4th Sunday of Advent (NL316)

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Advent 4C
Psalm Text: Psalm 113
Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-45 [46-56] (Jesus’ Birth Announced)
Other Text Suggestions: Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10
Prayer of the Day (WP): Father God, there is no miracle as grand as birth. As we prepare for the coming of your son, Jesus, create in us new life. Transform us so that we may reflect the light of your son, and become beacons of goodness, kindness, compassion, generosity, honesty, patience, and peace, for the sake of the one whose name brings deliverance and life to all the world, Jesus Christ, infant king. Amen.

Helpful Resources: re:Worship,  TextWeek, Word & World, Sermon Writer, BibleHub

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #416. At the Name of Jesus
ELW #838. Beautiful Savior
ELW #793. Be Thou My Vision
ELW #283. O Come, All Ye Faithful*
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus*
ELW #855. Crown Him with Many Crowns
ELW #419. For All the Faithful Women
ELW #268. From Heaven Above*
ELW #290. Go Tell It on the Mountain*
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #270. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing*
ELW #434. Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #297. Jesus, What a Wonderful Child*
ELW #267. Joy to the World*
ELW #407. O Living Breath of God
ELW #435. Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
ELW #272. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming*
ELW #251. My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness*
ELW #269. Once in Royal David’s City*
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten*
ELW #844. Praise to the Lord (Louez l’Eterne)
ELW #430. Rejoice, for Christ is King!
ELW #263. Savior of the Nations, Come*
ELW #281. Silent Night, Holy Night!*
ELW #672. Signs and Wonders
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #583. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #685. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #293. That Boy-Child of Mary*
ELW #265. The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came*
ELW #531. The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing (The Feast Is Ready)
ELW #258. Unexpected and Mysterious*
ELW #296. What Child Is This*
ELW #424. Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
LBW #64. From East to West
WOV #634. Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly*
WOV #646. We Three Kings of Orient Are*
Various Hymnals Ave Maria (13th C.) by Anonymous
Various Hymnals For Mary, mother of our Lord (??) by J. Peacey
Various Hymnals No Wind at the Window (1992) by John Bell
Various Hymnals Sing We of the Blessed Mother (1975) by G. B. Timms
Various Hymnals Tell Out, My Soul (1962) by Timothy Dudley-Smith
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
* Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“Immanuel” By Michael Card.
“More Than Conquerors” As performed by Rend collective.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

(Introduction and Conclusion from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002)

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

Turn the church from dogma and doctrine towards the least and lowly; grant that we may see your presence in all of our neighbors and seek to serve you by serving them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn the world from desolation, exploitation, and pollution and turn our hearts towards restoring and protecting all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn the hearts of our leaders to concern for those without power or influence; help our societies to better care for the vulnerable and oppressed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn hearts of despair into hearts of hope; use us to deepen and strengthen relationships and communities. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn the weeping of grief and pain into the joy of wholeness and healing; provide comfort and care to all who need it. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn us outwards from our own selfish desires and limited vision; bless our ministries and use us to proclaim your grace and love to everyone we meet. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Turn our thoughts towards serving you in the way the saints have served you through the generations; inspire our faith and work through their example and teachings. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.