December 25, 2022
St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Cary, IL
Prelude
Announcements
Call to Worship and Confession and Forgiveness
Glory to God in the highest
People of God: And hope to every discouraged heart.
Glory to God in the highest!
People of God: And peace to every conflicted soul.
Glory to God in the highest!
People of God: And joy to every downcast spirit.
Glory to God in the highest!
People of God: And love to all people on earth.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation.
People of God: Amen.
Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of life,
People of God: you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen.
Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In ☩ Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God.
People of God: Amen.
Opening Song Comfort Ye My People Played by Gloria Peetz Solo by Aaron Brewer
Prayer of the Day
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. God of proclamation, you sent shepherds to Mary to proclaim the good news that her child is God’s son. Send us into the world to proclaim the good news of your love to all who will hear. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Assisting Minister: 8In that region [of Bethlehem] there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15When 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.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. The word of the Lord. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki and Ivan Gantschev Read by Pastor Sarah
Hymn Peoples’ Choice Played by Gloria Peetz
Why Christmas Trees aren’t Perfect by Richard H. Schneider Read by Pastor Sarah
Hymn Peoples’ Choice Played by Gloria Peetz
Prayers of the People
Assisting Minister: With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ’s coming into the world, we pray for the church, the life of the earth, and the whole human family.
A brief silence.
Assisting Minister: The church in every land makes a joyful noise to herald your coming, O God. We give thanks for poets, musicians, and hymn writers who give voice to our praise, and for all who lead the church’s worship. God of grace, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: This day dawns with new hope for all living things, and from ocean depths to mountain peaks, the earth rejoices. Inspire in us an urgent zeal to protect the planet and renew its resources, from the banks of the Fox River to the middle of the Pacific Ocean. God of grace, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bring heavenly peace to this world and an end to armed conflict. Raise up leaders in every nation who will honor human rights and establish equal justice for all people. Give courage to all who speak out against oppression and advocate for the powerless. God of grace,
People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Guard the lives of any in danger, especially those who work to protect others. Lead any who are in desperate circumstances to sanctuary, help, and safety. Grant rest to the weary and soothe those who are troubled, especially the McDonough family, 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>. God of grace, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: Bless all gathered to worship on this holy day. Be present at our tables and celebrations, and watch over those who travel. Sustain charities, outreach ministries, and food pantries that give generously to people in need, from the Cary-Grove Food Pantry to homeless shelters in major cities. God of grace,
People of God: hear our prayer.
Please offer your own prayers of joy or concern, ending with “God of grace.”
We respond with “hear our prayer.”
Assisting Minister: In Christ we have beheld your glory, full of grace and truth. We give thanks for those in every generation who reflect the light of Christ. May their witness shine forth in our time. God of grace,
People of God: hear our prayer.
Pondering the mystery of eternal love made flesh in Christ Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray to the mercy of God. People of God: Amen.
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. God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. 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: Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.
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.
Communion Hymn ELW # 283 O Come, All Ye Faithful Played by Gloria Peetz
O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him,
born the king of angels:
Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
The highest, most holy,
light of light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he com
Son of the Father
now in flesh appearing!
Refrain
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
in the highest: Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory giv’n!
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing: Refrain
Text: attr. John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2
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. God our redeemer, you have fed us at this table with gifts of grace, truth, and life. As you have gathered us in joy, send us forth as messengers of your peace. Make us shine with the good news of your glory, born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Blessing
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. People of God: Amen.
Sending Hymn Peoples’ Choice Played by Gloria Peetz
Dismissal
Assisting Minister: Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Thank you to those serving us today
Pastor: Rev. Sarah Wilson
Worship Assistant: Rachel Brewer
Acolyte: Marissa Mauger
Music: Gloria Peetz ~ Song Leader: Aaron Brewer
Altar Guild: Phyllis Blumke
Usher/Greeter: Andy Taylor
AV Tech: Phyllis Blumke, Mike Parmele, Sally Skalany and Nancy Rochford
Counter: Marianne Barstow
Altar Flowers: Don and Karen Barkley
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved
Call to Worship based on work by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.