord,
who commanded, and they | were created,
6who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,
giving them a law that shall not | pass away.
7Praise the Lord | from the earth,
you sea monsters | and all deeps;
8fire and hail, | snow and fog,
tempestuous wind, do- | ing God’s will;
9mountains | and all hills,
fruit trees | and all cedars;
10wild beasts | and all cattle,
creeping things and | flying birds;
11sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
princes and all rulers | of the world;
12young | men and maidens,
old and | young together.
13Let them praise the name | of the Lord,
whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over | earth and heaven.
14The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all | faithful servants,
the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. | Hallelujah!
SECOND READING: Galatians 4:4-7
Paul seeks to show the Galatians that the purpose of Christ’s birth was to liberate us from the law’s condemnation so that we would be fully adopted into God’s family as beloved children.
4When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Angels We Have Heard on High
ELW 289
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains.
and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo
GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40
Luke’s narrative continues with stories that emphasize Jesus’ connection to Judaism. His family is devout in its observance of the law, and Jesus himself is recognized as one who will bring glory to Israel.
The holy gospel according to Luke .
Glory to you, O Lord.
22When 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”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25Now 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. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided 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, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then 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 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36There 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, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At 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.
39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL RESPONSE
Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king.
Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
ELW 288
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave;
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Trusting in God’s good news of great joy for all people, we offer our prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and the world God loves.
O Lord, Hear My Prayer
ELW 751
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer;
when I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer,
O Lord, hear my prayer,
come and listen to me.
You inspire faith in our hearts and call us to rejoice with our whole selves at the salvation you bring. Make our churches places of belonging for all people in the fullness of their being. Raise up the gifts and the witness of people who are neurodivergent, living with disability, or bearing invisible illness. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Your praise is sung throughout creation in all times and seasons. As the new year turns, ground us in your changeless and sustaining love. Keep us attentive to the rhythms of the cosmos and inspire us to live in harmony with all the earth. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Give hope and stamina to leaders who work tirelessly for the sake of the most vulnerable. We pray especially for organizations working on behalf of children to provide basic needs, to protect from abuse and neglect, to address trauma, and to rescue from trafficking. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Sustain all people who, like Simeon and Anna, have been waiting for salvation and wholeness. We pray especially for anyone living with cancer or chronic illness, 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, Jeff, Henry, Mary, Greg, Ann Joyce, Jim, Yolanda, and Max, and all people who are in physical rehabilitation or addiction recovery, and those experiencing complications from long COVID. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Let this community of faith be a joyful and welcome place for all ages and generations. Teach us to honor the wisdom of children, the inquisitiveness of youth, the thoughtfulness of adults, and the knowledge of elders. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Other petitions may be offered.
We give thanks for all the beloved who lived with expectation and departed this life in peace. Sustain us in joy until we join them around your throne. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Abide with us, O God of mercy, and receive our prayers according to your abundant grace.
Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
Let Your Peace Rain upon Us
ACS 989 (sing twice)
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
Christ Was Born to Be Our King
by Susan Callaway & John Ray
Grace Choir
OFFERING SONG
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
ELW 188
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.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.
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. 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 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 (page 108)
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
In the Bleak Midwinter
ELW 294
The First Noel
ELW 300
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
Now, Lord
(page 113)
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfuilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of ev'ry people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Joy to the World
ELW 267
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Break Forth, O Beauteous LIght
J. S. Bach
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.
Angels, from the Realms of Glory. Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854, alt., sts.1-3; Salisbury Hymn Book, 1857, st. 4. Music: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879. Public domain.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt. Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847; arr. William H. Cummings, 1831-1915. Public domain.
Angels We Have Heard on High, Music: French carol: tr. H.F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864. Music: French carol; arr. Edward S. Barnes, 1887-1958. Public domain.
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, Text: Medieval Latin carol; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818-1866. Music: German carol, 14th cent.; arr. Robert L. Pearsall, 1795-1856. Public domain.
O Lord, Hear My Prayer, 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.
Praise God, From Whom All Blessing Flow, Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.. Music: Louis Bourgeois, attr. , c.1510-1561. Public domain.
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.
O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528. Public Domain.
In the Bleak Midwinter. Text: Christina Georgina Rossetti, 1830-1894. Music: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934. Public domain.
The First Noel, Text: English traditional. Music: English traditional, arr. John Stainer, 1840-1901. Public domain.
Joy to the World. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: English melody, 18th cent.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Public domain.
