THE PRAYERS,

Fourth Sunday in Advent, Cycle B (December 24, 2017)

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, fill the Church with your Spirit. Sustain and order its proclamation and its works of charity, especially in the presence of its enemies, according to your most holy will. Come, and teach us prudence.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

O Adonai, ruler of the House of Israel, rule also in the hearts, lives and ministries of your people in this congregation. Give us your Word and show us your glory. Look with favor upon our sister congregations, and upon your missionaries around the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, unite all people under your glorious and gentle reign. Teach us those things that make for peace. Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign before the peoples. Guard and guide all who stand in harm’s way in defense of justice and freedom. Come quickly, and deliver them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Dayspring, splendor of life everlasting, keep safe in your mighty arms all those who died trusting in your promises, especially {LIST}. Come, and enlighten us, who still sit in the shadow of death, and open wide our heavenly home.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless our elementary school children with faith and joy as they look to Christmas as the coming of the greatest gift, your Son Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be merciful to our persecuted brothers and sisters who proclaim the name of Jesus even amidst their enemies. Make their witness to shine as a light in the world’s darkest places. And pierce the hearts of their tormentors with the truth of the Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Anoint this congregation with your Holy Spirit, and make us generous in sharing the grace you have bestowed on us in your Son. Use us to lift up the heads and hearts of our neighbors and those in need, so that with us, they eagerly the day of his return as victorious Lord of all. Look with favor upon our sister congregations, and upon your missionaries around the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Lessons

1 Samuel 3:1-20 (the call of Samuel to be a prophet)

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

you knew me in the womb)

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (the body made for the Lord; you are a temple

for the Holy Spirit)

John 1:43-51 (Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #250, Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty (LSB #901, ELW #533)

OR LBW #311, Wondrous Are Your Ways, O God – paraphrase of the psalm, but tune wanders a bit.)

Hymn of the Day: WOV #649, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

(LSB #411, ELW #815)

OR LBW #455, “Come, Follow Me” the Savior Spake (LSB #688 ELW #799)

OR LSB #589, Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens (Excellent for tying Old

Testament and Gospel together!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #406, Take My Life, That I May Be

(LSB 783/4, Take My Life, and Let It Be, ELW #583, 685. Go figure.)

Communion Hymn #2: WOV #699, Blessed Assurance (ELW #638)

Closing Hymn: WOV #723, The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve

OR LBW #239, God’s Word is Our Great Heritage (LSB #582, ELW #509)

Scripture Lessons

Genesis 1:1-5 (God creates light);

Psalm 29 (the voice of the Lord upon the waters);

Acts 19:1-7 (baptism in name of Jesus);

Mark 1:4-11 (the Baptism of Jesus)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #233, Thy Strong Word Didst Cleave the Darkness (LSB #578)

Hymn of Praise/prior to baptism or renewal of baptismal promises:

LBW #188, I Bind Unto Myself Today (LSB #604, ELW #450)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #83, From God the Father, Virgin-Born (LSB #401

(Why, yes, I can suggest a more familiar tune. Thanks for asking! The Doxology; From Heaven Above To Earth I Come; or Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word will all work. Depending on whether you have already used the first two elsewhere in the season, the latter might be a good choice.)

OR WOV #647, When Jesus Came to Jordan (ELW #305)

OR ELW #454, Remember and Rejoice (very familiar tune)

OR ELW #304, Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized (ditto!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #191, Praise and thanksgiving Be to God Our Maker

(tune is familiar – Father Most Holy, Merciful and Tender)

OR WOV #698, We Were Baptized in Christ Jesus (ELW #452, We ARE

Baptized in Christ Jesus) A piece of trivia: Ouilmette is the old French/Indian name for Wilmette, the town on the north shore of the Chicago area where my brother and sister-in-law live. Just thought you’d like to know.)

OR WOV #697, Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #548, O Worship the King (LSB #804, ELW #842)

Closing Hymn: LBW #87, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (LSB #398, ELW #311)

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 60:1-6 (Arise, shine, for your light has come! God’s dispersed people are gathered in;

the nations come and worship)

Psalm 72: 1-15 (Give the King your justice, O God; may he rule with righteousness)

Ephesians 3:1-12 (Gentiles are now fellow heirs, sharers of the promise of salvation in Christ; Paul’s ministry is to disclose this mystery to all people)

Matthew 2:1-12 (Magi worship infant Jesus)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #75, Bright and Glorious is the Sky (ELW #301)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #47, Let All Together Praise Our God (LSB #389, ELW #287)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #81, O Chief of Cities, Bethlehem (I suggest singing to

“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”)

OR LSB #399, The Star Proclaims the King is Here (same theme as “O Chief

of Cities, same meter, so if its tune is unfamiliar, sing this to “From

Heaven Above”)

OR LBW #82, As With Gladness Men of Old (LSB #397, ELW #302)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #84, Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning

(LSB #400, ELW #303)

Communion Hymn #2: WOV #646, We Three Kings of Orient Are

OR LBW #546, When Morning Gilds the Skies (LSB #807,ELW #853)

Closing Hymn: LBW #76, O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

(LSB #395, ELW #308)

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 61:10—62:3 (I will exult in God, who has clothed me with salvation;

Zion will shine with the vindication of God, and all nations will see it!)

Psalm 111 (God has sent redemption; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom)

(ELW: Psalm 148)

Galatians 4:4-7 (God sent his Son under the law, adopts us as children

so we may say Abba)

Luke 2:22-40 (The Holy Family in the temple)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #55, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (ELW #288)

OR LSB #386, Now Sing We, Now Rejoice (same tune, different lyrics)

OR LSB #362, O Sing of Christ (easy English folk tune)

OR LBW #53, Cold December Flies Away (ELW #299)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #47, Let All Together Praise Our God (LSB #389 ELW #287)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #184, In His Temple Now Behold Him (if tune is unfamiliar

– though it is easy – sing this to Regent Square, #50, Angels From the

Realms of Glory, which is what ELW #417 uses!)

OR LSB #519, (which has the wonderful “Westminster” as the tune, which is

an alternate tune for “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #40, What Child is This (LSB #370, ELW #296)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #44, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (LSB #393, ELW #276)

Closing Hymn: LBW #339, O Lord, Now Let Your Servant (ELW #313)

OR LSB #937, Lord, Bid Your Servant Go In Peace

OR my hymn paraphrase of the Nunc Dimitis, sung to “The Bells of Christmas Chime Once More” or to “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”

Lord, let your servant go in peace, your faithful Word you have fulfilled.

This Word made flesh I now embrace: the sure salvation you have willed!

With my own eyes I see the lamp of glory giv’n to Israel,

The light for nations lost; the peace that makes your wounded people well.

Glory and praise, blest Trinity, dear Father, Holy Spirit, Son,

Your light no darkness overtakes, while endless ages ever run!

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 52:7-10 (Beautiful on mountain are feet of those announcing peace,

salvation of God)

Psalm 98 (Sing a new song, all creation; God judges with equity, righteousness)

Hebrews 1:1-12 (God speaks to us through his Son, who is greater than angels)

John 1:1-14 (The Word is made flesh!)

Hymns

Opening hymn: LBW #50, Angels, From the Realms of Glory (LSB #367, ELW #275)

OR LSB #378, Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

Hymn of Praise: LBW #71, Angels We Have Heard on High (LSB #368, ELW #289)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #42, Of the Father’s Love Begotten (LSB #384, ELW #295)

OR LSB #383, A Great and Mighty Wonder (tune is “The Church’s One

Foundation,” so it’s easy to sing)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #56, The First Noel ELW #300)

Communion Hymn #2: ELW #294, In the Bleak Midwinter

OR LBW #70, Go Tell It on the Mountain (LSB #388, ELW #290)

Closing Hymn: LBW #62, The Bells of Christmas Chime Once More (ELW #298)

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 9:2-11 (Those in darkness have seen a great light; unto us a child is born)

Psalm 96 (great is the Lord; bring offerings, all nations!)

itus 2:11-14 (God’s grace revealed in the flesh, gives strength to be upright, pious)

Luke 2:1-20 (The birth of Jesus and visitation of the shepherds)

Opening hymn: LBW #45, O Come, All Ye Faithful (LSB #379, ELW #283)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #60, Hark the Herald Angels Sing (LSB #380, ELW #270)

Hymn of Day: LBW #51, From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

(LSB #358, ELW #268)

OR WOV #638, Holy Child Within the Manger (a nice Marty Haugen piece)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #72, ‘Twas In the Moon of Wintertime (ELW #284)

OR WOV #643, Once in Royal David’s City (LSB #376, ELW #269)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #69, I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve (ELW #271)

Communion Hymn #3: LBW #44, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (LSB #393, ELW #276)

Hymn during candle lighting: LBW #65, Silent Night, Holy Night

(LSB #363, ELW #281)

Closing Hymn: LBW #39, Joy to the World (LSB #387, ELW #267)