The fourth Sunday of advent

A Service of Word and Meal

Including a rite of farewell and godspeed

December 20, 2020

Christ Lutheran church

Hilton head island, sc

We are Disciples of Jesus. Growing in Faith, Serving our Community and Connecting Others to Christ.

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☩ This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here. ☩

This Sunday

God keeps the promise made to David to give him an everlasting throne. The angel tells Mary that God will give David’s throne to her son Jesus. She is perplexed by Gabriel’s greeting and by the news of her coming pregnancy, but she is able still to say, “Count me in.” We who know that Jesus is called king only as he is executed still find it a mystery hard to fathom, but with Mary today we hear the news of what God is up to and say, “Count us in.”

The Advent Wreath

One of the best-known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting in the midst of growing darkness strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the crown of Christ, or the wheel of time itself. Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light. Sometimes the wreath is embellished with natural dried flowers or fruit. Our Confirmation Group has prepared their own Advent wreath that is being passed from family to family each of these weeks. A member of the group will light the Advent wreath from their homes each week in worship and offer the prayer for the day. A Rite of Farewell Just as we have rituals to welcome new members and new leaders to our congregation, we also believe it’s important to say farewell as a whole community. We will do this in worship today at the end of the service. Such a farewell is placed in the Sending section of the service because our Rite of Farewell and Godspeed is not just a “thank you and goodbye” but is a time to remember that while the Spirit moves us from place to place, we are still part of one faith, one Lord, one baptism. We remain the church together for the sake of the world, sent out again and again to witness and serve wherever we find ourselves.

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Pastor Mary Anderson will be leaving Christ Lutheran on December 31st having served as our interim pastor since October 2019. Our Council President, Joe Etter, will lead this part of the service. All are invited to come to a farewell event outside the church today from 2-4pm.

☩ gathering ☩

Gathering Music Joy to the World (organ and trumpet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwZskNoKMlg&list=PLTPkKKi0RCocFeYfvp6HB6xgc9ZQqoUoB&index=28 Welcome + Announcements

Opening Hymn People Look East

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SPLN1g_ZFY

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

As the four candles of Advent are lit, all are invited to light the candles on their

home wreaths as we will light our church Advent wreath. Then, the confirmation

youth prays:

Blessed are you, God of hosts, for you promised to send a son, Emmanuel, who brought your presence among us; and you promise through your Son Jesus to save us from our sin. As we light these candles, turn again to us in mercy; strengthen our faith in the word spoken by your prophets; restore us and give us life that we may be saved. O house of David, come, let us rejoice, for the Son of God, Emmanuel, comes to be with us. Amen.

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☩ Word ☩

The First Reading: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 1Your love, O LORD, forever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness. 2For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is established forever; you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens. 3“I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: 4‘I will establish your line forever, and preserve your throne for all generations.’ ” 19You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: “I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people. 20I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. 21My hand will hold him fast and my arm will make him strong. 22No enemy shall deceive him, nor shall the wicked bring him down. 23I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. 24My faithfulness and steadfast love are with him, and he shall be victorious through my name. 25I will set his hand on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers. 26He will say to me, ‘You are my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.’

Holy Wisdom. Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Paul closes his letter to the Romans by praising God because, in the

proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God has revealed the promised, divine

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plan of salvation for all humanity. Paul proclaims this gospel of Christ in order

to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations.

25Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the

proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that

was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic

writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the

eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—27to the only wise God,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Holy Wisdom. Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Response to the Word Wait for the Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OEcMxhvfGo

The Holy Gospel according to Luke the 1st chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord. 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee

called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the

house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said,

“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed

by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel

said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And

now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him

Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the

Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over

the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary

said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will

overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called

Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also

conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the

servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel

departed from her.

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The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon

Hymn of the Day Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVP6fCU3uAo

The Prayers of Intercession

God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary

world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.

A brief silence.

Gracious God, all generations call you blessed. In this holy season we pray for

our neighbors of other denominations and faiths. Inspire the faith of their

people. Cultivate understanding among us and strengthen us in love and

service to our community. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Creator God, you scatter the proud. Everything we have belongs first to you.

Bless and protect the seas, mountains, plains, forests, stars, and soils that

surround us. Give us humility as we tend them. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Righteous God, you humble the powerful and lift up the lowly. We pray for the

leaders of all nations, that they amplify the voices of people in need. Guide all

people entrusted with leadership, to create societies in which everyone can

flourish. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Compassionate God, you fill the hungry with good things and send the rich

away empty. Nourish those who lack access to adequate food and nutrition,

especially our daily guests at the Little Food Pantry and our weekly guests at

the Thursday Lunch Break. Encourage others to provide for their neighbors in

need. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

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Healing God, you pour out mercy to all who cry out to you. Surround everyone

in need of healing in body, mind, or spirit with your tender presence

especially Ron and Beth Ann, Bill Putrino, all living with chronic illnesses, and

all recovering from illness or injury. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Holy Lifegiver, we lift up all celebrating birthdays this week, especially Bill

Putrino. May your Spirit continue to nurture all celebrating wedding

anniversaries and sustain the faith of all celebrating baptismal anniversaries,

especially Jackie Longo. May these milestones of our living fill us with

gratitude for all good gifts, and remind us that you go with us every step of the

way. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Eternal God, you are faithful to the promises you made to our forebears. We

give thanks for the ministry of Katharina von Bora Luther and other ancestors

who organized, planned, dreamed, encouraged, and reached out as they

served you. We give thanks for the bold leadership of women leaders in our

own time. Inspire others with their steadfast witness. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus

Christ our Lord.

Amen.

While we are in these Zoom meetings, we will provide a time for worshipers to

prepare an offering to be mailed in, to go to our website to make a contribution, or

take time to pray and consider how God is calling each of us to share our

resources with the church and the world.

Thank You! for all your offerings and gifts given to CLC and to the wider church

this week. Your generosity is the fuel for our ministry in this place.

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Visitors in our worship today are encouraged to go to our website

https://clchhi.org/ and send us an email letting us know you were worshiping with us today. If we can support you in any way, please share your need with us.

If you have not already done so, use this time to finish setting your home table for

communion.

Offering Music O Come All Ye Faithful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meptPMNY9Lw&feature=youtu.be

Offering Prayer

Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, we pray. Amen.

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The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eucharistic Prayer for Advent

Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:

Blessed are you for the birth of creation.

Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.

Blessed are you for your promise to your people.

Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.

Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.

Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.

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In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup

we remember your Word dwelling among us,

full of grace and truth.

We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.

We look with hope for his coming.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit.

Come among us.

Bless this meal.

May your Word take flesh in us.

Awaken your people.

Fill us with your light.

Bring the gift of peace on earth.

Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours,

Holy One of Israel,

Word of God incarnate,

Power of the Most High,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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The Lord’s Prayer

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.

Invitation to the Table

Even as we watch and wait, Christ is here. Come, eat and drink. Thanks be to God. Distribution of Communion

After the pastor says: “The body of Christ given for you, all at home may commune

those in their household. Then the pastor will say, “The blood of Christ shed for

you” and all may share the wine at home.

☩ Sending ☩

Prayer after Communion

Gracious and abundant God, you have done great things for us, and we rejoice. In this bread and cup you give us life forever. In your boundless mercy, strengthen us and open our hearts to the world’s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Rite of Farewell and Godspeed

Pastor Mary, as you leave Christ Lutheran Church we wish to bid you farewell. A reading from Exodus: The LORD said, “I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” When you came to this congregation last year as our interim pastor, we rejoiced to welcome you into the mission we share as the people of God. In this community you have come to know and to share in God’s loving purpose for you and for all creation. God has blessed you in this community, and God has blessed us through you. Other words of thanksgiving and farewell are offered by the Council President. We pray at the close: Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servant, Pastor Mary Anderson, who has enriched this congregation and shared her gifts with Christ Lutheran and the Hilton Head community. Now bless and preserve her at this time of transition. Day by day, guide her and give her what is needed, friends to cheer her way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling her. By your Holy Spirit be present in her pilgrimage, That she may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting, the long-expected Savior fill you with love, the unexpected Spirit guide your journey,

☩ now and forever. Amen.

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Dismissal Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Sending Song Go Light Your World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFZbDHP5y3w

There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit who brings fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, and go light your world

Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to

Light his own candle some other way

See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame

Carry your candle, run to the darkness

Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, and go light your world

Take your candle, and go light your world.

Our worship continues tomorrow night for Vespers at 5pm in the church yard.

☩ ☩

Presiding Minister – Pr. Mary W. Anderson Assisting Minister – David Kuhlmann Lighter of the Advent Wreath – Gunnar Bonomo

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Zoom Producer for November – Janet Sullivan Curator of our Music Offerings – Tami Kuhlmann Altar Guild – Paulette Stefanik Baker of the Communion Bread – Paulette Stefanik From sundaysandseasons.com.

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