ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24, 2023

+ GATHERING +

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah
ELW 240 (v 1,2,&3)

Light one candle to watch for Messiah:
let the light banish darkness.
He shall bring salvation to Israel,
God fulfills the promise.

Light two candles to watch for Messiah:
let the light banish darkness.
He shall feed the flock like a shepherd,
gently lead them homeward.

Light three candles to watch for Messiah:
let the light banish darkness.
Lift your heads and lift high the gateway
for the King of glory.

Light four candles to watch for Messiah:
let the light banish darkness.
He is coming, tell the glad tidings.
Let your lights be shining!

PRELUDE 

Gentle Mary: A Christmas Carol
arr. Bill Williams
Grace Bells

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

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.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the  Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN

 Let All Together Praise Our God
ELW 287

Let all together praise our God
before the highest throne;
today God opens heav'n again
and sends the only Son,
and sends the only Son.

From God's right hand the Son descends,
is born an infant small,
and lies in poverty, his bed
a manger in a stall,
a manger in a stall.

O tender Child, you veil in flesh
the splendor of your might;
a servant's garb now wraps the one
who clothed the sky with light,
who clothed the sky with light.

Your mother feeds you tenderly,
sings you a lullaby,
while angels, hailing David's heir,
your glory magnify,
your glory magnify.

A wonderful exchange you make:
you take our flesh and blood,
and in return give us to share
the shining realm of God,
the shining realm of God.

Unlock the door again today
that leads to paradise;
the angel bars the way no more.
To God let praises rise,
to God let praises rise!

GREETING
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    (ELW 155)

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
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.
Amen.

+ WORD +  

FIRST READING:  2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Instead of David building a house (temple) for God, God 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, God’s anointed.

¹Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, ²the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." ³Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you."
⁴But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: ⁵Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? ⁶I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. ⁷Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" ⁸Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; ⁹and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. ¹⁰And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, ¹¹from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. ¹⁶Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 89:1-4, 19-26    (sung together)

¹Your love, O Lord, forever | will I sing;
  from age to age my mouth will pro- | claim your faithfulness.
 ²For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is estab- | lished forever;
  you have set your faithfulness firmly | in the heavens.
 ³“I have made a covenant with my | chosen one;
  I have sworn an oath to Da- | vid my servant:
 ⁴‘I will establish your | line forever,
  and preserve your throne for all | generations.’ ”
 ¹⁹You spoke once in a vision and said to your | faithful people:
  “I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out | of the people.
 ²⁰I have found Da- | vid my servant;
  with my holy oil have I a- | nointed him.
 ²¹My hand will | hold him fast
  and my arm will | make him strong.
&nbsp^;22No enemy | shall deceive him,
  nor shall the wicked | bring him down.
 ²³I will crush his | foes before him
  and strike down | those who hate him.
&nbsp^;24My faithfulness and steadfast | love are with him,
  and he shall be victorious | through my name.
&nbsp^;25I will set his hand | on the sea,
  and his right hand | on the rivers.
 ²⁶He will say to me, ‘You | are my father,
  my God, and the rock of | my salvation.’

SECOND READING:    Romans 16:25-27
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.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION   (ELW 175)

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL:      Luke 1:26-38
In this annunciation, Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people from little known places. 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 this gospel.

The holy gospel according to Luke .
Glory to you, O Lord.

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ¹⁹This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." ²¹And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." ²²Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" ²³He said,
 "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as the prophet Isaiah said.
²⁴Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" ²⁶John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

HYMN

The Annunciation
(soloists)

An angel went from God
to a town called Nazareth
to a woman whose name was Mary.
The angel said to her,
"Rejoice, O highly favored,
for God is with you.

You shall bear a child,
and his name shall be Jesus.
the Chosen One of God Most High"
And Mary said, "I am the servant of my God,
I live to do your will."

The Magnificat
(all)

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God,
and my spirit rejoices in you.
You have looked with love on your servant here,
and blessed me all my life through.
Great and mighty are you, O Holy One,
strong is your kindness evermore. 
How you favor the weak and lowly one,
humbling the proud of heart! 

You have cast the mighty down from their thrones,
and uplifted the humble of heart. 
You have filled the hungry with wondrous things,
and left the wealthy no part. 
Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One,
strong is your justice, strong your love,
as you promised to Sarah and Abraham,
kindness forevermore.

My soul proclaims your greatness O God,
and my spirit rejoices in you. 
You have looked with love on your servant here,
and blessed me all my life through.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY    

Christ Be Our Light
ELW 715

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain
  Christ, be our light!
  Shine in our hearts.
  Shine through the darkness.
  Christ, be our light!
  Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow'r to save us.
Make us your living voice.    Refrain

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.    Refrain

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.    Refrain

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
signs of your kingdom come.    Refrain

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 THE PEOPLE

With hope and expectation, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all who await God’s day of restoration.

Hear Our Prayer
ELW 178

Hear our prayer, Hear our prayer,
Lord make us whole:
peace to all people, hope for each soul.
God of Grace, in this place,
hear now our prayer.

You promise mercy to Abraham and Sarah and their descendants forever. Bring your church into thoughtful, caring, and collaborative relationship with those of other faiths. Strengthen our shared values, that we work together in caring for our world. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

As fields and crops lie dormant, bless them with holy rest. Prepare them to thrive, that they provide abundant food in due season. Protect animals who hibernate and provide for all who scavenge for food in the lean season. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

You raise up the lowly and cast down the arrogant. Teach humility to all in positions of authority. Break down systems of oppression, especially systems that perpetuate inequity and exclusion. Do not allow wealth, power, or pride to become idols that obscure your call to justice. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Look with favor upon all who cry out to you. Accompany with tenderness all who are afraid or ill, particularly Arlene, Anne, Mabel, Mike, Anna Mae, Doris, Michael, Julie, Carol, Anne, Tom, Lydia, Brian, Paul, Wil, Amy, Bob, Jane, Marian L., Monica, Scott, Ron, Flo, Doris, Dottie, Marian, Tim, Betty, Jeff, Henry, Mary, Greg, Ann Joyce, Jim, Yolanda, and Max. Rescue all who experience abuse or who live under threat of violence, especially refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers in search of a safe and stable home. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

You are pleased to make your home among us. Make our homecomings joyful as we gather with friends, families, and chosen families in celebration. Grant safety to all who travel. Sustain the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and other ministries that assist in setting up new homes. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

    Other petitions may be offered.

Blessed are you for Mary and all your servants in every generation who lived according to your promise of mercy. Strengthen us by their example until the revelation of your glory is made known. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.

Listen to these and all our prayers, O God of hosts, and restore us with your great and everlasting mercy.
Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

Let Your Peace Rain upon Us
ACS 989

Let your peace rain upon us,
O living God of peace.
Let your peace rain upon us,
Lord, fill our hearts with your peace.

Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

  + MEAL +  

OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service.  Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option.  Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.

MUSICAL OFFERING

He Will Come
arr.  Patrick Liebergen
Grace Choir

OFFERING SONG  

Create In Me a Clean Heart
ELW 188

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me. 
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your free Spirit.

OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God our provider, by your merciful hand abundance springs up from the earth. Receive and bless these gifts of your own bounty.  Let them be a sign of your steadfast love and faithfulness for all people, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

    HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

DIALOGUE
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.

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:

SANCTUS     (ELW 190)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heav’n and earth are full, full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest,
hosanna in the highest.   

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.

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. 

With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.  We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.  We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit.  Come among us.  Bless this meal.  May your Word take flesh in us.  Awaken your people.  Fill us with your light.  Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the most High, one God, 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 from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    forever and ever.  Amen.

DISTRIBUTION 
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the head of the aisle where we receive the host. Then to Pastor’s side  is first, a chalice for intinction and second, a common cup for drinking, and a third chalice of juice. Gluten free bread is available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.

AGNUS DEI     (ELW 196)

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace.  Amen.

HYMN DURING COMMUNION

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
ELW 257

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Refrain
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
embracing all things far and nigh:
in strength and beauty come and stay;
teach us your will and guide our way.  Refrain

O come, O come, O Lord of might,
as to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times you gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.  Refrain

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.  Refrain

O come, O Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.  Refrain

O come, O 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.  Refrain

O come, O King of nations, come,
O Cornerstone that binds in one:
refresh the hearts that long for you;
restore the broken, make us new.  Refrain

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.  Refrain

BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION

And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.  
Amen.

SONG AFTER COMMUNION  

Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether 
ELW 470  (vs. 3) 

All our meals and all our living
make as sacraments of you,
that by caring, helping, giving,
we may be disciples true. 
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We will serve with faith anew.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Generous God, in bread and cup you have revealed your glory for all people to see together. Nourished by this meal, send us out to proclaim your good news of liberation and release, brought to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

+ SENDING +  

SENDING HYMN

Canticle of the Turning
ELW 723

My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn, 
so from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain   
   My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
   Let the fires of your justice burn.
   Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
   and the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.    Refrain

From the halls of pow'r to the fortress tow'r,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev'ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.    Refrain

Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us 
from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.    Refrain

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL
Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

---

Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah, Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954. Text © 1954 Fortress Press. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. Music: Yiddish folk tune, Public Domain.

Let All Together Praise Our God.Text: Nikolaus Herman, 1480-1561; tr. hymnal version. Text © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274.  All rights reserved.  Music: Nikolaus Herman, Public domain.

Kyrie, Music: Russian Orthodox taditional, Public Domain.

Gospel Acclamation, Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994, and the Taize Community.  Music ©1981 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Holden Evening Prayer, "The Annunciation", "The Magnificat",  Music: Marty Haugen, b. 1950.  Copyright © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Christ Be Our Light, Text and music: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957. Text and music © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. admin. OCP Publications. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

Hear Our Prayer, Text and music: Paul Andress, b. 1956. Text and music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress.  Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.  

Let Your Peace Rain upon Us, Palestinian traditional; tr. Mark Swanson, b. 1955, and Mark Sedio, b. 1954.  English text © 2020 Augsburg Fortress.  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved Music: Palestinian traditional.  Public Domain.

Create in Me a Clean Heart, Music: J. A. Freylinghausen, 1670-1739. Public domain.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: Franz Schubert, 1737-1828; adapt. Richard Proulx, b. 1937.  Adapt. © 1985, 10989 GIA Publications, Inc.  Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528.  Public Domain.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln, 1710; tr. composite.  Text sts. 2,6,7 © 1997 Augsburg Fortress.  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. Music: French processional, 15^th cent. Public Domain.

Canticle of the Turning, Text: Rory Cooney, b. 1952, based on the Magnificat. Text © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.,  Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.  Music: Irish traditional. Public domain.