Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church! 1732 S. Main St. Aberdeen, SD 57401 605-225-6755 Email: zion@nvc.net Website: www.zionlutheranaberdeen.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rooted in Faith * Growing in Spirit * Reaching out to Those in Need ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Second Sunday of Advent 10:45 am _December 6, 2015 INTRODUCTION Forerunners and messengers advance the advent of our God. While John the Baptizer s voice in the wilderness may be the principal focus of the day, Malachi s prophesy could as easily herald the coming Lord Jesus as forerunner of the Lord of hosts. Finally all the baptized are called to participate in the sharing of the gospel. In so doing we prepare the way for the coming of the Lord and assist all flesh in capturing a vision of the salvation of God. GATHERING MUSIC WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Brian Kelly Isaac & Noah VanderWeyst ADVENT HYMN Peace, Peace, Peace Peace, peace, peace - The gift of Christ is peace. We walk with God, our past forgiven. All in Him is live and heaven. Peace, peace, peace - The gift of Christ is peace. Hope, hope, hope - The light of Christ is hope. In all our darkness Christ is shining, Leading upward, faith refining. Hope, hope, hope - The light of Christ is hope. 1 PRAYER OF CONFESSION (please stand) We are forever grateful that you, O God, revealed that the landscape of your heart has no boundaries, so why do we believe that we can draw boundaries of your grace and love? Whenever we construct a boundary to your unconditional love by placing conditions shaped by race, gender, or any other prejudices, Forgive us. When we patrol the limits of your love and justice and exclude people because of spoken or unspoken beliefs, Forgive us. You forever crossed the boundaries between divinity and humanity through the birth of Jesus, so when we redraw them to suit ourselves, Forgive us. May our love be like yours, O God, with no boundaries so that it overflows more and more with knowledge and insight so that in the day of Christ we may truly be pure and blameless. Amen ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS The apostle Paul prayed that our love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help us determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ we may be pure and blameless. Jesus Christ was sent by God into the world, not to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned. Thanks be to God! OPENING SONG Here I Am To Worship Tim Hughes So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, Light of the World, You stepped down into darkness, Opened my eyes, let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore You, Hope of a life spent with You. 2
So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, King of all days, oh so highly exalted, Glorious in heaven above. Humbly You came to the earth You created, All for love s sake became poor. So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, So here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, PRAYER OF THE DAY All-powerful God, we praise you for choosing to save the world by becoming one of us - by taking on the flesh of a vulnerable baby. Through this act of pure love, you dissolved the boundaries between heaven and earth and between divinity and humanity. We pray that our response to such blessings and grace may be evident in the manner in which we worship, witness and serve you in Jesus name. Amen (please be seated) A TIME FOR CHILDREN PSALM Luke 1:68-79 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. ALLELUIA The Lord Almighty Reigns Terry Butler Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord reigns. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord Almighty reigns. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord reigns. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord Almighty reigns. GOSPEL Luke 3:1-6 Pew Bible NT pg. 57 SPECIAL MUSIC Prepare the Royal Highway William Rowan Zion Adult Choir The holy gospel according to Luke Chapter 3. Glory to you, O Lord. FIRST READING Malachi 3:1-4 Pew Bible OT pg. 995 The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. (please be seated) MESSAGE Pastor Marcia 3 4
SONG OF THE DAY Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? Martin Smith Did you feel the mountains tremble? Did you hear the oceans roar When the people rose to sing of Jesus Christ, the risen One? Did you feel the people tremble? Did you hear the singers roar When the lost began to sing of Jesus Christ, the saving one? Open up the doors, Let the music play. Let the streets resound with singing: Songs that bring Your hope, Songs that bring Your joy, Dancers who dance upon injustice. Do you feel the darkness tremble When all the saints join in one song, And all the streams flow as one river To wash away our brokenness? Open up the doors, Let the music play. Let the streets resound with singing: Songs that bring Your hope, Songs that bring Your joy, Dancers who dance upon injustice. Open up the doors, Let the music play. Let the streets resound with singing: Songs that bring Your hope, Songs that bring Your joy, Dancers who dance upon injustice. OFFERING The children are welcome to come forward and place their offerings in the For Children Everywhere box. 5 OFFERING SONG Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty Bob Fitts Father in heaven how we love You. We lift your name in all the earth. May Your Kingdom be established in our praises. As Your people declare Your mighty works. OFFERING PRAYER (please stand) Holy God, we offer these gifts, this time of worship, and the service of our lives in the hope that they will be pleasing to you. We pray also that they may produce a harvest of righteousness, sincerity and love. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen 6
WORDS OF INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION (please be seated) All are welcome at the Lord s table. Please come forward as directed by the ushers. Grape juice and gluten free wafers are available; please indicate to the server by raising your hand. COMMUNION SONG Refiner's Fire Brian Doerkson Purify my heart Let me be as gold and precious silver Purify my heart Let me be as gold, pure gold. Purify my heart Let me be as gold and precious silver Purify my heart Let me be as gold, pure gold. Refiner's fire, my heart s one desire. Is to be holy, set apart for You Lord. I chose to be holy, set apart for You my master. Ready to do Your will. Purify my heart Cleanse me from within and make me holy. Purify my heart Cleanse me from my sin, deep within. Refiner's fire, my heart s one desire. Is to be holy, set apart for You Lord. I chose to be holy, set apart for You my master. Ready to do Your will, Ready to do Your will, Ready to do Your will. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (please stand) God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 7 BLESSING May the purity and righteousness of God, the grace and goodness of Jesus, and the persistent power of the Holy Spirit prepare and bless each one of us as we wait with anticipation the day of the Lord s coming. Amen. SENDING SONG Days of Elijah Robin Mark These are the days of Elijah, declaring the Word of the Lord, And these are the days of your servant Moses, righteousness being restored. And though these are days of great trial, of famine and darkness and sword, And we are a voice in the desert crying, prepare ye the Way of the Lord. Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, These are the days of Ezekial, the dry bones becoming as flesh, And these are the days of your servant David, rebuilding the temple of praise. And these are the days of the harvest, the fields are as white in the world. And we are the laborers in the vineyard, declaring the Word of the Lord. Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, There s no God like Jehovah There s no God like Jehovah There s no God like Jehovah There s no God like Jehovah There s no God like Jehovah There s no God like Jehovah There s no God like Jehovah Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, 8
Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, SENDING Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God! From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26593. 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. LEADING OUR WORSHIP: Preaching: Pastor Marcia Sylvester Presiding: Pastor Erin Heidelberger Deacon: Andrea Morehouse Nancy Schmidt Lector: Georgia Ramos Acolyte: Alecia Morehouse Sound System: Greg Rutherford Power Point: Karen Dahme Morgan Berryman Altar Guild Co-Chairs: Mary Jane Kabrud Anita Luce Van Driver: Loren Vilhauer Counters: Garry\Kathy Johnson Glenn Denning Millie Suchomel Coffee Hosts: Zion Men s Group Ushers: Doug\Ronda Smith Praise Band: Vicki Carlson, Justin Desens, Scott Geffre, Stacy Geffre, Stephanie Hawkinson, Polly Hooks, Alan LaFave, Lynae Poel 9 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 6, 2015 10:45 AM
Malachi 3:1-4 3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner s fire and like fullers soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. PSALM Luke 1:68-79 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 3:1-6 3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.