The View from the Middle: December 2023

Friday, December 29, 2023

Service outline for Sunday, December 31, 2023

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Alliance, Ohio

December 31, 2023

9:30 AM

PRELUDE Lo, How A Rose D. Cherwien

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Word made flesh,

our life and our salvation.

Amen.

Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of life,

you promise good news of great joy for all people,

and call us to be messengers of your peace.

We confess that too often we hoard our joy,

our resources, and our security.

We nurture conflict and build barriers.

We neglect the needs of our neighbors

and ignore the groaning of creation.

Have mercy on us.

Where we are self-centered, open our hearts.

Where we are reluctant, give us courage.

Where we are cynical, restore our trust.

Renew us with your grace

and give us again the hope of eternal life in you.

Amen.

Hear the good news:

We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises

through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In + Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed.

Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth

shall know the salvation of God.

Amen.

*HYMN Hark, the Herald Angels Sing #270

*GREETING

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

And also with you.

*Hymn of Praise Angels We Have Heard on High #289

*PRAYER OF THE day

Children’s sermon

FIRST READING: Isaiah 61:10—62:3

¹⁰I 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. ^62:1For 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.
³You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 148

¹Hallelujah! Praise the Lord ^| from the heavens; praise God ^| in the heights.
²Praise the Lord, ^| all you angels; sing praise, all you ^| hosts of heaven.
³Praise the Lord, ^| sun and moon; sing praise, all you ^| shining stars.
⁴Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.
⁵Let them praise the name ^| of the Lord, who commanded, and they ^| were created,
⁶who made them stand fast forever and ever, giving them a law that shall not ^| pass away.
⁷Praise the Lord ^| from the earth, you sea monsters ^| and all deeps;
⁸fire and hail, ^| snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
⁹mountains ^| and all hills, fruit trees ^| and all cedars;
¹⁰wild beasts ^| and all cattle, creeping things and ^| flying birds;
¹¹sovereigns of the earth ^| and all peoples, princes and all rulers ^| of the world;
¹²young ^| men and maidens, old and ^| young together.
¹³Let them praise the name ^| of the Lord, whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over ^| earth and heaven.

¹⁴The 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!

SECOND READING: Galatians 4:4-7

4When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

*Hymn Angels, From the Realms of Glory #275

*GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40

The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the Second Chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

*HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem #279

*APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 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, he 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 THE PEOPLE

*PEACE

OFFERING

*HYMN What Child is This #296 vs 1 & 3

*COMMUNION PRAYER

*LORD'S PRAYER

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

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

COMMUNION HYMN

HYMN Of the Father’s Love Begotten #295

PRAYER & BLESSING

*HYMN Go Tell It On The Mountain #290

Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Chrsitmas Eve Service Outline, December 24, 2023

Christmas Eve

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Alliance, Ohio

December 24, 2023

* Please stand, as you are able

Bold print indicates congregation’s response.

PRELUDE Infant holy, Infant Lowly B. Henkelmann

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Today, the twenty–fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant. Twenty–one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty–fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety–fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty–second year from the foundation of the city of Rome. The forty–second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;

the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.

*HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful #283 vs 1-3

*GREETING

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all

And also with you.

Hymn of Praise Angels We Have Heard on High #289

PRAYER OF THE DAY

mESSAGE

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-7

²The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. ³You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. ⁴For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 96

¹Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

²Sing to the LORD, bless the name of the LORD; proclaim God's salvation from day to day.

³Declare God's glory among the nations and God's wonders among all peoples.

⁴For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods.

⁵As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O LORD, have made the heavens.

⁶Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary.

⁷Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD honor and power.

⁸Ascribe to the LORD the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the LORD.

⁹Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the LORD, all the earth.

¹⁰Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity."

¹¹Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

¹²Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O LORD, for you come to judge the earth.

¹³You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth.

SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14

¹¹The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, ¹²training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

*hymn Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

*GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20

The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the Second Chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

¹In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

⁸In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." ¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

*HYMN Away In a Manger #277

SERMON

*HYMN Hark! The Herald Angles Sing #270

*APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 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, he 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 THE PEOPLE

*PEACE

OFFERING

HYMN What Child is This #296 vs 1 & 3

*COMMUNION PRAYER

*LORD'S PRAYER

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

HYMN Good Christian Friends, Rejoice #288

HYMN The First Noel #300

*HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night #281

*BLESSING

*HYMN Go Tell It On The Mountain #290

*DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure J.W. Kerr and S. Weber

Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659

Service outline for Sunday, December 24, 2023

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Alliance, Ohio

Sunday, December 24, 2023

9:30 AM

PRELUDE Listen for His coming arr. M. Hayes

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who opens the heavens and draws near to us with salvation. Amen.

God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance.

Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Everlasting God,

you love justice and you hate wrongdoing. We confess the fear, greed, and self-centeredness that make us reluctant to work against oppression. We are complicit in systems of exploitation. We choose comfort over courage. We are careless with creation’s bounty. Look upon us with mercy. Turn our hearts again to you. Make us glad to do your will and to walk in your ways

for the sake of our waiting world.

Amen.

Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salvation and covers you with robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of Jesus Christ,

your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all.

Amen.

HYMN Come Thou Long Expected Jesus #254

GREETING

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

KYRIE

HYMN OF PRAISE Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah #240 v.1-4

PRAYER OF THE DAY, CHIldren’s Sermon

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

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. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55

^46bMy soul proclaims the greatness ^| of the Lord, ⁷my spirit rejoices in ^| God my Savior,
⁴⁸for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your ^| lowly servant.
From this day all generations will ^| call me blessed:
⁴⁹you, the Almighty, have done great ^| things for me and holy ^| is your name.
⁵⁰You have mercy on ^| those who fear you, from generation to ^| generation.
⁵¹You have shown strength ^| with your arm and scattered the proud in ^| their conceit,
⁵²casting down the mighty ^| from their thrones and lifting ^| up the lowly.
⁵³You have filled the hungry ^| with good things and sent the rich ^| away empty.
⁵⁴You have come to the aid of your ^| servant Israel, to remember the promise of mercy,
⁵⁵the promise made ^| to our forebears, to Abraham and his chil- ^| dren forever.

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

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke the 26th chapter. Glory 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

HYMN The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came #265

APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

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, PEACE, OFFERING, special music

COMMUNION PRAYER

LORD'S PRAYER

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

HYMN Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming #272

PRAYER, BLESSING

HYMN Joy to the World #267

DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE O Day of Peace M. Sedio

Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659

Service outline for Sunday, December 17, 2023

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Alliance, Ohio

Sunday, December 17, 2023

9:30 AM

PRELUDE People Look East D. Lasky

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who opens the heavens and draws near to us with salvation. Amen.

God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance.

Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Everlasting God,

for the sake of our waiting world.

Amen.

Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salvation and covers you with robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of Jesus Christ,

your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all.

Amen.

HYMN Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn #242

GREETING

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

KYRIE

HYMN OF PRAISE Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah #240 v.1-3

PRAYER OF THE DAY, CHIldren’s Sermon

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 ¹The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; ²to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; ³to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. ⁴They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former evastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. ⁸For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. ⁹Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. ¹⁰I 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. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 126 ¹When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like ^| those who dream.
²Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with ^| shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great ^| things for them.”
³The Lord has done great ^| things for us, and we are ^| glad indeed.
⁴Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses ^| of the Negeb.
⁵Those who ^| sowed with tears will reap with ^| songs of joy.
⁶Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise the words of prophets, ²¹but test everything; hold fast to what is good; ²²abstain from every form of evil.
²³May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

The Holy Gospel according to Saint John 1 the 6th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ¹⁹This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” ²¹And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²²Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said. ²⁴Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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

SERMON

HYMN People Look East #248

APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

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, PEACE, OFFERING, special music

COMMUNION PRAYER

LORD'S PRAYER

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

HYMN O Come, O Come Emmanuel #257

PRAYER, BLESSING

HYMN Drawn to the Light #593

DISMISSAL

POSTLUDE The King of Glory Comes Aaron Miller

Liturgy and hymns printed and streamed with permission through OneLicense. A-710659