THE DIVINE SERVICE December 7, 2014 The Second Sunday of Advent In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are spiritually weak and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whosoever will come. Jesus taught us that if our brother has something against us, we ought to go and be reconciled to him before we do anything else in gathered worship. Please do that without delay if necessary. In Preparation PRELUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel 12th cent./larson O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! Patricia Dolan Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming adapted by Johannes Brahms Lo, how a rose e er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cool of winter, when half spent was the night. WORDS OF PREPARATION Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. A voice says, Cry! And I said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (ESV) COLLECT OF THE DAY Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son, that at his second coming we may worship him in purity; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. SILENT PRAYER Following the prelude, please observe silence in final preparation for gathered worship.
The Service of Entrance LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH God s people, see him coming: your own eternal king! Palm branches strew before him! Spread garments! Shout and sing! God s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you! Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God s Word! v HYMN OF INVOCATION v Congregation stands as able 2
People: People: O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! The Lord has made known his salvation and revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. PRAYER OF ADORATION world without end. Amen. CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN People: Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy. Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. Having confessed together our great need for God s mercy, let us now silently and humbly confess to God our personal and particular sins. DECLARATION OF ABSOLUTION Hear the Word of the Gospel: Christ has died for our sins and been raised for our justification. All you who repent of your sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, rejoice and be glad and give glory to the Lord who has taken away all of your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. v Congregation stands as able 3
v Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: the Maker of heaven and earth. O Lord, open our lips, People: and our mouth will declare your praise. v GLORIA v Congregation stands as able 4
The Service of the Word THE PSALTER Psalm 85 Choir: All: You have been favorable to your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of your people; You have covered all their sin. You have taken away all your wrath; you have turned from the fierceness of your anger. Restore us, O God of our sal- vation, and cause your anger toward us to cease. Will you be angry with us for- ever? Will you prolong your anger to all gener- ations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may re- joice in you? Show us your mercy, LORD, and grant us your sal- vation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people and to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met to- gether; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go be- fore him and shall make his footsteps our pathway. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the be- ginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. v Congregation stands as able 5
THE EPISTLE LESSON 2 Peter 3:8-14 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! ADVENT HYMN FOR CHOIR Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming Michael Praetorius Lo, how a rose e er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cool of winter, when half spent was the night. Isaiah it was foretold it, the rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God s love aright she bore to men a Savior when half spent was the night. THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8 Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise be to you, O Christ! v OUR RESPONSE v Congregation stands as able Arriving worshippers may be seated 6
WELCOME At this time, please sign and pass the attendance pads down the row. INTERLUDE PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION AND THANKSGIVING Ruling Elder Scott Brister Unison: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. v THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11 This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! v PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION MORNING SERMON Of Kings and King Isaiah 40:1-11 (A sermon outline is available at the back of the bulletin.) Rev. Greg Ward v Congregation stands as able 7
The Biblical significance of eating in God s presence can be noted from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the Garden-City in Revelation. The Lord Jesus instituted the New Covenant at a meal the meal as he broke bread and shared the cup with his disciples. The Church has always repeated this meal as Christ and his Apostles command, the culmination of worship in God s presence and a bold proclamation of Christ s death until he comes. We invite all baptized Christians to come to this table, his table, and to rejoice with us in God s grace given to us in Christ. If you recognize yourself as a repentant and believing sinner, trusting in Christ s shed blood for the forgiveness of your sins, then come. Baptized children are admitted to the Table upon an age-appropriate profession of faith in Christ. Let us draw near, then, with thankful and reverent hearts and receive by faith the body and blood of Christ, a true nourishment for our souls. If you have any question about whether or not you should receive communion, please ask one of our elders. Communicants who for medical reasons must consume gluten free bread can receive this in front during the passing of the peace. Children are served only when accompanied by a parent. The center cup and inner circle contain grape juice and the outer circles contain wine. Our elders strongly encourage everyone to take the wine. The juice is available for those who cannot drink the wine in faith (Romans 14:23). Please hold each element until all have been served so that we may partake together. The Service of the Table v CORPORATE CONFESSION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed Unison: 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE v The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you! Let us offer one another a sign of peace. Members of the congregation greet one another with a sign of friendship such as the ancient words that the church has used over the centuries, The peace of Christ be with you, and the response, And also with you. v Congregation stands as able 8
TITHES AND OFFERINGS The earth is the Lord s, and the fullness thereof; People: the world, and they that dwell therein. HYMN OF GRATITUDE TO GOD v Congregation stands as able 9
v Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendor, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. v PRAYER OF DEDICATION People: Our Gracious God and Father, from thy hand we give to thee. You are our only hope in life and in death; all we are and possess is thine. Receive these gifts we present before thy throne of grace that thy House may be built, thy Kingdom come, thy people know thee, and thy glory be revealed to all people in all nations. We ask this through the matchless name of Jesus Christ our Lord who with the Holy Spirit ever lives and reigns with Thee, One God, world without end. Amen. v THE GREAT THANKSGIVING People: People: People: The Lord be with you! And also with you! Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to our Lord God! It is good and right to do so! It is very good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming him the Messiah, the very Lamb of God, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when he comes again in glory. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we praise and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and singing: v Congregation stands as able 10
WORDS OF INSTITUTION PRAYER OF CONSECRATION COMMUNION HYMN (as the bread is served) v Congregation stands as able 11
AGNUS DEI COMMUNION HYMN (as the cup is served) v Congregation stands as able 12
v BENEDICTION v DEPARTING HYMN v Congregation stands as able 13
LESSONS Psalm 85 1 You have been favorable to your land; you have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people; you have covered all their sin. 3 You have taken away all your wrath; you have turned from the fierceness of your anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your mercy, LORD, and grant us your salvation. 8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people and to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and shall make his footsteps our pathway. (NKJV) 2 Peter 3:8-14 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (ESV) Mark 1:1-8 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (ESV) Sermon Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 6 A voice says, Cry! And I said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (ESV) v Congregation stands as able 14