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Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 23/24, 2017 6:00 PM & 8:45 AM Holy Communion

First Lutheran Church, Kearney, NE

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ANNOUNCEMENTS and WELCOME PRELUDE 6:00 “Savior of the Nations Come” arr. Wayne L. Wold

Carol Bosshardt 8:45 “Mary Did You Know”, Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, arr. Mark Hayes

Dorann Bartels

Please stand

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, † one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. C: Amen P: Let us prepare the way of the Lord by confessing our sin against God and neighbor. Silence for reflection and self-examination. P: O God of all time, C: We confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen. P: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news! C: Amen

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GATHERING HYMN “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness” ELW #251

Voice, 1995, based on the Magnificat. Music: English folk tune; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams. Text © 1995 Augsburg Fortress, Arr. © Oxford University Press.

Music Public Domain. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Text OneLicense #A-705218

GREETING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.

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KYRIE “In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful”

Text and Words: Jacques Berthier © 1991 Les Presses de Taize, admin. By GIA Publications, Inc.

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of OneLicense #A-705218

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L: Let us pray, Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may hear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen

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Please be seated ADVENT WREATH Sung to the tune of “What Child is This” A flick’ring candle sheds its light in hope of dawn’s victorious might, and backward scurries cow’rdly night reminded of the morning. Refrain Watch, watch, for Christ is near, the promised Son of God most dear. Hope, hope, his light will clear the shades of death and sin. From Jesse’s barren stump will spring a noble branch, a righteous King; to earth’s despairing lands he’ll bring both justice and salvation. Refrain Watch, watch, for Christ is near, the promised Son of God most dear. Hope, hope, his light will clear the shades of death and sin.

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WORD A Reading from 2 Samuel L: 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. (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16) L: Word of God. Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God.

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8:45 ANTHEM “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, arr. by Jay Althouse

Chancel Choir Please stand for the Gospel Acclamation

P: A Reading from St. Luke C: Glory to you, O Lord P: 39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

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Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." 56And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (Luke 1:39-56) P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you O Christ.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & “NOISY” OFFERING

Offering will be going to Habitat for Humanity SERMON

“Promises and Fulfillments” Pastor Rick Carlson

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Please stand SERMON SONG

“Canticle of the Turning” ELW #723

Text: Rory Cooney, b. 1952, based on the Magnificat. Music: Irish traditional Text © 1990 GIA Publications All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of OneLicense #A-705218

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APOSTLES’ CREED L: Let us profess our faith with the Apostles’ Creed: C: 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 to the dead.

On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and 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

P: Guided by the light of Christ, let us pray for the coming dawn of joy, healing, and comfort for all God’s people.

(At the conclusion of each prayer)

L: Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer.

P: We raise our prayers to you, O God, in the name of the one who is, who was, and who is to come, Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen.

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EXCHANGE OF PEACE

P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you.

We greet one another in the name of the Lord using words such as,

“Peace be with you.”

Please be seated

MEAL

OFFERING 6:00 “Lo, How a Rose Ee’r Blooming” arr. John Carter Carol Bosshardt 8:45 “How Far is it to Bethlehem” Paul Manz Dorann Bartels

Please stand Communion Assistants please come forward at this time.

OFFERTORY RESPONSE “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”

Text and Music: Kirk Dearman

©1984 John T. Benson Publishing, a div. of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of CCLI #1093735

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OFFERTORY PRAYER

L: Let us pray, Savior of the nations, come. Make your home here in us. Feed us with your love, that our faith shine ever new and our lives reveal your light. C: Amen. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

PREFACE: P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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SANCTUS “Holy, Holy, Holy” ELW #473

Music and Text: Argentine traditional. Music and Text Public Domain

WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord 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. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

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THE LORD’S PRAYER P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: C: 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

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

P: Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you. Share in the feast of salvation.

(Please let the Communion Assistant know if you want grape juice or a gluten-free wafer.)

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Please be seated “Let Us Be Bread”

Text and Music: Thomas Porter © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.

All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of OneLicense #A-705218

COMMUNION MUSIC 6:00 “An Advent Prayer” Louise E. Stairs Carol Bosshardt 8:45 “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” Chris Eaton & Amy Grant, arr. Jim Brickman

Dorann Bartels

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Please stand

TABLE GRACE P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C: Amen PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION L: God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen

BLESSING

P: May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path. Almighty God, Father, † Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C: Amen

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SENDING HYMN “Joy to the World” ELW #267

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: English melody, 18th cent.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Words and Music Public Domain

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DISMISSAL

L: Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE 6:00 “Behold, He Cometh” Mary Elizabeth Dexter Carol Bosshardt 8:45 “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” J.S. Bach Dorann Bartels

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First Lutheran Church ~ 3315 G Avenue ~ Kearney, NE 68847 308-237-5544 ~ office@firstlutherankearney.org

Rev. Dr. Rick Carlson, Preaching Pastor

Rev. Dr. Michelle Carlson, Presiding Pastor

6:00 Tom Bosshardt, Assisting Minister 8:45 Sister Ruth Ellen Rebelein, Assisting Minister

11:00 Jacob Krueger, Assisting Minister

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23295.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.