The Fourth Sunday in Advent - Online Worship - December 20, 2020

vs. 4
Light four candles to watch for Messiah: 
Let the light banish darkness.
He is coming, tell the glad tidings.
Let your lights be shining!

vs. 1
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh come, ye
To Bethlehem;
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels:

refrain:
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

vs. 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)

The wonders of God’s love come to us at Christmas. His light breaks into our darkness. Trust anew The Sign, every sign of God’s grace, so come with all the faithful; let us adore him and worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

People of God: On this holy day, let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to adore every sign of God’s grace in Emmanuel, The One who comes to us, bringing hope and light, for The Christ is Christmas.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: Jesus, the Son of God, born for you; Jesus saves you; Jesus forgives you all your sins. This will be a sign for you, This Light comes first to you, increases your joy, breaks the yoke of your burdens. Jesus Christ brings God’s joy to the world!

vs. 1
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive its King.
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

vs. 4
He rules the world
With truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove,
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.

Almighty God, your Light and the wonders of your love shine this holy day. As you break into our world and lives in Jesus’ birth, open our hearts to hear heaven and nature sing. As you, Emmanuel, are with us, rule the world with truth and grace, open anew for us, every sign of your grace in the glory of our newborn King. By your Holy Spirit, bless us during these holy days, and always, to live in your Light, The Light no darkness can overcome, and we will forever hold fast to The Christ, your greatest joy to the world, as we await Jesus’ promised return. In every sign of your hope and grace, we pray. Amen.

Pastor:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.

Men:
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Women:
And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Pastor:
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

All:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among all with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

All:
And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Pastor:
And when they saw it, they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.  (RSV)

Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little, Lord Jesus,
Lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky
Look down where he lay,
The little, Lord Jesus,
Asleep on the hay.

A CHRISTMAS EVE MESSAGE - LUKE 1:26-38; LUKE 2:1-20

Signs.  We use them and need them every day.  Signs point us in the right way.  Signs reassure us when on a long journey.  Signs tell us what is up ahead.  Signs identify things for us.  On this night of brilliant light in a world that often feels full of darkness, what signs are you looking for?  Are you looking for direction, reassurance, expectation, truth, hope?  The shepherds were the first to receive the Good News. "And this will be a sign for you, you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."  Here is real direction, comfort, joy, and grace!  Whatever we are looking for this Christmas and each new morning of an anticipated new year, may the love, mercy, power and hope of God's grace be a sign for us.  The signs of God's grace will not be denied, not by a busy town, not by fearful shepherds, not by a cross, not by our own doubts or mistakes.  These are times when God's Sign shines brightest!  Are you looking for a sign - The Word is in the flesh alive among us, you will find a babe, The Sign has come to grace you, His name is Jesus! 

1. We use signs and need them every day.  

A. Signs tell us where we are, give direction, point us in the right way.

B. Signs assure us we are going the right way when on a long journey.

C. Signs tell us what is up ahead. They help us know what to expect and what to prepare for.

D. Signs identify for us things and places.

2. On this night of brilliant light in a world that too often feels full of darkness, what signs are you looking for?  "And this will be a sign for you.  You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."  Luke 2:11-12

A. Are you looking to know where you are, for direction, and to be pointed the right way? Let this little babe guide you. Luke 2:11, 15-16

B. Are you looking to be reassured that you are going the right way in the midst of a long journey?  Let this little babe comfort you.  Luke 1:37, 2:10

C. Are you looking to know more about what is up ahead, what to expect and what to prepare for?  Let this little babe prepare you and fill you with anticipation. Luke 1:30-35

D. Are you looking for truth to be identified for you?  Let this little babe tell you what is truth!  Light.  Peace On Earth.  The Christ.  The Savior.  Luke 2:11

3. If you are looking for signs of the Sign this Christmas, that's fair, understandable, acceptable, already anticipated; so look no further.

A. The shepherds had the angels and each other.  Luke 2:9-15

B. Mary and Joseph had the angels, each other and those who came.  Luke 1:28-38

C.      Who do you have? The angels, the Holy Spirit, each other.  Luke 2:19-20

D. One sign you have of the Sign this Christmas: Faith.  Faith like Mary and Joseph and the shepherds, is a gift just waiting to be unwrapped.  Luke 1:37-38

E. We have the best Sign, the clearest Sign, the brightest Sign, the most faithful Sign, the living Sign: Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us!  The Sign has come to bring, to be God's love to you!  Luke 2:11-12, 17 

4. Whatever we are looking for this Christmas and each new morning of an anticipated new year, may the love, grace, mercy, power and hope of God's love coming down to us be The Sign for us.  God's love will not be denied, not by a busy town, not by fearful shepherds, not by a cross, not by our own doubts or mistakes.  These are times when God's Sign shines brightest!  Looking for a sign? This will be a sign for you, you will find a babe, His name is Jesus!  Luke 2:11-12

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.

Comfort and joy have come to us,
In God’s amazing grace,
Comfort and joy have come to us,
In this and every place,
Comfort and joy will be fulfilled,
The day we see God’s face.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.

Holy Communion will take place during “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “The First Noel.” If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

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.

(please turn on your battery-powered candles)

From St. John we read, “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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. … The Word became flesh to live among us.” And from the prophet Isaiah we retell these words, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. We have beheld Christ’s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

… as we pray to you, Jesus …

May every sign of your light and hope, peace and grace, be born anew in our hearts and world.

He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant. He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until he was 30. Then, for three years, he was an itinerant preacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He didn't go to college. He never lived in a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself.

He was only 33 when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his garments, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave, through the pity of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race. I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned--put together--have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one, solitary life.

vs. 1
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin
Mother and child.
Holy infant,
So tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

vs. 3
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light,
Radiant beams
From your holy face,
With the dawn
Of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth.

The Lord come to you and bless you, and give you His light. The Lord bless you with His presence and fill you with the warmth and quiet of the manger. The Lord bless you with every sign of His precious gifts, for Christ is salvation and hope, grace and joy, love and peace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, in the presence of Emmanuel, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.

Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth! Good will to all! Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

refrain:
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born!

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

vs. 3
Down in a lonely manger,
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
(refrain)

At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.

For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.

We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.

vs. 1
The first Noel
The angel did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay;
In fields where they,
Lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night,
That was so deep.

refrain:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.

vs. 2
They looked up
And saw a star,
Shining in the east
Beyond them far;
And to the earth,
It gave great light,
And so it continued
Both day and night.
(refrain)

vs. 3
And by the light
Of that same star,
Three wise men came
From country far;
To seek for a king,
Was their intent,
And to follow the star
Wherever it went.
(refrain)

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Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Join us next Sunday, December 27, 9:30 a.m., as we share and celebrate a Christmas Day Worship experience, “Every Sign, Alive, Here, Now, Among Us!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via Lord of Life LIVE on our facebook page! A blessed and holy and merry Christmas season to each of you and your loved ones!

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every sign of God’s love and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany of The Light Foretold written based on Isaiah 9:2-7 and Isaiah 40:9-11. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” © 2002 Birnamwood Publications CCLI #3756133 “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #31054 “Joy to the World” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #24016 “Away In A Manger” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #38583 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 “Silent Night, Holy Night” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #27862 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #29080 “The First Noel” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #31047 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.