Fourth Sunday in Advent 12/22
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 22, 2024
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
8:00 & 10:30 a.m.
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE Arise, O Christian People Setting: Anne Krentz Organ
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN Arise, O Christian People LSB 354
1 Arise, O Christian people!
Prepare yourselves today;
Prepare to greet the Savior,
Who takes your sins away.
To us by grace alone
The truth and light were given;
The promised Lord from heaven
To all the world is shown.
2 Prepare the way before Him;
Prepare for Him the best.
Cast out what would offend Him,
This great, this heav’nly guest.
Make straight, make plain the way:
The lowly valleys raising,
The heights of pride abasing,
His path all even lay.
3 The humble heart and lowly
God raises up on high;
Beneath His feet in terror
The haughty soul shall lie.
The heart sincere and right,
That heeds God’s invitation
And makes true preparation—
It is the Lord’s delight.
4 Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus;
Turn not from me aside,
And help me to receive You
This blessèd Adventtide.
From stall and manger low
Come now to dwell within me;
I’ll sing Your praises gladly
And forth Your glory show.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sin, be our advocate in heaven, and bring us to eternal life. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, resolved to keep God’s commandments and to live in love and peace with all.
(We kneel)
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we confess that we have sinned against You and against our neighbor in thought, word and deed; through negligence, through weakness, and through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us on the cross, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve You in newness of life, to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
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.
Amen.
KYRIE (Kyrie eleison means “Lord have mercy”) (Stand) LSB 943
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
For peace in our hearts as we gather for worship, and for the peace of the whole world and the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord:
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
For the proclamation of the Gospel in this and every place and for the calling of all to faith, let us pray to the Lord:
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
For grace to await our Lord’s coming again in glory, and for the joyful anticipation of his coming into our hearts today, let us pray to the Lord:
Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
HYMN OF PRAISE (omitted during this penitential season)
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Stir up Your power, O Lord,
and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be
quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Choir Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Setting: John Ferguson
“Comfort, Comfort now my people; tell of peace,” so says our God
Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load
To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them
Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever
For the herald’s voice crying in the desert far and near
Calling us to true repentance, since the Kingdom now is here
Oh, that warning cry obey; now prepare for God a way
Let the valleys rise to meet him, and the hills bow down to greet him
Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain
Let your hearts be true and humble , as befits his holy reign
For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad
And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken
SECOND LESSON Hebrews 10:5-10
When Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL Luke 1:39-45
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke the 1st chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
GOSPEL HYMN My Soul Rejoices LSB 933
1 My soul rejoices,
My spirit voices—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
For God my Savior
Has shown me favor—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
With praise and blessing,
Join in confessing
God, who is solely
Mighty and holy—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
His mercy surely
Shall rest securely
On all who fear Him,
Love and revere Him—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
2 His arm now baring,
His strength declaring—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
The proud He scatters,
Their rule He shatters—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
Oppression halted;
The meek exalted.
Full are the hungry;
Empty, the wealthy—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
Here is the token
All that was spoken
To Abr’ham’s offspring
God is fulfilling—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ.
On the Fourth Sunday in Advent the church has us turn our attention to Mary, the mother of our Lord. And this year, the particular portion of her story that we read is the part where she visits her relative Elizabeth.
Just to review what has taken place up to this point, Elizabeth is pregnant with a child that she and her husband will name John at the time of his birth. We will eventually know this child as John the Baptist, for he will baptize people as a sign of repentance in order to prepare Christ’s way.
John’s presence in the womb was quite miraculous, for Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah the priest, were both well advanced in years. What’s more, the birth of this child was announced to Zechariah by an angel, who also told Zechariah that he would lose the ability to speak until the child’s birth because he did not initially believe the message.
Six months after that announcement, and in another village, the same angel, Gabriel, came to a young woman named Mary and announced that she would bear a child as well. The angel further explained that Mary’s child would be great and that he would reign over a kingdom that would have no end.
When Mary asked how this could be, since she was a virgin, the angel explained that the conception would take place through the power of the Holy Spirit. This miracle would also indicate the child’s holiness.
The angel then added that Mary’s older relative, Elizabeth, was also pregnant and already in her sixth month. The angel concluded this message by proclaiming that “nothing is impossible with God.”
To this incredible message, Mary responded with faith, saying: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And after those words, the angel departed from her.
Sometime later, but apparently not much later, Mary set out on her journey to see Elizabeth. Given the amount of time between their respective due dates, Mary might have been going to help her older cousin with the heavy housework. Elizabeth would then reciprocate by sharing her wisdom and knowledge of what to expect in the months ahead.
But through the visit Mary received something else. She also received confirmation of the message the angel had told her. For Elizabeth reported that the baby in her womb leaped when
Mary arrived. And filled with the Holy Spirit, she exclaimed to her: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
Elizabeth’s messages confirmed to Mary that the child Mary was carrying in her womb was definitely from the Lord. And not only “from” the Lord, but also a child rightfully called “Lord” himself. That’s what Elizabeth was saying to her. And that is what the angel had said to Mary as well.
Here I’d like us to pause for a moment and consider how God will sometimes give us messages to confirm our faith too. Maybe the message is not a baby leaping in the womb. But perhaps it’s something similar… like a young child who catches the spirit of Christmas for the first time, and in doing so renews our spirits as well. This always happens for me at our Preschool Christmas program – as it did once again this past Thursday.
Or maybe a message of confirmation will come from an older child who catches the spirit of Christmas and surprises us with good deeds, unsolicited help, or affirmations of faith. These actions are greatly appreciated – not just as signs of growing up but also of faith. And I’ll add that they are especially confirming when they come not just at holiday times but take root and appear throughout the year.
With Elizabeth and Mary, note how Elizabeth praised Mary for her faith, saying: “blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Here it seems that Mary’s faith was also providing confirmation for Elizabeth. The two of them were definitely encouraging to one another.
It’s always a great blessing to have confirmation of God’s messages to us. And these messages do come, especially when we have our eyes open to see them.
Sadly, however, our eyes are not always open. And I suppose that’s because we’re so very used to explaining everything in the most rational way.
Mary could have taken the messages given by Elizabeth and shrugged them off – thinking they were just emotional responses by someone who wanted to connect with their younger relative and who was caught up in the moment. Elizabeth, in turn, could have shrugged off her child’s movement in the womb as just a normal kick, and the Holy Spirit’s promptings as just the excitement of knowing she had a young helper.
But neither of them evaluated the encounter in this way. Rather, they saw it with eyes of faith.
Certainly both of them considered the evidence as well. Elizabeth was quite obviously pregnant at this time – and this despite her advanced age. And Mary had no good reason to claim she was pregnant at this point in her life, but there she was.
And then there was the evidence of the angels. Both had received a direct message through one of these heavenly messengers sent by God.
But of course these encounters could have been explained away too. Were they just dreams? Or visions that perhaps came as a result of some strange health episode?
Let’s face it, people aren’t always open to heaven’s messages. And they’re not always open to heaven’s messengers either. The Book of Hebrews (13:2) tells us that sometimes we entertain angels unaware.
Messages of confirmation such as the ones Mary and Elizabeth received are gifts from God. And as with most of God’s good gifts, faith is required to see them.
I often think of the Christmas holiday as a type of confirmation gift from God. And that’s because during this season Christ’s people all pull a little harder, and even those on the margins of faith tend to step up a little more. I tend to believe that most people see God’s presence more clearly this time of year. For we recognize that Christmas is a holiday in the best sense – it’s a holy day. And in celebrating it we discover that the joy we experience is not just about the time off but also about the time with God.
And yet again, all this still needs to be accepted by faith. Which can be difficult, because Christmas has its challenges too.
One of the challenges of this holy time is to try and connect well with others and to share our joy while also respecting the fact that not everyone sees this time in the same way. Some people think of Christmas as your holy time and not theirs. And others will become nervous or even upset about the extra religiousness in the air.
We would love to share a “Merry Christmas” greeting with these people. But we might have to settle for a “happy holidays” instead. And even that sentiment might come with some risk.
In these times of challenge, our faith plays an extra important role. For it’s always best to address these challenges with understanding and compassion. And this will require faith.
Faith teaches us that exercising compassion is always the best witness to God’s ways. The God who entered our world as a humble child will enter our relationships and communities too as we follow his humble example.
As Christians we want to interact with others and share the joy and peace which come from Christ’s message. But our faith doesn’t always need to be trumpeted to them.
Interestingly, when we go back and look at the beginning of Elizabeth’s story, we see that once she discovered she was pregnant she decided to keep herself hidden. Luke records that “After these days Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ‘Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.’” Her words show that she was joyful about her pregnancy. But her action indicates that she wanted to avoid awkward times with others.
Knowing this, we can see even more clearly how Mary’s visit gave Elizabeth such joy. Yes, she was overjoyed at the sight of her Lord, who had come to her while being carried in the womb of his mother. But she was certainly also filled with joy to see Mary – one whom she could be open with about her condition, and one who understood the special calling they both had.
Maybe it’s the same with us. When we come together to the house of the Lord, we are most grateful to be in God’s presence and to hear his messages of grace and direction to us. But we can also be joyful about the fact that we are together with our fellow Christians, with whom we can be open about our beliefs and rejoice in our common calling.
I’m not suggesting that we be different people during the week and hide our faith out in the world. We should be open about what causes us to live as we do.
But I am saying that we should greatly value those times when we can be together with our fellow believers. These are special times. And God blesses us through them.
Mary and Elizabeth supported and encouraged each other. They did this because they realized that they had both common joys and common challenges.
But mostly they did this because they had a common faith. They both believed that God sees us, knows us, wants good for us and will provide the most important things we need.
Mary’s song that she sang as a result of her visit with Elizabeth contains great statements reflecting this faith. And we don’t have time left in this sermon to highlight them to the degree they deserve. But let me just point out that Mary speaks strongly to both God’s provision and God’s justice. And she does this with both an eye on her own needs and on the needs of her fellow believers.
In her song, Mary begins by praising God and acknowledging her humble position before him. And by doing this she gives us a pattern for our own interactions with God – both in our individual prayer and in our worship together.
Mary’s prayer should be our prayer as well. For with her we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Spirit of God. And as the Lord dealt graciously with her and did great things for her, so also he manifests himself and his glory to us as well. He does this as he visits us and confirms our faith. And he does this even when hidden – as he did when he was in the womb of his mother when visiting Elizabeth.
Knowing this, may God give you eyes to see his gracious visitations. And may God strengthen your faith to live as his redeemed people.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus LSB 338
1 Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
2 Born Thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king!
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
APOSTLES’ CREED Hymnal, back cover
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
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
O Lord, there is none like You in holiness, wisdom and might; yet You exercise Your power with mercy, for the salvation of sinners. As we draw near to the celebration of Jesus’ birth, fill our hearts with gratitude that Your Son humbled Himself and became flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty God, You have done great things for us – looking upon our humble estate and exalting us to be Your children. Preserve us by Your Holy Spirit, that we would fear and love Your name and rejoice in it all our days. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, Your Son from of old was born in time, of Mary, to be our peace. Grant us repentant hearts that turn to him in faith, that we would know the peace he gives. And grant also that, forgiven of our sins, we may forgive and be at peace with those around us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, Bethlehem was too small to be among the clans of Judah, yet from it came forth the King of kings. Remember the congregations of Your people where numbers are small and resources are scarce. Provide for their needs and remind them that the Lord of lords dwells among them in His Means of Grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You are the Creator of all life. Have mercy on those women who have been unable to conceive or who have suffered the heartbreak of miscarriage. Be their rock against despair, provide them consolation and purpose in Your Son, and restore them to exult in Your salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, You sent Your Son to shepherd His flock in strength and to be great to the ends of the earth. Grant wisdom to our leaders and peace among the nations, that we may dwell in safety and security during our days in this world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord our God, uphold all of those on our prayer list and all who suffer in mind or body. And give your special care to all whom we name before you in our hearts at this time… Remind them that Christ, their Immanuel, is with them in their trials. And grant them health and healing in accord with Your perfect will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ on the cross. Prepare the hearts of all who commune this day with penitence and trust in Your promises, and so make us holy through Your Son’s body and blood. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is truly the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may also remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; for You live and reign, ever one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY LSB 636
1 Soul, adorn yourself with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
Come into the daylight’s splendor,
There with joy your praises render.
Bless the One whose grace unbounded
This amazing banquet founded;
He, though heav’nly, high, and holy,
Deigns to dwell with you most lowly.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE TO HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, 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 laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS LSB 208
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth adored;
Heav’n and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name.
Sing hosanna in the highest, sing hosanna to the Lord;
Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
Endless is Your mercy and eternal your reign.
You have filled all creation with light and life;
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations.
You rescued Israel, your chosen people.
Through the prophets you renewed your promise;
And, at this the end of all ages, you sent your Son,
Who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom
and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Therefore, gracious Father; with this bread and cup
We remember the life our Lord offered for us.
And believing the witness of his resurrection,
We await his coming in power to share with us
The great and promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and place,
And unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest
Until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
Amen.
THE 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.
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 963
1 Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
grant us Your peace,
grant us Your peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming LSB 359
1 Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As prophets long have sung,
It came, a flow’ret bright,
Amid the cold of winter,
When half-spent was the night.
2 Isaiah ’twas 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 us a Savior,
When half-spent was the night.
3 This flow’r, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness ev’rywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens ev’ry load.
4 O Savior, child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of glory,
Who dost our weakness know:
Bring us at length we pray
To the bright courts of heaven,
And to the endless day.
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN People, Look East One and All Rejoice 173
1 People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east, and sing today—
Love, the Guest, is on the way.
2 Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flow’r may flourish.
People, look east, and sing today—
Love, the Rose, is on the way.
3 Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim,
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east, and sing today—
Love, the Star, is on the way.
4 Angels announce with shouts of mirth
Him who brings new life to earth.
Set ev’ry peak and valley humming
With the Word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east, and sing today—
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Setting: John Ferguson
FELLOWSHIP CONTRIBUTORS: Pr. Mark & Theresa Shaltanis
Those serving:
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Bob Juenger
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Norm Williams
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: Jason Starck
Comm. assist: Dede Dixon
Reader: Dede Dixon
Acolyte: Andreas Buuck
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.
636 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness Text: Johann Franck, 1618–77; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662 Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
354 Arise, O Christian People Text: Valentin Thilo, 1607–62; tr. Arthur T. Russell, 1806–74, alt. Tune: New Catechismus Gesangbüchlein, 1598, Hamburg, alt. Text and tune: Public domain
933 My Soul Rejoices Text: Stephen P. Starke, 1955 Tune: Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi, c. 1556–c. 1622 Text: © 1991 Stephen P. Starke, admin. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
338 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–88, alt. Tune: Southern Harmony, 1835, New Haven Text and tune: Public domain
359 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Text (sts. 1–2): tr. Theodore Baker, 1851–1934, alt.; (sts. 1–2, 4): German, 16th cent.; (st. 3): Friedrich L. C. Layriz, 1808–59; (st. 3): tr. Harriet R. K. Spaeth, 1845- 1925; (st. 4): tr. John C. Mattes, 1876–1948 Tune: Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengeseng, 1599, Köln Text and tune: Public domain
173 People, Look East Text: Eleanor Farjeon, 1881–1965 Tune: French Text: Public domain Tune: Public domain
