Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3461 Cedar Crest Blvd. EMAIL Info@holyspirit-emmaus.org Emmaus, PA 18049-1599 www.lchsemmaus.org PHONE 610.967.2220 www.facebook.com/lchsemmaus FAX 610.966.3021 Sunday, December 16, 2018 7:30 am The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Ministry in Daily Life Gathered by God s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we invite and welcome all people to join us on our journey to become more faithful ministers of Jesus Christ in our homes, our communities, and the world.
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ELW refers to the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the red worship book. Page numbers are in the front of the book with hymn numbers following in the middle & end. During worship, please silence all communication devices. *As you are able, please stand. Gathering Gathering Music People, Look East setting, Lasky Welcome and Theme of the Day Love The presence of the Lord in your midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the Lord in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one more powerful than John, even with his winnowing fork in his hand, is good news and cause for exultation for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third Sunday of Advent. *Confession and Forgiveness + All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Lord of Israel who comes to set us free, the mighty Savior who comes to show mercy, the Dawn from on high who guides us into peace. Amen. As we wait for the day of the Lord s coming, let us confess our sin. Silence for reflection. To you, O God, we lift up our souls. You know us through and through; we confess our sins to you. Remember not our sins; remember us with your steadfast love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Sisters and brothers, come with joy and draw water from the well of salvation. Remember the gift of baptism: your sin is washed away in the name of Jesus; you belong to Christ; you are anointed to serve. Stand up and raise your heads! The reign of God is near. Amen. 3
*Gathering Song People, Look East ELW Hymn 248 *Greeting The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. *Kyrie ELW Hymn 157 4
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*Prayer of the Day Let us pray. Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. *Lighting of the Advent Wreath At every beginning there is a yearning for the one who is coming. O Emmanuel, Wake us up to your coming. We gather together to expect the unexpected and imagine the unimaginable. The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid. Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a little child will tend them. Cow and bear will graze the same pasture, and the lion eat straw like the ox. Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on God s holy mountain. Make room for unforgettable transformation! Make room to see the world turned upside-down Valleys will touch the sky Mountains will be flattened. And we will all see it together! Let s make room for something new. A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse s stump, from his roots a budding Branch. The life-giving Spirit of GOD will hover over him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding, The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and fear of GOD. Jesus, we welcome your presence now with the lighting of this candle, whose flame brings warmth to winter and fills this place with the glow of hope, tranquility of peace and compassion of love. Light the third candle, the candle of love. 6
*Advent Song Light One Candle ELW Hymn 240 The assembly sings Verse 3 only *Advent Prayer Let us pray. We praise you, O God. In preparation for Christ s advent, kindle within us the fire of your Spirit that we may be light shining in the darkness. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may welcome others as you have welcomed us. Reorient our lives, and lead us in the way of peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Word First Reading A Reading from Zephaniah 3:14-20. NRSV, page 767 The prophet Zephaniah s message is mostly one of judgment for sin. This reading, however, which comes from the conclusion of the book, prophesies joy for Judah and Jerusalem. Judgment has led to repentance, and God s salvation is at hand. After the reading, Word of God, Word of Love. Thanks be to God! 7
Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6 The assembly reads responsively. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might, and has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on God s name; make known the deeds of the LORD among the nations; proclaim that this name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Second Reading A Reading from Philippians 4:4-7. NRSV, page 955 Despite being in prison, Paul is remarkably upbeat as he writes this letter. Here, he urges his friends in Philippi to trust God with all their worries and concerns, with the hope they will experience God s joy and peace. After the reading, Word of God, Word of Love. Thanks be to God! *Gospel Acclamation ELW Hymn 257 Verses 5 & 6 O come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer; O Sun of justice, now draw near. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadow put to flight. Refrain *Gospel The Holy Gospel according to Luke 3:7-18. NRSV, page 834 Glory to you, O Lord. John the Baptist heralds the mighty one who is coming. John teaches that preparation for God s reign is not a matter of identity but of bearing fruits of merciful justice, radical generosity, and vocational integrity. After the reading of the gospel, The Gospel of Our Lord! Praise to You, O Christ. 8
Sermon Pr. Spencer Steele *Hymn of the Day Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding ELW Hymn 246 *Nicene Creed With the whole church, let us confess our faith. We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 9
*Prayers of the People Emmanuel has come, is here, and is coming soon. Let us join in prayer for the church, the earth, and those who are in need, that all receive what God promises to give. After each petition: Fill us with love, Come, Lord Jesus, come. Receive our prayers, faithful God, as we watch and wait for your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Share the Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people greet one another with the peace of Christ. Offering Hymn What Feast of Love ELW Hymn 487 The assembly stands on the last verse. The assembly responds to the Word of God by giving an offering for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. You may give your offering in the offering plate located on the small table when you enter the worship space, or by using a credit or debit card at the Giving Kiosk, or Give by Text (610-981-1312), or through Simply Giving, or by sending it to the church office. 10
Meal *Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty. When we brought on chaos, cruelty and despair, you sent the prophets to proclaim your justice and mercy. At this end of the ages your Son Jesus came to bring us your love and to heal all the suffering of the world. Words of Institution Remembering, therefore, his life, death, and resurrection, we await his coming again in righteousness and peace. Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Send your Spirit on us and on this bread and wine we share: strengthen our faith, increase our hope and peace, God with us, Emmanuel. Bring to birth the justice and joy of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen. *Lord s Prayer Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. *Invitation to Communion Come to Christ, who comes to us in this Holy Supper. Amen. 11
Sacrament of Holy Communion All who are baptized and believe in the presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are welcome to receive the Sacrament. The people come forward, using the center aisle, and may kneel or stand at the altar rail. Gluten free wafers are available. Our wine is grape juice so that all may freely receive and is served by intinction, dipping the bread into the chalice. Please return to your seat using the side aisles. Children may receive the sacrament if they have completed instruction with a pastor. Children who do not commune may come forward for a blessing. *Prayer Let us pray. Holy One, we give you thanks that in this bread and cup we have feasted again on your endless love. Let that love overflow more and more in our lives, that we may be messengers to prepare your way, harvesters of justice and righteousness, and bearers of your eternal Word, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. *Blessing Sending May God direct your ways in peace, make you abound in love for one another and, strengthen our hearts with hope until the coming of our Lord Jesus. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. *Sending Song Hark, the Glad Sound! ELW Hymn 239 *Dismissal The assisting minister sends the assembly into mission. Go in peace for Christ loves the world. Thanks be to God! Postlude Hark, the Glad Sound setting, Burkhardt CCLI #678084 One License A-701076 The Toolkit all content Changing Church Forum, Inc. Reproducible for church use only. Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20593. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by Permission. All rights reserved. HymnPrint.net License #11804. Some liturgy reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. 2014. Used by permission. 12