THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, December 31, 2017

The First Sunday of Christmas PRELUDE Chorale Prelude on The Old Year Has Passed Away Bach

Holy Communion (V) WELCOME

CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION AND INVOCATION

The angel of the Lord announced to Mary,

INTRODUCTION and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
The Word became flesh and lived among us,
In the middle of the season of Christmas, the psalm proclaims all the and we have beheld Christ's glory.
natural world praises God, including all humanity, male and female, young To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
and old. The voices of Simeon and 84-year-old Anna join the chorus today, In him is life, and the life is the light of all people.
recognizing what God is doing in Jesus. Simeon’s song is often sung after
communion, for we have seen God’s salvation in the assembled community This season we celebrate the birth of the Christ!
and have held Jesus in our hands in the bread. Then, like the prophet Anna, In the name of the Father, and of the (+)Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
we speak of Jesus to all who look for the healing of the world. Amen.
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags GATHERING SONG: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (ELW 270)
and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed.
An usher will gladly provide you with assistance. GREETING
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate The grace of our Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the
all cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service. Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so
that we may record your presence with us.
KYRIE

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW

Triune God, you blessed family life by sending Jesus to be born into a
human family. Bless my family and all families everywhere. Fill all homes
with respect, joy, laughter, and prayer. Strengthen the commitment of
spouses to one another, that they may mirror your covenant faithfulness.
Pour out your Spirit on parents, children, siblings, relatives, and friends,
that through them we may share and enjoy your unconditional love. Send
us your Holy Spirit to empower us all to live in your grace and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE

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.

Please be seated.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE PSALM 148

FIRST READING: Isaiah 61:10--62:3 Refrain:

To the people who returned to Jerusalem after the exile, the prophet
proclaims that the Lord’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.
10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
Tone:
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,
1
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Hallelujah! Praise the LORD| from the heavens;
11
For as the earth brings forth its shoots, praise God | in the heights.
2
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, Praise the LORD, | all you angels;
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise sing praise, all you | hosts of heaven.
3
to spring up before all the nations. Praise the LORD, | sun and moon;
sing praise, all you | shining stars.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
62:1 4
Praise the LORD, heav- | en of heavens,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
5
until her vindication shines out like the dawn, Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
and her salvation like a burning torch. who commanded, and they | were created,
2 6
The nations shall see your vindication, who made them stand fast forev- | er and ever,
and all the kings your glory; giving them a law that shall not | pass away. R
and you shall be called by a new name
7
that the mouth of the LORD will give. Praise the LORD| from the earth,
3
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, you sea monsters | and all deeps;
8
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. fire and hail, | snow and fog,
tempestuous wind, do- | ing God’s will;
9
The word of the Lord. mountains | and all hills,
Thanks be to God. fruit trees | and all cedars;
10
wild beasts | and all cattle,
Silence for reflection on the reading. creeping things and | flying birds;
11
sovereigns of the earth | and all peoples,
princes and all rulers | of the world;
12
young | men and maidens,
old and | young together. R
13
Let them praise the name | of the LORD,
whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over | earth and
heaven.
14
The 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! R
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 sons and daughters.
4 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man
When 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.
Please stand for the reading of the gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
All sing the Alleluia. The choir will sing the verse, all repeat the Alleluia.
Verse: Let the peace of Christ rule | in your hearts,*
and let the word of Christ dwell | in you richly. (Col. 3:15, 16)
GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
my lips, and in my heart.”
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
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.
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”), 24and they offered a sacrifice
according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or
two young pigeons.”
25
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;
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. 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.”
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, 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.
39
When 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.
Please be seated.
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
Silence for reflection, then we invite you to stand as we sing:
HYMN OF THE DAY: Love Has Come (ELW 292)
NICENE CREED
As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
words “born of the Virgin Mary,” until the words “he descended to the
dead.”
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 knowledge 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 INTERCESSION
Drawn near to God as children and heirs of Christ’s promise, we pray for
all people of God, for our nation and our world, and for those in need.
We invite you to kneel or sit as you are able.
Each petition ends with:
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your outstretched arms, O God, we commend ourselves and all for
whom we pray, trusting in Jesus Christ, the light and life of the world.
Amen.
CONFESSION AND PROCLAMATION OF FORGIVENESS
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.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and
made us alive together through Christ. By grace you have been saved. In
the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God
strengthen you through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts
through and show forth in your lives.
Amen.
We invite you to greet one another in the peace of the risen Christ.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Please be seated.
OFFERTORY Ave Maria by J. S. Bach/Charles Gounod
We invite you to please stand.
OFFERTORY HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter (ELW 294)

OFFERING PRAYER

Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among
the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your
gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all
earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ
our Lord. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Amen. Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s body
and blood, each time the words “Do this for the remembrance of me,” are
DIALOGUE spoken.

Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your word
brought light into the world.

In the fullness of time, you sent your Word, born of Mary, to shine in our
darkness and to make us your daughters and sons.

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.

PREFACE Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and
resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY him.

By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that held and nourished by
you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy
Spirit, in your holy Church, both 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
COMMUNION HYMN Go Tell It on the Mountain (ELW 290)
from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

To all who received Christ, who believe in his name, he gives the power to
become children of God, who are born, not of blood or of the will of the
flesh or of the will of man, but of God. All who wish to receive Christ,
come to the feast.

Please be seated.

All baptized people are welcome to the table to receive Christ’s body and
blood. If you have not been baptized, you are also welcome to the table as
God’s guest; we are honored by your presence. We recognize the Body of
Christ as the community of the baptized, so if you would like to become part
of the Body of Christ, we encourage you to seek baptism. If you can’t or
don’t wish to receive today, we encourage you to hold your hands over
your chest for a blessing as you come forward.

LAMB OF GOD

After all have communed, we invite you to stand and sing.

SONG AFTER COMMUNION PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O Lord, Now Let Your Servant (ELW 313)
Radiant God, with our eyes we have seen your salvation, and in this meal
we have feasted on your grace. May your Word take flesh in us, that we
may be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus
Christ our Savior. Amen.

BLESSING

Jesus is the promised Savior, born of Mary. May his birth among us renew
your hope. Amen.

May Christ, born into time to bring endless peace, guide your days and
years in righteousness from this time forth forevermore. Amen.

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen.

SENDING SONG: The First Noel (ELW 300)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Christ is with you.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Allegro from Organ Concerto in G J. S. Bach

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in
remembrance of the wedding anniversary of Russell and
Sharon Thacker.

Presented by Sharon Thacker

Upcoming Commemorations

Name of Jesus
Monday, January 1, 2018
By Jewish law, every baby boy was circumcised and named on the eighth
day of life, so on the eighth day of Christmas the church celebrates this
event in Jesus' life. The keeping of the covenant as well as Jesus' name are
signs of God's salvation given to us through him.