Christmas 1
December 27, 2009
Prelude In the Bleak Mid-Winter Malcolm Archer
Welcome
We’re delighted to greet everyone in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who takes away our sin and offers grace to all people. If you are a guest, please fill out the Guest Form. If you’re looking for a meaningful ministry with which to become involved, you are encouraged to speak with the Pastor.
Gathering
(Please stand)
Brief Order for Confession & Forgiveness
P We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C Amen.
(Please kneel)
Confession
P Most merciful God,
C we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. 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. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on 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
P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ς Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
(Please stand)
Entrance Hymn Angels, from the Realms of Glory Hymn 275
Greeting
P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all!
C And, also with you.
Baptism (11:00 am) Page 227
(1)
Kyrie (8:30 am) Music on page 147
P In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
P For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
P For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
P For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
P Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C Amen.
Hymn of Praise (8:30 am) Music on page 148
P Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
C Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P Almighty God, you have made yourself known in your Son, Jesus, redeemer of the world. We pray that his birth as a human child will set us free from the old slavery of our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Word
(Please sit)
Children’s Message (8:30 am)
First Reading 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26
Having dedicated her son Samuel to God’s service, Hannah visits him every year when she and her husband, Elkanah, come to the Lord’s house to offer sacrifices. God grants Hannah more children, and Samuel himself gains favor in the sight of all.
Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the LORD”; and then they would return to their home. Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with the people.
P The Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Psalm Hymn Hymn 276
(2)
Second Reading Colossians 3:12–17
Just
as newly baptized Christians in the early church were
clothed with white robes upon arising from the baptismal
waters, so all who have received God’s gift of life in
Jesus Christ are covered with the character of
Christ.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and
patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a
complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the
Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all,
clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the
one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in
you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and
spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or
deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.
(Please
stand)
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Luke
2:41–52
P The
Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the second chapter.
C
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus grew up in a family
that went to the Passover festival each year. It was in
this environment of faithful adherence to the law that
Jesus grew into spiritual maturity and an understanding of
his identity and mission.
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the
festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old,
they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival
was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed
behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a
day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among
their relatives and friends. When they did not find him,
they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three
days they found him in the temple, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And
all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his
answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and
his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us
like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for
you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you
searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my
Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said
to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these
things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in
years, and in divine and human favor.
P The
Gospel of the Lord.
C
Praise to you, O Christ.
(Please sit)
(3)
Sermon Putting
onYour (True) Identity The Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace
(Please stand)
Hymn
of the Day Good Christian Friends,
Rejoice Hymn 288
Nicene
Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the
dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,*
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
(Please
kneel)
The
Prayer of the People
After each prayer
petition:
P Lord in your mercy
C
Hear our prayer.
(4)
The prayers
conclude:
P Receive our prayers, holy God, and
give us all we need for this day and the days to come,
through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of
Jesus Christ our Lord.
C
Amen.
(Please
stand)
Peace
P
The peace of the Lord
be with you always.
C
And also with you.
(Please feel free to move about and share God’s Peace with
one another!)
Meal
(Please
sit)
Offering
Anthem (8:30
am) What
Child is This? English Ballad
Family Choir
Anthem (11:00
am) There
is No Rose of Such Virtue Rhett Barnwell Solo: Claire
Teuber, Soprano
(Please
stand)
Offering
Response Tune: Old
Hundreth
C
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen
Offering Prayer
P God of majesty, in your might you
have created all things, and you entrust to our care what
you have made. Receive our offerings, and make them a sign
of our dedication to provide for the needs of all people
and creatures, in the name of the one who sustains all
things by his word, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C
Amen.
The
Great Thanksgiving Music on page 152
P The
Lord be with you.
C
And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C
We lift them to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our
God.
C
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Proper Preface
(5)
Sanctus
Music on Page 153
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of pow’r and might
heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna, Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
In the
night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread
and gave thanks, 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.”
Lord’s
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in
heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now
and forever. Amen.
Communion
All baptized Christians are invited to share in the
Eucharist. Those who are not baptized, or wish to receive
only a blessing, are asked to fold their arms over their
chest. Communion will be by intinction (dipping). Please
follow the usher’s direction.
(Please
sit)
Music
at the Communion
Agnus
Dei Music on
page 154
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world: have mercy
on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world: have mercy
on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world: grant us
peace.
Hymns
282, 290
(Please
stand)
Post
Communion Blessing and Prayer
P Loving
God, in this meal you sustain the weary and heal the
broken. May the gift of your word made flesh,
the body
and blood of Christ, inspire our tongues to praise you and
proclaim to the entire world the Savior, Jesus Christ our
Lord.
C
Amen.
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord
look upon you with favor and
ς give you
peace.
C
Amen.
(6)
Sending
Hymn The
First Noel Hymn 300
Dismissal
P
Go in peace. Serve the
Lord.
C
Thanks be to God.
Music reproduced with permission by Augsburg Fortress.
Liturgies License # 23349
You may use this Bulletin to cover your parking in the
Francis Marion or Hutson Street Garage.
St.
Matthew’s Lutheran Church * 405 King Street * Charleston,
SC 843.723.1611
(7)