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Fourth Sunday of Advent
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING OF THE BELL
Please stand as you are able.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, whose home is heaven and earth, whose salvation is sure.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Long-expected God, we confess that we look to ourselves for the peace and security only you can provide. We reach for swords and spears, reluctant to release our grip on the ways of war.
We become impatient while waiting and weary of keeping awake. Free us from self-reliance, and teach us to live in harmony with our neighbors. Increase our trust in God’s timing,
and awaken us to your advent among us, that we may abound in the hope you have promised. Amen.
God judges us not as we deserve, but according to God’s own righteous-ness. You are freed and forgiven, saved by grace, and ready to wel-come the Savior. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Hymn #257
“Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel” vs. 1-4, 7
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Lord God, Like Joseph, give us tender and open hearts, ready to do your will. Help us to see where our hopes and dreams fit with your plans for our lives, Amen.
Please be seated.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
We light four candles for the four corners of the earth:
Everything to the north, and the south,
Everything to the east, and the west.
We light four candles to say YES to the invitation
to care for the earth and for all her good creation.
Hymn # 253 “He Came Down” vs. 1-4
WORD
FIRST READING Isaiah 11:10-16
An Israelite and Aramean military coalition presented a serious threat to King Ahaz of Judah. In response, Ahaz decided to secure his throne and kingdom by seeking Assyrian help. Isaiah reminds Ahaz that human at-tempts to establish security will fail. The prophet gives the sign that is the only source of true safety: Immanuel, God is with us!
10 The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 80: 1-6,17-19
Refrain:
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.
Refrain:
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.
Refrain:
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.
Refrain:
SECOND READING Romans 1:1-7
Most of the Christians in Rome do not know Paul. In this letter’s opening he introduces himself as an apostle divinely appointed to spread God’s gos-pel. The gospel’s content is the promised coming of Christ, and Paul’s mis-sion is to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations, including his Roman audience.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apos-tleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON Pastor Chris Steubing
Please stand as you are able.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Al - le - lu - ia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
Words of e—ter— nal life. Al - le - lu - ia. Al - le - lu - ia.
GOSPEL READING Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth focuses on the role of Joseph, who adopts the divinely-begotten child into the family of David and obediently gives him the name Jesus, which means “God saves.”
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON Rev. Chris Steubing
HYMN OF THE DAY “Come to Us” Next page
“Come to Us”
We adore You, sweet Child of glory
Words and Music by Greg Walton, © 2011 SPIRIT AND SONG OCP Used by permission CCLI # 2561118
THE NICENE CREED
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
. . .God of grace, Hear our prayer.
THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Let us share the peace with one another.
OFFERING
OFFERING MUSIC “We Are Waiting for Jesus” Choir and Handbells
Please stand as you are able as the offering is brought forward.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. God of every good gift, we offer what we have back to you, knowing that your son is the greatest gift we will ever re-ceive. Grant us glad and generous hearts, ever and always. Amen.
MEAL
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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 unending hymn:
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, 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.
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith;
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
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
Here is life. God is with us. Come, receive what God has promised.
Communion Distribution---All are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the Lord's table. If you'd like to receive a blessing instead, you may simply come forward and cross your arms over your chest. If you are unable to come forward, please notify an usher and we will bring the sacrament to you. The communion cups contain wine (red) or grape juice (white). Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.
Communion Hymns
Hymn Insert “What Feast of Love” Next pg.
Hymn #247 “Come, Now O Prince of Peace” vs. 1-4
POST COMMUNION BLESSING
Please stand as you are able.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Christ Jesus, You have fed us with love incarnate, and we are utterly changed. Send us forth from this meal to be forces for change in this world, as we find the YES within each of us. Amen.
“What Feast is This”
Text: © 1993 Delores Dufner, OSB, admin OCP Publications, Used by permission. CCLI 2561118
BENEDICTION
May God bless you with courage, as you seek the YES within you; May Christ be born again in every risk you take for the sake of the world; and may the Holy Spirit remind you, again and again, that you are never alone, and that you are loved beyond measure.
SENDING HYMN “Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Keep awake.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Our staff and worship leaders today:
Pastor—Rev. Chris Steubing
Visitation Pastor—Rev. Judi Miller
Communion Assistants—Vicki Lee and Susan Ryder
Our Reader—Kirsten Meyer
Our Liturgist—Ken Kleid
Organist—Jimmy Cheung
Choir and Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann