CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 1 SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 9, 2018 8:00, 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) For I the Lord do not change Mal 3:6a The world is forever changing. Seasons and crops come and go. Shorelines and waistlines wax and wane. We change and societies change. Some things change as the wind blows and other things change as customs or beliefs change. But, through it all, God does not change. His commandments have not and will not change, nor does His judgement on the world and sin. But, thank God, His love for us never changes. God said that He would send us a messenger who would prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus our savior. Thank God Jesus redeeming sacrifice still saves us. CALL TO WORSHIP and PASSING OF THE PEACE RINGING OF THE BELLS (Please stand and face the Cross) OPENING HYMN #343 Prepare the Royal Highway
+ DIVINE SERVICE SETTING FOUR + 2 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. 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. (Please remain standing)
KYRIE 3 HYMN OF PRAISE Gloria in Excelsis COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Let us pray together.
4 ALL: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Please be seated) OLD TESTAMENT READING Malachi 3:1 7b (God s messenger prepares the way for the day of the Lord.) Reader: The Old Testament reading is from Malachi, chapter three. (After the reading ) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SECOND READING Philippians 1:2 11 (We are all partakers of grace.) Reader: Epistle reading is from Philippians, chapter one. (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 HOLY GOSPEL Luke 3:1 20 (John the Baptist prepares the way.) Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the third 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 NICENE CREED All: We 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 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 we 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 worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, we acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life + of the world to come. Amen. 6 (Please be seated) We invite the children to come forward as we sing: Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. Jesus died for all the children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. Jesus rose for all the children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. CHILDREN S MESSAGE SERMON HYMN #344 On Jordan s Bank the Baptist s Cry SERMON Title: Promise Kept, Prepare The Way TITHES, PLEDGES, AND OFFERINGS [Please take a moment and sign the attendance book at the end of the pew]
(Please stand for the Prayers) 7 PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Dear heavenly Father, as we prepare the way for Christ to come, we proclaim: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord, we have kept our distance from You. Our repentance and return has been halfhearted and imperfect. Forgive us, and return to us despite our failures, for Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord, we have kept our distance from our neighbors, from the suffering and forsaken, from the widow and the orphan, from the foreigner and refugee. Strengthen us to serve our neighbors, and strengthen them in their trials. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord, heal the sick, injured, and recovering among us, [especially...]. Strengthen them with Your gracious hand and with Your unwavering presence. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord, console the grieving with Your presence... Comfort them with the hope of resurrection life that is ours in Christ Jesus. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
Pastor: Lord, preserve our nation in justice and honor that we may lead a peaceable life. Grant health and favor to all who bear office in our land. Help them to serve this people according to Your holy will. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord, help us to live under Your perfect care. Prevent us from turning aside to idols and distractions. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus that we evermore proclaim: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Into Your hands, Lord Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your ever-present mercy. People: Amen. 8 + 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
SANCTUS 9 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 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. 10 PAX DOMINI Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: Amen. AGNUS DEI (Please be seated for the Distribution)
Visitors, please review our Communion announcement found on the inside back cover of this bulletin 11 DISTRIBUTION HYMNS #349 Hark the Glad Sound #636 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness #347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People (At the conclusion of the Distribution, we stand and sing: NUNC DIMITTIS
12 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 #346 When All the World Was Cursed ANNOUNCEMENTS (p.13-15) VERSE OF THE WEEK Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. (Luke 3:8)
MISSION HYMN (sung together) Lift high the Cross, the Love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. 13 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/Chip Brown Erin Davidson, Mary Kate Moretz Adam Brown, Joe Brown Joanne Eberly Beverly Walling Mr. & Mrs. Bob Shives TBD TBD Altar flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Chris Horsch in honor their wedding anniversary. ANNOUNCEMENTS [Please check the newsletter for additional announcements] Email addresses: Church: concordia.hagerstown@gmail.com Open Arms: openarms.hagerstown1@gmail.com
TODAY Presentation of a short video (5 minutes video, plus 5 minutes for questions) for us of the Automatic AED Defibrillator after 1 st service (which would include attendees of the second service) after the late service in the Fellowship Hall. 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 301-733-3234. Mission of the Month for December is Cristo Senor de la Vida. 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 14
our most used form of giving and receiving communication. Email 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. 15 ChurchTrac: If there is a change in any of your personal information especially phone number or email address please contact Jean Tichnell @304-274-0025 or jeantich@comcast so the info can be changed in ChurchTrac. Thank you! 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.
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 16 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 4-6 -- 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: 301-824-7464 (cell: 240-672-5554)