Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
The Lord will give you a new name; you will be a crown of beauty.
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord, all creation! God is exalted in heaven and earth.
Galatians 4:4–7
Through the Son and the Spirit, we may call God Abba, Father.
Luke 2:22–40
Jesus is presented in the temple; Simeon and Anna rejoice.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
We are filled with light, so let us rejoice!
Glory to God in the highest!
For in the fullness of time God sent his Son.
Glory to God in the highest!
And adopted us into the family of faith.
Glory to God in the highest!
Prayer of the Day
Great God,
we want to fulfill the law as Joseph and Mary did.
We want to sing like the prophets did.
We want to witness God’s saving love like Simeon did.
We want to tell everyone the good news like Anna did.
Lead us in the ways of righteousness,
that we might recognize your presence among us.
We give thanks that while we know
that life gives way to death,
your death restores us to life.
Deepen our faith so that,
even as we testify to your birth,
we might anticipate the eternal life
you gave in your death.
Teach us to obey and to serve;
use us anywhere and anytime.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. 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.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the wonder and love you offer us
through the gift of our baptism—
your Word made flesh among us,
a child and Savior born to us,
good news of great joy for all.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
let us be born anew from above
so that we may give glory to you
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Like a great light in a land of deep darkness,
the mercy of the Lord shines upon us.
Isaiah 9:2
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
O God,
in Christ you were born a humble child,
love-made-flesh, God-with-us.
Forgive us when we fail
to follow in your way of humility, love, and peace.
Free us to see your Light
reflecting in the faces of friends and family,
neighbors and strangers,
enemies and friends,
and make us shine forth with your love.
Lifting water from the font:
Hear the promise of the Lord:
See, your salvation has come!
You are a holy people, redeemed by God,
sought out, not forsaken.
Isaiah 62:11–12
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, by the gift of your Holy Spirit
show us the Word made flesh—
good news of great joy for all—
so that we may sing with the angels:
glory in the highest and peace on earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Treasure these words
and ponder them in your heart.
Luke 2:19
After the readings:
And the Word became flesh
and lived among us.
Thanks be to God.
John 1:14
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Glory to God in the highest
and peace to God’s people on earth! Amen.
Luke 2:14
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Advent (and Christmas)
God expressed love for all humankind
through Israel, whom God chose
to be a covenant people
to serve him in love and faithfulness.
When Israel was unfaithful,
God disciplined the nation with judgment
and maintained the covenant
through prophets, priests, teachers, and true believers.
These witnesses called all Israelites to a destiny
in which they would serve God faithfully
and become a light to the nations.
The same witnesses proclaimed
the coming of a new age,
and a true servant of God
in whom God’s purpose would be realized.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.18
Prayers of Intercession
Holy God, Creator of all,
hear our prayer.
We pray for elders . . .
Teach us to honor them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for children and youth . . .
Grant them strength and wisdom.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the leaders of nations . . .
Guide them to seek the good of all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the sick
and those who care for them . . .
Touch them with your healing hand.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who mourn . . .
Give them peace which passes understanding.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those whose souls
are pierced with pain . . .
Be with them in their journey toward wholeness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, Creator of all,
the whole cosmos sings your praise.
To you be honor and glory,
now and forever. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
From the fullness of God
we have all received grace upon grace.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
John 1:16
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
To you, O God of all glory,
we offer the gifts of our lives
as a way of bearing witness
to the gift of your Word made flesh.
Use the humble things we offer
as signs of your grace and truth
so that all may know your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
John 1:7, 14
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You cover us with saving power and love.
Everything that is just and right comes from you.
How can we keep from singing your praise?
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
In the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord
our eyes have seen the dawning of salvation.
Your glory, O God, is a light to the nations.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By your Holy Spirit, speak to our hearts
so that we may live as your beloved children,
proclaiming the joy of redemption to all.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
God of shepherds and sheep,
we give you thanks
that you have gathered us here,
revealed to us your glory,
and fed us with your mercy.
Now send us out
with good news for all—
for us a child is born:
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The loving kindness of the Lord our God,
the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior,
and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit
be with you all. Alleluia!
Titus 3:4–7
Go and tell this good news of great joy:
to us a Savior is born. Amen.
Luke 2:10–11
La presentación de Cristo en el templo
by Kelly Latimore, 2018
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- I’ll Praise My Maker (OLD 113TH) GTG 806 (O)
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) GTG 119 (E)
- Angels, from the Realms of Glory (REGENT SQUARE) GTG 143 (G)
WORD
- Creator of the Stars of Night (CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM) GTG 84 (E)
- The First Nowell (THE FIRST NOWELL) GTG 147 (E)
- What Child Is This (GREENSLEEVES) GTG 145 (G)
- Ahora, oh Dios, despide (NUNC DIMITTIS) HP 484 (G)
EUCHARIST
- Here, O Our Lord, We See You (MORECAMBE) GTG 517 (O)
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY) GTG 347 (E)
- God Be in My Head (LYTLINGTON) EH 694 (G)
SENDING
- Live Into Hope (TRURO) GTG 772 (O)
- Lord of All Hopefulness (COURTNEY) GTG 683 (G)
- All Hail to God’s Anointed (ROCKPORT) GTG 149 (G)
- Go Now in Peace (GO IN PEACE) UMH 665 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 148
Metrical
- Lift Every Voice and Sing [ANTHEM] AAHH 540
- Praise to the Holiest in the Heights [GERONTIUS] CP 557
Responsorial
- Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia PSA 155
- Let All Things Their Creator Bless UMH 861
Organ Music
- “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice / in dulci jubilo,” BWV 608, Orgelbüchlein, J. S. Bach, IMSLP (MA)
- “He Is Born / IL EST NÉ,” Augsburg Organ Library: Christmas, arr. Richard Hudson, AF (M)
- “Once Again My Heart Rejoices / Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen,” The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series, Christmas, vol. 3, Donald Busarow, CON (ME)
- “Noël X,” Livre de Noëls, Op. 2, Louis-Claude Daquin, IMSLP (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Arise, Shine for Your Light Has Come,” Allen Pote, TPR, pno (E)
- “Sans Day Carol,” John Rutter, OUP, SATB, org or orch (M)
- “Nunc Dimittis,” Imant Raminsh, BH, SATB, org (A)
- “Dismiss Your Servant in Peace,” David Schwoebel, HAL, SATB, pno (M)
- “This Christmastide (Jessye’s Carol),” Donald Frasier, HIN, SATB, pno, opt orch (E)
- “Rise Up, Shepherd,” Taylor Davis, CGA, SATB, pno (E)
Art
- Presentation in the Temple, John August Swanson (EYE)
- La presentación de Cristo en el templo, Kelly Latimore (VDL)
- Annunciation, Birth, Adoration and Presentation, Conrad von Soest (VDL)
- Prophetess Anna, Rembrandt van Rijn (VDL)
