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
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
*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
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