1st Sunday of Christmas

 LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS

SAVIOR, CHRIST, LORD


WELCOME

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

As we gather we hear again the good news the angels proclaimed: God has come for all people through the birth of the one named Jesus. Through Bethlehem’s manger God comes into the chaos, messiness, and vulnerability of the world. In all things and at all times, we rejoice that God comes to save us and reigns in love. We come to adore Jesus who is Savior, Christ, and Lord. 

 

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, your 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   “ O Come All Ye Faithful”   #283

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.


CANTICLE OF PRAISE            “Joy to the World” #267 

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

 

LESSON: Isaiah 12:2-6

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;

he has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

And you will say in that day:

Give thanks to the LORD,

call on his name;

make known his deeds among the nations;

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;

let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

 

LESSON: Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

 

CAROL:                        Your Little Ones, Dear Lord” #286 

LESSON: Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,

who brings good news,

who announces salvation,

who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,

together they sing for joy;

for in plain sight they see

the return of the LORD to Zion.

Break forth together into singing,

you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the LORD has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.

The LORD has bared his holy arm

before the eyes of all the nations;

and all the ends of the earth shall see

the salvation of our God..

 

LESSON: Hebrews 1:1-4

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.


CAROL:                       “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”             #282 

GOSPEL READING Luke 2:1-20

The Holy Gospel; according to Saint Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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


SERMON "The Christmas Sermon - Do Over" Pastor Phil Wold

CAROL:                                         “Away in a Manger”                       #277 

NICENE CREED

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 OFFERTORY  “Mary’s Little Boy Child”                     BASICS

OFFERING PRAYER     “Angels From the Realms of Glory” # 275 

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 THE PEACE

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                 “Go Tell it on the Mountain”               #290 

DISMISSAL

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

 

POSTLUDE                    “Why Isn’t Everybody Singing Allelu?”                 BASICS

 

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