Virtual Worship for December 26, 2021
First Sunday of Christmas
Worship with Lessons and Carols at 9:00 a.m.
The congregation reads the boldface responses.
Once the prelude has begun, please cease all conversation
as we prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
PRELUDE
Masters in this Hall - Gustav Holst
GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please stand as you are able.
GATHERING HYMN
Love Has Come, (ELW 292)
1. Love has come—a light in the darkness!
Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it;
hear how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!
Love! Love! Glory to God on high.
2. Love is born! Come, share in the wonder.
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of his mother;
what is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers;
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
3. Love has come and never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us.
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas;
Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!
Text: Ken Bible, b. 1950
Text © 1996 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (ASCAP) c/o Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695
DIALOG
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness,
on them light has shined.
We have beheld Christ’s glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father.
To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
In the Word was life,
and the life was the light of all people.
Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Please be seated.
WORD
LESSONS AND CAROLS
Isaiah 9:2-7
God promises a king.
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.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
Christ is the King, (LBW 386) (Vs. 1, 4-5)
Micah 5:2-5a
The king will come from Bethlehem
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.
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.
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;
and he shall be the one of peace.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
CAROL
O Little Town of Bethlehem, (LBW 41) (Vs. 1, 4)
1. O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
4. O holy child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
oh, come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!
Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893
Luke 1:26-35, 38
The annunciation to Mary.
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 borna will be holy; he will be called Son of 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 word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came, (WOV 632) (Vs. 1-3)
Luke 2:1-7
The birth of Jesus.
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
I Wonder as I Wander (WOV 642)
1. I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
how Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
for poor ord'n'ry people like you and like I.
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
2. When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cow's stall,
came wise men and farmers and shepherds and all,
and high from the heavens a star's light did fall,
and the promise of ages it did then recall.
3. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
a star in the sky or a bird on the wing,
or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
he surely could have had it, 'cause he was the king.
4. I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ord'n'ry people like you and like I.
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
Luke 2:8-16
The Shepherds Go to See the Savior.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
Angels, from the Realms of Glory, (LBW 50) (Vs. 1-2)
1. Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
once you sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
2. Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
yonder shines the infant light.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854, alt., sts. 1-3; Salisbury Hymn Book, 1857, st. 4
Luke 2:21-38
Jesus receives his name.
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now 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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then 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 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There 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, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At 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.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
What Child is This? (LBW 40) (Vs. 1-3)
1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the king,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary!
2. Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
the cross be borne for me, for you;
hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary!
3. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
the virgin sings her lullaby;
joy, joy, for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary!
Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898
Matthew 2:1-11
The magi follow the star.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
The First Noel (LBW 56)
1. The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.
2. They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. Refrain
3. And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. Refrain
4. This star drew near to the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay. Refrain
5. Then entered in those wise men three,
full rev'rently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain
Text: English traditional
Matthew 2:13-18
The slaughter of the holy innocents.
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Josepha got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CAROL
Coventry Carol
1. Lullay, thou little tiny Child.
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny Child.
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
2. O sisters, too, how may we do
for to preserve this day
this poor youngling for whom we sing?
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
3. Herod, the king, in his raging,
charged he has this day
his men of might in his own sight,
all children young to slay.
4. Then woe is me, poor Child, for thee,
and ever mourn and say,
for thy parting nor say nor sing
bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Please stand as you are able.
GOSPEL
John 1:1-14
The mystery of the incarnation.
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.a
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.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please be seated.
FINAL WORDS AND A BLESSING FOR GOOD SHEPHERD
Pastor Harkness
CAROL
Of the Father’s Love Begotten, (LBW 42) (Vs. 1-2, 5)
Please be seated.
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
Et in Terra Pax (And on Earth, Peace)
French Carol
Joe and Bev Haines
Please stand as you are able.
RESPONSIVE PRAYER
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 word and sacrament
that we may bear your light to all the world.
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 GODSPEED & FAREWELL
P-Pastor Brown, C-Congregation, L-VP Wayne Goerlich
PRESENTATIONS
P: A church family is constantly changing as individuals come and go in our church life. It is important that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and beginnings. Today we share a time of farewell with Pastor Harkness and Jeff, whose time as our Associate Pastor ends.
P: As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecc. 3:1) Today is a time for us to wish for one another Godspeed and farewell.
C: We thank God for the years you have given to us as a Shepherd of Jesus Christ. We accept now that you conclude your ministry among us.
P: A reading from Exodus: The Lord said, “I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. (Exodus 23:20). When you came to Good Shepherd, we rejoiced to welcome you into the mission we share as the people of God, God has blessed us with your presence and we hope we have blessed you in return.
L: You were called among us to lead us to the waters of Baptism and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
C: For your ministry with us we gladly say: “Thanks be to God!”
L: You were called among us to lead us to the Word of life-Jesus Christ through the sermons that you preached in our midst.
C: For your ministry with us we gladly say: “Thanks be to God!”
L: You were called among us to lead worship and preside at the Holy Communion as we gathered together as children of God.
C: For your ministry with us we gladly say: “Thanks be to God!”
L: Pastor Harkness, please know that you are surrounded by our prayers and our best wishes for your future ministries in the life God has given you to live. Over the years we have shared tears of sorrow and tears of joy. 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 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 Harkness and Jeff
P: Eternal God, we thank you for Pastor Kathleen Harkness, and for the time we have shared with her. As she has been a blessing to us, so now we send her forth to be a blessing to others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
May the Lord lift his countenance upon you
And be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you with favor
And give you his peace.
In the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
C: For your ministry with us we gladly say: “Thanks be to God!”
Please stand as you are able.
BLESSING
Let us bless the Lord.
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.
SENDING HYMN
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (LBW 60)
1. Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
2. Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain
3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth. Refrain
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Rejoice in Christ our Savior.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Love Has Come - Matt Maher
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