Sunday, December 27, 2020
First Sunday after Christmas
Prelude: Meditation on “Cranham”
Welcome and Announcements
Gathering Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” – LBW # 71, vs
1 - 3
Confession & Forgiveness
Greeting & Kyrie
Canticle of Praise: “Glory to God…”
Prayer of the Day
First Reading, Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm # 111
Second Reading, Galatians 4:4-7
Holy Gospel, Luke 2:22-40
Sermon
Hymn of the Day: “What Child Is This” – LBW # 40, vs 1 - 3
Nicene Creed
Prayers of the Church
The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
Dismissal
Sending Hymn: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” - LBW # 60, vs 1
– 3
Postlude: Voluntary on “Regent Square”
****************************************************************************************************
(Congregational
responses are in bold print)
The community of
faith comes together in worship to praise God and be nurtured by His Word and
Sacrament. As the prelude begins, prepare to worship, use opportunities during
the service to practice silence, to focus upon God, and to offer prayer.
Prelude Meditation on “Cranham”
Welcome and Announcements Pastor John
Gathering Hymn “Angels We
Have Heard on High” LBW # 71, vs 1
- 3
Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain: Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria
in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your
joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song? (Refrain)
Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the
Lord, the new-born King. (Refrain)
Confession & Forgiveness (Pastor)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Maker of
heaven and earth, the Word made flesh, the Lord and giver of life. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one
another…
God of glory, God of peace, we confess that we have
shunned the light that reveals the truth about us. We cling to worldly things
rather than sharing the gifts of this earth. We trust ourselves above all. Save
your people, O God; sustain the rivers and trees that sing your praise; and
free us to live boldly in the light and truth of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
The grace of God shines upon us, bringing salvation to
the whole world. We are saved, our sins are washed away, not because of
anything we have done, but according to God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. Renewed by
the Holy Spirit, let us live in hope and joy. Amen.
Greeting (Pastor)
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 (Worship
Assistant)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For
the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord,
have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of
the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord,
have mercy. For this
holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to
the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
Canticle of
Praise “Glory to God…” (Worship
Assistant)
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s
people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God
and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away
the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the
Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the
Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with
the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Prayer of the
Day (Pastor)
Let us pray…Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature and be born of the
Virgin Mary. Grant that we, having been redeemed and made your children by grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah
61:10-62:3 (Worship
Assistant)
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul 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 like a
priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her
jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden
causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause
righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.
1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for
Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as
brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. 2The nations shall
see your righteousness, 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. This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to
God.
Psalm: Psalm # 111 - read responsively (Worship Assistant)
Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my
whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the deeds of the Lord! they are studied by
all who delight in them.
His work is full of majesty and splendor, and his righteousness
endures forever.
He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; the
Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He gives food to those who fear him; he is ever
mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works in
giving them the lands of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice;
all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast forever and ever,
because they are done in truth and equity.
He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his
covenant forever; holy and awesome is his Name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those
who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures forever.
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 (Worship
Assistant)
St. Paul wrote to the
Galatians, reminding them that in God’s perfect time he sent his Son to redeem
all those who were under the law. This adoption made believers, then and now,
daughters and sons. We are heirs of God through Christ, our Lord.
4When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his
Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And
because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son,
and if a son, then an heir through God. This is the Word
of God, word of life, thanks be to God.
Holy Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 (Pastor)
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd
Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
According to the law of Moses, the infant Jesus had to
be presented in the Temple for circumcision on the eighth day of his life. A
sacrifice was to be offered there as a thanksgiving for the child. While at the
Temple, Mary and Joseph met Simeon, an old man who had waited for the Lord’s
Messiah to appear, and an old prophetess, Anna, who had prayed and fasted
daily, waiting for the redemption of Israel.
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 male
who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24and to
offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout,
waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And
it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit
into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
according to the custom of the Law, 28he took him up in his arms and
blessed God and said, 29“Lord, now you are letting your servant
depart in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen
your salvation 31that you have prepared in the presence of all
peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to
your people Israel.” 33And his father and his mother marveled at
what was said about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary
his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in
Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35(and a sword will pierce
through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be
revealed.” 36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with
her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a
widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping
with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very
hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were
waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39And when they had
performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into
Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and
became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. This is
the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon Pastor
John
Hymn of the Day “What Child Is This” LBW # 40 vs. 1 - 3
What child is this, who, laid to rest, On
Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds
watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring
him laud, The babe, the son of Mary!
Why lies he in such mean estate Where ox
and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, The cross be borne for me, for you; Hail, hail the Word made
flesh, The babe, the son of Mary!
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; Come,
peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation
brings; Let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby; Joy, joy, for Christ is born, The
babe, the son of Mary!
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; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. 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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and
glorified. He 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 Church (Worship
Assistant)
(P): Let us bring our
prayers for the church, all creation, and the needs of the world before God. A
brief silence.
(W): Lord of all, you
have formed us and fashioned us in your image. You have given us a new name -
your name, just as a bride takes her husband’s name, so we gratefully take
yours. May our lives bear witness to your glory so that at your name every knee
should bow. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): Loving Father,
your servant Simeon waited patiently for the arrival of the Messiah. Grant us
the patience to wait for you to act in our lives, trusting that you will do all
that you say you will. Give us faith like Anna and Simeon, to keep our eyes
open for your presence among us. Lord in your
mercy, hear our prayer.
(W): Holy God, you
know how difficult this past year has been for so many, in our community,
country, and around the world. Grant us grace in the new year, that we would
deal with whatever may come with dignity, a sense of calm, and a willingness to
help others. We thank for all the blessings of the past year, even in the face
of trials you have poured out your love upon us. Lord in your mercy, hear our
prayer.
(W): God of all goodness, grant your abiding presence to all who call on your
name, especially those who are ill and those who feel alone. Give them strength
and courage to face each day trusting that you will provide all that is needed.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(P): Rejoicing in your
glory revealed to the world, we offer these and all our prayers to you, O God
of our salvation, through Christ our light. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray the prayer our Savior
taught us…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.
Blessing (Pastor)
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with
grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
Dismissal (Worship Assistant)
Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.
Sending Hymn “Hark, the Herald
Angels Sing” LBW # 60, vs 1 – 3
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory
to the new-born king; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners
reconciled." Joyful, all you nations, rise; Join
the triumph of the skies; With the angelic hosts proclaim "Christ is born
in Bethlehem!"
(Refrain): Hark! the herald angels
sing, "Glory to the new-born 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 Immanuel! (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)
Postlude Voluntary on “Regent Square”