1st Sunday of Christmas

PRELUDE              “Light Dawns on a Weary World”     #726

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Amid the troubles and fears of this world, let us confess our sin and welcome God’s forgiveness, grace, and love.

Silence is kept for reflection

Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus.

  Forgive our lack of faith and trust.

Your Son was born in the poverty of a stable.

  Forgive our neglect of the poor.

The shepherds left their flocks and went to Bethlehem.

  Forgive our selfishness and complacency.

With great joy the angels proclaimed, “Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy. To you is born this day, a savior who is Christ the Lord.”

In ☩ Jesus, who is Savior, Christ, and Lord, our sins are forgiven. May you know the peace which the angels sang from the heavens. Indeed, God’s forgiveness is good news of great joy! Amen.

GATHERING CAROL            “Mary’s Little Boy Child”

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who is Savior and Lord,

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. Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God, and open our minds to the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may think and act according to your good will and may live continually in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

CANTICLE OF PRAISE       “Angels From the Realms of Glory”       #275 

THE FIRST LESSON: Colossians 3:12-17

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Word of God, word of life, Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Luke 2:41-52

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, 

“This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, 

and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed

— and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

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

SERMON      “A Light for Revelation”                    Pastor Phil Wold

HYMN OF THE DAY          “O Little Town of Bethlehem”    #279

THE NICENE CREED   

In infinite mercy God watched over the people of Israel. In unending love God sent his Son to be our Savior. 

God delivered us from sin through the waters of Baptism. 

With joy we proclaim in words and action the faith which makes us God’s own people. . .

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.

OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER 

God with us: You came as a baby to a manger. You slept on straw and greeted shepherds. 

You come again in bread and wine. Remind us how good you are at blessing ordinary things.

And then, through these gifts, help us to bless the lives of others in the strength of your holy name. Amen.

THE SERVICE OF PRAYERS FOR HEALING

In the name of God Lift us Then send us

our healer on your love forth into

we pray. like eagle's wings the world

God of life Sustain us That we

God of hope Guide us may love

God of all Heal us as you love.

                                                                                                         Amen.

Receive Christ’s healing touch May the power of God

to make you whole strengthen you,

in body, the love of God dwell in you

mind, and give you peace.

and spirit. and give you peace.       Amen. 

(From the Ministry for Healing, The New Zealand Prayer Book)

THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

The peace of the Lord be with you always.   And also with you.

NOISY OFFERING

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,

the obedience of Joseph,

the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

and the everlasting peace of Jesus

who is Savior, Christ, and Lord.

Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you and keep you now and forever.

Amen.

SENDING CAROL             “hark! The Herald Angels Sing"                 #270 

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve our Savior, Christ, and Lord. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

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