17 Dec BULLETIN – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022
WELCOME TO MESSIAH & ST. PETER
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
3 Church Street, Halifax, PA 17032
Phone 362-4597
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Advent
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
MESSIAH SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come do we may do your will. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may trust in you, receive your promises, and deliver good news to others, for you live, love and reign together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, as one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 7:10-16
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. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For 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.”
PSALM 80:1-3,7, 17-19
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one you have made so strong for yourself.
And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
SECOND READING ROMANS 1:1-7
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel. Alleluia.
GOSPEL MATTHEW 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY Angels from the Realms of Glory #50
PROFESSION of FAITH/APOSTLE’S CREED Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
As we prepare to receive the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray that the world will yearn for hope according to God’s plans. A brief silence.
God our shepherd, let your Spirit move with power throughout the earth among your church. Give dreams, discernment and wisdom to every congregant and leader. Remove fears, the quest for self-preservation and dominance, so we’re able to serve and love, confidently knowing you guide us. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God our source, awaken us to the beauty of earth and the marvelous variety of life. Unite humankind in repairing and caring for your creation. Protect creatures and habitats in peril due to environmental changes caused, affected, and controlled by humans. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God our vision, raise up leaders around the world able to envision freedom, justice and security for all. Assist the work of governmental liaisons and organizations that promote peace by preserving the dignity and rights of all human beings. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God our helper, come to the aid of everyone who needs you. Give shelter to the homeless, migrants, refugees, those fleeing violence, war, poverty or famine. Bring relief to individuals and families experiencing lack. Comfort the confused, isolated or lonely with real company in the flesh. Give them pleasant memories and good thoughts to ease their minds. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God our Emmanuel, we are grateful for you being with us as we live life together. Thanks for gathering us in worship and fellowship. We remember those who cannot be present. Watch over those who travel. Heal the sick and speed their recovery (especially those on our prayer list). God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God our hope, you bring life out of death, and you promise to be our God forever. Shine upon the faithful who now rest in the fulfillment of your promise, especially Shirley Hirsch, Doris Weber and Ray Hoffman. Bring us also into rest and your blessed reign of peace. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of every dream and every breath spent longing, you know our deepest needs already. You provide for all of them and all of us. By your Spirit, gather the prayers of everyone and join us together as family, your earthly, heaven bound children of faith adopted by grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY Page 75
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION Page 74
CLOSING HYMN The First Noel #56
DISMISSAL Page 74
POSTLUDE
Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Linda Lucas in memory of Ralph and Evelyn Noblit.
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Sandy and Mike Oxendine in memory of loved ones.