Magnificat (Luke 1:46b-55) And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24, 2017 10:00 A.M. Service Sunday, December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent Holy Communion WELCOME TO EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH INTRODUCTION God keeps the promise made to David, to give him an everlasting throne. The angel tells Mary that God will give David's throne to her son Jesus. She is perplexed by Gabriel's greeting and by the news of her coming pregnancy, but she is able still to say, "Count me in." We who know that Jesus is called king only as he is executed still find it a mystery hard to fathom, but with Mary today we hear the news of what God is up to and say, "Count us in." PRELUDE Christmas Pastorale Callahan Sharon Denisen, Flutist WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The assembly stands. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. Let us prepare the way of the Lord by confessing our sin against God and neighbor. The assembly may kneel or stand. Silence is kept for reflection. 2
God of all time, we confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news! GATHERING SONG: Savior of the Nations, Come ELW 263 GREETING Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the promised gifts of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And also with you. LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH KYRIE (Please sing twice). 3
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Let us pray. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. In your Son, Emmanuel, you have shown us your light and saved us from the power of sin. Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath. Increase our longing for your presence, that at the celebration of your Son s birth his Spirit might dwell anew in our midst, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God forever. The fourth Advent candle is lit as the Assembly sings verse four of Light One Candle: PRAYER OF THE DAY Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. The assembly is seated. 4
FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 7:1 11, 16 (Please open your pew Bibles to page 277 in the Old Testament). Instead of David building a house (temple) for the Lord, the Lord promises to establish David's house (dynasty) forever. Centuries later, after the Babylonian exile, no king sat on the throne. Even then, however, the people of Israel remembered this promise and continued to hope for a king, the messiah, the Lord's anointed. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SECOND READING: Romans 16:25 27 (Please open your pew Bibles to page 172 in the New Testament). Paul closes his letter to the Romans by praising God because in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ God has revealed the promised, divine plan of salvation for all humanity. Paul proclaims this gospel of Christ in order to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (SING VERSE 4) COME NOW, O PRINCE OF PEACE 5
GOSPEL: Luke 1:26 38 (Please open your pew Bibles to page 57 in the New Testament). In this annunciation, Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people (Mary) from little known places (Nazareth). This king will not be born to royalty in a palace, but to common folk in a stall. Here Luke highlights the role of the Spirit, a special emphasis in his gospel. The holy gospel according to Luke, the first chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. The gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The assembly is seated. SERMON Resident Pastor Will Kittinger The assembly stands. HYMN OF THE DAY: My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness ELW 251 PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Guided by the light of Christ, let us pray for the coming dawn of joy, healing, and comfort for all God s people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Congregational refrain: Wait for the Lord 6
We bring to you, Christ, members and friends of Emmanuel who need your healing touch. (Names from our congregation ) Into your loving hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abundant mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Congregational refrain: Wait for the Lord PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace, and may say, "Peace be with you," or similar words. The assembly is seated. OFFERING An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. OFFERTORY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Plainsong/arr. Denisen Emmanuel Choir Bells: Denise Larson, Jan Gazdic, Jane Hauck O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, O Branch of Jesse, free your own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell your people save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer; O Sun of justice, now draw near. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. 7
The assembly stands. OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. Savior of the nations, come. Make your home here in us. Feed us with your love, that our faith shine ever new and our lives reveal your light. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE 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. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. 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: 8
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY 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. 9
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. 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. Invited to the Lord s Table are all baptized Christians who celebrate with us the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament. The Communion is administered by intinction, that is, the bread is handed to the communicant and the communicant dips the bread into the wine. If you are not able to take the wine, simply take the bread. Children are invited to come forward for a blessing. If you desire Communion, but are not able to come forward, please let an usher know. We ll bring it to you. If you do not wish to partake of the Sacrament, simply remain seated when your row is directed to come forward.gluten-free wafers are available. If you need a gluten-free wafer, simply ask a pastor or the person distributing Communion. The gluten-free wafers are now stored in a separate compartment of the intinctorium (the vessel holding the Communion wafers). INVITATION TO COMMUNION Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you. Share in the feast of salvation. 10
COMMUNION When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond COMMUNION SONG COMMUNION MUSIC Sweet Little Jesus Boy Spiritual Arland Waters, soloist Carol Waters, pianist ASSEMBLY HYMNS: Love Has Come ELW 292 That Boy-Child of Mary ELW 293 11
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray. God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. BLESSING May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. SENDING SONG Once in Royal David s City ELW 269 DISMISSAL Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Glory to God in the Highest Pergolesi 12
10:00 Service Greeters: Dick & Vera Hynes; Marilyn Thomack, Rosy Myers Assisting Minister: Kathy Worley Lector: Marilyn Thomack Acolyte: Tom Gemmer Ushers: Dick & Vera Hynes; Marilyn Thomack, Rosy Myers Altar Guild: Diedre Milligan Hospitality: Committee of all bakers Please Join Us Tonight For Our Christmas Eve Services 5:00 P.M. Paper Bag Pageant (Family Friendly Service) 7:00 P.M., 9:00 P.M. Traditional Services All Services Will Be Serving Holy Communion. (Nursery provided) 13