Lessons & Carols

Lessons

& CAROLS DECEMBER 23, 2023

FOURTH WEEK OF ADENT

Featured artwork based on the O Antiphons by Erin Hill.

The O Antiphons are a set of medieval refrains originally used before and after the singing of the Magnificat. They were in use already in the eighth century. Each invokes the Messiah under a different title derived from the Old Testament. This title is then amplified and followed by an appeal to “come” and save us in a particular way. Around the twelfth century, they were collected into a Latin verse hymn, which was later translated by John Mason Neale, finally becoming the beloved Advent hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel” (ELW 257, LBW 34). (The version in Evangelical Lutheran Worship restores two original stanzas that were omitted in the LBW version.) These antiphons form the structure of this service. They are pointed for chanting, or they may be spoken. The corresponding stanza of “O come, O come, Emmanuel” is sung after each antiphon. “ELW” refers to the red hymnal found in the pew racks. Page numbers refer to the front of the hymnal; hymns are listed by ELW # and can be found toward the back of the hymnal. “ACS” refers to the All Creation Sings, the Purple Hymnals in the pew racks. Indicators for who’s speaking - [P] Pastor [L] - Lector [C] - Congregation

Prelude: “Aria” by Michael Burkhardt Welcome Lighting of the Advent Wreath L; Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.

In your Son, Emmanuel, you have shown us your light and saved us from the power of sin.

Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.

Increase our longing for your presence, that at the celebration of your Son’s birth his Spirit might dwell anew in our midst, for he is our light and our salvation.

Blessed be God forever.

C: Amen.

The assembly is invited to stand.

Opening Dialogue L: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.

C: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!

L: I will hear what the Lord God has to say— C: A voice that speaks for peace.

L: Peace for all faithful people C: and those who turn to him in their hearts.

L: God’s help is near for those who fear him, C: that his glory may dwell in our land.

L: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.

C: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!

Gathering Hymn: “Hark, the Glad Sound” ELW 239 Opening Prayer L: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

L: Let us pray.

C: Gracious God, through the ages you have sent your promise to your people in many ways, through many voices. But in these last days, your Son has come to bring it among us in person. Through your Spirit, prepare our hearts to recognize him in his many forms, and to receive him as our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The assembly is seated.

Lessons and Carols Antiphon (Read by the lector) O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Hymn stanza: “O come, O Wisdom” ELW 257, st. 2 O come, O Wisdom from on high, embracing all things far and nigh: in strength and beauty come and stay; teach us your will and guide our way.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Isaiah 40:3-5 Carol: “Comfort, comfort now my people” ELW 256 Antiphon O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm | and redeem us.

LESSONS & CAROLS

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Hymn stanza: “O come, O Lord of might” ELW 257, st. 3; O come, O come, O Lord of might, as to your tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times you gave the law in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Exodus 6:2-7a Carol: “Come, thou long-expected Jesus” ELW 254 Antiphon O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.

Hymn stanza: “O come, O Branch of Jesse” ELW 257, st. 4 O come, O Branch of Jesse, free your own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell your people save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-10 Carol: “He Came Down” ELW 253 Antiphon O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can close, you close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

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LESSONS & CAROLS

Hymn stanza: “O come, O Key of David” ELW 257, st. 5 O come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Isaiah 42:5-9 Carol: “Blessed Be the God of Israel” ELW 250 Antiphon O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Hymn stanza: “O come, O Dayspring” ELW 257, st. 6 O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer; O Sun of justice, now draw near.

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Luke 1:68-79 Carol: “Now the Heavens Start to Whisper” ACS 901 Antiphon O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

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Hymn stanza: “O come, O King of nations” ELW 257, st. 7 O come, O King of nations, come, O Cornerstone that binds in one: refresh the hearts that long for you; restore the broken, make us new.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Isaiah 35:4-7a Carol: “Savior of the nations, come” ELW 263 Antiphon O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the anointed of the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, Lord our God. Hymn stanza: “O come, O come, Emmanuel” ELW 257, st. 1 O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Lesson: Isaiah 7:14 Carol: “Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn” ELW 242

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LESSONS & CAROLS

Responsive Prayer L: Our world stumbles blindly toward chaos— C: come, source of wisdom, and reveal yourself to us.

L: What we imagine to be strength is really weakness— C: come, mighty Lord, and fill us with your true strength.

L: We long for a standard to look up to— C: come, Root of Jesse, claim us as your own.

L: We languish in prisons of mind and spirit— C: come, Key of David, and set us free.

L: The darkness grows thick around us— C: come, Light of light, and dawn upon us.

L: We are scattered, lacking a sure leader— C: come, Prince of peace, and lead us.

L: We need to know that God is with us— C: come, Emmanuel, and dwell in our hearts. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer Blessing P: Let us bless the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God. P: In our Savior Christ, God is with us.

Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

C: Amen.

Sending Hymn: “Joy to the World” ELW 267 Dismissal P: Go in peace. Christ is near.

C: Thanks be to God! Postlude: “Wake, Awake! For Night is Flying” arr. Paul Manz

LESSONS & CAROLS

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