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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSUNDAY December 20th, 2020

To our Church FamilyWe’re Glad You’re Here.

WELCOME

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Today's Hymns from the Tower                 Church Carillon The Westminster Strike

Announcements

Prelude: Procession from A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten(Hodie Christus Natus Est)

Albert Donze, baritone

Today is Christ born; today the Savior has appeared;;Today the Angels sing, the Archangels rejoice;

Today the righteous rejoice, saying:Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia!

Lighting of the Advent Wreath: The Candle of Love

Watch and wait for Christ’s coming! Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.

We light this candle in hope. Light the first candle. We light this candle for peace. Light the second candle. We light this candle in joy! Light the third candle.We light this candle with love. Light the fourth candle.

Out of love for the people of God, the Lord speaks through the prophet Isaiah, as found in the seventh chapter, verses 10-14:

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore 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.

Let us pray. God of hope, Prince of peace, Jubilee Judge, and Lord of love, your goodness is beyond our wildest imaginings. You give us more than we can think to ask, coming to us with impossible possibility in the union of flesh and spirit. Teach us to love this world and all people as you love us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. God of promise, God of hope, into our darkness come.

GATHERING SONG  Angels, from the Realms of Glory ELW 275Verses 1, 3, 4

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GREETINGDuring this time, the presiding minister and the assembly greet each other.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 

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Prayer of the Day

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 bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 161Now 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 word of the Lord.Thanks be to GodPsalm 89:1-4, 19-26

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 1Your love, O LORD, forever | will I sing;  from age to age my mouth will pro- | claim your faithfulness. 2For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is estab- | lished forever;  you have set your faithfulness firmly | in the heavens. 3“I have made a covenant with my | chosen one;  I have sworn an oath to Da- | vid my servant: 4‘I will establish your | line forever,  and preserve your throne for all | generations.’ ” R 19You spoke once in a vision and said to your | faithful people:  “I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out | of the people. 20I have found Da- | vid my servant;  with my holy oil have I a- | nointed him. 21My hand will | hold him fast  and my arm will | make him strong. 22No enemy | shall deceive him,  nor shall the wicked | bring him down. 23I will crush his | foes before him  and strike down | those who hate him. 24My faithfulness and steadfast | love are with him,  and he shall be victorious | through my name. 25I will set his hand | on the sea,  and his right hand | on the rivers. 26He will say to me, ‘You | are my father,  my God, and the rock of | my salvation.’ R

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

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.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The holy gospel according to Luke, the 1st chapterGlory to you, O 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.

The gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Rev. Mark Kreemer

HYMN OF THE DAY  Savior of the Nations, Come ELW 263Verse 1: All

Verse 2: Men’s VoicesVerse 3: Women’s Voices

Verses 4, 5, 6: All

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.

After each petition the following response is given:Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great.

Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.

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OFFERING Anthem: Ave Maria J.S. Bach/Charles Gonod

Albert Donze, baritone

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

OFFERING PRAYER

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.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all placesgive thanks and praise to you,….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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THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty.

When we brought on chaos, cruelty and despair, you sent the prophets to proclaim your justice and mercy. At this end of the ages your Son Jesus came to bring us your love and to heal all the suffering world.

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.

Remembering, therefore, his life, death, and resurrection, we await his coming again in righteousness and peace. Send your Spirit on us and on this bread and wine we share: strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and bring to birth the justice and joy of your Son.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen

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LORD’S PRAYER 

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.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 SONG  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ELW 270

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BLESSINGThe Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting,the long-expected Savior fill you with love,the unexpected Spirit guide your journey,☩ now and forever.Amen.

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DISMISSAL

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

Postlude Glory to God in the Highest Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Arr. Diane Bish

Music Notes

Guest Musicians

Albert Donze is a professional Baritone who holds degrees in vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, and music education. An experienced educator, he currently teaches private voice at Firestone High School's Akron School for the Arts, and has worked as an archivist for LudwigMaster Publishing.

Prelude: Edward Benjamin Britten was an English composer, conductor and pianist. A central figure of 20th-century British music, he wrote a wide variety of opera, vocal, orchestral, and chamber pieces. His works are often performed all around the world. Like most renowned and influential composers, Britten showed musical talent from an early age. He studied at Royal College of Music and also took private composition lessons. He spent 1939-1942 in America, composing several major works and cultivating meaningful relationships, including American legend, Aaron Copland. A Ceremony of Carols is a choral piece scored originally for three-part treble chorus, solo voices, and harp. It consists of eleven well-known movements. The text is principally in Middle English with some Latin and Early Modern English. The piece was written in 1942 while Britten was at sea, travelling from the United States to England. The opening movement has no time signature and can be performed freely. While a text for Christmas day, it is frequently performed during Advent and the entirety of the Christmas season.

Offertory: The text for Ave Maria is often referred to as a strictly “Catholic Church” hymn. While most often associated with the Catholic Church, the text refers to Mary’s critical role in the Christmas story. A young and innocent girl of just about thirteen, Mary was chosen by God to carry His son, Jesus. In today’s Gospel reading, the angel Gabriel shares that she “has found favor with God.” In the time of Advent, it is important for the Christian heart to ponder the role of Mary, and the lessons that her example teaches about faith, trust and love. Today’s version of Ave Maria is set to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude in C Major for keyboard. Although not the most widely performed version of the song, this arrangement is timeless and conveys the beauty of the stunning text.

Flowers:

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Altar Flowers today are donated by Carol Stoner in memory of her and Ron’s Parents.Throne Flowers are donated in memory of Augie & Bette Morningstar by the Starrett & Deuble Families

In our prayers today we will remember

Vera Gerber, Bryan Jones, Cindy Lash, Laura Mottice, Chase Haines, Ray Jones, Connie Crabtree, Jeannie Tidwell, Renee Brown, Chris Collard, Josh Keller, Dr Donald Zimmerman, Nancy Straughn, Martha Scott, Judy Hall, Bob Keefer, Lynda Klein, Sara Hughes, Chrissy Sturtz, Donna Viles, Betty Ayers, Jean Dexter, Janet Duke, Betty George, Marjorie Hill, Bob Kirsch, Dan Landig, Anna Langenfeld, Scott & Darlene Lewis, Angela Sutter, Amy White, Maria Lictenberger, Diane Brant, Karen Lunkwitz, Dave Paul, Ron Meimer, Hazel Draper, Jennifer Mays, Alice Ferguson, Cheryl Shaw

Hymns, Liturgies, and Live stream permissions granted by the following:

Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # SAS027923Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

GATHERING SONG  Angels, from the Realms of Glory ELW 275PUBLIC DOMAIN

HYMN OF THE DAY  Savior of the Nations, Come ELW 263"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-734490. All rights reserved

SENDING SONG  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ELW 270PUBLIC DOMAIN

"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from CCLE, License #20472231 All rights reserved.”