December 22, 2024 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

Micah 5:2–5a
A ruler will come from Bethlehem; he will be the one of peace.

Luke 1:46b–55
My soul magnifies the Lord, who has done great things.

or Psalm 80:1–7
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel; let your face shine, and save us.

Hebrews 10:5–10
God does not desire burnt offerings; Christ came to do God’s will.

Luke 1:39–45 (46–55)
Mary visits Elizabeth; the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy.

— Gathering —

Opening Sentences

Give ear to our cries, O Shepherd of Israel;
let your face shine, and save us.
Though we’ve been fed the bread of tears,
let your face shine, and save us.
Though our enemies rise up,
though we feel consumed and surrounded,
let your face shine, and save us.
Awaken your might; lead us gently in your light.
Restore us, O God, so that we might be saved. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Loving Shepherd,
as we draw closer to the feast of Christmas,
remind us again how to heed your will.
Help us to hear when you call.
Help us to follow where you lead.
Help us to trust your rod and staff.
Hold us closely in your care
as we anticipate the coming gift of Christ. Amen.

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Thanksgiving For Baptism

At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Incarnate One,
who claims us as your own
and comes into our lives yet again,
we give you thanks.
Through the waters of baptism
your Spirit prepares the way within us,
reshaping our lives.
Make us ready for the day
when you will scatter those
who take pride in their power,
and bring down from their thrones
those who rule with oppression and injustice,
when you raise up the lowly
and send away empty-handed
those with more than enough.
Open our eyes to see
the joy you are bringing,
that we may sing your praise. Amen.

Confession and Pardon

At the baptismal font:
In our waiting and preparation,
we come to rest, again, at the foot of the cross.
Even in this season of anticipation,
we see the fullness of God’s promised redemption
in the waters of baptism.
As those who are fully known and redeemed,
we confess our sin before God and one another.

O God, giver of all good gifts,
we come before you as children
in need of your wisdom and grace.
Our fears and our hopes are braided together
in the rhythm of daily life.
Our visions of the future
depend on our own hands and ability.
Our expectations remain reasonable
and within our control.
Break into this tangle of fear and hope,
bringing peace to our souls.
Break into our vision of the future,
returning us to your hands.
Break into our expectations,
awakening us with curiosity and wonder;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lifting water from the font:
Christ’s coming is certain.
God’s promise is true.
Trust in the transformational power
of God’s forgiveness
and receive the gift of God’s love.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.

— Word —

Prayer for Illumination

At the lectern or pulpit:
God of hope,
who never lets us go,
draw near to us
in these ancient words.
By your Holy Spirit
may we be filled,
lifted up,
and leveled
as you prepare in our hearts
the path of your coming. Amen.

Scripture

Before the readings:
As God has spoken through the prophets,
God speaks now to us. 
Hear the word of the Lord. 
Luke 1:70

After the readings:
This is the promise of God 
to our ancestors and to us. 
Thanks be to God.
Luke 1:72

Sermon

Ascription of Praise

After the sermon:
Blessed be the Lord. Amen.
Luke 1:68

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Affirmation of Faith

Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus.
His faith and obedience were the response
of the perfect child of God.
He was the fulfillment
of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation,
and the pioneer of the new humanity.
He gave history its meaning and direction
and called the church to be his servant
for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19