4th Sunday in Advent
PRELUDE
WELCOME TO THOSE IN PERSON AND ONLINE & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 in the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
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. I therefore declare to us the entire forgiveness of all our sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
OPENING HYMN: Joy to the World #267 (in hymnal)
GREETING (Please stand if able.)
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
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 wellbeing 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.
THIS IS THE FEAST
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. A brief silence is kept before the prayer.
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 7: 10-16
PSALM: Psalm 80, 1-7, 17-19
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your people pray?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
17 Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one you have made so strong for yourself.
18 And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
SECOND READING: Romans 1: 1-7
CHILDREN’S TIME
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – ALLELUIA VERSE (Please stand if able.)
GOSPEL: Matthew 1: 18-25
Response to the Gospel announcement: Glory to you, O Lord.
The Word of the Lord: Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON – Pastor Nancy Hanson
APOSTLE’S 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.
HYMN OF THE DAY – Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! # 288 (in hymnal)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.(Please share the peace sign if you prefer not to shake hands.)
OFFERING HYMN – Let the Vineyards be Fruitful
OFFERING PRAYER
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Please stand if able.)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Jesus invites you to this table. Come, eat and live.
LAMB OF GOD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (Please stand if able.)
God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
BENEDICTION (Please stand if able.)
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.
SENDING SONG– He Came Down # 253 (in hymnal)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Read about the Holy Conversations members of Saron had with Good Shepherd.