The Virtual Service for December 27, 2020

The First Sunday of Christmas

INTRODUCTION OF THE DAY

The psalmist calls on the natural world, celestial bodies, fire and earth, creatures, and all humanity, to praise God. The voices of Simeon and 84-year-old Anna join the chorus today, recognizing what God is doing in Jesus.

GATHERING SONG
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (ELW 288)

Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave;
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who was in the beginning,
who makes a dwelling among us,
who covers us with justice and mercy.
Amen.

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

God of goodness and lovingkindness,
we confess that we have sinned against you
and our neighbors.
We have turned away from your invitation to new life.
We have turned away from the lowly and downtrodden.
In your abundant mercy, forgive us our sins,
those we know and those known only to you,
for the sake of the one who came to live among us,
Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Hear the good news of peace and salvation!
God forgives us all our sins,
not through our own work,
but through ☩ Jesus Christ, made known to all people.
With all who come to the manger,
rejoice in this amazing gift of grace.
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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORD

THE READING
Psalm 148

 1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
  praise God in the heights.
 2Praise the Lord, all you angels;
  sing praise, all you hosts of heaven.
 3Praise the Lord, sun and moon;
  sing praise, all you shining stars.
 4Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens,
  and you waters above the heavens.
 5Let them praise the name of the Lord,
  who commanded, and they were created,
 6who made them stand fast forever and ever,
  giving them a law that shall not pass away. 
 7Praise the Lord from the earth,
  you sea monsters and all deeps;
 8fire and hail, snow and fog,
  tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
 9mountains and all hills,
  fruit trees and all cedars;
 10wild beasts and all cattle,
  creeping things and flying birds;
 11sovereigns of the earth and all peoples,
  princes and all rulers of the world;
 12young men and maidens,
  old and young together. 
 13Let them praise the name of the Lord,
  whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven.
 14The Lord has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants,
  the children of Israel, a people who are near the Lord. Hallelujah! 

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:22-40

The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.

22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
  according to your word;
 30for my eyes have seen your salvation,
  31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
  and for glory to your people Israel.”
33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
  39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON
The Old Man Says a Heartfelt Thanks to God and Leaves the Sanctuary, Satisfied and Grateful
Pastor Carlson

HYMN OF THE DAY
In the Bleak Midwinter (ELW 294)

In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.

Heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heav'n and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign;
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God almighty,
Jesus Christ.

What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man
I would do my part;
yet what I can give him--
give my heart.

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.

A brief silence.

The response to “Lord in your mercy” is “hear our prayer.”

The prayers conclude:
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.

OFFERING

ANTHEM
Go Tell It on the Mountain
arr. Fritchie
Trumpet - Devin Sinn; Piano - Nanette Lutz

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.

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.

SENDING

A LITANY OF FAREWELL AND GOSPEED FOR PASTOR CARLSON

The President of the Congregation: A church family is constantly changing as individuals come and go in our church life. It is important and right that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and beginnings. Today we share a time of farewell with Pastor Carlson and Holly, whose time as our Senior Pastor ends.

Pastor Carlson: I thank the congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, its members and its friends, for the love, kindness, and support shown to me over these last 13 years. I am grateful that my leadership has been accepted and that you have encouraged me to grow in my preaching and teaching. With joy I recall the many things we have been able to accomplish together.
Congregation: With joy and thanksgiving we receive your thankfulness. We express our gratitude for your time with us. Your influence on our lives will not leave us even though you depart from us.

The President of the Congregation: Do you, the members and friends of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, now release Pastor Carlson from the duties of senior pastor?
Congregation: We do, with the help of God.

The President of the Congregation:  Do you offer your encouragement for Pastor Carlson and Holly as they enjoy retirement?
Congregation: We do, with the help of God.

The President of the Congregation: Do you, Pastor Carlson, release Good Shepherd Lutheran Church from turning to you or depending upon you?
Pastor Carlson: I do, with the help of God.

The President of the Congregation: Pastor Carlson and Holly, please know that you are surrounded by our love, our prayers and our best wishes for your retirement. Over the years, we have shared tears of joy and sorrow. We have celebrated the birth of babies and mourned the deaths of dear saints. You have been there with us when our children have been married, baptized and confirmed their faith. Through it all, we have been blessed with memories that will last in our hearts forever. 

Presentation of Gift from the Congregation to Pastor Carlson & Holly

The President of the Congregation: Let us pray. Eternal God, we thank you for Pastor Carlson and Holly and for our life together in this congregation and community. 

Congregation: As they have been a blessing to us, so now send them forth to be a blessing to others; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

The President of the Congregation: Go now, Pastor Carlson, surrounded by our love and led by the promises of God, the presence of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

SENDING SONG 
Go, My Children, with My Blessing (ELW 543)

"Go, my children, with my blessing,
never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you,
you are my own.
In my love's baptismal river
I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing,
you are my own."

"Go, my children, sins forgiven,
at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you,
what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son's story,
here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven,
at peace and pure."

"Go, my children, fed and nourished,
closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving,
joyful and free.
Here my Spirit's power filled you,
here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished,
joyful and free."

POSTLUDE

From sundaysandseasons.com.

Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.