The Colors of Christmas
Tonight’s Color: Green / Everlasting Life
We ask the Lord to Join us
Pastor’s Greeting and Introduction to Tonight’s Worship
after which the Congregation will rise
The Invocation
We begin this worship service…..
In the name of the Father,
by Whose word the world was formed
and by Whose power all things are sustained. And…
And of the Son,
by Whose suffering and death we have been redeemed,
and by Whose resurrection we are assured of heaven. And…
And of the Holy Spirit,
Who – through the Means of Grace – has both brought us to faith
and keeps us in the one true faith.
Amen.
The Evening Prayer
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I thank You, my heavenly Father, + through Jesus Christ Your dear Son, + that You have graciously kept me this day. + Forgive me all my sins, + wherever I have done wrong, + and graciously keep me this night. + Into Your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. + Let Your holy angel be with me, + that the wicked foe may have no power over me. + Amen.
After which the congregation will be seated for
Opening Hymn Hymn 8 “Come, O Precious Ransom, Come”
After which the Congregation will rise as
We join in the Confession of our Sins
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ: the Word of God urges us to confess to our Lord all our
sins of thought, word, and action. This is something that ought to be daily part of our spiritual lives, and should come forth from every heart that is humble and penitent. But we should especially do this when we meet together in His house to thank God for all that He has done for us, to praise Him, and to hear His life-giving Word. Therefore, come with me now, to our Heavenly Father’s throne of grace, and let us confess our sins together.
Congregation Miserable person that I am, + I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, + that I
am a weak and sinful creature, + guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. + I also confess that Your Word has not brought forth good fruit in me. + I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. + I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. + I am full of anger, hate, and envy. + I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. + Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. + Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, + strengthen my faith, + and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, + that I may obtain Your promised grace.
Pastor Having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, now be
strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, rest assured that your sins have been fully covered by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ your Savior. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Order of Vespers
Pastor “O LORD, open my lips.”
Congregation And my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.
Pastor “Hasten, O God, to deliver me.”
Congregation Hasten to help me, O Lord
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen. Halllelujah!
We Share God’s Word
The Psalm for this Evening Psalm 40, selected verses
P: I waited patiently for the LORD: He inclined to me and heard my cry.
C: He put a new song in my mouth, + a song of praise to our God.
P: Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie.
C: I delight do Your will, O my God; + Your law is within my heart.
P: I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O LORD.
C: I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation. + I have not concealed Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness from the great congregation.
P: As for You, O LORD, You will not restrain Your mercy from me
C: Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness will ever preserve me.
P: May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
C: May those who love Your salvation say continually + “Great is the LORD!”
after which the Congregation may be seated for
The Evening Lesson Luke 1:26-56
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
29 But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31 Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Listen, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age even though she was called barren, and this is her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God.”
38 Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
39 In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. 40 She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!”
46 Then Mary said, My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones. He has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
Sermon Hymn 391 “God Loved the World so that He Gave”
after which the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Text for this Evening’s Meditation John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Green…The Color of Life
The Post-Sermon Blessing
And now may the peace of God which transcends all human understanding keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.
We Bring our Offerings
and Prayers Before the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
For those watching tonight’s service, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can go to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option.
Our Evening Prayers
Any Special Prayers
The 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.
We Leave with God’s Blessing
The Benediction
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
Closing Hymn Hymn 593 “Now the Light Has Gone Away”
Silent prayer
Announcements
Post-service Music