Third Sunday of Advent
10:00 AM Service December 17, 2023
GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Presentation of Ministry Check
Ringing of the Bell
(Please Stand)
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who opens the heavens and draws near to us with salvation.
Amen.
God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance. Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Everlasting God,
you love justice and you hate wrongdoing. We confess the fear, greed, and self-centeredness that make us reluctant to work against oppression. We are complicit in systems of exploitation. We choose comfort over courage. We are careless with creation’s bounty. Look upon us with mercy. Turn our hearts again to you. Make us glad to do your will and to walk in your ways for the sake of our waiting world.
Amen.
Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salvation and covers you with robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all.
Amen.
Hymn #242 “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn”
L: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
C: And also with you.
L: Let us pray:
All: Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light: through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God , now and forever. Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Hymn #240 “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” Vs. 3
WORD
First Reading Isaiah 61: 1—4, 8—11 Pg.1157
R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm Luke 1: 46b—55 Pg. 1589
Refrain
Luke 1: 46b “My soul glorifies the Lord Luke 1: 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Luke 1: 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
Refrain
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
Luke 1: 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
Refrain
Luke 1: 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
Luke 1: 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered
those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Refrain
Luke 1: 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the
humble. Luke 1: 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Refrain
Luke 1: 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful Luke 1: 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Refrain:
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16—24 Pg. 1841
R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God.
Children’s Sermon
(Please rise for the Gospel.)
After the Gospel is announced, we sing
The Gospel according to John, the first chapter.
Gospel Reading John 1: 6—8, 19—28 Pg. 1551
After the reading of the Gospel, we sing
(Please be seated)
Sermon Rev. Kristine Franke Hill
(Please Stand)
Hymn # 266 “All Earth is Hopeful”
L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,*
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.
The Prayers
L: . . . Merciful God
C: Receive our prayers.
Sharing of the Peace
L: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you!
L: You may share the peace with one another.
Offering
Offering Hymn # 262 “Wait for the Lord” (Sing 3 times)
Please stand as the last verse is sung and the offering is brought forward.
L: Let us pray.
All: 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.
MEAL
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise. . . We praise your name and join their un-ending hymn:
Eucharistic Prayer
P: 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 the light.
Blessed are you for the 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.
6With 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.
P: Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
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.
Invitation to Communion
Communion Hymns
Hymn # 522 “As We Gather at Your Table”
Hymn # 483 “Here is Bread”
SENDING
Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Prayer after Communion
P: Let us pray, 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.
Benediction
P: The God of peace bless you, the love of Christ sustain you in hope, and the anointing of the Spirit remain upon you now and forever.
Hymn #815 “I Want to Walk As a Child of The Light”
L: Go in peace. Keep awake.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude.
Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today:
Our Reader—Kathy Lenhardt
Our Liturgist—Ken Kleid
Organist—Ed Workmon
Accompanist—Doris Menke
Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann
Transitional Pastor—Rev. Kristine Franke Hill