St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church , December 27, 2020 “First Sunday of ” 9:00am

Our Mission:

REACHING OUT – SHARING GRACE

Our Purpose: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church is a family that loves to serve the Lord as we grow in faith, serving the neighborhood with glocal projects.

1015 Lancaster Lane Lincoln, Nebraska 68505 (402)483-1692 Rev. Kimberlee Osborn, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Sunday December 27, 2020 GATHER WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS GATHERING CAROL "Hark! The Herald Sing” #270 Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! The herald angels sing,"Glory to the newborn king!" Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, incarnate deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!" Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris'n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!" CHRISTMAS CALL TO WORSHIP L Sing to God something brand new! C For God has done wonderful things! L Jesus was born in the midst of injustice and poverty C that the world may see the justice and richness of God. L God so loved the world that God sent Jesus, C so that all who believe in him may not perish but have eternal life. L Jesus is the . C Jesus is the light of our lives. L Sing to God a new song! C A song of hope, joy, and peace around the world. GREETING L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C And also with you. L In peace, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, have mercy. L For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, have mercy. L For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, have mercy. L For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, have mercy. L Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. C Amen. OF PRAISE L This is the feast of victory for our God. . C Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. Power and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia. Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia. Alleluia. PRAYER OF THE DAY L Almighty God, C you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. SHARING OF THE PEACE L May the peace of Christ be with you all. C And also with you. WORD READING Isaiah 61:10--62:3 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. 1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. L Word of God. Word of life. C Thanks be to God! PSALM Psalm 148 L Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise God in the heights. C Praise the LORD, all you angels; sing praise, all you hosts of heaven. L Praise the LORD, sun and moon; sing praise, all you shining stars. C Praise the LORD, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. L Let them praise the name of the LORD, who commanded, and they were created, C who made them stand fast forever and ever, giving them a law that shall not pass away. L Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps; C fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God’s will; L mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds; L sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world; C young men and maidens, old and young together. L Let them praise the name of the LORD, whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven. C The LORD has raised up strength for the people and praise for all faithful servants, the children of Israel, a people who are near the LORD. Hallelujah!

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION C Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL :22-40 22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. L the Gospel of the Lord! C Praise to you, O Christ! “Go Tell It on the Mountain” #290 Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev'rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev'rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo, above the earth rang out the chorus that hailed our Savior's birth. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev'rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born; and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev'rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! NICENE C We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION MEAL CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS L Praise the Lord! Praise God from the heavens. Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let us praise the name of the Lord, whose name alone is exalted above earth and heaven. Alleluia! Jesus our Lord came into an indifferent world, yet his life revealed the inner thoughts of many. Let us confess our sins before God and one another that we may receive release from our sin. Merciful God... C we confess that we have not lived as your faithful children. We have kept silent in the midst of prejudice and hatred. We have been idle in the face of violence and injustice. We have not been a light to the nations, and our lives have not revealed your glory. Forgive us, Merciful God. Repair the ugliness of our sin and restore in us your beautiful grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

L Beloved of God, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels, God covers us with the robe of righteousness. Know that you are forgiven in Jesus Christ and live as God’s beloved. C Amen! Thanks be to God! CALL TO THE TABLE “Angels We Have Heard on High” #289 Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav'nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo. LORD’S PRAYER C Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace. WORDS AFTER COMMUNION L May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. C Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION L We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us from your very self with the body and . Through this mystery, send us forth to proclaim your promise to a world in need, through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior. C Amen. SENDING BLESSING L Almighty God, who sent the Holy Spirit to Mary, proclaimed joy through the angels, sent the shepherds with good news, and led the magi by a star, bless you this day ☩ through the Word made flesh. C Amen. SENDING HYMN "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice" #288 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this! He has opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

DISMISSAL L Joy to the world! The Lord has come! C Let Earth receive its king! L Let every heart prepare him room! C And heaven and nature sing! L We sing glory to the Newborn King! C Glory to the King of Kings! L Go in peace; make Christmas merry and bright by Reaching Out−Sharing Grace! C Thanks be to God!

The Confession and are reprinted by permission of Westminister John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion © 2014. The Prayer of the Day, Offering Prayer, Prayer after Communion, and Blessing are reprinted from Sundays and Seasons © 2019 Augsburg Fortress.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2020 PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS: Final end-of-the year gifts be received in the church office no later than noon on December 31. Money received later will be credited in 2021.

IT’S DON & MILLIE’S DAY! Tell them you are from St. Andrew’s and 20% of your ticket comes back to support the Youth Group. Thanks in advance for your support! VACATION…Pastor will be on vacation December 28- January 3. If you desire pastoral care while she is away, please call Council President Jonathan Gordon at (806) 470-7226 to be connected to the pastor on-call. DEVOTIONS: Please go to this link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR6SNlaCY2 5LoVVMlrr8Rig/ This will take you to St. Andrew's YouTube Channel. Pastor will be there at 8:55am each morning (8:55pm on Sunday) throughout the season of Advent to lead you in a devotion. ADVENT/CHRISTMAS COFFEES will be held Wednesday nights at 7pm on December 30 and January 6. MINISTRY OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY: We will be collecting boxes of facial tissue for Meadow Lane School. Please bring your boxes and set them inside on the table inside the outside double doors by the church office. If going shopping is too difficult, donation checks can be mailed to the church and a member of the Outreach Team will do the shopping. Meadow Lane’s Principal was so excited to hear that tissues would be coming soon. There are never enough tissues to last during the long cold months of winter so they will be greatly appreciated! SUNDAY SCHOOL is being held every Sunday at 10:00am via Zoom. Tune in on Zoom Room # 951 588 8064. Or go to this link: https://zoom.us/j/95158880642 Hope you’ll join in!