Fourth Sunday in Advent
Fourth Sunday in Advent December 23 & 24, 2017 5:00 p.m. & 8:30 a.m. AS WE GATHER King David is the best known of all of Israel’s kings. Under David’s reign, the kingdom grew and flourished. Even generations later would look back and view the days of King David as the “Golden Age” of Israel. In today’s Old Testament Reading, a promise is made to David: “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). But in this greater kingdom, this eternal kingdom, it’s not King David who will reign on the everlasting throne—it’s King Jesus. Jesus, the descendant of David, is greater than David and will have a never-ending reign. It’s the coming of this King of kings that we prepare to celebrate.
PRELUDE “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
setting by Austin C. Lovelace
The congregation turns and faces the cross as the procession approaches the altar reminding us that Christ leads us into the presence of God.
1
PREPARATION Please stand
ENTRANCE HYMN 357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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:
7
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain
Public domain
2
INVOCATION Leader: People:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Leader: People: Leader: People:
Leader:
People:
Let them sing before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity. He made Jesus known that all nations might believe and obey Him. Let us confess our sins to God our Father. Almighty and all-merciful God, we confess before You that we are by nature sinful. We have not loved You with all our heart, soul, and mind, and have not loved our neighbors as we love ourselves. We have sinned by what we have done: thoughts, words, and actions against Your will; and by what we have not done, words of love that have gone unspoken, actions of kindness that have been left undone. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, forgive us our sin, and overshadow us with Your Holy Spirit that we might believe and obey. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Thanks be to God!
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Leader: People:
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome.
Leader: People:
Let Your light scatter the darkness and illumine Your Church.
3
HYMN “The Advent Candles”
(tune: Away in a Manger)
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright; A candle of Hope in December’s dark night. While angels sing blessings from heav’n’s starry sky Our hearts we prepare now, for Jesus is nigh. A candle is burning, a candle of Peace; A candle to signal that conflict must cease. For Jesus is coming to show us the way; A message of Peace humbly laid in the hay. A candle is burning, a candle of Joy; A candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy. Our hearts fill with wonder and eyes light and glow As Joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow. A candle is burning, a candle of Love; A candle to point us to heaven above. A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth; For Jesus is bringing God’s Love to our earth.
PRAYER OF THE DAY Leader: People:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Leader: People:
Let us pray. Almighty God, Judge and King, when the time had fully come, You sent Your Son, born of a virgin, for us and for our salvation. Come, Lord Jesus, with Your grace, to all the places of the world where people desperately need You. Come and give us the gift of Yourself; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
4
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
WELCOME WORD OLD TESTAMENT READING
2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16 (“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever.”)
After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." 1
Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 3
That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: 5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' 4
"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. (continued on next page) 8
5
"'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'" Lector: People:
EPISTLE
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Romans 16:25–27 (“To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!”)
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. 25
Lector: People:
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
6
HYMN 855
For All the Faithful Women
© 1993, 1997, 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission. Public domain
Please stand Leader: People:
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter. Glory to You, O Lord.
HOLY GOSPEL
Luke 1:26–38 (The angel appears to Mary.)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 26
(continued on next page)
7
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 29
34
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 35
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 36
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 38
Leader: People:
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE WORD 356 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
8
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED 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 Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING “Savior of the Nations, Come”
setting by John A. Behnke
Please stand
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Leader:
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Each concluding: Leader: People:
+ + + Special Intercessions + + + Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER 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. 9
BENEDICTION Leader:
People:
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. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please turn towards the cross as it is carried out of the church, and remain facing it until the hymn is completed. This symbolizes our following Christ into the world as we leave.
RECESSIONAL HYMN 362 O Sing of Christ
POSTLUDE “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
N. Johnson
10
Prepare for next weekend’s worship by reading: Isaiah 30:15-17; Romans 8:31b-39; Luke 12:35-40 Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserve worldwide. www.zondervan.com Hymns used by permission. OneLicense.net #A-725523 LSB Hymn License.net, Lutheran Service Builder. Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2017 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
11
Serving at Chapel Preacher:
Orval Mueller
Liturgists:
5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
David Shudy Theodore Laesch Theodore Laesch
Lectors:
8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Victoria Stuart Rachel Alcozer
Acolytes:
5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Keeley Ambler Kayla Rainey Leo Thomas
Organist:
Ryan Meyer
Radio Announcer:
Leon Steinbrueck
12
PRELUDE “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
setting by Austin C. Lovelace
The congregation turns and faces the cross as the procession approaches the altar reminding us that Christ leads us into the presence of God.
1
PREPARATION Please stand
ENTRANCE HYMN 357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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:
7
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain
Public domain
2
INVOCATION Leader: People:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Leader: People: Leader: People:
Leader:
People:
Let them sing before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity. He made Jesus known that all nations might believe and obey Him. Let us confess our sins to God our Father. Almighty and all-merciful God, we confess before You that we are by nature sinful. We have not loved You with all our heart, soul, and mind, and have not loved our neighbors as we love ourselves. We have sinned by what we have done: thoughts, words, and actions against Your will; and by what we have not done, words of love that have gone unspoken, actions of kindness that have been left undone. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, forgive us our sin, and overshadow us with Your Holy Spirit that we might believe and obey. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Thanks be to God!
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Leader: People:
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome.
Leader: People:
Let Your light scatter the darkness and illumine Your Church.
3
HYMN “The Advent Candles”
(tune: Away in a Manger)
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright; A candle of Hope in December’s dark night. While angels sing blessings from heav’n’s starry sky Our hearts we prepare now, for Jesus is nigh. A candle is burning, a candle of Peace; A candle to signal that conflict must cease. For Jesus is coming to show us the way; A message of Peace humbly laid in the hay. A candle is burning, a candle of Joy; A candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy. Our hearts fill with wonder and eyes light and glow As Joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow. A candle is burning, a candle of Love; A candle to point us to heaven above. A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth; For Jesus is bringing God’s Love to our earth.
PRAYER OF THE DAY Leader: People:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Leader: People:
Let us pray. Almighty God, Judge and King, when the time had fully come, You sent Your Son, born of a virgin, for us and for our salvation. Come, Lord Jesus, with Your grace, to all the places of the world where people desperately need You. Come and give us the gift of Yourself; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
4
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
WELCOME WORD OLD TESTAMENT READING
2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16 (“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever.”)
After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." 1
Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 3
That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: 5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' 4
"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. (continued on next page) 8
5
"'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'" Lector: People:
EPISTLE
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Romans 16:25–27 (“To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!”)
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. 25
Lector: People:
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
6
HYMN 855
For All the Faithful Women
© 1993, 1997, 2003 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission. Public domain
Please stand Leader: People:
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter. Glory to You, O Lord.
HOLY GOSPEL
Luke 1:26–38 (The angel appears to Mary.)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 26
(continued on next page)
7
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 29
34
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 35
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 36
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 38
Leader: People:
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE WORD 356 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
8
Please stand
APOSTLES’ CREED 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 Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING “Savior of the Nations, Come”
setting by John A. Behnke
Please stand
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Leader:
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Each concluding: Leader: People:
+ + + Special Intercessions + + + Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, People: hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER 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. 9
BENEDICTION Leader:
People:
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. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please turn towards the cross as it is carried out of the church, and remain facing it until the hymn is completed. This symbolizes our following Christ into the world as we leave.
RECESSIONAL HYMN 362 O Sing of Christ
POSTLUDE “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
N. Johnson
10
Prepare for next weekend’s worship by reading: Isaiah 30:15-17; Romans 8:31b-39; Luke 12:35-40 Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserve worldwide. www.zondervan.com Hymns used by permission. OneLicense.net #A-725523 LSB Hymn License.net, Lutheran Service Builder. Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2017 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
11
Serving at Chapel Preacher:
Orval Mueller
Liturgists:
5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
David Shudy Theodore Laesch Theodore Laesch
Lectors:
8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Victoria Stuart Rachel Alcozer
Acolytes:
5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Keeley Ambler Kayla Rainey Leo Thomas
Organist:
Ryan Meyer
Radio Announcer:
Leon Steinbrueck
12
