GATHERING SONG “Blessed Be Your Name"
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Recognizing our need for God's mercy, let us confess our sin,
and seek reconciliation with God and each other.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of justice and compassion,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves,
We have not been faithful stewards of your creation.
We have failed to share the bounty of your harvest with the poor and needy.
Forgive our sin, increase our faith, strengthen us in service,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and a lost sheep is found.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us
and for his sake God forgives us all our sins.
As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority,
I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins,
in the name of the Father,
and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE
ADVENT HYMN “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #257
Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. John the Baptist calls all people to prepare the Lord's way for the kingdom of heaven is near. Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath. Baptize us with the fire of your Spirit, that we may be a light shining in the darkness welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God forever. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son.
By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing;
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is established forever;
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
I will establish your line forever,
and preserve your throne for all generations.’”
You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people:
“I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
I have found David my servant;
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
My hand will hold him fast
and my arm will make him strong.
No enemy shall deceive him,
nor shall the wicked bring him down.
I will crush his foes before him
and strike down those who hate him.
My faithfulness and steadfast love are with him,
and he shall be victorious through my name.
I will set his hand on the sea,
and his right hand on the rivers.
He will say to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation.’
EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 16: 25-27
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
THE GOSPEL FOR THE DAY: Luke 1:26-38
The holy gospel according to Saint Luke Glory to you, O Lord.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON “Perplexing Visit” Pastor Phil Wold
HYMN OF THE DAY “People, Look East” #248
NICENE CREED
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
THE SIGN OF PEACE IS SHARED
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
THE OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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
SENDING SONG “Joy to the World” #267
SENDING
Go in peace. Live the gospel. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
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