Christmas Day 2023

PRELUDE
“God Rest You Merry”
Rachel Calvert, Tim Graf

WELCOME

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who sends the word with angels,
who is made flesh among all peoples,
and who breathes peace on all the earth.
Amen.

In Christ, we are bold to name our sin and cry out for peace.
Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy God,
we confess our sin before you.
We replace compassion with competition.
We seek what is mighty while ignoring the meek.
We are quick to anger but slow to forgive.
We have not put on love in harmony with you.
Wrap us in the grace of your powerful Word.
Swaddle our hearts with your peace,
that all we do, in word or deed,
may reflect your love born among us.
Amen.

I bring you good news of great joy for all people:
God has come among us
in the child born of Mary, Christ the Lord.
☩ In Christ your sins are forgiven
and you are clothed in peace.
Amen.

CAROL
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” ELW # 288

PRAYER OF THE DAY
All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM

Tatum Margaret Efnor

CAROL
“What Child is This” ELW # 296

READING
John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“A Hippopotamus for Christmas”

OFFERING

OFFERING OF MUSIC
“In the Bleak Midwinter“ (Harold Darke)
Josh Eidem, Tim Graf, Rachel Calvert

OFFERING PRAYER
Gracious God,
your Word-made-flesh brings harmony to the earth.
As we offer ourselves and these your gifts,
prepare us to receive the grace and truth
you offer at this table
and renew in us the song of your salvation,
in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“Winter Snow” (Audrey Assad)
Tim Graf, Rachel Calvert

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

CAROL
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” ELW # 290

BENEDICTION

SENDING
Go in peace. Rejoice in Christ our Savior. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE
“I Saw Three Ships” (arr. Tim Graf)
Tim Graf

The Musicians for Today’s Worship

Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
Rachel Calvert
Josh Eidem

Prayers

As a community of faith we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:

The family of Lorna Budke
Deb and Roger Supalla and family on the death of Deb’s mother, Dolores
Steve Young and family on the death of his Aunt Lenore
Bonnie Lewis and family in the death of Bonnie’s husband, Dan
Friends, family, and the Loring Park neighborhood following the death of Robert Skafte
Lori Hertzog on the death of her mother, Lucille
Brian Shimley and family on the death of his brother, Bernie
Julie Bane and family on the death of her brother, Mike

Prayers of Mourning:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Psalm 130:1–2
For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’. John 11:25–26

As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:

Della Tufte
Lorna Budke
John Rostad’s father, Mike
Stephanie Berg’s my son-in-law, Zach
Gib Bendell’s mother Carol
Gib Bendell’s father-in-law Dayton
Paula Crouse
Karle Erickson

Long Term Prayers:

Gordon Gilbert
Kathy Hoagland
Dave & Sherri Anderson’s daughter, Sarah Anderson-Jacobson
Ron Wolfbauer
Dick Smith
Tammi Ziesemann as she continues her cancer treatment
For the people of Haiti enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence.
For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine – non-violence and peace.
All those in the military serving our country

General Prayers:

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Names will remain listed for three weeks unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.