CONCORDIA S PURPOSE To Make the Love of Jesus R.E.A.L. in the Lives of All People THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. AS WE GATHER The historic name for this day in the Church Year is Gaudete, which is Latin for Rejoice, the first word in today s Epistle. In this season, all the hectic preparations that society and our own families might expect can stress us out and make rejoicing seem impossible. Nevertheless, Zephaniah reminds us that we rejoice because our Lord Jesus came and is in our midst. The prophet also promises that God will rejoice over you with gladness. Our heavenly Father does that when He calls us His sons and daughters. Every time we receive Holy Communion we have even more reason to rejoice and celebrate. There our Lord again comes, even present physically, in our midst. Today, we echo Paul s words: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! means to be seated means to stand, unless repeated standing is difficult [P: Pastor C: Congregation] 1 PRELUDE (10:45) Choir Mary, Did You Know? Words by Mark Lowry, Music by Buddy Greene, Choral Setting by Jack Schrader CALL TO WORSHIP RINGING OF THE BELLS
OPENING HYMN #349 Hark the Glad Sound 2 + DIVINE SERVICE SETTING FIVE + INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. P: Our help is in the name of the Lord, C: who made heaven and earth. P: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C: and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION P: O almighty God, merciful Father, C: I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. (Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.) P: Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
ADVENT HYMN O Come O Come Emmanuel 3 6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain PRAYER OF THE DAY P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray together. C: Lord Jesus Christ, who came in the midst of Your people once and are among us even now, open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You among us, rejoice in Your salvation, and celebrate Your presence into eternity, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Zephaniah 3:14 20 (Rejoice; the Lord is in your midst. He will rejoice over you.) R: The Old Testament reading is from Zephaniah, chapter three. (After the reading ) R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 4 EPISTLE READING Philippians 4:4-7 R: The Epistle reading is from Philippians, chapter four. (After the reading ) R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! VERSE ALL: Alleluia. Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. Alleluia. HOLY GOSPEL Luke 7:18 28 (The promised Messiah has indeed come.) P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the seventh chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. After the reading: P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. CATECHISM: The Lord s Prayer P: The Sixth Petition All: And lead us not into temptation. P: What does this mean?
5 All: God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory. We invite the children forward as we sing LSB #392, v. 1 God loves me dearly, Grants me salvation, God loves me dearly, Loves even me. Therefore I ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, Loves even me. CHILDREN S TALK SERMON HYMN #350 Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come SERMON Text: Luke 7:18-28 Title: Looks Can Be Deceiving TITHES, PLEDGES, AND OFFERINGS
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: Paul exhorts us, saying, In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Let us therefore pray for the Church around the world and for all people in their various needs. Jesus told John s disciples to report that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear. Grant, heavenly Father, that many people rejoice as You bring health and healing through Your servants today, [especially...]. Rejoice over us with gladness, O Lord; C: that we may rejoice and exult You with all our heart. P: Jesus continued, saying, The dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. Send Your Holy Spirit to bless the work of pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders around the world, so that they may boldly proclaim the good news. Give comfort to all who mourn and hope to those who feel alone and forgotten. Open the ears and hearts of those who are dead in sin that they may find new and eternal life in their Savior. Rejoice over us with gladness, O Lord; C: that we may rejoice and exult You with all our heart. P: Jesus said that John was the fulfillment of the prophecy, Behold I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. Give courage to all who proclaim Your presence to the earthly powers that You have placed over us. Put into places of authority people with receptive hearts that desire peace. Move them to work toward justice for the forgotten, toward prosperity for all their citizens, and toward peace across their borders. Rejoice over us with gladness, O Lord; C: that we may rejoice and exult You with all our heart. 6
P: Zephaniah prophesied that it would be said, Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst. Strengthen, we pray, those who serve by protecting and defending our nation at home and abroad. Let not their hands grow weak. Let them know Your presence and guidance while they experience violence and terror. Rejoice over us with gladness, O Lord; C: that we may rejoice and exult You with all our heart. P: Through Zephaniah God promised, I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Send Your Spirit to increase the faith of all who celebrate the Lord s Supper this day. Strengthen them in faith to believe and help them find comfort in the forgiveness of sins that comes in, with, and under Christ s body and blood. May they leave His table with joy and thanksgiving. Rejoice over us with gladness, O Lord; C: that we may rejoice and exult You with all our heart. [Special petitions may follow.] P: These and all things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. + SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + PREFACE P: The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4:22 C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. [Colossians 3:1] c: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. [Psalm 136] 7
C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. 8 PROPER PREFACE P: It is truly good, right, and salutary evermore praising You and singing: SANCTUS WORDS OF OUR LORD 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: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: THE LORD S PRAYER
All: 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. C: Amen. AGNUS DEI LSB 550 vs. 1 9 COMMUNION INVITATION
10 The Lord's Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes. Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, are unclear on what all this means, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are encouraged to seek guidance from the pastor. DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Choir (8:15) Mary, Did You Know? #376 Once in Royal David s City #370 What Child Is This #624 The Infant Priest Was Holy Born POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart LSB 806
11 Text (st. 1) and Music: 1978 Integrity s Hosanna! Music Used by permission: LSB Hymn License.NET, number 100012048. POST COMMUNION COLLECT P: Let us pray. Almighty God, heavenly Father, we give thanks that You have refreshed us with the body and blood of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that this heavenly food which we have received will strengthen our faith that we may bear all crosses, sickness, and trials with patience and trust until You grant us deliverance, peace, and health; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.
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 + give you peace. C: Amen. 12 CLOSING HYMN #366 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear ANNOUNCEMENTS (p. 13-15) VERSE OF THE WEEK And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. (Luke 7:23) MISSION HYMN (sung together) Lift high the Cross, the Love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. POSTLUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS This Week: - Monday PA Evening Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. (Roeder home) - Wednesday Soup & Sandwich Supper, 5:45 p.m. - Midweek Advent Worship, 7:00 p.m. - Choir rehearsal, 8:00 p.m. - Thursday - Planning Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
TODAY we will receive the offering for the Kreft Family. 13 TODAY - ANGEL TREE Anyone who purchased a gift please return your wrapped gift. Monetary donations are gladly accepted to cover the cost of tags not taken and/or food baskets for the families. A container is provided for donations. Thank you! COOKIE & GREENERY SALE TODAY- 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. GREENERY WORKSHOP: workers needed to make wreaths & arrangements to sell Dec. 14, 9:30-3 pm., Dec 15 12:30-4:30 pm. See bulletin board to sign up to work. PLACE ORDERS NOW for your holiday wreathes and arrangements. Order forms are on the narthex bulletin board or see Karen Kreymborg or Cheryl Fertitta. NO WEDNESDAY CONFIRMATION CLASSES UNTIL JAN. 6. MISSION OF THE MONTH Christ Lutheran Cburch of the Deaf. More info to come! The flower chart for 2016 is on the bulletin board in the narthex. Member participation is welcome and appreciated. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR A SUNDAY (or two or three!). 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. YOUTH FUNDRAISER! Please see the envelope fundraiser outside the sanctuary doors and help our youth get to the youth gathering in New Orleans! If you have taken a number, please write your name and phone number on the sheet on the counter in the
office. (If you have a service project contact Barb Nordyke-417-529-6681). CAN DRIVE FUNDRAISER The youth will collect all of your aluminum cans to scrap for a fundraiser to get them to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering. Start saving them! Please rinse cans and crush them if you can. FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE Anyone interested in Special Events hosting for church please let me know. What we do is plan events, setup and clean up. Please call me, Karen Meinelschmidt at 301-432- 2361 evenings. Thank you. Tis a New Season for the Choir: Choir has begun on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. We meet in the sanctuary and practice for only one hour. Our choir is made up of special people who love to sing God's praises! Please think about joining us! Contact Kathy Schleef if you have any questions at 717-401-0474. Shirley Morrison would like to remind everyone they can request Prayer Shawls to be made. Please complete the Prayer Shawl request form and put in Shirley s mailbox. The forms are located at the bulletin board to the left of mailboxes. 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. THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS: If you are a Thrivent member and have Choice Dollars available, you can direct them to Concordia! Our plan is to continue gathering these funds to be used to support a mission start in Franklin County, PA. 14
Call for instrumentalists! Concordia would love to have instrumentalists add to our holiday celebrations, accompany the choir or add to our services on special occasions, and as we prepare to begin a third worship service. If you think you'd like to serve the Lord in this way, please contact Pastor Emil or Kathy Schleef at 717-401- 0474/ksschleef@prodigy.net. Eagerly anticipating your calls! 15 CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES Midweek Advent Services: 7:00 p.m. The Genealogy of Jesus: God keeps His Promises December 16 Joash: An unnamed Ancestor but a Child with a Destiny CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 4:00 p.m. Open Arms (CCDC) Community and Family Service 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with Communion CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE 10:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Worship with Holy Communion