T R I N I T Y LUTHERAN CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD FARIBAULT MINNESOTA THE ORDER OF THE DIVINE SERVICE SETTING IV THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT Sunday, 8:00 AM The Sacrament of the Altar is celebrated at the 8:00 AM service in the confidence that our Lord gives us His very body and blood to eat and drink in, with and under the bread and wine for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our union with Him and one another. As we trust His words and repent of all sin, we proclaim His death until He returns. Because this act is a confession of our faith, Close Communion is practiced at Trinity. Anyone who is not yet instructed, in doubt, or holds a differing confession and yet desires to receive the Sacrament, is asked first to speak with a Pastor, Elder or Worship Assistant. Peace and Joy! The individual cups in the center of the tray (containing the amber color liquid) are prepared for those with concerns for alcohol consumption. Gluten free wafers are available in the container in the center of the tray. HYMN TO OPEN The Advent of Our King LSB 331 Please stand INVOCATION P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. P If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? C But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. P 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. C Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
2 ABSOLUTION P 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit. KYRIE SALUTATION P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. COLLECT OF THE DAY P Together, let us pray. C 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 FIRST READING (The glories to be seen at the coming of our Lord.) Isaiah 35:1-10 1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom of jackals, where they lie down, the grass like the crocus; 2 it shall blossom abundantly shall become reeds and rushes. 8 And a and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory highway shall be there, and it shall be of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty called the Way of Holiness; the unclean of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the shall not pass over it. It shall belong to glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. those who walk on the way; even if they 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make are fools, they shall not go astray. 9 No lion firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who shall be there, nor shall any ravenous have an anxious heart, Be strong; fear not! beast come up on it; they shall not be Behold, your God will come with found there, but the redeemed shall walk vengeance, with the recompense of God. there. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD He will come and save you. shall return and come to Zion with singing; 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; opened, and the ears of the deaf they shall obtain gladness and joy, and unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap sorrow and sighing shall flee away. like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the P This is the Word of the Lord. wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the C Thanks be to God. burning sand shall become a pool, and the
3 SECOND READING James 5:7-11 (Patience in suffering as we wait for the Lord.) 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Please stand ALLELUIA AND VERSE
4 HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 11:2-15 (In John the Baptist s doubt, Jesus affirms He is the Promised One by the evidence of His ministry.) P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, from the eleventh chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? 4 And Jesus answered them, Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is CHILDREN S MESSAGE written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ. HYMN OF THE DAY Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus LSB 338 SERMON Is Jesus the One? (Text: Matthew 11:2-15) The Rev. Paul Rieger Please stand APOSTLES CREED (See inside back cover of Hymnal)
5 PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Each intercession ends with the words, to which the congregation responds, P Lord in Your mercy C Hear our prayer P Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. RECOGNITION OF NEW MEMBERS (New members, please stand.) TITHES AND OFFERINGS (Please fill out Friendship Pads; Ushers will collect them.) Please stand PREFACE P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the Lord. SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, for the countless blessings You so freely bestow on us and all creation. Above all, we give thanks for Your boundless love shown to us when You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into our flesh and laid on Him our sin, giving Him into death that we might not die eternally. Because He is now risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity, all who believe in Him will overcome sin and death and will rise again to new life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS 6 P Hear us as we pray in His name and as He has taught us: THE LORD'S PRAYER (See inside back cover of hymnal) THE WORDS OF OUR LORD PAX DOMINI P The peace of the Lord be with you always. AGNUS DEI
7 HYMNS FOR DISTRIBUTION Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring LSB 353 Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come LSB 350 PARTING BLESSING 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. After the distribution, please stand POST-COMMUNION COLLECT P 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 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. BENEDICAMUS AND BENEDICTION P Let us bless the Lord. C Thanks be to God. 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. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. CLOSING HYMN A Great and Mighty Wonder LSB 383 MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE P Go in peace and serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE * * * TO GOD BE THE GLORY * * *
8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Divine Service, Setting Four from Lutheran Service Book Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Leading Worship Presiding The Rev. Dr. Michael Nirva Preaching The Rev. Paul Rieger Music Barb Mrosko, Organist Worship Assistants Larry Schreck, Steve Zimmerman Elder Vern Meintsma Greeters Bob & Kathi Meyer, Norm & Shirley Rost Ushers Chuck Eastman, Steve Denninger, Ron Zeise, Al Spitzack Radio Broadcast Brian Anderson, Ethan Vikla Nursing Home Service Linda Rhode Altar Guild Sharon Geyer