1. Elk River Lutheran Church
As we enter this sacred place and time,
let us quiet our hearts and still our minds.
Prelude: Bea Bastyr
December 17, 2017
8:15am Service

2. Welcome to Elk River Lutheran Church
All are invited to share in the Lord’s Supper.
We encourage children to participate in worship and communion.
Nursery is available, should you desire it.
Restrooms are located in fellowship area and lower level.

3. Gathering Song “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 1
Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
once you sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.

4. Gathering Song “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 2
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
yonder shines the infant light.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.

5. Gathering Song “Angels from the Realms of Glory” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 4
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore your voices raising
to the eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.

6. Confession and Forgiveness (p.94)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. Amen. P C

7. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
God of all time, We confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. C

8. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen. C

9. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news. Amen. P C

10. Greeting (p. 184)
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. P C

11. Song of Praise (#251) “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness” V. 1
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.

12. Prayer of the day
Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

14. Hymn of the Day (#267) “Joy to the World” v. 1, 2 & 4
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 heav'n and nature sing.

15. Hymn of the Day (#267) “Joy to the World” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

16. Hymn of the Day (#267) “Joy to the World” v. 1, 2 & 4
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, wonders of his love.

17. Thank you for the…

18. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

19. Apostles’ Creed
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.

20. Apostles’ Creed
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.

21. Apostles’ Creed
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.

22. Prayers of Intercession
Guided by the light of Christ, let us pray for the coming dawn of joy, healing, and comfort for all God’s people. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. P C

23. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
Sharing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. P C

24. Let us share and receive the gifts God has given us.
Offertory
Let us share and receive the gifts God has given us.

25. Offering Prayer
Let us pray,
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen. P C

26. The Great Thanksgiving (p. 190)
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. P C P C P C

27. Holy, Holy, Holy (#413) v. 3
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in pow'r, in love and purity.

28. Words of Institution
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. P

29. The Lord’s Prayer C
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…

30. The Lord’s Prayer
…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. C

31. Communion Invitation
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready. You are invited to join in Holy Communion. Children are welcomed to join us at the altar for a blessing. Gluten free wafers available. Both wine and grape juice are available.

32. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 1 Lo, how a rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming as seers of old have sung, it came, a flow'r so bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.

33. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 2 Isaiah had foretold it, the rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half-spent was the night.

34. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 3 This flow'r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fill the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens ev'ry load.

35. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 4 O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe; O Savior, king of glory, who dost our weakness know: bring us at length, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven and into endless day.

36. Communion Hymn (#276)“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
VERSE 1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all.

37. Communion Hymn (#276)“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Swiftly winging, angels singing, bells are ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the child is Lord of all!

38. Communion Hymn (#276)“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
VERSE 2 Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.

39. Communion Hymn (#276)“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the child was born for you!

40. Communion Blessing
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God's grace. Amen. P C

41. announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Prayer P
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 hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world,
announcing your coming among us
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. C

42. Community Announcements
Welcome guests! Thank you for worshipping with us. Please feel free to take home your worship bulletin for people and families to keep in your prayers. Visit for the latest information.

43. Blessing of Congregation
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen. P C

44. Sending Song (#253) “He Came Down”
VERSE 1
He came down that we may have love;
he came down that we may have love;
hallelujah forevermore.

45. Sending Song (#253) “He Came Down”
VERSE 2
He came down that we may have light;
he came down that we may have light;
hallelujah forevermore.

46. Sending Song (#253) “He Came Down”
VERSE 3
He came down that we may have peace;
he came down that we may have peace;
hallelujah forevermore.

47. Sending Song (#253) “He Came Down”
VERSE 4
He came down that we may have joy;
he came down that we may have joy;
hallelujah forevermore.

48. Special thanks to all who assisted during worship.
Sending Dialog P
Go in peace. Share the Good News!
We will! Thanks be to God. C
Special thanks to all who assisted during worship.
If you would like to assist in worship or volunteer in other ways, please contact the office. Thanks.
Liturgy, songs and lyrics are reprinted with permission. Current copyright licenses held with CCLI, OneLicense, Licensing and Augsburg Fortress. Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.