SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2024 4th SUNDAY IN ADVENT
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH
PASTOR: Rev. Harry M. Krolus
CHURCH: 410-356-3400 CELL: 410-707-7663
Church email: ctklclcms@yahoo.com
Church Web Site: ctklchurch.org
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WELCOME to everyone who is worshiping with us today. We are glad that you are here! We pray that your worship experience here at Christ The King is spiritually uplifting and rewarding. If you are visiting, please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to Pastor Harry.
(Please turn off all electronic devices before worship begins; or, if you are using a Bible app to enhance your worship experience or to use PayPal, please enable the do not disturb function on your phone.)
The Exchange Of Christian Peace
Opening Hymn: 361"O Little Town Of Bethlehem”
A Time For Praise
The Invocation
P. We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen.
Invitation to Confession
P. Hear the words of the angel to Joseph: ‘You shall call his name Jesus,
C. for he will save his people from their sins.’ Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God through Jesus the Savior of the world.
P. The sun of righteousness has dawned with healing in his wings.
C. Let us come to the light of Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.
Confession
P. Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness to stand in your presence as your children. We have sinned:
C. Forgive and heal us.
P. The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus. Forgive our disobedience to your will. We have sinned:
C. Forgive and heal us.
P. Your Son, our Savior was born in poverty in a manger. Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. We have sinned:
C. Forgive and heal us.
P. The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem. Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision. We have sinned:
C. Forgive and heal us.
P. The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King. Forgive our reluctance to seek you. We have sinned:
C. Forgive and heal us.
The Absolution
P. May God, who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Savior, forgive us our sins and make us holy to serve him in our churches, our community, and the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ANGELS’ CANDLE
P. As Advent ends and Christmas comes, we share the song the angels sing: Joy and glory; peace, sweet peace!
C. 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 those on whom his favor rests.”
(The Angel’s Candle is now lit.)
The Word Is Shared
The First Lesson: Micah 5:2-5
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
The Second Lesson: Hebrews 10:5-10
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am — it is written about me in the scroll — I have come to do your will, O God.’” First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:39-45
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
Gospel Acclamation
P. Alleluia, alleluia. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.
C. Alleluia.
Hymn: 370 “What Child Is This”
The Message: “Carols Of Christmas”
The Offering
An Offering Song (783)
Take my life, that I may be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use every pow’r as thou shalt choose.
A Time For Prayer
P. In peace let us pray to the Lord. Father, your Son, our Savior was born in human flesh. Renew your Church as the Body of Christ. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. There was no room for your Son in the inn. Protect with your love those who have no home and all who live in poverty. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. Mary, in the pain of labor, brought your Son to birth. Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. Your Son came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring comfort to all who suffer in the sadness of our world. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. The angels sang, ‘Peace to God’s people on earth.’ Strengthen those who work for peace and justice in all the world. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. Shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy. Give us grace to preach the gospel of Christ’s redemption. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. Strangers found the Holy Family, and saw the baby lying in the manger. Bless our homes and all whom we love. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer.
P. Christians the world over celebrate Christ’s birth. Open our hearts that he may be born in us anew this Christmas time. Holy God,
C. hear our prayer. Amen.
The Celebration Of The Lord’s Supper
We invite to the Lord’s Table all who have been baptized, accept the Bible as God’s authoritative Word, and believe that the body and blood of the risen Christ are really present in the bread and wine; given for the forgiveness of our sins. If you prefer the individual cup, please extend one index finger as your hands are folded on the altar railing. This will alert the communion assistants of your preference. Also, if for some medical reason you are not able to consume alcohol, grape juice is available in the individual cups. The grape juice is “red” while the wine is “white”.
P. Word made flesh, life of the world, in your incarnation you embraced our poverty: by your Spirit may we share in your riches.
C. Amen.
The Words of Institution
The Invitation
P. The gifts of God for the people of God.
C. Amen.
The Sharing
Hymn: 358 “From Heaven Above To Earth I Come”
The Blessing
P. May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas and always.
C. Amen.
Closing Hymn: 366“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear”
REMAINING 2024 ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Choral Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day
Christmas Day Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 31, New Year’s Eve
Worship at 7:30 p.m
