December 11, 2022
St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Cary, IL
Prelude
Bell Choir O Come All Ye Faithful
Opening Hymn ELW #288 Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by
Announcements
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Deeply planted in the mystery of life is God’s love, gracing the world with presence and purpose.
People of God: We wait, longing for the dawning of God’s new day.
We prepare, trying to make room.
People of God: We are expectant and despairing, hopeful and wondering.
God too longs for the world’s transformation.
People of God: God too prepares—making us ready to receive light and love, making us ready to receive anew God’s great gift.
Deeply planted in the mystery of life is a stream of living water filling dry lands and dry people.
The third candle is lit.
Let us pray: God of joy,
People of God: we give you thanks for making us your children. Let the light of this candle shine with your joy, and help us to celebrate each other as siblings, through the gift of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn ELW #240 Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah v. 1-3 Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by
Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise.
Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He shall feed the flock like a shepherd, gently lead them homeward
Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
Lift your heads and lift high the gateway for the King of glory.
Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954 Text © 1984 Fortress Press, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Confession and Forgiveness
Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep. Let us confront our sins, and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of new beginnings,
People of God: we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign. We have strayed from your paths. We prepare for war instead of peace. We dishonor one another and your creation. Purify us with your refining fire and set us again on your way of love, that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance and welcome your coming among us. Amen.
People of God, a new thing is growing in our midst, a tender branch, a living sign. By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder. You have put on ☩ Christ, and your sins have been washed away. Rejoice in the way of the Lord. People of God: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. God of promise, you made a commitment to Joseph that you would make Jesus a savior to all. Renew your commitment with us, so that all may know the saving grace of your son, Jesus. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Special Music from Jason and Hannah Brescia In the Bleak Midwinter
Reading Matthew 1:18-25
18Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. The word of the Lord. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Special Music by the Christmas Choir, featuring Mark Dopke on Cello Bring us Hope
Special Music from Laura Rasmussen Lo, How a Rose e’re Blooming
Special Music from Hannah and Jason Brescia What Child is this?
Prayers of the People
Assisting Minister: As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new joy.
A brief silence.
Assisting Minister: Gracious God, we rejoice in the gifts of your Spirit. Equip the global church to magnify your love and peace in every land. Embolden each of us to share your life-changing love with those who need it most. God, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Abundant God, we rejoice in your creation. Revive lands we have squandered and depleted. Make gardens flourish in cities and neighborhoods. Cleanse polluted air and water so living things may breathe, drink, and praise you. God, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Righteous God, we rejoice in your justice. End racism and oppression. Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted. Reconcile nations and peoples in conflict, and be present in new and loving ways to those who suffer. Help us pray for our enemies. God, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Healing God, we rejoice in your compassion. Comfort any in distress because of worry, illness, or loss, especially Jeanne, Barb, Cecil (See-sil), Marlene, Ryleigh, Dylan, Sandy, Hopie (Hope-y), the Lang family, the Mauger (maw-ger) family, Susan, the Bredemus (bread-a-mus) family, Allen, Bunny, the Vogt (vote) family, Richard, Pat, Pete, Dick, Karen, Patricia, Michael, Nicholas and his family, Beth, Jim, Kara (car-a), Betty, Tom, Lorie and her family, Pastor Kara (car-a) and those we name silently or aloud <pause>. Strengthen and protect health care workers, rescue teams, crisis counselors, and all who risk themselves to keep others safe. God, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Abiding God, we rejoice in your company. Give us calm and patient hearts as we gather with family and friends. Keep us mindful of those for whom this season is not happy. Console the grieving and surround them with loving support. God, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Please offer your own prayers of joy or concern, ending with “Lord, in your mercy,”
We respond with “hear our prayer.”
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray. People of God: Amen.
Hymn ELW #289 Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by
Children’s Sunday School Choir Away in a Manger
The Peace (Please share peace by waving or showing the peace sign.)
The peace of Christ be with you always. People of God: And also with you.
Offering
Let us pray. Eternal God, you make the desert bloom and send springs of water to thirsty ground. Receive these simple gifts of bread, wine, time, talent and money, and make us messengers of your mercy and love for all in need of your healing and justice. We ask this through Christ our Savior. People of God: Amen.
Communion
The Lord be with you.
People of God: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
People of God: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People of God: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; he 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.
And now let us pray with confidence in the words that Jesus taught us:
People of God: 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
Assisting Minister: Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, who has come to save you.
For our at-home worshippers, you may take communion using these words:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Table Blessing
And now may the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. People of God: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Faithful God, in this meal you have remembered your mercy, bringing heaven to earth in the body and blood of Christ. As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled, sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery. Guide us toward your promised future, coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Blessing
God the eternal Word, who dwells with us in Jesus, and who holds us in the grace of the Holy Spirit, ☩ bless you now and forever. People of God: Amen.
Sending Hymn ELW #290 Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by
Dismissal
Assisting Minister: Go in joy. Christ is near. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Thank you to those serving us today
Pastor: Rev. Sarah Wilson
Worship Assistant: Karen Barkley
Acolyte: Mollie Shabino
Music: Gloria Peetz ~ Song Leader:
Altar Guild: Karen Barkley
Usher/Greeter: Andy Taylor
Sound Board: Sally Skalany
AV Tech: Mark Gates
Counter: Marianne Barstow
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved
Lighting of the Advent Wreath liturgy based on the work of Rev. Teri Peterson and Rev. Nathan Williams
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