THE SANCTUS…………....“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
Holy, holy, holy Lord!
God of host, by all adored!
Heav’n and earth cannot contain
All the glory of Your name!
Hail, hosanna, God most high!
Blest is He who now draws nigh
In the name of God the King!
Hallelujahs glad we sing:
Hail, hosanna! Praises due
Be forever, Lord, to You!

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP
December 26, 2021
First Sunday after ChristmasSt. John, Apostle and Evangelist

READINGS

Exodus 13:1–3a, 11–15
God commands the Israelites to consecrate every firstborn male.

Psalm 111
“He sent redemption to His people.”

Colossians 3:12–17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

Luke 2:22–40
Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple.

Hymn#379 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”                                                  sts. 1, ref, 2–4

1. O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him
Born the king of angels: Refrain

ref   O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
    Christ the Lord!

2. Highest, most holy,
Light of Light eternal,
Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing! Refrain

3. Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest: Refrain

4. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n!
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing! Refrain
Text: Public domain

THE PREFACE………………………………………     Adeste Fideles

P            The Lord be with you.
C            And with you, His servant.

P            Oh, come, let us lift our hearts unto the Lord.
C With hearts uplifted
Thanks to Him we render:
With joy we come before Him,
In gratefulness implore Him,

With thankful hearts adore Him Evermore!

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor
Thanks and praise be to You, our Father, almighty Creator, merciful Lord, God of promise and fulfillment. Of old Your faithful people waited for the day of Your visitation, manifest at last when the time had fully come and You sent forth Jesus Christ, Your Son. Having seen His glory, now we wait for the day of consummation, when He will come again as Judge and King. And so, with the church on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise Your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy Gospel…………………………………………………………………………........John 1:1–14

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the first chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Pastor Emeritus

M.J. Meyer

HYMN of the Day #383 “A Great and Mighty Wonder”
1      A great and mighty wonder,
    A full and holy cure:
The virgin bears the infant
    With virgin honor pure! Refrain

ref Proclaim the Savior’s birth:
“To God on high be glory
And peace to all the earth!”

2      The Word becomes incarnate
    And yet remains on high,
And cherubim sing anthems
    To shepherds from the sky. Refrain

3      While thus they sing your Monarch,
    Those bright angelic bands,
Rejoice, O vales and mountains,
    And oceans, clap your hands. Refrain

4      Since all He comes to ransom,
    By all be He adored,
The infant born in Bethl’em,
    The Savior and the Lord. Refrain

5      All idols then shall perish
    And Satan’s lying cease,
And Christ shall raise His scepter,
    Decreeing endless peace. Refrain

THE BENEDICTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adeste Fideles
P The Lord bless and keep you,
Look with love upon you,
Be gracious, and cause His face
to shine with peace!

C Glory to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
The Savior close beside us,
God’s love from harm to hide us,
The Spirit’s pow’r to guide us
Evermore!

Sermon Text: John 1-14

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O, God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your spirit free.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Offering: (The congregation responds to God’s forgiveness by bringing Him the first fruits of what He has given.)

THE DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN#368 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
1 Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’e r the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains. Refrain

ref   Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

2      Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song? Refrain

3      Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain
Text: Public domain

Kyrie
C Lord, have mercy.
C Lord, have mercy.
C Lord have mercy.

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

Nicene Creed

C     I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
    begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
   and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
   and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
    who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life + of the world to come. Amen.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

P     Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C     who made heaven and earth.

P     I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C     and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P     O almighty God, merciful Father,
C     I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

P     Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C     Amen.

Hymn of Praise
Gloria in Excelsis

C 1. To God on high be glory
And peace to all the earth;
Goodwill from God in heaven
Proclaimed at Jesus’ birth!
We praise and bless You, Father;
Your holy name, we sing—
Our thanks for Your great glory,
Lord God, our heav’nly King.

2. To You, O sole-begotten,
The Father’s Son, we pray;
O Lamb of God, our Savior,
You take our sins away.
Have mercy on us, Jesus;
Receive our heartfelt cry,
Where You in pow’r are seated
At God’s right hand on high.

3. For You alone are holy;
You only are the Lord.
Forever and forever,
Be worshiped and adored;
You with the Holy Spirit
Alone are Lord Most High,
In God the Father’s glory.
“Amen!” our glad reply.

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you

P Let us pray.
Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.

Old Testament Reading…………………………………………………......................Isaiah 62:10–12

  Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.
The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth:
"Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your     Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.”
They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.

A    This is the Word of the Lord.
C     Thanks be to God.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Introit Ps. 98:1–4; antiphon: Is. 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is | given;*
and the government shall be upon his | shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful | Counselor,*
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, | Prince of Peace.
Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done | marvelous things!*
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salva- | tion for him.
The Lord has made known his sal- | vation;*
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the | nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of | Israel.*
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation | of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, | all the earth;*
break forth into joyous song and sing | praises!
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is | given;*
and the government shall be upon his | shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful | Counselor,*
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, | Prince of Peace.

The Mission of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church: is to Gather Together to be built up in God’s word and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISMISSAL

Distribution

Distribution Hymn#367 “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
1 Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Refrain

ref Come and worship, come and worship;
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

2      Shepherds in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
Yonder shines the Infant Light. Refrain

3      Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star. Refrain

4      Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear. Refrain

D 5 All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One. Refrain
Text: Public domain

Hymn#388 “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

ref   Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

1      While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light. Refrain

2      The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain

3      Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn. Refrain
Text: Public domain

Gloria Patri

Glory be to Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world with-out end, Amen.

Thought for Today

The Word of God publishes the good news of our beautiful Christ, whose radiant light disperses the darkness of sin and illuminates the life of men. No other published word conveys such cataclysmic change. The power of sin is disarmed. The reign of God is unleashed in the song of joy, the radiance of God, and the speaking of Jesus—for in Him the Word becomes flesh and dwells among us.

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS)

Welcome to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church!

We give thanks that gracious Lord Jesus Christ has gathered us together here for his Divine Service. Today again our Lord comes to serve us and lavish us with his gifts of life, forgiveness, and salvation. Rejoicing in those wonderful gifts, we sing with David in Psalm 84: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! A day in your courts is better than a thousand Elsewhere.”

RINGING OF THE BELL

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

WELCOME

Alleluia

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

THECONSECRATION…………………………………………Pastor

THE LORD’S PRAYER . . . . . . .It Came Upon The Midnight Clear”

Our Father, Lord on heav’n’s high throne,
Most holy be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth – in heav’n the same.
Give us this day the food we need;
Forgiven may we be;
Into temptation do not lead;
From evil set us free.
Yours is the kingdom; unto You
In grateful love we bow;
And Yours the pow’r; Lord, let us view
Your mighty presence now.
The glory Yours; Your praise be sung
By angel hosts and men
In ev’ry land, by ev’ry tongue
Forevermore! Amen.

Prayer of the Church—Responsive Form
Christmas Day (C)
25 December 2021

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Lord God, You reign over all the earth. We lift up our voices and sing for joy to You in celebration of the incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Preserve this delight among Your people throughout the Church Year. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send forth men to publish Your peace and bring us Your good news of happiness. Keep them faithful to declare Your gracious reign in Christ. Bless the work of missionaries at home and abroad, that all the ends of the earth may see Your salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, the great mystery of the incarnation was first believed and proclaimed by common men and women — Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. Give us confidence to tell the joyful message of our Savior’s birth, life, death and resurrection, that Your Spirit may work the miracle of faith as He wills. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Almighty God, guide all who administer and judge our laws in this land. Preserve us in justice and truth, and make us faithful citizens, honoring those in authority over us. Wherever rulers spurn Your calling to serve justly, are hostile to Your truth or persecute Your people, turn them from their evil and protect Your Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant healing, peace, patience and faith that endures to all who suffer sickness in mind or body, to all homebound and to any who ask our prayers. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

The great love that laid Your Son in a manger also lays His flesh and blood before us in bread and wine. Grant us grace to bow our hearts before Him with all those in heaven and on earth who adore Him, that we may receive His forgiveness and life with repentance and joy. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the birth of Your Son, You have called people from all times and places into the Body of Christ, His Church. We give You thanks for all the believers who have gone before us, especially who have been with us during Christmases past and now live with You. Give us a sure confidence in Your promise of resurrection and eternal life, and bring us at last together with them into Your presence at the full coming of Your kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, O Lord, for the sake of Your Son, the Word become flesh, the Savior of the nations, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God. Amen.

Gradual Is. 9:6; Ps. 98:1a

Epistle…………………………………………………………………….......................Titus 3:4–7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

R This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.

THE THANKSGIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“From Heaven Above”

Oh, thank the Lord, whose goodness sure
And steadfast love fore’er endure!
Our eyes have seen, our ears have heard,
And we have tasted of His word.

As His own servants we depart
With His salvation in our heart.
His saving power He has made known;
His love through all the earth is shown.

Lord, let us show the world Your light;
Let us declare Your glory bright,
Proclaim Your death until You com
To take Your ransomed servants home.

Glory to God, the Father, Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Oh, thank the Lord, whose goodness sure
And steadfast love fore’er endure!

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS)​​​

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS)