The Angel Gabriel Appearing to ZechariahPRELUDE New Direction
CONGREGATION SONG Away in a Manger/It’s Christmas Chris Tomlin
Verse 1:
Away in a manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
Chorus:
It’s Christmas the angels are singing, and I know the reason: the Savior is born
It’s Christmas the bells are ringing, and I feel like shouting Joy to the world!
Verse 2:
The cattle are lowing the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes
I love Thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky and stay by my cradle ‘til morning is nigh
(chorus)
Verse 3:
Be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there
(chorus)
WELCOME
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
whose home is heaven and earth,
whose salvation is sure. Amen.
Heeding Jesus’ call to keep awake, let us be bold in confessing the truth
of brokenness in our hearts, our actions, and our world.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Long-expected God,
we confess that we often seek salvation from that which will not save us.
We cling to our own comfort, rather than being generous with our gifts and privilege.
We maintain systems that benefit us, rather than challenging injustice.
We act from fear rather than faith.
Transform our hearts with your mercy.
Teach us again to be people of courage and hope.
Beloved children of God,
heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s faithfulness is sure.
You are forgiven and forever claimed, through the saving love of ☩ Jesus Christ. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding ELW 246
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. God of liberation, your love reaches beyond all boundaries of prejudice and fear. Your tenderness is offered not only to the powerful or deserving, but to all people, according to your infinite compassion. Teach us to love widely and boldly, honoring the dignity of all and trusting your promise that the way of love is the way of life. Amen.
ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING
The birth of Jesus has been told and retold a thousand times and in a thousand ways.
Its impact cannot be contained in any one perspective. But who is telling the story changes how we hear it, how we imagine it, how we experience it.
We light the candle of hope because hope creates a path for a new story to unfold.
Light the first candle.
As we get ready for the birth of Jesus, the prophets call us to work for peace.
We light the candle of peace because peace requires us to pay attention to the needs of those around us.
Light the second candle.
As we wait, we rejoice in God and in each other, taking delight in the beauty of the world.
We light the candle of joy because joy sustains us in the midst of uncertainty.
Light the third candle.
I invite you to close your eyes for a moment. Imagine…
A brief silence.
… A love that invites a lifelong commitment to mercy, justice, and peace.
Today, we light the candle of love because love makes the impossible possible.
Light the fourth candle.
Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah ELW 240
Sing verse 4
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WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song |
FIRST READING Isaiah 7:10-16
An Israelite and Aramean military coalition presented a serious threat to King Ahaz of Judah. In response, Ahaz decided to secure his throne and kingdom by seeking Assyrian help. Isaiah reminds Ahaz that human attempts to establish security will fail. The prophet gives the sign that is the only source of true safety: Immanuel, God is with us!
10The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. 15He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Cassie
After the children’s message, children ages 3-6th grade are invited to go upstairs for Sunday School classes. Visitors are welcome to join!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL Luke 1:57-80
The birth and naming of John ends his father Zechariah’s silence. He announces the child’s name given by the angel and speaks a prophecy about the newborn infant.
The Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his child David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us
74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Cassie
HYMN OF THE DAY Savior of the Nations, Come ELW 263
APOSTLE’S 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 to the dead.
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 THE PEOPLE
In our waiting and watching, we come to you in prayer, O God, trusting your promise to renew the church, the nations, and the whole creation.
Come Lord Jesus, come Lord Jesus; Hear our prayer.
In the anticipation of these days, prepare our hearts for your arrival. Stir our spirits through the gifts of artists, musicians, poets, and preachers, as together we proclaim your advent among us.
The earth breaks forth in singing as it heralds the Messiah’s coming. Fill our hearts with wonder as we join heaven and nature in announcing this holy birth.
You send your saving grace and peace to the nations. Lead us in work for justice and care for the common good. May we meet the Christ-child we seek in the faces of our neighbors.
When tears of grief, exhaustion, or loneliness come; comfort us with your love. When physical or emotional hurt overwhelms us, stay with us amidst the pain and sorrow. Uphold all who are anxious, who know the challenges of depression, or who are ill especially Darlene, Warren, Don, Bert, Bill, Mary, Cheryl, John, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders.
Surround expectant parents and those suffering from infant loss with communities of support. Bless young children and new parents. Guide us in ways that provide safety for all children and those who care for them.
We give thanks for all who have treasured the gospel and lived in faithful service, especially Emarine Sharon, Holly Pavlak’s mother, whom we remember through our altar flowers today. Strengthen our earthly journeys until, at the last, your face shines upon us and we are held in your in love.
Draw near to us, O God, as we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING
(Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
ANTHEM As the Dark Awaits the Dawn set. by David Lasky
Yeon Soh, organ
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer;
O Sun of justice, now draw near.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! God’s justice is at hand
To liberate the people and the land.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: Holy God, we offer who we are and what we have, trusting that in your care, these gifts bring your dreams closer to our reality. Help us steward these resources to create abundant life and love. Amen.
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MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ |
DIALOGUE
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.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, to give thanks to you, holy God, for your liberating and courageous life. You taught us how to hope in the midst of destruction. You modeled how to disrupt systems of power and imagine a new way of life and love. You placed within us the sacred desire for a world made whole. And so, with your people on earth and all the saints who have gone before us, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
SANCTUS
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy are you, and blessed is your name, O God,
At this table, you model the power of mercy and not might, the power of love and not hate.
You reorient us and give us the will to dream once more.
We receive this bread and this cup in the same spirit of defiant love
that you brought to earth in the life of your beloved Son.
In the night before he was betrayed, 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.
Because of these simple and remarkable acts, we offer ourselves to be your hands and feet,
and we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Holy God, we have seen and heard the dreams of the prophets.
We have witnessed the power-defying acts of Jesus.
As we gather for this abundant feast with enough for all to come and be fed.
We ask that you transform this bread and cup
into hope that sustains our lives of prophetic imagination. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
| 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. |
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. |
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The table has been set. Come, taste and see what God provides.
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence. We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament. Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer),
and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
ANGUS DEI
COMMUNION Holy Forever Chris Tomlin
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray: Creator of all good things,
you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of blessing.
May the love of the Lord’s table accompany us on our journeys from here. Amen.
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SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
As God sends you out into the world, may you embrace the will to dream.
May love fill you and fuel you for the days ahead.
In the name of the ☩ Creator, Savior, and Sustainer. Amen.
SENDING HYMN People, Look East ELW 248
DISMISSAL
Go in love. Hold fast to God’s promises. Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Fughetta on “People Look East” Richard Shephard
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Bruce Grams
Lector Lou Banderet
Communion Presenters Patti & Benet Bianchi
Ushers Janet Golden & Gail Walker
Director of Music Kirby Stalley
Contemporary Music Leader Randy Gomez
New Direction Praise Team Linda Frederico, Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati, Jim Molloy, Josh Nadar, Matt Overholt, Mary Overholt, Holly Pavlak
Organist Yeon Soh
Altar Care Linda Frederico and Holly Pavlak
Livestream Operator Bill Whalen
Upcoming Commemorations
Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
Friday, December 26, 2025
Stephen was a deacon and the first martyr of the church. He was one of those seven upon whom the apostles laid hands after they had been chosen to serve widows and others in need. Later, Stephen’s preaching angered the temple authorities, and they ordered him to be put to death by stoning.
John, Apostle and Evangelist
Saturday, December 27, 2025
The son of Zebedee and brother of James, John was one of the twelve disciples and witness to the transfiguration. Tradition has named him also the writer of the Gospel of John, the three New Testament letters bearing his name, as well as Revelation.
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Liturgy adapted from Illustrated Ministry LLC, © 2025. 21 December Hymn Based.docx
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