THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH. Christmas Day Festival Worship

Transcription

1 THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH Christmas Day Festival Worship

2 December 25, 2018 WELCOME TO RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH! Resurrection is where the life of Jesus meets yours bringing life to marriage, family, and our community. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, in the back corner of the sanctuary there is a room for any parents with children in need of a quiet place. There is a restroom in the entryway. Please ask if you have any further questions or concerns. THANKS BE TO YOU, Lord Jesus, thank you! You share my humanity, suffered my death, and intercede on my behalf. Thank you for your birth at Christmas, the turning point in all of history in my history; AMEN. JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD: 1 Our churches teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God [John 1:14], assumed the human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 2 So there are two natures the divine and the human inseparably joined in one person. There is one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried. 3 He did this to reconcile the Father to us and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of mankind [John 1:29]. 4 He also descended into hell, and truly rose again on the third day. Afterward, He ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. There He forever reigns and has dominion over all creatures. 5 He sanctifies those who believe in Him, by sending the Holy Spirit into their hearts to rule, comfort, and make them alive. He defends them against the devil and the power of sin. 6 The same Christ will openly come again to judge the living and the dead, and so forth, according to the Apostles Creed. Augsburg Confession, Article 3: The Son of God (Concordia p. 32) 2 THE FESTIVAL OF THE NATIVITY: The birth of Jesus Christ is the turning point in all of human history, when God made his appearance to help his people. Why does the Word becoming flesh lead us to cherish the fellowship we share?

3 OPENING HYMN: 55 Oh Come, All Ye Faithful OPENING RESPONSES Please rise. M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Dear friends: Let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us. Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin. For faithless worrying and selfish pride; for thoughtless sin and sin I have willfully chosen; for the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do, you should cast me away from your presence forever. O Lord, I am sorry for my sin; forgive me, for Jesus sake. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. In his great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant: Amen. I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In peace, let us pray to the Lord. For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from you all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the spread of your life-giving gospel throughout the world, that all who are lost in sin may be brought to faith in you, hear our prayer, O Christ: Christ, have mercy. For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await your return, hear our prayer, O Lord. Lord, have mercy. Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you. Amen. Let us respond to God s grace in the song of the angels: Glory to God in the Highest, as printed on the next page. 3

4 1. All glory be to God on high! Your name, O Lord, we glorify; We praise you for your peace and grace, Your favor toward our fallen race. 2.Our grateful thanks to you we bring. For your great glory, heav nly King, For all, O Father, you have done Through Jesus Christ, your only Son. 3.O Lamb of God, to you we pray. You take all human sin away. Have mercy, Lord; receive our prayer; From God s right hand, your mercy share. 4.You, Christ, are holy Lord alone; The Father s glory you made known. We by your Spirit sing again: All glory be to God! Amen. M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. Let us pray: Almighty God, grant that the birth of your one and only Son in the flesh may set us free from our old bondage under the yoke of sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever; Amen. THE WORD FIRST READING: Luke 1:26-38 The angel s announcement to Mary: 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. 4

5 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. 34 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? 35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail. 38 I am the Lord s servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her. HYMN VERSES: 38 vv. 1-2 From Heaven Above 1. From heaven above to earth I come To bear good news to every home; Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Whereof I now will say and sing: 2. To you this night is born a child Of Mary, chosen virgin mild; This little child of lowly birth Shall be the joy of all the earth! SECOND READING: Matthew 1:18-25 The angel s announcement to Joseph: 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. 5

6 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means God with us ). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. HYMN VERSES: 38 vv. 3-4 From Heaven Above 3. This is the Christ, our God most high, Who hears your sad and bitter cry; He will himself your Savior be From all your sins to set you free! 4. He will on you the gifts bestow Prepared by God for all below, That in his kingdom, bright and fair, You may with us his glory share. THIRD READING: Luke 2:1-15 The birth & the angelic announcement to the shepherds: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to 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. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 6

7 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. HYMN VERSES: 38 vv. 5-6 From Heaven Above 5. These are the signs which you shall mark: The swaddling clothes and manger dark. There you will find the infant laid By whom the heav ns and earth were made. 6. How glad we ll be to find it so! Then with the shepherds let us go To see what God, for us, has done In sending us his own dear Son! FOURTH READING: Luke 2:16-20 The shepherds rejoice at the Savior: 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. HYMN VERSES: 38 vv. 7-9 From Heaven Above 7. Come here, my friends, lift up your eyes And see what in the manger lies. Who is this child, so young and fair? It is the Christchild lying there. 8. Welcome to earth, O noble Guest, Through whom the sinful world is blest! You came to share my misery That you might share your joy with me! 9. Ah, Lord, though you created all, How weak you are, so poor and small, That you should choose to lay your head Where lowly cattle lately fed! 7

8 FIFTH READING: John 1:1-14 The shepherds rejoice at the Savior: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The real light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own, yet his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. HYMN VERSES: 38 vv From Heaven Above 14. My heart for very joy must leap; My lips no more can silence keep. I, too, must sing with joyful tongue That sweetest ancient cradle song: 15. Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto us his Son has given! While angels sing with pious mirth A glad new year to all the earth! SERMON based on John 1: The Word Became Flesh CHRISTMAS CREED: Luther s explanation of the Second Article of the Apostles Creed & CW 35 8 Of the Father's love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see Evermore and evermore.

9 M: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary is my Lord. Oh, that birth forever blessed When the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race, And the babe, the world's Redeemer, First revealed his sacred face Evermore and evermore. M: He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. Let the heights of heav'n adore him, Angel hosts his praises sing, Pow'rs, dominions bow before him And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Ev'ry voice in concert ring Evermore and evermore. OFFERING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & LORD S PRAYER THE SACRAMENT For our Holy Communion practice, please see the pink sheet in the pew racks. Preface M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. M: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them up to the Lord. M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is good and right so to do. Sanctus M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord who by his wondrous birth became our Brother, taking on human flesh to live in righteousness before God, and to become obedient to death on a cross. 9

10 Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song: O holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow'r and might, Your glory, earth and heaven In countless ways recite. Hosanna! Come and save us, Lord God of hosts on high, And in your grace and mercy Receive our fervent cry. Hosanna in the highest! How truly blest is he Who in God s name is coming To set his people free! He comes to bring salvation And with his blood outpoured, Deliver us from bondage Hosanna, mighty Lord! 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. Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen. 10

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12 SONG OF SIMEON 1. O Lord, now let your servant Depart in peace, assured: For I have seen your promised, incarnate, saving Word A Light that will enlighten All gloom where Gentiles dwell The brilliant, crowning glory Of those in Israel! 2. All glory to the Father, All glory to the Son, All glory to the Spirit, Forever three in one; For as in the beginning, Is now, shall ever be, God s triune name resounding Through all eternity. We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit help us to confess your truth until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb - who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Amen. CLOSING HYMN: 62 Joy to the World THIS WEEK Friday No Bible study Sunday 9 AM - Christmas 1 Worship 10:20 AM - Bible Study Monday, Dec 31 7 PM - New Year s Worship with Holy Communion Friday, Jan 4 1 PM - Bible Study Sunday, 9 AM - Christmas 1 Worship 10:20 AM - Bible Study S. Holland Sylvania Rd Pastor: (419) Podcast: Raised with Jesus PastorHagen@icloud.com Chairman Dave Sipes: (419)