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St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 4

th Sunday of Advent – December 22, 2019

PO Box 411

Mars, PA 16046-0411

www.stjohnchurchmars.org

Phone: 724-625-1830 email: office@stjohnchurchmars.org

Pastor’s cell: 412-585-1628 Pastor’s email: pastor@stjohnchurchmars.org

The Rev. Robert Zimmerman, Pastor

Maizy Fisher, Director of Music Ministries

“…20

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for

the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

~Matthew 11:3-5

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We welcome you to St. John Lutheran Church. We are delighted to have you worship with us this morning. Should you

have no permanent church-home in this community, why not consider making this one your own? You are most welcome

here at St. John! Most elements of our service can be found in the bulletin, everything else is in the hymnal. Page refers

to the numbered pages towards the front of the hymnal, hymns are bold and towards the back. Those who are able, please

rise when there is an *, congregational responses are in bold, and underlined elements of the service are found in the

hymnal.

HOLY COMMUNION

4th Sunday of Advent – December 22, 2019

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account

of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O

come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days

preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the

power of sin and death.

PRELUDE: The Magnificat, Holden Evening Prayer – Marty Haugen

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: ADVENT 4

Light all four candles.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.

In your Son, Emmanuel,

you have shown us your light

and saved us from the power of sin.

Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.

Increase our longing for your presence,

that at the celebration of your Son’s birth

his Spirit might dwell anew in our midst,

for he is our light and our salvation.

Blessed be God forever.

Amen.

GATHERING The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

the parent who rouses us from slumber,

the shepherd who gathers us on the holy mountain,

the deliverer who sets us free.

Amen.

Let us come before the living God in confession.

Silence is kept for reflection.

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As we wait and watch for the promised day of salvation,

We open our hearts to you, O God.

Search us and know us.

Reveal all that we keep inside.

To you, O God, we confess our sins,

known and unknown.

Forgive us, renew us,

and lead us in your ways of justice and peace.

Make us reflections of the radiant love

of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Beloved children of the Most High,

you are gathered before the righteous judge

who has mercy on all.

Splash exuberantly in the waters of baptism,

where sin is washed away in the river of life.

Dwell peacefully in the loving arms

of the one who nurtures all creation.

Go forth boldly in the assurance that your sins are forgiven

in the name of the one who is coming and is already here,

☩ Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

*GATHERING HYMN #254: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

*GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

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*KYRIE

WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders

our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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FIRST READING: Isaiah 7:10-16

A reading from Isaiah.

An Israelite and Aramean military coalition presented a serious threat to King Ahaz of Judah. In response, Ahaz decided

to secure his throne and kingdom by seeking Assyrian help. Isaiah reminds Ahaz that human attempts to establish security

will fail. The prophet gives the sign that is the only source of true safety: Immanuel, God is with us! 10

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11

Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12

But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. 13

Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David!

Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15

He shall eat curds and honey

by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16

For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and

choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 80

1. O Shepherd, like a flock you lead

Your people Israel; hear our prayer;

Enthroned upon the cherubim

In glory, shine on our despair.

2. Before Manasseh, Benjamin,

And Ephraim, Lord, grant us your grace;

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts,

And show the glory of your face.

3. How long will you be angered, Lord,

Although we kneel before your feet?

You give us bowls of tears to drink,

Provide us bread of tears to eat.

4. Our enemies laugh us to scorn,

Our neighbors witness our disgrace;

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts,

Show us the glory of your face.

5. Let your almighty hand defend

The people you have called your own;

The nation you have made so strong

That they might honor you alone.

SECOND READING: Romans 1:1-7

A reading from Romans.

Most of the Christians in Rome do not know Paul. In this letter’s opening he introduces himself as an apostle divinely

appointed to spread God’s gospel. The gospel’s content is the promised coming of Christ, and Paul’s mission is to bring

about the obedience of faith among all nations, including his Roman audience. 1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

2which he promised

beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David

according to the flesh 4and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection

from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience

of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

*GOSPEL READING: Matthew 1: 18-25

The holy gospel according to Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth focuses on the role of Joseph, who adopts the divinely-begotten child into the family of

David and obediently gives him the name Jesus, which means “God saves.” 18

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph,

but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19

Her husband Joseph, being a

righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20

But just when he had

resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to

take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21

She will bear a son, and you are to name

him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22

All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord

through the prophet:

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“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.”24

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he

took her as his wife, 25

but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S SERMON

SERMON

*HYMN OF THE DAY #631: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

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CREED

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,*

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Keeping awake as we watch for Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

Hear your church, O God, as we pray for all who belong to Jesus Christ. Where the church is scorned, preserve it; where

the church is privileged, grant it humility. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear your earth, O God, as we pray for its healing and care. Protect the grapevine and the mighty cedar, the mountains

and seas and all that is in them. Give life, that all life may call on your name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear the nations, O God, as we pray for those who hold power and authority over people and lands. Help those who create

and uphold good laws and those working to reform what is unjust, that the world might better reflect your grace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear those in need, O God, as we pray for all who face uncertainty: refugees and immigrants, those who are imprisoned,

and those without work, housing, food, or health care. Bring good news to all in need of hope. We pray especially for

Wanda Jean, Sally, Chuck, Henry, Harry, Roy, Ruth, Pastor Storm, Bill, Grace, Ellen. For those on our prayer list, and all

whom we remember aloud or in our hearts. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear this community of faith, O God, as we pray for families and friends who gather in this season, for travelers and

hosts, and for those who will work or serve others this Christmas. Let the peace of Emmanuel, God-with-us, shine in

every heart. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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Hear all who mourn, O God, as we remember the lives of our beloved dead. Encourage the living to learn from our

ancestors in faith as we follow your call. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You hear the cries of our hearts, O Lord. Fill us with hopeful expectation, that in each day and hour we may love and

serve our neighbors, in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

*PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY HYMN #265: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

Please stand for the final verse.

MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

*OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Giver of every good thing, we set before you the gifts that you have already given to sustain our lives and to share with

others. Help us to be good stewards of the earth and all that is in it, and let our lives be a testimony to the abundant feast

you prepare for all who hunger.

Amen.

*GREAT THANKSGIVING

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 our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

through our Savior Jesus Christ.

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 to judge the world in righteousness.

And so, with all the choirs of angels,

with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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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 prophet’s 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:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

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.

Come, Lord Jesus.

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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 light.

Bring the gift of peace on earth.

Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours,

Holy One of Israel,

Word of God Incarnate,

Power of the Most High,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

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

Come now with joy to Emmauel’s table.

Feast at the banquet of hope and love.

In response to Jesus’ invitation, all are welcome to come forward and experience the real presence of Christ in the bread

and wine of communion. Through this meal, we know forgiveness, life and salvation as the blessings of God’s sacramental

grace. All are invited forward for communion or a blessing. The area of cups bordered by green tape has grape juice.

Gluten free wafers are available.

COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you.

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Amen.

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COMMUNION SONG : Lamb of God

COMMUNION HYMN #295: Of the Father's Love Begotten

*POST-COMMUNION BLESSING

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in grace.

Amen.

*POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us pray.

God of abundance,

we give you thanks in this holy meal

you have invited us to feast with you and one another.

May the taste of your love remain with us,

and may our words and our work in your name

invite others into your bountiful grace.

Send us from your table to proclaim your presence,

even as we await the glorious coming of Christ our Savior.

Amen.

SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

*BLESSING

May God, who gathers us in love,

lead you in pathways of righteousness and justice.

May God, who knows us more deeply than we know ourselves,

lead you in pathways of forgiveness and freedom.

May God, who fills us with good things,

lead you in pathways of equity and abundance.

The blessing of the Holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

be upon you and remain with you forever.

Amen.

*SENDING SONG #267: Joy to the World

*DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Live in love as Christ loved us.

Thanks be to God.

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POSTLUDE: Festival Postlude – Berthold Tours, arr. George Blake

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Carol Zimmerman – Organist

8:00 am 10:30 am

Assisting Minister: Christine Dishong Assisting Minister: Denise Hager

Communion Assistant: Communion Assistant:

Lector: Lector:

Usher: Robert Dishong Usher: Leikauf’s

Attendance Last Week: 50

Attendance Last Year: 59

Weekly Budgeted Expense: $ 3,362.64

YTD Budgeted Expenses: $ 171,464.52

YTD Actual Expense: $ 163,866.21

From Sundays and Seasons.com.

Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All

rights reserved. Reprinted by permission

under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual

License #39383. New Revised Standard

Version Bible, copyright 1989.

Last Week’s General Giving: $ 4,188.29*

Last Week’s Designated Giving: $ 196.04 **

2019 YTD General Giving: $ 177,419.38 2019 YTD Designated Giving: $ 59,955.71

2019 YTD Receipts: $ 237,375.09

Special items included in totals: *Funeral Luncheon $ 200.00

*VBS Reinbursement $ 738.59

**Benevolence $ 171.04

**Food Bank $ 25.00