December 26th 2021 Worship Service

 

Welcome to Worship at First Lutheran Church

12-26-21

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN:  Away in a Manger ……………………………….Green 67

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

The Prophet Isaiah said: 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.

 

People: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

The Priest Zechariah said before John’s birth: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

 

People: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

The Evangelist John said: What has come into being in him was life and the life is the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

 

People: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

God is with us. God is coming into our lives in a new way. The birth of the Christ-child is the renewal of hope. A reminder that Christ will come again. Keep watch for the light; it is drawing near.

 

ALL: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

 

HYMN:  Joy to the World  (verses 1 & 4)…………..…Green 39

 

Matthew 1   This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

 

 

HYMN:  Angels We Have Heard on High  (vs 1,3)…Green 71

 

Matthew 1 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

 

 

HYMN: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing…………….. Green 60

 

Matthew 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”  Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

 

 

 

HYMN: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (vs 1,2,4)..…Grn 54

 

John 1:1-14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

 

 

SERMON:  

 

 

HYMN:  O Little Town of Bethlehem  (vs 1,3,4)………Green 41

TITHES & OFFERINGS

 

HYMN:  The First Noel, The Angel Did Say (vs 1-3)…Green 56

 

PRAYERS Leader:  Glory to God in the highest,  

and peace to God’s people on earth.

Blessed are you, Prince of peace. You rule the earth with truth and justice.

Send your gift of peace to all nations of the world.

Blessed are you, Son of Mary. You share our humanity.

Have mercy on the sick, the dying,

and all who suffer this day.

Blessed are you, Son of God. You dwell among us as the Word made flesh.

Reveal yourself to us in your word that we may bear

your light to all the world.

 

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.

 

Let us bless the Lord. People:    Thanks be to God.

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father,  Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.  Amen

 

Let’s share the good news of Jesus as we leave this place today.

 

HYMN: Go Tell it on the Mountain (vs 1&3)……….Green 70

 

Go in peace and sing Jesus’ praise!    Thanks be to God!