PRELUDE
Savior of the Nations, Come ELW 263
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father,
and of the + Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. (silence for self-reflection)
Most merciful God, 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
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
ELW Page 120
LIGHTING OF WREATH
In Advent, we look for Christ to come in fullness, so that all may know the peace, goodness and justice of Christ’s love in the world. In the lighting of the flame we look to Christ in hope.
Word
God speaks to us in scripture, preaching and song.
CHILDREN’S TIME
FIRST READING 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Response after the conclusion: The word of the Lord.
1Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.” 4But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 16Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT Luke 1:46b-55
46bMy soul proclaims the greatness | of the Lord, 47my spirit rejoices in | God my Savior, 48for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your | lowly servant. From this day all generations will | call me blessed: 49you, the Almighty, have done great | things for me and holy | is your name. 50You have mercy on | those who fear you, from generation to | generation. R 51You have shown strength | with your arm and scattered the proud in | their conceit, 52casting down the mighty | from their thrones and lifting | up the lowly. 53You have filled the hungry | with good things and sent the rich | away empty. 54You have come to the aid of your | servant Israel, to remember the prom- | ise of mercy, 55the promise made | to our forbears, to Abraham and his chil- | dren forever. R
SECOND READING Romans 16:25-27
Response after the conclusion: Thanks be to God.
25Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
ALL EARTH IS HOPEFUL (ELW 266)
GOSPEL Luke 1:26-38
Response after the conclusion: The gospel of the Lord.
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
SERMON THE REV. DR. ERIC J. TROZZO
HYMN OF THE DAY
The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came ELW 265
CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Response: Your mercy is great.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us into the world to serve our neighbor.
BLESSING
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 + give you peace.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Joy to the World ELW 267
What’s Happening!
Worship Assistants
- Pastor: The Reverend Dr. Eric J. Trozzo
- Assisting Minister:
- Cantor: David D. Harp
- Soloist: