Second Sunday of Christmas
Gathering
Confession and Forgiveness
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.
Amen.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Gathering Song That Boy-Child of Mary ELW #293
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
1 What shall we call him, child of the manger?
What name is given in Bethlehem?
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
2 His name is Jesus, God ever with us,
God given for us in Bethlehem.
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
3 How can he save us, how can he help us,
born here among us in Bethlehem?
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
4 Gift of the Father, to human mother,
makes him our brother in Bethlehem.
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
5 One with the Father, he is our Savior,
heaven-sent helper in Bethlehem.
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
6 Gladly we praise him, love and adore him,
give ourselves to him in Bethlehem.
That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.
Text: Tom Colvin, 1925-2000 Text © 1969 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator. Permission to reprint/podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license # A-715139. | CCLI Song # 78086 For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Word
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14
7Thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” 8See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. 9With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
10Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” 11For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 12They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. 13Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 147:12-20
12Worship the Lord, | O Jerusalem; praise your | God, O Zion,
13who has strengthened the bars | of your gates and has blessed your chil- | dren within you.
14God has established peace | on your borders and satisfies you with the | finest wheat.
15God sends out a command | to the earth, a word that runs | very swiftly.
16God gives | snow like wool, scattering | frost like ashes.
17God scatters | hail like bread crumbs. Who can stand a- | gainst God’s cold?
18The Lord sends forth the | word and melts them; the wind blows, and the | waters flow.
19God declares the | word to Jacob, statutes and judg- | ments to Israel.
20The Lord has not done so to any | other nation; they do not know God’s judgments. | Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Mass of Love And Mercy – Alleluia
Chorus
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
Verse
Your words Lord are Spirit and Life
You have the words of everlasting life
CCLI Song # 7149527 Gabriel Wanous © 2013 Gabriel Wanous (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
Gospel: John 1:1-18
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14And 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. 15(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon – Pastor Erika Nilsen
Special Music Mary, Did You Know?
Preston Owen, Mike Owen, and Jennifer Person
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.
Prayers of Intercession
Joining our voices with the song of the angels, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
Redeeming God, you gather together your people from the farthest parts of the earth. Protect your church from stumbling. Let it not be overcome by sorrow, division, or despair. Make us radiant with goodness, that we might live always to the praise of your glory. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You bring together heaven and earth. All creation testifies to your splendor. Hold the ecosystems of this earth in delicate balance, from coastlands to farmlands, forests to wetlands, deserts to rainforests. Show us new ways to live in harmony with the world around us. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You overflow with grace upon grace. Expand the imaginations of those who serve in positions of authority. Open their hearts to the needs of their nations and communities. Protect all those in harm’s way and those risking danger for the sake of others. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You bring consolation to those who weep. Embrace those who feel far-off, excluded, or defeated. Accompany those living with chronic and invisible illness. Sustain the weak and weary. Refresh those who labor under the weight of pain or sickness (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You come to us in the beauty of darkness and of light. Bring justice and reconciliation to communities divided by oppressions and misuse of power. Guide us to speak holy words of advocacy and truth. Help us to honor your image in one another. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
You turn our mourning into joy. We give thanks for those who have died in faith (especially). With all the saints, give us our inheritance in Christ. In the fullness of time, gather us all together in your mercy. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Offering Prayer
Gracious God, you came to us as one unknown, bringing joy and salvation to the earth. Nourish us at your banquet table, that with all who welcome your birth we may proclaim your peace, revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
Holy Communion/Words of Institution
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD’S PRAYER
All: 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.
Invitation to Communion
The Word is revealed in a manger, in simple bread and wine.
Come meet Christ in this meal.
Mass of Love And Mercy – Lamb Of God
Chorus 1
Lamb of God you take away
The sins of the world
Have mercy on us
Chorus 2
Lamb of God you take away
The sins of the world
Grant us peace
Grant us peace
CCLI Song # 7149560 Gabriel Wanous © 2013 Gabriel Wanous (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
Prayer after Communion
We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us from your very self with the body and blood of Christ. Through this mystery, send us forth to proclaim your promise to a world in need, through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen
Sending
Announcements
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 Song A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty fortress is our God
A bulwark never failing
Our Helper He amidst the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow’r are great
And armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be
Christ Jesus it is He
The Lord of hosts His name
From age to age the same
And He must win the battle
And though this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
The prince of darkness grim
We tremble not for him
His rage we can endure
For lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell Him
A mighty fortress a rock unfailing
The King of Glory forever amen
For endless ages enthroned in praises
The King of Glory forever amen
That word above all earthly pow’rs
No thanks to them abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him Who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go
This mortal life also
The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
His Kingdom is forever
A mighty fortress a rock unfailing
The King of Glory forever amen
For endless ages enthroned in praises
The King of Glory forever amen
A mighty fortress a rock unfailing
The King of Glory forever amen
For endless ages enthroned in praises
The King of Glory forever
Forever amen
CCLI Song # 7046061 Frederick Henry Hedge | Jordan Critz | Martin Luther | Matthew Boswell © 2014 Messenger Hymns (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Remaining portion is unaffiliated For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 617337
Dismissal
Go in peace. Remember the poor.
Thanks be to God.
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.