12 24 23 Fourth Sunday in Advent 9:30 a.m.

Welcome

Remembering Whose We Are
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
 
Opening Prayer
 
Confessing Of Sin
Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (I John 1:8)

All: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:9)

Leader: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

All: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean.  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.  We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment.  For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon 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.

Absolution
 
Songs
“Angels We Have Heard On High”
“Once In A Royal David’s City”

First Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 4:14-16 (Pew Bible pg. 1707)
[14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Sermon Scripture Reading
Luke 2:4-7 (Pew Bible pg. 1459)
[4] So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. [5] He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. [6] While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, [7] and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 
Children’s Message
 
Little Worship
Children 4 years of age through 4th grade are invited to follow the cross in the center aisle to Little Worship. Parents are welcome to accompany their children. Children will return after the Sermon Teaching. If your child is attending Little Worship for the first time, please walk out to the lobby with your child and the Little Worship Leader will be there to greet you.

Sermon Teaching
Our Relational God

Tithes and Offering
Song: “Angels From The Realms Of Glory”

In Whom Do We Believe?Explanation to the Third Article of The Apostles’ Creed
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church he daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day, he will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Prayers Of The Day

The 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.

Celebrating The Lord’s Supper
“Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”
“What Child Is This”
“God Loves Me Dearly”

Blessing
 
Sending Song
“Joy To The World! The Lord Is Come”