The Third Sunday of Advent
Prelude
Gathering
Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness
Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace.
C: Amen.
P: Let us prepare the way of the Lord by confessing our sin against God and neighbor.
Please kneel or sit as you are able.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: God of all time,
C: we confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen.
P: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In ☩ Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news!
C: Amen.
Please stand as you are able.
Entrance Hymn #633 (blue hymnal)
“Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn”
1 Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn,
for angels herald its dawning.
Sing out your joy, for soon he is born,
behold! the Child of our longing.
Come as a baby weak and poor,
to bring all hearts together,
he opens wide the heav’nly door
and lives now inside us forever.
2 To us, to all in sorrow and fear,
Emmanuel comes a-singing,
his humble song is quiet and near,
yet fills the earth with its ringing;
music to heal the broken soul
and hymns of lovingkindness,
the thunder of his anthems roll
to shatter all hatred and blindness.
3 In darkest night his coming shall be,
when all the world is despairing,
as morning light so quiet and free,
so warm and gentle and caring.
Then shall the mute break forth in song,
the lame shall leap in wonder,
the weak be raised above the strong,
and weapons be broken asunder.
4 Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night,
though dark the winter and cheerless,
the rising sun shall crown you with light,
be strong and loving and fearless.
Love be our song and love our prayer
and love our endless story;
may God fill ev’ry day we share
and bring us at last into glory.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 57)
A: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
A: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
A: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
A: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
A: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 58)
A: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God:
You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 62)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: The Spirit and the church cry out, come, Lord Jesus. Everyone who awaits his appearance cries out, come, Lord Jesus. The whole creation cries, come, Lord Jesus. Let us pray.
Come to us, Lord Jesus, as John reads for us your holy word. Keep us attentive to the truth of the scriptures; turn us away from myths; and turn us in faith to you, our strength and our redeemer.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
First Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-10
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2 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.
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 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.
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Special Music
“Magnificat (Mary’s Song)” (Luke 1:46b-55)
Todd Agnew
Chrissy Harris, soloist
Second Lesson: James 5:7-10
7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Verse
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 62)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 63)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 11th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Please face the back of the sanctuary as the Advent wreath is lit.
Verses 1-4 of “We Light the Advent Candles” are sung as the children come to the Advent wreath and the first three candles are lit.
1 We light the Advent candles
against the winter night,
to welcome our Lord Jesus
who is the world’s True Light,
to welcome our Lord Jesus
who is the world’s True Light.
2 The first one will remind us
that Christ will soon return.
We light it in the darkness
and watch it gleam and burn,
We light it in the darkness
and watch it gleam and burn.
3 We light the second candle,
and hear God’s holy Word,
it tells us, cling to Jesus,
prepare to meet your Lord,
it tells us, cling to Jesus,
prepare to meet your Lord!
4 Three candles now are gleaming
and show us the true way,
rejoice, the Baptist cries out,
your Lord has come today,
rejoice, the Baptist cries out,
your Lord has come today!
Litany for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath
P: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. Your prophets spoke of a day when the desert would blossom and waters would break forth in the wilderness.
C: Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.
P: Strengthen our hearts as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. May he give water to all who thirst, for he is our light and our salvation.
C: Blessed be God forever. Amen.
Please be seated.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection.
Hymn of the Day #629 (blue hymnal)
“All Earth Is Hopeful”
1 All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!
Furrows lie open for God’s creative task:
this, the labor of people who struggle to see
how God’s truth and justice set ev’rybody free.
2 People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”;
she conceived him, “God with us,”
our brother, whose birth
restores hope and courage to children of this earth.
3 Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared;
new highways opened, new protocols declared.
Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace!
All clear ev’ry gateway, in haste, come out in haste!
4 We first saw Jesus a baby in a crib.
This same Lord Jesus today has come to live
in our world; he is present, in neighbors we see
our Jesus is with us, and ever sets us free.
Please stand as you are able.
The Apostles’ Creed
A: Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, and may say, “Peace be with you,” or similar words.
Invitation to Offering
A: “As an example of suffering and patience like the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord,” let us give our offering, for the “coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:9-10).
Offering
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 66)
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us
a foretaste of the feast to come.
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Meal
Dialogue
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 68)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everliving God. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes again to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 69)
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.
Thanksgiving
P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
C: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.
P: With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
P: Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
P: All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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.
Invitation to Communion
P: Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, who has come to save you.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 72)
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.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.
Communion Hymn #30 (green hymnal)
“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.
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.
Communion Hymn #24 (green hymnal)
“Come, O Precious Ransom”
1 Come, O precious Ransom, come,
only hope for sinful mortals!
Come, O Savior of the world;
open are to you all portals.
Come, your beauty let us view;
anxiously we wait for you.
2 Enter now my waiting heart,
glorious King and Lord most holy.
Dwell in me and never leave,
though I am but poor and lowly.
What vast riches will be mine
when you are my guest divine!
3 My hosannas and my palms
graciously receive, I pray you;
evermore, as best I can,
homage I will gladly pay you,
and in faith I will embrace
life eternal by your grace.
4 Hail! Hosanna! David’s Son!
Jesus, hear our supplication!
Let your kingdom, scepter, crown
bring us blessing and salvation;
that forever we may sing:
Hail! Hosanna to our king!
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Canticle
♫ LBW Setting 1
(green hymnal, p. 72)
Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell ev’ryone what he has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Post-Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.
God with whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Silence for reflection.
Sending
Announcements For God’s Mission in the World
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
P: The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.
C: Amen.
P: The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #87 (green hymnal)
“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”
1 Hail to the Lord’s anointed,
great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free,
to take away transgression
and rule in equity.
2 He comes with rescue speedy
to those who suffer wrong,
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
were precious in his sight.
3 He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth;
and love, joy, hope, like flowers,
spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.
4 Kings shall fall down before him,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him,
his praise all people sing.
To him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Cindy Mayhugh, Assisting Minister
John Cathcart, Reader
Patrick Cathcart, Acolyte
Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 11: 3 Advent
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
1 pm Church Mice play rehearsal
Tuesday, December 13
6:30 pm Venture Scouts
Saturday, December 17
12 pm Setup for Live Nativity
3 pm Live Nativity
6 pm The Church Mice Present: “Why the Chimes Rang” (Christmas play)
Sunday, December 18: 4 Advent
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
11:45 am-7 pm Fellowship hall reserved
1 pm Church Mice play rehearsal
Monday, December 19
**Epistle articles deadline**
Tuesday, December 20
5:30 pm Confirmation
6:30 pm Church Mice play rehearsal
Thursday, December 22
6 pm Scouts BSA
Saturday, December 24
6 pm The Church Mice Present: “Why the Chimes Rang” (Christmas play)
6:45 pm Special Music
7 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Copyright Notices
Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn: Text and music by Marty Haugen © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Magnificat (Mary’s Song): Text and music by Todd Agnew © 2006 Ardent/Koala Music (Admin. by Ardent Music LLC)
We Light the Advent Candles: Text by Gracia Grindal © 1999 Hope Publishing Company.
All Earth Is Hopeful: Spanish text and tune by Alberto Taulé © 1993 and tr. © 1995 Centro de Pastoral Litúrgica, admin. OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213.
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Arr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed: Arr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.