Worship Service
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Our Service is live at 10 a.m. You can watch the live stream and follow along with the order of worship below.
Invocation
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Confession and Forgiveness
Leader: 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.
People: Amen.
Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(Silence for reflection and self-examination)
Leader: Most merciful God,
People: We confess that we are in bondage 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.
Leader: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Worship Music
Do You Hear What I Hear
Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb
Do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king
Do you know what I know?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
Pray for peace, people, everywhere
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
Words and Music: Public Domain
O Come All Ye Faithful
Verse 1
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels
Chorus
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!
Verse 2
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest (Chorus)
CCLI Song # 31054; © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain; For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 384330
Greeting and Prayer of the Day
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray. Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
People: Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Candle: Candle of Love
First Lesson 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the 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.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.’
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I 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. Wherever 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?’ Now 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; and 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. And 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, from 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. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Lesson Luke 1:26-8, 19-28
Leader: The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the first chapter.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The 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. And 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then 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.
The Message “Preparing the House” by Art Mory
Hymn of the Day “The First Noel”
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the
power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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 and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
The Prayers of the People
Each prayer petition will end with –
Reader: Lord in your mercy
People: Hear our prayer.
The Peace We share a sign of God’s Peace with one another
Leader: The Peace of the Lord be with you always!
People: And also with you.
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Words Of Institution
Leader: In the night in which he was betrayed…
The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
Lamb of God
Communion Songs
Let Us Break Bread Together
Verse 1
Let us break bread together on our knees
Let us break bread together on our knees
Chorus
When I fall on my knees
With my face to the rising sun
O Lord have mercy on me
Verse 2
Let us drink wine together on our knees
Let us drink wine together on our knees (Chorus)
Verse 3
Let us bow round the altar on our knees
Let us bow round the altar on our knees (Chorus)
Verse 4
Let us praise God together on our knees
Let us praise God together on our knees (Chorus)
CCLI Song #3205952, William Farley Smith, © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. CCLI License #384330.
Good Good Father
Verse 1
I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased; and that I’m never alone. (Chorus)
Chorus
You’re a good, good, father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you; It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.
Verse 2
I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching; for answers only you provide
‘Cause you know just what we need, before we say a word. (Chorus)
Bridge
You are perfect in all of your ways; You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us. (Repeat), (Verse 3)
Verse 3
Love so undeniable; I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable; I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still; As you call me deeper still
As you call me deeper still; Into love, love, love (Chorus)
CCLI Song #7036612 – Words and Music by Paul Barrett and Anthony Brown; ©2014 Capitol CMG Paragon | Common Hymnal Publishing | Housefires Sounds | Sixsteps Music | Tony Brown Publishing Designee | Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs. For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 384330.
Post-Communion Blessing & Prayer
Leader: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
People: Amen.
Blessing
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.
People: Amen.
Sending Hymn “Joy to the World”
Sending
Leader: Go in peace. Share the good news!
People: Thanks be to God!
Receiving the Offering
Checks may be mailed to All Saints Lutheran Church, 4325 SW Green Oaks, Arlington TX 76017. You may also be able to use online bill payment through your bank and set up recurring payments.
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