Order, Words, & Voices – 12.22.24, Luke 2:21-38; Advent Four – Love
Pre/Post Worship Music – Spotify – Open and Close
Lighting of Advent Love Candle (Christ/Hope/Peace Candles prelit) Sharon
Songs Joy to the World Lynn/Linda
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Passage/Prayer Luke 2:21-38 Beth
Song O Holy Night Lynn/Linda
Special: Hope Is Alive Lynn/Linda
Impact/Message Love Rick
Song O Come All You Unfaithful Lynn/Linda
Community/Closing Peace Rick
Closing Music O Come All Ye Faithful CCLI Song # 31054 Lynn/Linda
- Record message on memory card – leave space above Speaker’s head
Christ Candle (Slides) Sharon
– Christ/Hope/Peace/Joy Candles Already Lit as Sharon lights the Love candle
Leader: The angel instructed Joseph and Mary to name the child Jesus.
Response: Jesus’ name declares that God Saves.
Leader: Eight days after his birth, Jesus was named and circumcised, marking the child as Jewish.
Response: A covenant relationship with God established with Abraham.
Leader: Forty days after his birth, Joseph and Mary brought their child to the Temple for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ presentation.
Response: The holy firstborn child set aside to God.
Leader: Jesus opened eyes to a new understanding of God’s relationship with humanity. Jesus was the presence of God for all of humanity.
Response: “Good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day the Messiah, the Lord.”
Leader: This is the consolation of Israel. This is the peace of humanity.
Response: This is our Joy. This is the overflow from God’s Love.
Music (Slides) Lynn/Linda
Joy To The World (Antioch)
Verse 1
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her 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
Verse 2
Joy to the earth the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy
Verse 3
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as far as the curse is found
Verse 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
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Hyfrydol)
Verse 1
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 every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Verse 2
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
Special Music (Title Slide only) Lynn/Linda
Hope Is Alive
Passage (Slides) Luke 2:21-38 Beth
When the time came for Mary’s purification, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord), and they offered a sacrifice “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
There was a righteous and devout man in Jerusalem named Simeon; he was looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. The Spirit guided Simeon into the temple. Jesus’ parents brought Jesus into the temple as was customary under the law,
Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “God, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner evil of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
Also in the temple was a prophet named Anna. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. Anna never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. Anna came and began to praise God and spoke about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Join me in the prayer of Jesus,
Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be your name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses, while 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. Amen.
Music (Slides) Lynn/Linda
O Holy Night
Verse 1
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Chorus 1
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night O holy night
O night divine
Verse 2
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our Friend
Chorus 2
He knows our need
To weakness is no stranger
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Behold your King
Before Him lowly bend
Verse 3
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Chorus 3
Christ is the Lord
O praise His name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
Message Rick [Screen Share until close]
[Title Slide – Screen share entire message until prayer]
Dad asking how Santa gets large item on the sleigh and into house.
Red One, unanswered questions asked and answered. Different views
Different views and perspectives of Santa like different views and perspectives of God and of Jesus
Christmas and Humanity Question unanswered, “Equality”
[Slide] David Kinnaman, president of Barna Research Group, says, “There isn’t much argument about whether Jesus Christ actually was a historical person, but nearly everything else about his life generates enormous, and sometimes rancorous, debate.”
[Slide] Jesus born into a world that we were born into – Jesus lived in the world that we live in. It looked different, but the foundation and backgrounds are the same. Inequity, injustice, unfairness, and oppression existed then as it exists now, – abuse of power, disrespect and disregard for some and favor for others, disproportionate distribution of resources and riches, and hatred and brutality existed then as it exists now.
- [Slide] And, people needed Jesus then, &, all people need Jesus now.
- [Slide] And, God loved all people then, &, God loves all people now.
- [Slide] And, God called all people to love all people then, &, God calls all people to love all people now.
[Title Slide]
So, as we begin with the story of Jesus, we find a fully vulnerable human, born to imperfect but faithful parents who, too, were touched personally by the brokenness of humanity. A child whose life, at this point, did not come with options or choices. A child who was at the mercy of those tasked with caring for and protecting this helpless child.
Just like each of us at birth.
It is here, at this early existence of God in the flesh, that we begin to see the first first evidence of this child Jesus, evidence that we will recognize through the entirety of his life. Evidence that, for the first time in human existent, reveal the character and heart of God in such a first person manner that had never happened before.
[Slide] Let’s begin with the blaring human reality that Jesus is born into – Jesus was poor, his family, and he was a victim of poverty.
Jesus was intentionally and purposely born into an upper lower class family. Joseph was a carpenter, he had a skill that brought some income. Not an excess but, in usual circumstances, enough. Evidence of this is in the fact that Joseph and Mary took the journey to fulfill the orders to go to Bethlehem to be counted. This would have been at least a six day journey, they undoubtedly would have needed money at times. Joseph and Mary were confident enough to know they had enough to take the journey and to not have to risk ignoring the orders of the emperor as many others did. Mary and Joseph were also aware that they sometimes would be at mercy of others to provide hospitality. Many nights were surely spent sleeping on the ground under the stars, but, to give birth they knew they would need a sheltered place, even if it was just a stable.
Poverty, or at least an existence of barely getting by, is the first reality we see of Jesus’ life. An opening reality that would be a constant reality throughout Jesus’ adult life. Jesus would always be at the mercy of others for earthly sustenance.
[Slide] ‘The issue of poverty and the gospel is much more than simply a “cause” that Jesus champions. The location and experiences of the poor, is the experience of Jesus from his infancy. From Luke’s perspective, when Jesus talks about the poor, he is talking about himself. Readings about the birth story of Jesus and his youth, should also include recognition and wrestling with Luke’s narrative portrayal of Jesus’ beginnings being rooted in the economic margins of his own community.’
Shively Smith, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Boston University School of Theology, Boston, Massachusetts
[Slide] Our judgement on the poor, or on anyone that has a derogatory label is a judgement on Jesus.
[Slide] The second reality see about Jesus’ life is that his parents were practicing Jews, therefore his ancestors were practicing Jews. This prepares him, this child, to become a practicing Jew as well.
[Slide] Jesus born an infant just like we were born as infants. To understand the significance and necessity of Jesus’ birth we must dispel an unconscious flawed way of processing Jesus’ life. The flaw is that we often think Jesus came to us preprogrammed – knowing everything. Just as we are born we a blank slate in regard to knowledge, Jesus was born a blank slate. This means, everything we will ever know, every time we have to reconsider what we think we know, and anything we still need to know will eventually be our responsibility.
Everything that Jesus knew throughout life, comes by the life teachings of others and then by his own choice.
Jesus will be taught by his parents and community, he will gradually know and understand as he chooses to process this information. Jesus will accept the journey of seeking and searching for truth.. We see him at the temple, hearing, considering, and digesting every morsel of truth he can and this does not stop after his childhood, nor does it stop when he becomes a praised celebrity.
So, when Jesus’ parents take him to the temple at forty days old, he does not go of an action of redemption as is the reason for other infant first born sons. Jesus is the holy son of God, is not such an act because Jesus was not in need of redemption. This trip to the temple with their newborn for Joseph and Mary is an act of dedication of Jesus.
[Slide] They are, as parents, stating that Jesus will be “holy to the Lord” (Luke 2:23). They were saying ‘Jesus will be holy to the Lord because we will, through our own lives, live a life that is Holy to the Lord.’
When Joseph and Mary present Jesus to the Lord in Jerusalem, they are in effect dedicating Jesus’ life to God, which is also a dedication of themselves for in teaching their son to follow God and the practices of the faith, they will largely do this through a continuation of their own practices and following of God.
It is a commitment to willingly consecrate Jesus’ life to God they willingly commit to consecrating their life to God.
Eventually, at his baptism, Jesus, will publicly commit to that consecration by his own choice.
Before Jesus is an adult, Luke’s narrative sets the stage for Jesus’ life and his decision to dedicate his life fully to his heavenly Father (Luke 2:49).
Later, we will hear the Apostle Paul speak of Jesus having been born under the law in order to redeem those who were under the law. Instead of being redeemed, Jesus himself, will redeem others which happens when Jesus takes upon himself the curse of the law by “becoming” the curse of the law. Luke’s account certainly gives credence to Paul’s claim. The dedication of Jesus to God at the temple sets Jesus on the way to his work of truth and redemption.’
Stephen Hultgren, Lecturer in New Testament and Director of ALITE, Australian Lutheran College, North Adelaide, Australia
Prompted by our God who is Love.
Music Slides Lynn/Linda
O Come All You Unfaithful
Verse 1
O come all you unfaithful
Come weak and unstable
Come know you are not alone
Verse 2
O come barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying
Come see what your God has done
Chorus
Christ is born Christ is born
Christ is born for you
Verse 3
O come bitter and broken
Come with fears unspoken
Come taste of His perfect love
Verse 4
O come guilty and hiding ones
There is no need to run
See what your God has done
Chorus
Christ is born Christ is born
Christ is born for you
Bridge
He’s the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon
His promise is peace for those who believe
He’s the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon
His promise is peace for those who believe
Verse 5
So come though you have nothing
Come He is the offering
Come see what your God has done
Chorus
Christ is born Christ is born
Christ is born for you
Christ is born Christ is born
Christ is born for you
Community (Slides) Rick
- Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, December 24 @ 6:00
- Next Sunday, 12.29.24, Joshua 1:1-18; Forward in Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love
- New Series begins 01.05.25, ‘Live Your Life the Way Jesus Lived Life’
Closing Peace (Slides) Rick (Slides)
Leader: May the peace of the Lord go with you.
Response: And also with you.
Closing Music Lynn/Linda
O Come All Ye Faithful CCLI Song # 31054
Verse 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
Chorus
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Verse 2
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye bright
Hosts of heav’n above
Glory to God all Glory in the highest
Chorus
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Verse 3
Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv’n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
Chorus
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Order, Words, & Voices 