Third Sunday of Advent 12/11
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 11, 2022
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Setting: M.Haye
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) #357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear. Refrain
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
2 O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who ord’rest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
3 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
4 O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Refrain
5 O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. Refrain
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 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
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.
BAPTISMAL DESCRIPTION
PRESENTATION FOR BAPTISM
QUESTION TO PARENTS AND SPONSORS
PROFESSION OF FAITH (The Pastor addresses the baptismal group and the congregation)
Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil and all his empty promises?
I do.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe 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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
✠ THE BAPTISM ✠
Christian Frederiksen Llamido Easterly
(Son of Frederik Jamesen Easterly and Sugar Llamido Easterly)
WELCOME BY THE CONGREGATION
We welcome you into the Lord’s family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child of the same heavenly Father, and worker with us in the kingdom of God.
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. Lord Jesus Christ,
we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Isaiah 35
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) ANTHEM Jubilation Choir Out of the Wintry Gloom Text: A. Carpenter Setting: R. Shephard
Out of the wintry gloom of night, Out of the darkness of our days;
Our Sun appears, a wondrous sight, A morning of unbroken praise.
O come, our Dayspring, and our Cheer, The herald calls, and we obey;
Now lift us by your Advent here, The message come, “Prepare a way.”
Come, now, O prince of Glory, Come! Come quickly, as dawn follows night;
And dwell with us, here make your home, So all the world may see your light.
SECOND LESSON James 5:7-11
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL VERSE (stand) # 338 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
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.
GOSPEL Matthew 11:2-15
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 11th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Poor John. He was so confident about Jesus just a year or so earlier when he had baptized him and called him “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” But prison will do things to the mind, and John’s words in today’s reading show evidence of this. “Are you the one to come?” “Shall we look for another?” How could he ask such questions? This was definitely not the same man.
Then again, all people can have struggles of faith. And prison isn’t the only thing which messes with the mind.
John may have been struggling, but notice that Jesus didn’t hold his questions against him. “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus understood John’s struggles.
Jesus then added: “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” True greatness comes from simply being in the kingdom. And in that kingdom, the greatest are always the least.
Today, on the third Sunday in Advent, in the midst of this preparatory season, we light a pink candle to remember the joy of this kingdom. We do so through the inspiration of our Old Testament reading, which says: “The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.”
In today’s sermon we will examine this reading from Isaiah in detail. We’ll note what it said to the people of Isaiah’s day, and we’ll note what it says to us today. The reading will help us better understand the joy of Christ’s appearance and the transformation he brings. May God bless us in our understanding of these things, and in our application of them to our lives.
Let’s begin by noting that the desert-blooming imagery of this text spoke to the people of Israel on many levels. It reminded them that they had come through the Sinai desert in the days of Moses and that God had provided for them during that time. It also served as a general word of promised care, since there were plenty of deserts close by and these all represented the difficult times one must endure. Life is hard in the desert.
The desert-blooming imagery would at one point also take on new significance. This would happen when many of the Israelites found themselves captive in Babylon. When in Babylon, the desert was the most direct way home for them. It thus signified God’s great power to save and redeem.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus uses words from this prophecy to describe his own ministry, saying: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” Jesus did all these things, showing that he was, indeed, the promised one to come.
Today we remember that Jesus is still ministering to our world. He ministers as he speaks to us through his word, and he ministers as he speaks through us in our witness. Jesus ministers through both individual acts of care, and as he ministers through the collective ministry of his church.
As prophesied in verses three and four of today’s text from Isaiah, one of the ways Jesus ministers to us is by moving people to speak words of help and hope. Isaiah said: “Say to those who have an anxious heart, be strong; fear not!” These are words of encouragement. And we know how much everyone needs this. God’s people are specifically called to give words of encouragement to those around them. Who can you encourage with your words today?
But people need more than words too. They also need action. Isaiah goes on to say: “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.”
God’s people are also to help and encourage through acts of service. And this always involves some thought. For instance, whose driveway might you be able to shovel when the snow comes this winter? Who might need some fresh baked cookies or a hand with their Christmas preparations? Who might need a hand out or a hand up?
In February, St. Paul’s will once again provide overnight housing in our Undercroft for those who need to escape from the winter cold. We will be calling on our members to bring warm food, warm smiles and warm conversations. Acts of service are greatly needed – and always a blessing for both giver and receiver.
Isaiah goes on to say: “Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Here we are reminded that ministry includes witness to God’s salvation.
The vengeance Isaiah mentions is stated in order to assure us of God’s triumph over evil. We cannot overcome evil on our own – neither that which is outside us nor that which is within. But God can. And God will.
As Christians, we know that God has saved us by sending his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. Because of Jesus, our salvation has been secured.
We now witness to his salvation so that all may have this same confidence and hope. In fact, the greatest gift we can give someone is a proclamation of the Gospel. We can do this as we tell of Jesus ourselves, and we can do this as we support the ministry of the church.
Notice Isaiah speaks of our salvation in terms of healing. He does so in those words which Jesus quoted about himself: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.”
This prophecy is about both physical and spiritual healing. God will heal our bodies – both in the present as he sees fit, and in eternity when we enter the new creation. And God will also heal our understanding. And this healing, we should note, is particularly important and often needed. It’s needed because we get disillusioned, and cynical, and sometimes we even lose hope.
Our eyes need to be opened to see what God is doing. Our ears need to be unstopped so we can hear his word clearly and accurately. Our lame conclusions and our muted response to his goodness and grace are evidence that we need his help. We need the healing of our spirits that only Jesus can provide.
Isaiah goes on to say: “waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.” Notice that these are occurrences of amazement and miracle – reminding us that God brings healing which is greater than we can image, and certainly greater than we can accomplish. God can overcome the greatest of illnesses, just as God can forgive the greatest of sins.
And these beliefs come from knowing the greatest of all miracles: God being born as a child of our world. God came to us as Jesus; born of a virgin, born into flesh, born into time. This great miracle should remind us to always have hope and always believe in the power of God’s healing.
As Isaiah prepares to wrap up this chapter of his prophecy, he introduces one final image: that of a highway. “And a highway shall be there,” he says. “And it shall be called the Way of Holiness.”
The promise here is that God will establish a path for us to reach our destination – the destination he has prepared for us. The path won’t be full of curves, winding around here and there. It won’t be confusing and treacherous.
It will, however, be narrow. God’s highway, as made clear by Isaiah, will be a way of holiness. “The unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”
This path is a moral path. This path is also a doctrinal path – and a specific one. As Jesus once said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life – no one comes to the Father but by me.”
With all of our GPS devices and traffic Apps I’m afraid we’ve gotten used to always taking the easiest path – quickly changing routes when the one in front of us gets difficult or slow. That may work with traffic, but it doesn’t work well with our spiritual life. We are to walk the path which God has laid out for us in the holy scriptures – the path centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is the path which leads us safely and surely to redemption. Isaiah describes the glory of this redemption in his concluding words: “No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing.”
Again, this redemption comes because Jesus did not stray from the path given him. He rebuked the voices of temptation, obeyed the Father’s will, and walked the narrow path to the cross where he offered himself in our place. Through his time in the desert we are “ransomed” and “redeemed.” Our sins are forgiven, and we are healed.
Now when we walk through life’s deserts, we can see blossoming and blooms amidst the barren sands. God’s works are all around us – marking our path and bringing us joy.
There is always joy in the life of a Christian. Yes, it will be mixed with times of fear and sadness. And as with John, there will be times of struggle too. But joy can and will prevail, as we trust in God’s goodness and grace.
Isaiah’s final words in the chapter reflect that joy. And notice that it’s an everlasting joy. “[The ransomed shall] come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
God has promised this for his people. And his promises are sure.
Let us then walk along the highway of faith joyfully as God has called. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) #345 Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
1 Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding!
“Christ is near,” we hear it say.
“Cast away the works of darkness,
All you children of the day!”
2 Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ, its sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.
3 See, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all, to be forgiv’n;
4 So, when next He comes in glory
And the world is wrapped in fear,
He will shield us with His mercy
And with words of love draw near.
5 Honor, glory, might, dominion
To the Father and the Son
With the ever-living Spirit
While eternal ages run!
OFFERING (Be Seated)
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 (Stand)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who offer prayers and supplications this day, that God would hear them on account of His Son who by His incarnation has enlightened the darkness of our hearts and every corner of creation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For continued provision in our lives, that we would be kept from all fears and anxieties about our care, know the joy of serving others through our vocations, and confidently bring our offerings to the Lord for the work of the Kingdom, let us prayer to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors and church workers, that the words they bear would prepare the way of Jesus’ second advent and be received by all who hear them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the homes of our land, that God would grant safety and security to all families; and that the faith would be delivered from one generation to the next, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all in authority, that they would be given wisdom and insight until the day when Christ comes again in glory to usher in His kingdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and grieving, for all on our prayer list, and for all whom we name in our hearts at this time… that as the day draws near when blind eyes see, deaf ears hear, lame legs leap and mute tongues sing for joy, God would grant them healing according to His gracious will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith and joy to receive the Lord’s Supper worthily this day, as Christ comes to give us a foretaste of the Lamb’s marriage feast, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O God, Your love invites us to rejoice in Your goodness. In every circumstance of life, teach us the joy that comes from knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and eagerly expecting His gracious visitation; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF 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 p. 161
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
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.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
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.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
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 p. 163
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 peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
The Communion Assistant will come forward to receive first, then those from the pulpit side – by order of pew, front to back. Communicants will come up the center aisle and return via the side aisle. When all from the pulpit side have communed, the baptismal font side will commune in the same manner. Distancing must be maintained between all communicants. We ask that the wine be consumed away from the tray table. Empty cups should be dropped into the baskets.
COMMUNION HYMN #353 Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring
1 Jesus came, the heav’ns adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came to win redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Came in deep humility.
2 Jesus comes again in mercy
When our hearts are worn with care;
Jesus comes again in answer
To an earnest, heartfelt prayer;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comes to save us from despair.
3 Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
Bringing news of sins forgiv’n;
Jesus comes with words of gladness,
Leading souls redeemed to heav’n.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hope to all the world is giv’n.
4 Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate’er befalls us,
Cheers our hearts and dries our tears;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comforts us in failing years.
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #354 Arise, O Christian People
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE Arise, O Christian People Setting: A. Krentz Organ
ALTAR FLOWERS: “Flowers are to glorify God during the season of advent as we await the arrival of the Christ Child.” By Marge Glass
FELLOWSHIP: Chinese Ministry
Those serving:
Sunday, December 11,
8:00 a.m.
Greeter: Christine M. Bell
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Norm Williams
10:30 a.m.
Greeter: Marian Robinson
Comm. assist: Dan Buuck
Reader: Janice Sebring
Acknowledgements
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 © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–88, alt. Tune: Southern Harmony, 1835, New Haven Text and tune: Public domain
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Text: Latin, c. 12th cent.; Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, 1710, Köln; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt. Tune: French, 15th cent. Text & Tune: Public domain
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding Text: Latin, c. 5th–10th cent.; tr. Edward Caswall, 1814–78, alt. Tune: William H. Monk, 1823–89 Text & Tune: Public domain
Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring Text: Godfrey Thring, 1823–1903, alt.
Tune: Geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1698, Darmstadt Text & Tune: Public domain
