The Messiah, The Bible, & Bach Part IV: Glory to God in the Highest

Transcription

1 The Messiah, The Bible, & Bach Part IV: Glory to God in the Highest Bethany Lutheran Church 15 W 14 th St Spencer, IA The Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018 Welcome to worship at Bethany Lutheran Church! It is our hope that you experience the love of Christ this morning and His presence during our worship service. Guest Book is in the narthex. If you are visiting today, please sign it and let us know you are here. Fellowship Pad is in your pew. Please fill it in as these can help you get to know the others around you. Also, be sure to mark the pad if you partake in Holy Communion. Thanks for taking time to fill out this information! Holy Communion is important at Bethany Lutheran Church and we practice it weekly. We use intinction for this meal, meaning you receive the wafer then dip it in the red wine or white grape juice before eating it. Gluten-free wafers are available. All are welcome to come forward. Nursery is available in the east hallway hear the elevator. All fidgety children are welcome to use it, but we love to have children in our worship service and will include them in a children s sermon. Sunday School happens between worship services and is available for ages 3-8 th grade. Rest Rooms are in the east hallway near the parlor. Fellowship time happens between worship services in the parlor. Please join us for donuts, coffee and visiting. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the

2 Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 6 A voice says, Cry out! And I said, What shall I cry? All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God! 10 See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. Matthew 11: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Luke 2: 1-14 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

3 MUSICAL EXAMPLES Pastoral Symphony Duet for Alto and Soprano There were shepherds, abiding in the field And the angel said unto them And suddenly there was with the angel He shall feed his flock and Come unto him CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 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.* 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. 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. LORD S PRAYER 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, 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. SENDING HYMN (Sung to the tune of Jesus Loves Me) - Words by MaryAnn Quail Bless these blankets, Lord, we pray, as we send them on their way. Reaching out to other s needs, we ll help plant God s loving seeds. Refrain: Love one another, serving our brother, helping each other, That s how God s love can show. Gifts of fleece have been supplied. Loving hands have cut and tied. Little ones will hold them tight, help them through the darkest night. Refrain

4 CALENDAR Sunday, December 16 8:30 am Worship-Blessing of Blankets 9:45 am Fellowship, Sunday School 11:00 am Worship-Blessing of Blankets 5:30 pm Staff Christmas Party Monday, December 17 1:30 pm Stonecroft Bible Study Tuesday, December 18 9:30 pm Priscilla Circle 12:00 pm Pastors Text Study 2:00 pm Staff Meeting 6:00 pm Church Council Wednesday, December 19 10:00 am Bible Study & Prayer Group 6:00 pm Advent Supper 7:00 pm Advent Worship 7:45 pm Confirmation 7:45 pm Bethany Youth Group (BYG) Thursday, December 20 - Herald Deadline 1:30 pm Miriam Circle 6:30 pm Parish Education Committee Saturday, December 22 7:30 am Men of Bethany Bible Study Sunday, December 23 Advent 4 10:00 am Worship 9:45 am Fellowship, No Sunday School The liturgical color for the season of Advent is blue. Because Royal Blue is the color of royalty to welcome the coming of a King, it is increasingly used for Advent to distinguish it from Lent. Royal Blue can also symbolize the night sky in which the star appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. Thank you to worship volunteers helping with services today: 8:30-Greeters: Dan & Treva Graves; Communion servers: Mary Marske, Kirby Schmidt, Sandi Witt; Acolyte: Mallory Graves; Recorder: Sandi Schmidt; Usher: Roger Clarke, Marla Woelber, Dick & Betty Schmidt, Roger Clarke; 11:00-Greeter & communion server: Denny Peterson Readers, greeters, and Communion servers are needed. Please consider helping see sign-up sheets are the Welcome Center!

5 PRAYER CONCERNS & REQUESTS Health Concerns: Jo Beving, Don Cowell, Steve DePauw, John Fogarty, Mary Rose Hemme, Jamie Huber, LaVonne Kramer, Linda Kunzmann, Kim McCune, Sandy Manwarren, Bev Quail, Dave Spenst, Ida Syvertson, Rev. Tom Van Tassell; Rick Dietrich (Pam Bjorklund s brother), Miles Rohan (Kevin Rohan s father), Greg Andersen (Kirk Andersen s brother); ANNOUNCEMENTS ADVENT MIDWEEK ACTIVITIES Wednesday, Dec 19 will be our last midweek supper and worship for this Advent season. Please join us for supper at 6pm and worship at 7pm. Confirmation and Youth Group will meet after worship at about 7:45pm. FOOD DRIVES Many thanks to everyone who donated items for the food pantry at Upper Des Moines and for Spencer Middle School Pantry in our project with the Cub Scouts Pack 123 this week. We appreciate your support! GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING Honor friends and loved ones with a gift that makes a difference in the world. ELCA Good Gifts offer a variety of options that grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives. We will place an order on 12/24. See details at the Welcome Center. BINGO! Surprise!! Bethany is scheduled to help at St Luke Bingo day on Friday, January 4! And, in just 20 days we need to gather prizes (about 200) for the entire month of January!! Can we do it? With your help yes! See more information at the Welcome Center. Thanks! LOVING SPENCER DECEMBER PROJECT Shine the light of Christ in our community through the gift of a new toy for a child in need. Your toy donation will put a smile on a child's face, encourage their imagination, and help them hope beyond their current circumstances. Look for drop-off collection boxes at Bomgaars and Walmart. ANNUAL MEETING Be sure to mark January 20 on your 2019 calendars! The third Sunday of January is when Bethany holds its annual meeting of the congregation. There will be one service that day at 10am, followed by the annual meeting and a potluck lunch. Plan to attend. Budget requests & ministry team reports are due. If you haven t submitted yours, please do. OFFICE VOLUNTEERS We are in need of volunteers to help in the office on Tuesday afternoons during our staff meeting and also to cover for some upcoming vacation time. Please look at the church office for more information and a schedule of shifts needing coverage and sign up to help if able. Thank you! REMINDER OF UPCOMING SERVICES & TIMES Please note the following special services and changes to our regular worship service times at Bethany: Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 23, 10:00am - No Sunday School Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: Monday, December 24, 4:30 & 6:00pm Christmas Day Lessons & Carols: Tuesday, December 25, 10:00am First Sunday of Christmas: December 30, 10:00am - No Sunday School