12 22 24 Fourth Sunday In Advent

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
“He Has Come For Us”
“Mighty To Save”

First Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Pew Bible pg.381)
[1] Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. [2] “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. [3] “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. [4] “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. [5] Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. [6] “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. [7] The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. [8] He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. [9] He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; [10] those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Sermon Scripture Reading:
Luke 1:39-56 (Pew Bible pg.1457)
[39] At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, [40] where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. [41] When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [42] In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! [43] But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” [46] And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48] for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, [49] for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. [50] His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. [51] He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. [52] He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. [53] He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. [54] He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful [55] to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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
The Lord Raises Up The Lowly

Tithes and Offering
Song: “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”

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.
 
Prayer
 
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.
 
First Communion
Elizabeth Baillargeon
 
Celebrating The Lord’s Supper
“Of The Father’s Love Begotten”
“Come Let Us Worship”
“Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”
 
Blessing
 
Sending Song
“Revelation Song”