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4th Sunday in Advent

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, December 22, 2024

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

A Thrill of Hope, A Weary World Rejoices

December 22, 2024

10:00 a.m.

PRELUDE O Little town of Bethlehem ‘St. Louis’ Lewis H. Redner

arr. by Joshua Evanovich

SOLA GRATIA +

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, alive in the world, reviving creation,

arriving soon. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

God of mercy, we confess that we have sinned. We mistakenly put our trust in earthly powers and human authority alone. We grow fearful. We cling to false comforts.

God of might, we confess that we have sinned. We have turned away from our neighbors. We have trusted false promises.

God in our midst, we confess that we have sinned. We plead: come to us. Bring your mercy to birth in us. A righteous branch springs forth: it is Christ the Lord, our Savior, in whom we have forgiveness, life, and mercy.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, receive the grace and forgiveness of God through Christ Jesus, whose day draws near. Amen.

OPENING HYMN Blessed Be the God of Israel

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE AND PRAYER OF THE DAY

Kyrie Eleison Kyrie Eleison

Christe Eleison Christe Eleison

Kyrie Eleison Kyrie Eleison

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the first, second, third and fourth candles on this wreath, rouse us from sleep and fill us with hope, peace, joy and love that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes with all the saints and angels.

Vs. 3 My child, as prophet of the Lord you will prepare the way,

to tell God’s people they are saved from sin’s eternal sway.

Then shall God’s mercy from on high shine forth and never cease

to drive away the gloom of death and lead us into peace.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SOLA SCRIPTURA +

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Micah 5:2-5a

The prophet Micah, having pronounced judgment upon Judah, speaks of a future shepherd-king who, like David, will come from the small town of Bethlehem. (Ephrathah refers to the area around Bethlehem.) This king will restore Israel and bring peace. New Testament writers understood this passage to be referring to Jesus.

2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old,

from ancient days.

3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth;

5a and he shall be the one of peace.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Luke 1:46b-55 Mary’s Song, The Magnificat

After traveling to her cousin Elizabeth’s home and receiving her greeting Mary breaks into song. Her response to the affirmation of the angle and now her family leaves Mary bursting with prophetic voice. The Magnificat (my soul magnifies) is essential to the service of Evening Prayer. Many of you will recognize this setting.

We begin with the Annunciation, the declaration of God through the Angel Gabriel.

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you.

You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through.

Great and mighty are you, O Holy One, strong is your kindness evermore.

How you favor the weak and lowly one, humbling the proud of heart!

You have cast the mighty down from their thrones, and uplifted the humble of heart.

You have filled the hungry with wondrous things, and left the wealthy no part.

Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One, strong is your justice, strong your love,

as you promised to Sarah and Abraham, kindness forevermore.

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God and my spirit rejoices in you.

You have looked with love on your servant here, and blessed me all my life through.

EPISTLE LESSON: Hebrews 10:5-10

The author of Hebrews uses the image of religious sacrifice to convey the significance of Christ’s coming. Through obedient acceptance of God’s will, Christ allows his own body to become the greatest sacrifice of all, one through which we are made a holy people.

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body you have prepared for me;

6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’

(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”

8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10 And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness

GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-55 Glory to you, O Lord.

A light shines in the darkness. And the darkness cannot overcome it.

Elizabeth, John’s mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, are two women filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. In Elizabeth’s inspired greeting and Mary’s song of praise we hear of a saving God who remembers, scatters, lifts up, and fulfills all things.

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

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

SERMON Pastor Kurt

HYMN OF THE DAY My Soul Proclaim Your Greatness

SOLA FIDE +

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*after each petition:

Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

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; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from 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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

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

OFFERING Give online using the QR code to the right

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music

What is this Lovely Fragrance (17th century French Carol)

‘Quelle est cette odeur agréable’ setting Paul Manz

What is this perfume so appealing, | shepherds, that fills the winter air?

Lovelier fragrance ne'er came stealing | from fields of springtime blossoms fair!

OFFERING PRAYER

God of our waiting and watching, we offer the gifts of our hearts and our lives to the service of all your people. Prepare the way before us as we meet you in this simple meal, through Christ Jesus, our pathway and our peace. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

PROPER PREFACE

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:

SANCTUS

Holy, holy holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is present in the bread and wine, however full of mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you reach Pastor.

AGNUS DEI

COMMUNION MUSIC The Angel Gabriel

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Lord Jesus, in this simple meal you have set before us a banquet.

Sustain us on the journey, strengthen us to care for the least of your beloved children, and give us glad and generous hearts as we meet you on the way.

Amen.

SENDING SONG Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

BLESSING & BENEDICTION

Go now, with your hope in God’s mercy for all God has promised you will be fulfilled.

Trust God’s strength for your safety, walk in the ways of peace, and be ready to greet the coming Lord.

And may God our Saviour look with favour upon you; May Christ Jesus use his wonderful

power for you; and may the Holy Spirit leap joyously with you and pour forth from you

in songs of praise.

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Angels We have Heard on High Arr. James Kasen/ Engel

Shepherds, why this jubilee? | Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be | Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see | Him whose birth the angels sing,

Come, adore on bended knee, | Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

This Carol invites us to the celebration of the Nativity of our lord. On this coming Christmas Eve, two angels, Rebekah and Tiffany Brannan, will dance to this hymn as we marvel in the glory of the Birth of Christ. - Engel

Sanctuary Flowers are given by Rich & Joann Masters: “Merry Christmas! May peace and Joy bless you and your family this Christmas season.”

Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director and Organist

Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone

Jan Neuhaus, Cantor

Joann Masters, Lector

Beth Slevcove, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Paul Engel, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Joann Masters, and Randy & Joyce Sensmeier, Singers

Brian Jensen, Genette McGowan, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Tech team

Ruth Clayton, Dan Kjonegaard, Melinda Person, Ushers

Colleen Kramer & Joann Masters, Fellowship Snacks

prayer of the day, offering prayer, and dismissal

from Sundays and Seasons 2021, Year B

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

gospel acclamation, preface, eucharist, sanctus, agnus dei, nunc dimittis

from All Creation Sings setting 12

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,

License A-710629.

Christmas poinsettias are given to the Glory of God by these members & friends of First Lutheran Church.

Name Dedication:

Karin Burns In memory of my mom, Sylvia Burns

Richard Phillips Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Bill & Martha Radatz John & Betty Radatz; Bob & Jean Sicora

Suzanne & John Pew Matthew Paul Smith; Joyful Christmas memories

Heidi Hoxie In memory of Russ and Dennis

Bob Schroeder In memory of Pat

Wayne Boss In loving memory of Melanie G.

Christine Youngs In memory of her father, Jack M. Youngs

Troy Hanson Hosanna in the highest!

Joyce Sensmeier In memory of my grandmother, Laura Gosswein

Jan Neuhaus In loving memory of husband, Rev. Mark Neuhaus

Pastor Kurt Christenson In loving memory of Fred & Bob

Chuck Leib & Frank DeLouise In memory of Charles Leib, Sr.

Rich & Joann Masters In memory of our parents

Debra McWilliams to Bernice McWilliams Beagles

The Slevcove Family from Joe, Beth, Allena, and Akian, In loving memory of our Mom and Grandmother Manya Slevcove

Grace Allen & Beth Slevcove In memory of Hollis Allen and Mark Allen

Pat Lindquist Pastor Jack Lindquist, Pat, Peg, and Gene

Bill & Sheri Bengtson Our First Lutheran Family

You may take your poinsettias home following the Christmas Eve service.

Please leave the clear plastic trays.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 6:00pm

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Today after Worship: Forum with Pastor Lee

Please join us after worship this Sunday, December 22 for a special forum led by Pastor Lee Precup on the origins of a favorite Christmas carol! This meeting will be zoomed. You can find the link on the homepage of our website, and as always, use the password FLC.

Save the Date! Music & Arts performance on January 6

Music&Arts @ 3rd&Ash is excited to announce a special performance on the night of Epiphany, January 6. Featuring some of our talented Christmas Eve artists, Amahl and the Night Visitors will be performed in the sanctuary at 7:00. More details to come!

Next Sunday after Worship: Welcome the Babe packing

Everyone is invited to help next week with the packing of our baby care kits to be shipped out to new mothers around the world. Please contact Joann Masters with any questions.

Congregational Meeting Part 2: January 19

At this second of two annual congregational meetings, we will hear from ministry leaders as they present the 2024 FLC Annual Report. Come join us as we celebrate and reminisce on the many ways FLC has been the Heart of Christ in the Heart of the City during 2024.

FLC Night at TACO: January 6

Fellow FLC volunteers, tomorrow January 6th is the first Monday of the new year and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday January 6th, please let Joann Masters know, either at church or by email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and she'll take care of signing you up. Come join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there. Plan on staying afterward for our special performance at 7:00!

TACO Bites

TACO clients celebrated “Concrete Christmas” on Friday, December 20th during breakfast. Thanks to the help of FLC volunteers, TACO was able to distribute wrapped gifts of backpacks and supplies to our patio parishioners. A merry time was had by all!

This week at FLC

Monday	FLC Office Closed 12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal (no clinics)
Tuesday	FLC Office Closed 6:00 Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Wednesday	FLC Office Closed 10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet
Thursday	FLC Office Closed 12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	FLC Office Closed 9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship