CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 1 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 12, :00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! -Psalm 98:1a AS WE GATHER (prepared by Jim Gann) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Phil 4:4 In spite of all our individual, family and national problems, as Christians, we can rejoice, as we look forward to once again celebrating the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ into the world. Why do we rejoice year after year? Is it because we have our heads in the sand? Or is it because we are naïve? No! It is because we know that God fulfilled His promise to send the Messiah, the Savior of the Nations. And because of His atoning sacrifice, we look forward to when He will lovingly take our hands and guide us home. What of those problems I mentioned above? They will completely fade away. And we will rejoice, always! PRELUDE (11:00) Choir An Advent Yearning Words and music by Michael Barrett CALL TO WORSHIP and PASSING OF THE PEACE RINGING OF THE BELLS (Please stand and face the Cross)

2 OPENING VERSICLES (Isaiah 35) Pastor: Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. People: Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be strong; fear not! Pastor: Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. People: He will come and save you. Pastor: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, People: and the ears of the deaf unstopped; Pastor: then shall the lame man leap like a deer, People: and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. Pastor: For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; People: the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; Pastor: in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. People: And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness. 2 (Please remain standing) + DIVINE SERVICE SETTING FOUR + INVOCATION, CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION Pastor: In the name of the Father and the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord. People: who made heaven and earth.

3 Pastor: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? People: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. Pastor: Since we are gathered to hear God s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His, people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. People: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen. Pastor: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. 3 KYRIE

4 HYMN OF PRAISE Gloria in Excelsis 4 COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Let us pray together. ALL: Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Please be seated)

5 OLD TESTAMENT READING Zephaniah 3:14 20 (The Lord will rejoice over you with gladness.) Reader: The Old Testament reading is from Zephaniah, chapter three. (After the reading ) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. (8:00) Choir An Advent Yearning Words and music by Michael Barrett SECOND READING Philippians 4:4 7 (Rejoice in the Lord always.) Reader: Epistle reading is from Philippians, chapter four. (After the reading ) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! (Please stand for the Alleluia Verse and the reading of the Gospel Lesson) ALLELUIA VERSE 5

6 6 HOLY GOSPEL Luke 7:18 28 ( The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. ) Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the seventh chapter. People: Glory to You, O Lord. (The Gospel is read. Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, O Christ APOSTLE'S CREED All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen. (Please be seated)

7 We invite the children to come forward as we sing: LSB 588, v.1&2 Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. 7 Jesus loves me! He who died, heavens gates to open wide. He has washed away my sin, lets His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. CHILDREN S MESSAGE SERMON #343 Prepare the Royal Highway SERMON Promise Kept, Seen and Heard TITHES, PLEDGES, AND OFFERINGS [Please take a moment and sign the attendance book at the end of the pew] (Please stand for the Prayers) PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Pastor: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read them, mark them, learn them, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life. Lord, in Your mercy.

8 People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Almighty and gracious God, You want all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Magnify the power of the gospel in the hearts of Your faithful people that Your church may spread the good news of salvation. Protect, encourage, and bless all missionaries who proclaim the saving cross that Christ, being lifted up, may draw all people to Himself. We especially remember.lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: We pray for those who are sick. O father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need, look with favor upon Your servants. Assure them of your mercy and give them patience and comfort in their time of illness. We especially pray for... If it please You, restore them to health or give them grace to accept this time of illness with courage and hope. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: O blessed Jesus, even as You minister to all who are afflicted, look with compassion on those who have lost their health and freedom. We especially pray for those who are suffering from addictions, from mental illness, and those who are homebound. We especially pray for Assure them of Your unfailing mercy, remove the fears that attack them, release them from their afflictions, and grant skill, patience, and understanding love to their families and all those who provide care for them. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: We pray for those who grieve the loss of loved ones. Heavenly Father, into whose keeping we entrust our loved ones, help us to look to You in our time of sorrow, remembering the faithful cloud of witnesses with which we are surrounded. Grant that we may 8

9 one day share in the joys of those who now rest in Your presence. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Almighty God, merciful Father, Your thoughts are not our thoughts, Your ways are not our ways. In Your wisdom You have permitted disasters to befall us. We especially remember those who have had their lives affected by the recent hurricanes, those who have been affected or lost their lives in the California wildfires, and for those affected by the synagogue shooting. We pray for them and their loved ones. We implore You, O God, let not the hearts of Your people despair nor our faith fail us, but sustain and comfort us. Direct all efforts to attend the injured, console the bereaved, house the homeless, and protect the helpless. Bring hope and healing that all may find relief and restoration. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Lord, God of hosts, stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in the armed forces of our country. We especially remember Support them in times of conflict, and in times of peace keep them from all evil, giving them courage and loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity and with honor. And Lord, we also pray for the spouses and families these soldiers have had to leave in order to serve this country. Guard and protect them, comfort them with Your presence, and give them Your reassuring peace. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Watch over all police officers and first responders. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, be 9

10 a nation of justice, and serve You faithfully in our generation. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Almighty God, we give thanks for all Your goodness and bless You for the love that sustains us from day to day. We praise You for the gift of Your Son, our Savior, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. We thank You for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter; for your holy Church, for the Means of Grace, for the lives of all faithful and just people, and for the hope of the life to come. Help us to treasure in our hearts all that You have done for us, and enable us to show our thankfulness in lives that are wholly given to You service. Lord, in Your mercy. People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Into Your hands, O lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. People: Amen SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + (Hymnal, p. 208) PREFACE Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. PROPER PREFACE

11 SANCTUS 11 THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Pastor: 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 body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. 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 cup is the new testament in My 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 Pastor: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

12 12 LORD'S PRAYER Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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 Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: Amen. AGNUS DEI

13 (Please be seated for the Distribution) Visitors, please review our Communion announcement found on the inside back cover of this bulletin 13 DISTRIBUTION HYMNS #818 In Thee Is Gladness #737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing #359 Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming (At the conclusion of the Distribution, we stand and sing: NUNC DIMITTIS

14 14 POST COMMUNION PRAYER Pastor: Let us pray. 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, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. THE BENEDICTION Pastor: Let us bless the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Pastor: 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 give you peace. People: Amen. CLOSING HYMN #394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise ANNOUNCEMENTS (p.13-15) VERSE OF THE WEEK Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

15 MISSION HYMN (sung together) Lift high the Cross, the Love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. 15 POSTLUDE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD TODAY: Officiant Organist Assisting Ministers Usher Acolyte, 8:00 Acolyte, 11:00 Lector, 8:00 Lector, 11:00 Greeters, 8:00 Greeters, 11:00 Nursery Rev. Mark Moretz Cindy Golem Mr. Dan Vermilya, Mr. Frank Waldron Mr. Jim Gann, Mr. Fred Tichnell Ed Asper/Mike Jorgensen Sydney Hector, Tim Davidson Adam Brown, Evan Moretz Ron Golem Betty Amt Mr. & Mrs. Roland Foster Mr. & Mrs. Chip Brown TBD Altar flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Dick Amt.

16 ANNOUNCEMENTS [Please check the newsletter for additional announcements] addresses: Church: Open Arms: This week: Wednesday Soup & Sandwich Supper, 5:45 p.m. Midweek Advent Worship, 7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class, 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearal, 8:00 p.m. Gluten-free wafers are now available. Please let Pastor Mark know at the Communion Rail if you prefer these. Open Arms is participating in the Charlie Brown Christmas at Springfield Farm in Williamsport. Dates to see the display are Dec. 1,2 7, 8, 9. The event is free, donations are encouraged when you enter. Church Envelopes: It is that time of year! If you do not already have church offering envelopes and would like to have them, please let Mitzie Bowman know. You can place a note in her mailbox or give her a call Mission of the Month for December is Cristo Senor de la Vida. 16

17 The CLC Praise Team is seeking a bass guitar player to play at the 9:30 am service. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, please contact Tom O Farrell at tjofarrell7@gmail.com. Micah s Backpack Keep us in mind when you re shopping for groceries. Pick up one or two (or more) items from the list of needed food. Every donation helps feed one of the 15 children we make backpacks for at Lincolnshire Elementary school. Your bless those in need by supporting Micah s Backpack Ministry. Mailboxes: A continued warm welcome to all of our regular visitors! Concordia serves four states and provides three Worship Services every Sunday in addition to other Ministries and activities. Communication is a challenge! There are enough mailboxes for everyone who desires a mailbox to have one. It is our most used form of giving and receiving communication. and Facebook are also used to help inform everyone of activities and events. Please contact Rosella Rogers or Jean Tichnell if you don t have a mailbox or if you would prefer your mailbox to be located in the Outreach Center instead of the Narthex. Thank you. ChurchTrac: If there is a change in any of your personal information especially phone number or address please contact Jean 0025 or jeantich@comcast so the info can be changed in ChurchTrac. Thank you! 17

18 Prayer Shawl Ministry Request forms to have a prayer shawl made for you or a loved one are on the bulletin board to the left of the mailboxes. Please complete the form and put it in Jane O Farrell s mailbox. If anyone would like to share their talent of knitting or crocheting for this ministry please contact one of the members: Jane O Farrell, Stephanie Gore, Cheryl Dawson. Group meets the 2 nd Wednesday of every month. Church Library News: The Church library has a link on Concordia's Church Website (Our Library) and now under that link has the main library catalogue divided under four headings; PreK-Kindergarten, Children/Youth, Adult Fiction and Adult Non Fiction. FOOD FOR THE POOR LUTHERAN COALITION: Don t forget! We continue to collect funds to help serve the poorest of the poor. $2 per week from all our member families would mean $10,000 to help alleviate their tremendous suffering. 18

19 Worship with us! Sunday in the Sanctuary: Traditional (Liturgical) Service, 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday in the Outreach Center Praise Service, 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion celebrated at all Sunday Services 19 Sunday School meets in the Education Wing, 9:30 a.m. Together With Jesus: Parents, two s & three s Noah s Ark (Chip Brown) Early Childhood Ages Jacobs Ladder or Lion s Den (Bernie Davidson) Elementary Grades 2-5 Promised Land (Becky Brown) Middle School Grades 6-8 Luther Room (Sylvia Shives, Bob Keane) High School, Young Adults Pastor s Office (Teacher TBD) Adult Bible Study, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall (Pastor William Pekari) Open Arms Preschool Registration required for 2, 3, or 4 day AM program Contact Karla Baker: (cell: )