YOU LIFT UP THE WEAK AND LOWLY

HOLY COMMUNION AT EVENING

Advent 4 Blessed are you among women

Saturday ● December 19, 2015 ● 5:30 pm

The Spirit and the font are the womb of our birth Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a

lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and the blessed virgin Mary’s magnificent

song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s

advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of

tension in which the church always lives as when in the holy communion—with high

delight—”we proclaim the Lord’s death.”

GATHERING

GATHERING MUSIC

“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” arr. Mark Albrecht

At the sound of the bell, please stand if you are able.

HYMN (hymn) 257

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” stanza 2

GREETING & GATHERING PRAYER

From the One who was, and who is, and who is to come:

Grace and peace be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.

With your abundant grace and might,

free us from the sin that binds us,

that we may receive you in joy and serve you always,

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The presider continues with words of welcome.

WORD

Each reading concludes: Word of God come down to us.

The assembly responds: Thanks be to God.

READING

From Bethlehem comes a ruler Micah 5:2-5a The prophet Micah, having pronounced judgment upon Judah, speaks of a future

shepherd-king who, like David, will come from the small town of Bethlehem. (Ephrathah

refers to the area around Bethlehem.) This king will restore Israel and bring peace. New

Testament writers understood this passage to be referring to Jesus.

silence follows for reflection

GOSPEL The assembly welcomes the gospel:

Stand up and raise your heads ― your redemption is drawing near.

Whoever follows Jesus will never walk in darkness. Alleluia!

My soul magnifies the Lord Luke 1:39-45 We are presented with Elizabeth, John’s mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, two

women filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. In Elizabeth’s inspired greeting and

Mary’s song of praise we hear of a saving God who remembers, scatters, lifts up, and

fulfills all things.

Mary’s song (the Magnificat) follows in verses 46-55; and is sung by the assembly after

the sermon.

silence follows for reflection

SERMON

silence follows for reflection

MARY’S SONG (Magnificat) (Holden Evening Prayer)

“Annunciation and Magnificat”

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Worship leaders move under the advent wreath for the Intercessions and Peace.

We pray for the Church, earth, nations, those in need & grief and confess our sin.

As the prayers begin, stanzas 1 & 2 are sung:

“Come Now, O Prince of Peace” (hymn 247)

Come Lord Jesus.

Come soon

As the prayers conclude stanzas 3 & 4 of hymn 247 are sung.

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you all.

And also with you. The ministers and the people greet one another with the peace of Christ.

MEAL

GATHERING OF GIFTS The gifts of the assembly are gathered for the sake of all in need.

During the gathering of gifts the table of the Lord’s supper is prepared.

“The Father’s Rose” arr. Mark Hayes

The assembly prays over their gifts.

Let us pray together.

We proclaim your greatness O Lord,

and bring before you the precious gifts of your creation.

Teach us patience and hope as you lift up the weak and lowly,

and give us the courage to surrender to you our very lives.

We await the coming of your Son, Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The presider continues with the Great Thanksgiving, concluding:

Lord’s Prayer (1975)

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

Communion

“Sing of Mary, Pure and Holy” arr. Sara Glick

silence for reflection concludes the Communion

Prayer

Let us pray.

God for whom we wait,

You come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share.

Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our lives,

And send us forth to be your people in the world,

announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SENDING

SENDING HYMN (hymn) 245

“Creator of the Stars of Night” stanzas 1 - 3 & Amen.

BLESSING

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you

and scatter the darkness from your path.

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

Amen.

Go in peace. Rest in God. Rise to serve. | Prepare the way.

Thanks be to God.

INSTRUMENTAL MEDITATION

“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” arr. Ann Krenz Organ

Some material from Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26515.

Please join us for fellowship in the South Commons following worship.

This service is being streamed live on the internet. www.centralmpls.org

Serving Today

Pastor Peter Nycklemoe, presiding

Ron Fiscus, assisting minister

Pat Hansen, reader

Carolyn Diamond, organist/pianist

Ian Snyder, violin

Mark Kieffer, Marc Wilson, sound operators

Nalani Lavedure, greeters

Glenn Kurke, host

Byron Crouch, ushers

Richard Stegall, sacristan

Chancel flowers today are given by Connie and Dick Adair in loving memory of

their parents. If you wish to donate flowers contact Judy Korogi 10 days in advance

at 612-788-1288.

Welcome!

Everyone is welcome. As a community of the people of God, the members of

Central Lutheran Church are called to welcome all people regardless of age,

economic status, ethnic background, gender, physical or mental ability, race or

sexual orientation. We affirm that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is

neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female” (Galatians 3:28). Christ has

made us one.

Guests are welcome. We are pleased you are worshiping with us today. We invite

guests to complete the “Welcome to Central” card found in the pew racks and leave

it with an usher or place it in the offering plate. If you would like more information

about Central, please contact us at 612-870-4416, or email info@centralmpls.org.

Children are welcome at all services. Worship bulletins for children and activity

bags are available at Sanctuary entrances.

Welcome to the Lord’s Table. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome at Holy

Communion. Please follow the guidance of the ushers and instructions in the order

of service. During communion, ministers will bring bread and wine to persons in

designated access seating areas. Communion may be received in one kind (only

bread or only wine) from any station if wheat bread or alcohol presents a health

concern. Gluten-free breads and alcohol-free wine are available by request at most

liturgies from most communion stations.

Welcome to the Holy Baptism. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome to receive

Holy Baptism. Please visit with any worship leader, staff member, hospitality

volunteer, contact the church office, or complete an information card, indicating that

you wish to be baptized. A pastor will contact you.

Friends of Central…Stay connected

Across the country and beyond there are many people who have a soft spot in their

heart for Central Lutheran Church – people who feel a connection both to the

history and the ongoing mission of this congregation. If you’re one of them, we

invite you to join a new network of Friends of Central. Pick up a brochure or visit

our website for more information or to join.

Electronic giving is available at Central. You can go online

through Central’s website at www.centralmpls.org and click on

Donate to our Mission. If you give electronically, use the green

pew card to drop in the offering plate instead of an envelope.

Central Lutheran is supported by givers like you. Questions?

Contact the church office at 612-870-4416.

You lift up the weak and lowly

Dwelling in the Word

The “theological message” of this meeting is clear: Elizabeth’s unborn child, John

the Baptizer, pays homage to Mary’s unborn child, Jesus. But along with this is the

real-to-life everyday experience of joy which two pregnant women share when they

visit together. Does this ring true to your experience?

The first half of Mary’s song speaks to her own situation. Have there been times in

your life when you have felt lowly or discouraged and then been surprised because

the Lord “has looked with favor” on you?

The second half of the Magnificat (to use the Latin title of this canticle) expresses a

larger socio-political hope, that the rich and powerful will be demoted and the

lowly and hungry will be exalted. Is this hope applicable to our own culture today?

We’re 45 weeks away from electing a new president. Should Mary’s religious poem

help shape our political decisions?

JOIN US for Christmas Worship

Thursday, December 24

4:00 pm Twilight Service of Blessing

10:30 pm Candlelight Holy Communion

Friday, December 25

10:00 am Contemplative Holy Communion with Carols

Saturday-Sunday, December 26-27

Holy Communion 5:30 pm Saturday; 8:30 & 10:30 am Sunday