Welcome

Sharing the Peace

Candle-lighting We Light a Candle by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan

We light a candle for hope

and our world that’s longing for hope

We light a candle for hope

and our world that’s longing for hope

Holy One, shine with the fire of our lives, oh

We light a candle for hope

 and our world that’s longing for hope

We light a candle for love

and our world that’s longing for love

We light a candle for love

and our world that’s longing for love

Holy One, shine with the fire of our lives, oh

We light a candle for love

and our world that’s longing for love

© 2016 Worldmaking.net (ASCAP). Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720899 All rights reserved.

Confession

Steadfast God, in this Advent season, we seek the stability of your gift of faith. But we confess that our trust is fragile. We are shaken by worry, distracted by hurry, and pulled away from the hope you deliver. Forgive us when we look for security in the wrong places. Forgive us when fear outweighs our faith, and when we forget that you enter our lives in the magnificence of quiet, steady love. Heal our restless hearts. By your mercy, anchor us in the ordinary places transformed by your presence and holy peace. Prepare us to welcome Christ, trusting that you are with us— sure and unfailing—now and always. Amen.

Words of Forgiveness

Song of Praise My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness Music: English folk tune; Text: With One Voice

My soul proclaims your greatness, 

Lord; I sing my Savior's praise!

You looked upon my lowliness, 

and I am full of grace.

Now ev'ry land and ev'ry age 

this blessing shall proclaim—

great wonders you have done for me, 

and holy is your name.

To all who live in holy 

fear your mercy ever flows. 

With mighty arm you dash the proud, 

their scheming hearts expose.

The ruthless you have cast aside, 

the lowly throned instead;

the hungry filled with all good things, 

the rich sent off unfed.

To Israel, your servant blest, 

your help is ever sure;

the promise to our parents made 

their children will secure.

Sing glory to the Holy One, 

give honor to the Word,

and praise the Pow'r of the Most High, 

one God, by all adored.

Text © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720899. All rights reserved.

Prayer

Kid Talk: Unstable Reactions

Scripture Song More Light by Christopher Grundy

More light, more truth

is breaking from your Word.

More light, more truth.

Holy Spirit, help us hear

what needs to be heard.

© Creative Commons License

Scripture Skit

Message

Song Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Text: Charles Wesley; Music: W. Walker Southern Harmony

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us;

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art,

dear desire of ev'ry nation,

joy of ev'ry longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

born a child, and yet a king;

born to reign in us forever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all-sufficient merit

raise us to thy glorious throne.

© Public Domain

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.

Offering Give online, in an offering basket, or on Venmo @westsidelutheran.

Prayers

Prayer Song In a Far-Off Place, Jesus Comes Music: Sally Ann Morris Text: Mary Louise Bringle

In a far-off place, Jesus comes to earth.

Sheep and cattle grace the site.

As the angel songs begin,

like the whisper of the wind,

nature's hope awakes again;

Jesus comes.

© 2009 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720899 All rights reserved.

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.

Holy Communion

Communion Song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Music: French processional; Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Köln

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,

embracing all things far and nigh:

in strength and beauty come and stay;

teach us your will and guide our way. 

O come, O Branch of Jesse, free

your own from Satan's tyranny;

from depths of hell your people save,

and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. 

Text © Hope Publishing Company (ASCAP) Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720899 All rights reserved.

Benediction by Kent Gustavson

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord's face shine on you.

May the Lord be gracious to you.

May the Lord look on you 

and give you peace.

Amen. Amen.

Amen. Amen.

 © 2004 Kent Gustavson

Announcements

Song Prepare the Royal Highway Music: Swedish folk tune, 17th cent. Text: Frans Mikael Franzén

Prepare the royal highway;

the King of kings is near!

Let ev'ry hill and valley

a level road appear!

Then greet the King of glory,

foretold in sacred story:

Refrain:

Hosanna to the Lord,

for he fulfills God's word!

God's people, see him coming:

your own eternal king!

Palm branches strew before him!

Spread garments! Shout and sing!

God's promise will not fail you!

No more shall doubt assail you!  

Then fling the gates wide open

to greet your promised king!

Your king, yet ev'ry nation

its tribute too may bring.

All lands will bow before him;

their voices join your singing: 

His is no earthly kingdom;

it comes from heav'n above.

His rule is peace and freedom

and justice, truth, and love.

So let your praise be sounding

for kindness so abounding:

Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720899 All rights reserved. 

Sending Words