December 22, 2024 The Fourth Sunday in Advent
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Prayer in Preparation for Worship:
Enter now my waiting heart, Glorious King and Lord most holy.
Dwell in me and ne’er depart, Tho’ I am but poor and lowly.
Ah, what riches will be mine When Thou art my Guest Divine!
My hosannas and my palms Graciously receive I pray Thee;
Evermore, as best I can, Savior, I will homage pay Thee,
And in faith I will embrace, Lord, Thy merit thro’ Thy grace. Amen.
Have A Merry Christmas !
….. In recent days that greeting probably has reached your ears and mine so often that – perhaps – it rings a just little hollow for us with only a few days left before Christmas arrives. After all, how many times can you hear “Merry Christmas” – walking into a store or doctor’s office, or when you wind up a phone conversation with an acquaintance – and not end up just a little bit (or a lot) numb to it all?
Granted – I do MUCH prefer hearing “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays”…..since at least the former greeting includes Christ’s name, while the latter often purposefully omits it. Still, the frequency with which our culture uses “Merry Christmas” in songs, statements and yard lighting displays, etc., makes me wonder how many people actually “get it!” Specifically, I wonder how many people truly appreciate what God in Christ has done for them to make not only December 25th, but every day of their lives, a day to be merry and to rejoice in their salvation?
As we settle in for worship this morning God is giving us yet another opportunity to “clear our” some of those “secular and unspiritual cobwebs” that can cloud anyone’s head and heart. That way (with cleared heads and hearts) we can approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth from the best perspective of all – the perspective of a grateful, forgiven, heaven-bound Christian. Knowing why Jesus came and what He has done for us to secure our salvation gives us true joy in our salvation, which is the very best reason to celebrate His birth. After all, only Christians can enjoy the “the very Merriest of Christmases.” ….because only we know, through faith, Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Today’s Old Testament Lesson is a prophecy about the coming Savior that Jesus quoted near the beginning of His public ministry when he visited His hometown synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30). There He indicated that He had come to fulfill God’s prophecies about the Promised Messiah. And so He had come to end the world’s mourning over its sin by providing those who believe in Him with lasting joy (gladness) through the righteousness and salvation that He brings to them.
In our Epistle Lesson Peter encourages his listeners to look beyond their difficult circumstances (they were facing persecution for their faith) in order to find real joy for living in everything that Jesus accomplished for their salvation – having guaranteed them eternal life in heaven through His sufferings for them (and for us).
Our Gospel Lesson is the opening of John’s Gospel, in which he refers to Jesus as “The Word” Who created the world and Who came into this world to save it…..although, generally, the world of His day did not (and our world still does not) appreciate Him. Yet, says John, to all who believe in Jesus, He gives them the right to be called God’s children and heirs of eternal life in heaven – for that (providing their salvation) is why He came into the world.
In today’s Children’s Lesson, we’ll talk about the “joy” only we Christians can have in knowing and loving Jesus as our Redeemer…..even though we haven’t seen Him yet. Then again, we don’t have to “see” Him to know and love Him as our Lord and Savior.
Finally, through this morning’s Sermon we’ll talk about how we, as Christians, are blessed such that we can always enjoy a “Merry Christmas” – even in the hardest of times. That’s because of our joy in based in knowing that our sins are forgiven, due to the grace that we’ve received from Christ – grace that we gladly share with others. We also thankfully trust in our Lord for all our needs of body and soul, plus we know the peace of sins forgiven and reconciliation with God that assures us God will always love us and one day will take us to heaven.
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Greeting and Invitation to worship
The Opening Hymn Hymn 2 “Savior of the Nations Come”
1 Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, make here your home.
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
2 Not by human flesh and blood,
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
3 Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the virgin undefiled,
Though by all the world disowned,
Yet to be in heav’n enthroned!
4 From the Father’s throne he came
And ascended to the same,
Captive leading death and hell —
High the song of triumph swell!
5 Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
after which the Congregation will please rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Psalm for this Morning Psalm 27, selected verses
The Lord is my light and my salvation + whom shall I fear? + The Lord is the Stronghold of my life + of whom shall I be afraid? + One thing I ask from the Lord. + This is what I seek: + that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, + to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, + and to seek Him in His temple. + Yes, He will hide me in his shelter on the day of trouble. + He will hide me in his tent. + He will set me high on a rock.
Hear me, O Lord. With my voice I call. + Be merciful to me and answer me. + When You say, “Seek My face,” my heart says to You, + “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” + Do not hide Your face from me. + Do not turn Your servant away in anger. + You have been my Help.
Do not reject me or forsake me, O God Who saves me. + If my father and my mother abandoned me, the Lord would take me in. + Lord, teach me Your way, + and lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. + Wait for the Lord. + Be strong and take heart, + and wait for the Lord!
after which the Congregation will be seated for
Today’s Vocal Selection My Soul in Stillness Waits
by Marty Haugen
sung by Monte Ewald
Refrain: For you, O lord, my soul in stillness waits. Truly my hope is in you.
O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory, your radiance shines in all who look to you.
Come light the hearts of all in dark and shadow. Refrain
O Root of Life, implant your seed within us, and in your advent draw us all to you,
our hope reborn in dying and in rising. Refrain
O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage, We ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain.
Open to us the pathway of your peace. Refrain
After which the Congregation will rise as
We Make Confession of Our Sins To God
Pastor Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking Him, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us the forgiveness of all our sins. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Congregation (Sung) Who made heaven and earth.
Pastor – I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.
Congregation – (Sung) And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Congregation O Almighty God, merciful Father, 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 truly sorry for them, and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You, in 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.
Pastor 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 you all, and in the place of and according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We Respond To God’s Forgiveness
Pastor – Behold, people of God! Your King comes to you;
Congregation – He is just and brings salvation!
Pastor – Rejoice people of God! Your Lord Jesus Christ has appeared and fulfilled God’s promises of old for your comfort and salvation.”
Congregation – The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth. + My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord. + O my God, You are my Help and my Deliverer; + do not delay.
1 Lift up your heads, you mighty gates!
Behold, the King of glory waits.
The King of kings is drawing near;
The Savior of the world is here.
Life and salvation He will bring;
Therefore rejoice and gladly sing.
To God the Father raise
Your joyful songs of praise.
2 The King is born in poverty,
His chariot is humility,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress.
The end of all our woe He brings;
Therefore the earth is glad and sings.
To Christ the Savior raise
Your grateful hymns of praise.
5 Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to You; here, Lord, abide!
Let me Your inner presence feel,
Your grace and love in me reveal;
Your Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to Your name. Amen.
The Prayer For The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Stir up, O Lord, Your power, + and come, with Your great might. + Take away the burden of our sins + and make us ready for the celebration of Your birth + that we may receive You in Joy + serve You always; + And live with You eternally in heaven. + We ask this in Your name, Dear Savior, + for You live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit + as the one, true God, now and forever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated as
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the afflicted.
He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release for those who are bound,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance for our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion,
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
a cloak of praise instead of a faint spirit,
so that they will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord to display His beauty.
4 Then they will rebuild ancient ruins.
They will raise up what was formerly devastated,
and they will renew ruined cities,
which have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will stand and shepherd your flock,
and foreigners will be your farmers and vinedressers.
6 You will be called the Lord’s priests.
You will be named ministers of our God.
You will eat the wealth of nations,
and you will boast about their riches.
7 In place of your shame, you will receive a double portion.
Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their share of the land.
In fact, in their land they will inherit a double portion.
Everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 Yes, I am the Lord. I love justice.
I hate robbery in a burnt offering.
I will repay them in faithfulness,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their offspring will be known among the nations,
and their descendants in the midst of the peoples.
All who see them will recognize
that they are offspring whom the Lord has blessed.
10 I will rejoice greatly in the Lord.
My soul will celebrate because of my God,
for He has clothed me in garments of salvation.
With a robe of righteousness He covered me,
like a bridegroom who wears a beautiful headdress like a priest,
and like a bride who adorns herself with her jewelry.
11 For as the earth produces its growth,
and as a garden causes what has been sown to sprout up,
so God the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up
in the presence of all the nations.
The Epistle Lesson I Peter 1:3-12
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He gave us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 into an inheritance that is undying, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 Through faith you are being protected by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time.
6 Because of this you rejoice very much, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various kinds of trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—which is more valuable than gold, which passes away even though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not see Him now, yet by believing in Him, you are filled with a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 The prophets, who prophesied about the grace that has come to you, searched and studied carefully concerning this salvation, 11 trying to find out what person and what time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they wrote about these things. These are the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even the angels long to look carefully into these things.
after which the Congregation will rise, out of respect for the words of Christ
The Gospel Lesson John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him everything was made, and without Him not one thing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 The Light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as an eyewitness to testify about the Light so that everyone would believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the light.
9 The real Light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to what was His own, yet His own people did not accept Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believe in his name, He gave the right to become children of God. 13 They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen His glory, the glory He has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I Peter 1:8-9
from the New Testament in Every Day English, by Julian Anderson
8 You love Jesus even though you’ve never seen Him. And even though you don’t see Him right now, you believe in Him, and your hearts are filled with a wonderful kind of joy which words don’t describe, 9 because you are now in the process of being saved from sin and death, which is the end result of your faith.
Our Joy in Jesus….which words don’t describe!
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 34 “Now Sing We Now Rejoice”
1 Now sing we, now rejoice,
Now raise to heav’n our voice;
He from whom joy streameth
Poor in a manger lies;
Not so brightly beameth
The sun in yonder skies.
Thou my Savior art!
Thou my Savior art!
2 Come from on high to me;
I cannot rise to thee.
Cheer my wearied spirit,
O pure and holy Child;
Through thy grace and merit,
Blest Jesus, Lord most mild,
Draw me unto thee!
Draw me unto thee!
3 Now through his Son doth shine
The Father’s grace divine.
Death o’er us had reigned
Through sin and vanity;
He for us obtained
Eternal joy on high.
May we praise him there!
May we praise him there!
after which the Congregation will rise for the reading of the Sermon Text
The Sermon Text Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What Makes Christmas – and life – Joyful
after which, the Congregation will rise for
The Offertory (based on Psalm 51:10-12)
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence.
And take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation
And uphold me with Your free Spirit. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer
-
-
Our Prayers for Each Other
Included in our prayers this morning:
A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of Tim Pfortmiller, who
will soon begin receiving additional treatments to counteract
the influences of the cancer that is afflicting his body;
The Prayer for This Morning
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, Which 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.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn “O Jesus Christ, O Jesus Christ”
To “O Tannenbaum” cwh Advent 2001
O Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,
You came to earth from heaven,
Fulfilled the Prophets – every one —
For us and our salvation.
The “Woman’s Seed,” and Abram’s Son,
Yet truly you’re th’ Eternal One,
The righteous Son of David, THE
Messiah, long-awaited.
Lord Jesus, Sole Begotten Son,
Be-lov-ed by the Father,
The miracles that You have done
Affirmed You are none other
Than the True God in human form
Spirit-conceived and Virgin born.
The perfect Keeper of the Law —
To free us from its burden.
You stood before accusers, mute
Rejected by Your nation
You bled and died, my Substitute
You earned for me salvation.
O Lamb of God you took away
The whole world’s sin….Now hear me pray:
May peace and joy fill all this day –
Who trust in You, dear Savior.
Oh Savior of the nations, Come,
In majesty and glory
Attended by Your angel hosts
Complete our earthly story.
As Judge of living and the dead,
Forever You’re the Church’s Head.
By grace, through faith in You, ahead
For us is Heav’nly glory.
Silent prayer, Announcements, Post-service music
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a combination of two very common symbols: light and the fir tree. From the early centuries of Christianity it has been the practice to represent Christ by a burning candle. The fir tree also has a long history of religious use. One of the most popular themes for the medieval “mystery plays” revolved around the telling of the story of Paradise. In those plays, the Garden of Eden was typically portrayed by a fir tree hung with apples. In the Eastern churches (Eastern/Greek Orthodox) December 24th was celebrated as the Feast Day of Adam and Eve. The custom of putting up a Paradise tree in the home on December 24th, decorated with apples, came into Europe (and the Americas) by way of the East. In Germany there was also a custom of placing a lit Christmas candle on top of a wooden pyramid decorated with evergreen twigs. In time the wooden pyramid was replaced by the Paradise tree, decorated with apples and lighted candles.
No doubt the Advent wreath was suggested, at least in part, by the Christmas tree. It seems that the Advent wreath originated a few hundred years ago among the Lutheran Christians of eastern Germany. A wreath of evergreens, made of various sizes, was either suspended from the ceiling or placed on a table. Four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent were fastened to the wreath. Eventually the use of the Advent wreath became wide-spread and moved also from the home into the church. The general symbolism of the Advent wreath lies in the growing light of the wreath, increasing each week as we approach the birthday of Jesus the Light of the world.
The color of the candles (sometimes purple; sometimes blue) in the Advent wreath is dictated by whatever emphasis a particular home or congregation gives to the season. While the emphasis may change somewhat according to the sermons, the traditional emphases in Advent are those of repentance and anticipation (the Sunday sermons are generally more “up-beat” and “joyous,” while mid-week sermons tend to be slightly more “sober” and “penitent” in character). In our church we’ve chosen to have the color of our altar cloths and furnishings be purple (the traditional color of repentance) throughout the Advent season. You can see that in our advent wreath, where the prevalent color is purple in three of the five candles.
The purple candle lit on the first Sunday in Advent is called “the Candle of Prophecy,” and symbolizes the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Savior.
The second Advent candle (also purple) is referred to as the “Bethlehem Candle,” symbolizing the coming to earth of Jesus, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary.
The Third Advent candle (pink or rose-colored) is the “Shepherd Candle” and represents the coming of the Savior into the hearts and lives of His believers through His Holy Word. This pink/rose colored candle serves to remind us that a note of joy should also heard in this penitential season.
The final purple candle is the “Angel Candle,” symbolizing the final coming of the Savior in glory with all His holy angels.
The white candle at the center of the wreath is the “Christ Candle,” symbolizing the perfection of Christ, the fulfillment of prophesy, and the centrality of Jesus in our Advent preparations. This “Christ Candle” remains unlighted during Advent in anticipation of the birth of the Savior, the Light of the world. Advent’s penitent emphasis focuses our attention on our sins and the need for a Savior, but on Christmas Day we joyfully celebrate the birth of that Savior….and so we then light the white Christ Candle.
White candles also replace the purple and pink ones, and the purple altar cloths are replaced by white altar cloths with the arrival of Christmas Day. The wreath, now with all white candles, continues to be used until the Christmas Season officially ends with the arrival of Epiphany on January 6th. The white altar cloths continue to be used through the first Sunday of Epiphany. The colors then change to green.
-