WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose home is heaven and earth, whose salvation is sure. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

(Silence for reflection)

Long-expected God, we confess that we look to ourselves for the peace and security only you can provide. We reach for swords and spears, reluctant to release our grip on the ways of war. We become impatient while waiting and weary of keeping awake. Free us from self-reliance, and teach us to live in harmony with our neighbors. Increase our trust in God’s timing, and awaken us to your advent among us, that we may abound in the hope you have promised. Amen

 

God judges us not as we deserve, but according to God’s own righteousness. ☩ You are freed and forgiven, saved by grace, and ready to welcome the Savior. Amen.

 

CHOIR: WHAT CHILD IS THIS

 

LIGHTING THE ADVENT “JOY” CANDLE & ADVENT SONG

ADVENT SONG: THE CANDLE OF HOPE (Insert, v.1-3)

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

FIRST READING: LUKE 2:1-7

¹ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: PSALM 96

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the Lord; proclaim God’s salvation from day to day.
³ Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
⁴ For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods. 
⁵ As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O Lord, have made the heavens.
⁶ Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary.
⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the Lord. 
⁹ Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the Lord, all the earth.
¹⁰ Tell it out among the nations: “The  Lord is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity.”
¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
¹² Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O Lord,  for you come to judge the earth.
¹³ You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth.

 

SECOND READING LUKE 2:8-14
⁸ Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

 

GOSPEL: LUKE 2:15-20

The Holy Gospel according to Luke the 2nd Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, ¹⁹ and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them. Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

CHOIR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

MARY ROCKED THE LITTLE BABY

#267 JOY TO THE WORLD (with Congregation)

O HOLY NIGHT

 

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 INTERCESSION (please answer “Hear Our Prayer”)

PASSING OF THE PEACE

 

OFFERATORY

Please be seated Offering plates will be passed during this time.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC DURING OFFERING Evelyn Dornink will play Good King Wenceslas and Kessa Bockoven will play Away in a Manger and Joy to the World

 

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray: Nourishing God, you are water in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Through this meal, satisfy our parched places, that we may rejoice and be for the world signs of your kingdom come. Amen.

 

HOLY COMMUNION / LORD’S PRAYER

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… and join their unending hymn: (Please sing:153) Holy, holy, holy Lord, 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.

In the night he was betrayed…. Do this for the remembrance of me. Our Father who art in heaven….

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Here is life. God is with us. Come, receive what God has promised.

(All who hunger for God’s grace are welcome at this meal. White grape juice and gluten free wafers are available for those who need them. Children who have not had first communion training are welcome to come for a blessing.)

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray: God our host, at this table you have fed us with joy and gladness. Send us forth, eager to share the feast, welcome the stranger, and bear good fruit in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

BLESSING

May God who comes among us, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, grant you patience in waiting, peace in the darkness, and good news to share today and always. Amen

 

CLOSING HYMN: #281 Silent Night   (Choir only Peace, Peace)

 

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Keep awake. Thanks be to God.

 

Welcome guests! We’re so glad you’re here!

~ Poinsettias are welcome, please bring no sooner than the second week of December ~

Christmas Eve Service will be at 4:30 pm. (Please note: There is NO 6:30 pm Service this year)

Thank You to Our Assistants: Morem Family as Ushers/Helpers with Kylie as Acolyte, Whalen Family as Ushers/Helpers with Gracie as Acolyte, Cliff Johannessen as Scripture Reader and Advent Reader, Matt Anderson as Video/Sound, Mindy Kingsley for Offering Counter. Kandace Johnson for Altar Guild. Special thanks today to our Church Choir, Stephanie Morse, Reagan Rose, Evelyn Dornink, and Kessa Bockoven.

Please Remember Our Homebound and Senior Care Residents: Merle Roelofs, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Mel Mikkelson.

Please Keep in Prayers: Carole Engen, Lu Ommen, Amy Timmerman, Jim Harstad, Linda Snyder, Carrie Donney.

Liturgy taken from sundaysandseasons.com.  Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress.  All rights reserved.  Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB134626.  CCLI Streaming License #20959486