Midweek Service of Word and Sacrament December 17, 2025
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Standing SERVICE OF LIGHT Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world The light no darkness can overcome; Stay with us now, for it is evening, And the day is almost over Let your light scatter the darkness, And shine within your people here. HYMN: ELW 561
Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory
May God be with you all, And also with you Let us sing our thanks to God, It is right to give our thanks and praise
Seated
Blessed are you, Creator of the universe--from of old you have led your people by night and day. May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright, for your Word and your presence are the light of our pathways, and you are the light and life of all creation.
WORD: 1 Samuel 1:9-18 After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went her way and ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. CONVERSATION WITH PASTOR MARK Standing