1st Sunday of Christmas '23

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise God in the heights.

Praise the LORD, all you angels; sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.

Praise the LORD, |sun and moon; sing praise, all you shining stars.

Praise the LORD, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, who commanded, and they were created,

who made them stand fast forever and ever, giving them a law that shall not

pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps;

fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God's will;

mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;

wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds;

sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world;

young men and maidens, old and young together.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, whose name only is exalted,

whose splendor is over earth and heaven.

The LORD has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants,

the children of Israel, a people who are near the LORD. Hallelujah!

GATHERING SONG “Shine, Jesus Shine” #671

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the Holy One of Israel, the Word made flesh,

the Power of the Most High, ☩ one God, now and forever. Amen.

Gathered in the name of Jesus, let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Gracious God, in Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in darkness.

We confess our failure to welcome this light. Forgive us and renew our hope, so that we may live in the light of your grace, and welcome the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

I bring you good news of great joy for all people: To you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Your sins are forgiven in ☩ Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Luke 2:22–40

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

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 accord-ing 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.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

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

SERMON “A Light for Revelation” Pastor Phil Wold

HYMN OF THE DAY “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” #288

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.

THE 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.

RESPONSIVE PRAYER

It is you, loving God, who lights our path with truth.

Your Word, Jesus, is truth.

In his light, draw all to the manger

to gather in wonder with the shepherds.

In his light, draw all to the manger

to kneel in reverence with the wise ones.

In his light, draw all to the manger

to sing for joy with the angels.

In the brightness of his life

cast away the darkness of injustice, poverty, and hunger in the world.

It is you, loving God, who meets us on our way.

In the light of Jesus, show the world the way of life.

Amen.

PRAYERS FOR HEALING

THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

NOISY OFFERING

THE 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

BLESSING

May Christ, who by his incarnation has filled us with grace and truth, give you peace this Christmas and always. Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

SENDING SONG “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” #270

DISMISSAL

Glory to God in the highest!

Peace to God’s people on earth!

Go in peace. Share the gift of Jesus.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.