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Transcription

1 THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 23, A+D 2018

2 TO OUR GUESTS AND VISITORS Welcome!! We are glad to have you with us to worship the Triune God. May you be blessed by hearing God s Word today! Thank you for joining us for worship! Please come back soon! Ushers are here to assist you. If you need help or have a question, please ask them. Before you leave please sign our Guest Book as it is our permanent record and reminder of our guests. Our Order of Worship is shown on the monitors on either side of the chancel and follows a traditional pattern of Christian Worship. It is printed out in this bulletin with large print bulletins available upon request. The service is also found, along with the chant melodies, in the front of the hymnal, with pages of hymns in the back. We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday and on most festival days of the liturgical calendar. All communicant members of our sister congregations are invited to attend the Sacrament with us. Please fill out a registration card and hand it to the Usher. All others are urged to speak to Pastor before communing. **Important Message** For those whose medical conditions limit the consumption of alcohol, we are offering cups of non-alcoholic wine. These cups are located in the center of the individual communion cup trays. A cry room is available for parents with young children. There are speakers and a window so you can continue to see and hear the worship service. The cry room is located behind the sanctuary on the left side.

3 1 St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 508 N. Chicago Road Thornton, IL Voice & Fax: (708) Rev. Harold Wahl, Pastor (708) splcms.org The Lord Comes to Visit Us in Peace DIVINE SERVICE Setting 1 Page 151 Lutheran Service Book The Fourth Sunday in Advent turns our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With Mary we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Spirit of God. As the Lord dealt graciously with her and did great things for her (Luke 1:48 49), so also He manifests Himself and His glory to us in mercy and gentleness. He comes to rule His people in peace, to shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord. He comes forth not from the great capital city of Rome or Jerusalem, but from lowly little Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2, 4). He comes to sacrifice Himself, in fulfillment of His Father s will, for the salvation and sanctification of His people (Heb. 10:10). He who once visited Elizabeth while hidden in the womb of Mary (Luke 1:39 45), now comes to visit us today, hidden in the lowliness of simple water, bread and wine. Pre-Service Music Ringing of the Bells Hymn of Invocation LSB 341:1-3, Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates" The Lighting of the Advent Wreath Hymn of Invocation LSB 341:4-5, Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates"

4 2 Sunday School Children s Presentation Speaker LSB 379:1, O Come, All Ye Faithful " played by Kaylee Krieger Speaker LSB 361:1, O Little Town of Bethlehem Speaker LSB 364:1, Away in a Manger played by Hope Krieger Speaker LSB 380:1, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Speaker We Three Kings played by Kaylee Krieger We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. Oh-oh, star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to the perfect light. Speaker LSB 387:1, Joy to the World Cast Members: Narrators- Taylor VanDommelen, Payton VanDommelen, Kaylee Krieger, Ethan Schassburger, Tara Schassburger Mary- Emma Conway Joseph- Hope Krieger Inn-Keepers- Taylor VanDommelen, Payton VanDommelen, Tara Schassburger Shepherds- Aiden Conway, Emma Conway, Hope Krieger Angels- Emma Conway, Hope Krieger, Kaylee Krieger Wise Men- Aiden Conway, Emma Conway, Hope Krieger

5 3 Confession and Absolution Invocation The sign of the cross T may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. C Amen. Service of the Word Introit: 1 Sam. 2:1b, 2, 5b 7; antiphon: Luke 1:46b 47. (ESV) P My soul magnifies the Lord, C and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, P My mouth derides my enemies, C because I rejoice in your salvation. P There is none holy like the LORD; C there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

6 4 P The barren has borne seven, C but she who has many children is forlorn. P The LORD kills and brings to life; C he brings down to Sheol and raises up. P The LORD makes poor and makes rich; C he brings low and he exalts. C Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. P My soul magnifies the Lord, C and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Hymn of Praise LSB 934 My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord Salutation and Collect of the Day P The Lord be with you. P Let us pray. P Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Old Testament Reading: Micah 5:2 5a (ESV) A The Old Testament Reading for The Fourth Sunday in Advent is from the 5 th chapter of The Prophecy of Micah. 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth;

7 5 then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Epistle Reading: Hebrews 10:5 10 (ESV) A The Epistle Reading is from the 10 th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book. 8 When he said above, You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, Behold, I have come to do your will. He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

8 Alleluia Verse 6 The Holy Gospel: Luke 1:39 45 (ESV) P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 1 st chapter. 39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. Hymn of the Day LSB 384, Of the Father's Love Begotten ; Sermon Text: Luke 1:39 45 Sermon Theme: Love Is the Reason for the Season The Nicene Creed C I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his

9 7 Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Gathering of Tithes & Offerings and Record of Fellowship Musical Offering Offertory 955, Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful

10 8 Prayer of the Church P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their need. P Almighty God, we praise You that by Your Holy Spirit, Elizabeth greeted Mary as the mother of my Lord while the unborn John leaped with joy in the presence of Your Son in Mary s womb. Increase in us Your Spirit, that our faith may bear fruit in abundance. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Almighty God, we praise You that, from their conception, You prepared prophets to proclaim Your truth. Even so, we pray that You would prepare servants of the Word today to preach Your saving Gospel with faithfulness and power. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Almighty God, we praise You that by Your kind providence, You create new life. Preserve all pregnant women and the children in their wombs. Bring to repentance all who would take the lives of the unborn, and foster the work of crisis pregnancy centers and others who aid and encourage women to keep their babies. Remember in mercy all who serve in public office in our land, granting them wisdom, courage and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Almighty God, we praise You that You are Father to the fatherless and that You provide for the poor when all others have forgotten them. Graciously watch over the hungry, the poor and the unemployed. Move us to serve You in showing mercy to all those in need, near and far. Comfort the grieving, heal the sick and grant faith to the dying. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Almighty God, we praise You that You feed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness with the body and blood of Your dear Son. By Your Holy Spirit, prepare us again to receive His Sacrament in true

11 faith for the forgiveness of sins and the strength for our service to You and one another. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. Special Intercessory Prayers - from orange colored insert... P Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. 9 P Into Your hands we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. Preface P The Lord be with you. Service of the Sacrament P Lift up your hearts. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

12 Sanctus 10 Prayer of Thanksgiving P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. The Words of Our Lord P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. P In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this

13 11 cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. Proclamation of Christ P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord s death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: The Lord s Prayer C 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 Pax Domini P The peace of the Lord be with you always. Agnus Dei

14 12 Distribution of Christ s Body and Blood In the Sacrament of the Altar, we receive the real, genuine body and blood of Jesus Christ, which hung on the cross and flowed from his veins. Participation in The Sacrament limited to those who are active members in good standing in a congregation of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod or who have spoken personally to the pastor. Members of other Christian denominations who are present may come forward to receive a blessing from the Pastor during the distribution. It is requested that you cross your arms over your chest to indicate that you desire this blessing. Music During Distribution LSB 359, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming LSB 335, O Bride of Christ, Rejoice! LSB 628, Your Table I Approach LSB 342, What Hope! An Eden Prophesied ; The Communion Dismissal P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace. C Amen. Post-Communion Canticle Nunc Dimittis

15 13 Post-Communion Collect P Let us pray. P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Benediction P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace. Hymn of Benediction LSB 338, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Silent Prayer Announcements Acknowledgments Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Offertory, Text and Setting: 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship

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17 December 23, 2018 REMEMBER IN PRAYER ST. PAUL S FAMILY James Mooney Tina Morse, Family Austin, Alexis Dick Niemann Lisa Niemann Richard Niemann BIRTHDAYS Jeffrey Paris 12/23 Karen Young 12/23 Dorothy Van Mynen 12/26 BAPTISM ANNIVERSARIES Jeffrey Michels 12/23 Dominic Ramirez 12/25 Camden Wisely 12/27 Isabella Ramirez 12/28 SPECIAL CONCERNS Pray for, Violet Andersen, Jay Carey, Nick Plecas, Dick Niemann, Lois Struven, Pam Michael, Barb Leone, Janice Schultz, Chester Orendorf, Dorothy Graves, Janice Abel, Ed Hoeksema, Helen Hoeksema, Kathleen (Kitchy) Gallegos, Violet Rich,. Ermida Sella, Mark Headley, Irene Gall, Russ Budde, Hospitalized this past week Dorothy Van Mynen at The Villa, South Holland, IL. Serving in the Military Nicholas Durkin, Donald JaBaay, Robert Wisely, David Capodagli, and Andrew Hoover. NEWS UPDATE To the glory of God and in honor of Irv & Charlotte Roberts and in celebration of our Savior Jesus birth a memorial gift has been made to the General Fund by Brian, Gloria, Nicole, Melanie & Jenna Wiltjer.

18 There is a discussion group on Facebook about LHM s "The Coming King" Advent Devotions. Each day s devotion will be posted to the group. You can make a comment or a thought for discussion on one of the posts. To search on Facebook the group is called Let's Discuss the Devotions. The address is Offering Envelopes are on the table in the parish hall so grab yours on the way by. If you do not see yours or would like to start using them please ask Bob Brandy for them. Take a card and bring the item next Sunday to help restock the food pantry. Cards are located on the pantry door in the southwest corner of the parish hall. Food baskets are always getting delivered so please keep taking the cards. A meal only lasts for a few hours then you are hungry again. That is why the pantry is always running low. Gift cards and cash donations are welcome and are used to purchase perishable items, i.e. a $15 gift card from Aldi s can buy milk, eggs, bread and ground beef. Those who are in need are always very grateful. This is done on your behalf and in the name of our dear Lord, Jesus Christ! To help with distribution we could use grocery sized paper bags. This week on KFUO.org we wish our listeners a blessed Christmas! Hear Christmas worship service live from Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, MO, on 12/25 at 10:00 a.m. CT. For the next two weeks, celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas on KFUO Radio with exceptional Christmas and Epiphany music selections, readings and prayers for the season, stories from our missionaries, and a special look at the Christmas hymnody of the church. Regular programming resumes January 7, Listen to Worldwide KFUO.org, your radio station for news, talk, and sacred music with a cross-focused, Christ-centered Lutheran worldview. All programs are archived at KFUO.org for 24/7 on-demand listening. Have a question or comment? Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A mobile Lutheram Bile Study Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week s topics include: The Birth of John the Baptist, The Book of Obadiah, Thy Kingdom Come, The Apostle Thomas, Ahab Steals Naboth s Vineyard and more. You can listen at your convenience live or on demand to all the Issues, Etc.

19 Programs you want at anytime, anywhere by going to These programs are in podcast format. With more than 7,500 hours of archived programming, you will find many topics of interest. You can also get the free Lutheran Public Radio mobile app at the app store for your mobile device Music that is Christ-Centered and Cross-Focused Music that is Christian looks to Jesus Christ and proclaims His love and mercy. You can listen to the very best of Christian music anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, at You can access this station on your computer, Iphone, Ipod, Ipad, or other internet capable device. Listen to the music for your enjoyment while you work or engage in any activity. Do you have an Alexa device? If so, just say, Alexa, play Lutheran Public Radio. Christian music does not get any finer than this. Christmas celebrates more than just Jesus birthday. This historical event testifies to unchangeable truth about humankind and our Almighty Maker. It bestows upon us the honor of a special connection to the Lord God that makes us more precious than any other creature. It forms the foundation for all peace and love and joy and hope by revealing His salvation and testifying to how we participate in His everlasting life. Christmas profoundly proves the Gospel to be our history, identity, and destiny, and it proclaims a distinctly life-affirming reality. Rev. Michael W. Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life GOD S PEOPLE IN ACTION ATTENDANCE AND OFFERINGS December 16 th Attendance 39, 27 Communed, 1 Web Basket $43.20 Weekly Missions $ Envelopes 2, Church Maint Organist Social Ministry Advent 25.0 Furnace Pastoral Expenses Budgeted Total $2, Non-budgeted Total $222.00

20 Today Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE 9:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Worship Service 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 9:45 am Christmas Day Worship Service 9:00 am 9:45 am Sunday School Worship Service SERVANT SCHEDULE Sun, Dec 23, 9:45 AM Sun, Dec 30, 9:45 AM Altar Guild Sandy Bodza Sandy Bodza Elder Usher Tracy Gribbin Tracy Gribbin Louis Sella Louis Sella Lay Reader Sandy Bodza Tracy Middleton Counting Comm. Jerry Wiltjer Jerry Wiltjer Janice Reichert Janice Reichert Mon, Dec 24, 6:00 PM Mon, Dec 24, 11:00 PM Altar Guild Sandy Bodza Sandy Bodza Elder Usher Bill Sommer Dave Bloom Norma Allen Debbie Bloom Counting Comm. Judy Wilmington Brian Wiltjer Jean Wiltjer Altar Guild Elder Usher Lay Reader Counting Comm. Tue, Dec 25, 9:30 AM Sandy Bodza Aaron Schassburger Madelaine Zander Dave Bloom Gene Wiltjer Dave Bloom