Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2017

10:30 a.m.

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ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Firelands Lutherans Active in Mission (FLAMe)

503 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 625-2112 email: zionelc@zionsandusky.org website: www.zionsandusky.org

Pastor Eric L. Bodenstab Carolyn Steinfeldt, ELCA Deacon Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017 – 10:30 a.m. Worship

Introduction to the Day

God keeps the promise made to David, to give him an everlasting throne. The angel tells

Mary that God will give David’s throne to her son Jesus. She is perplexed by Gabriel’s

greeting and by the news of her coming pregnancy, but she is able still to say, “Count me

in.” We who know that Jesus is called king only as he is executed still find it a mystery

hard to fathom, but with Mary today we hear the news of what God is up to and say,

“Count us in.”

GATHERING

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE: Veni Emmanuel Robert Powell

Please stand.

CONFESSIONS 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.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned

against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we

have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved

our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on

us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and

walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

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In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God

forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by

his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name

of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

GATHERING SONG: (ELW 257) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

GREETING (ELW p.138)

KYRIE (ELW p. 138)

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

We praise you, O God, for this wheel of time that marks our days of preparation for

Christ’s advent. As we light the candles on this wreath, open our eyes to see your presence

in the lowly ones of this earth. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may sing of your

advent among us in the Word made flesh. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose

coming is certain and whose day draws near.

Amen.

CANDLE LIGHTING HYMN: Prepare the Royal Highway (ELW 264 verse 4)

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 would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear

your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Please be seated.

WORD

SENIOR CHOIR An Advent Prayer Al Pote

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Instead of David building a house (temple) for the Lord, the Lord promises to establish

David’s house (dynasty) forever. Centuries later, after the Babylonian exile, no king sat on

the throne. Even then, however, the people of Israel remembered this promise and

continued to hope for a king, the messiah, the Lord’s anointed. The reading concludes:

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A reading from 2 Samuel: 1Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his

enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a

house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all

that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.” 4But that same night the word of

the LORD came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the

one to build me a house to live in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up

the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a

tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak

a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people

Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8Now therefore thus you

shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture,

from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9and I have been with you

wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for

you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place

for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be

disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time

that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your

enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 16Your

house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be

established forever. Word of God, word of life.

Thanks be to God.

HYMN: (ELW 723) Canticle of the Turning

SECOND READING: Romans 16:25-27

Paul closes his letter to the Romans by praising God because in the proclamation of the

gospel of Jesus Christ God has revealed the promised, divine plan of salvation for all

humanity. Paul proclaims this gospel of Christ in order to bring about the obedience of faith

among all nations.

A reading from Romans: 25Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation

of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long

ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the

Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of

faith—27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. Word of God, word of life.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand for the reading of the gospel.

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The holy gospel according to Luke

Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL: Luke 1:26-38

In this annunciation, Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people

(Mary) from little known places (Nazareth). This king will not be born to royalty in a

palace, but to common folk in a stall. Here Luke highlights the role of the Spirit, a special

emphasis in his gospel. 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called

Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The

Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of

greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found

favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will

name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the

Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of

Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can

this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be

holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has

also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For

nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the

Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

SERMON

Please stand.

HYMN OF THE DAY (ELW 265) The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

HOLY BAPTISM

PRESENTATION

In baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the

death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the

church, the body of Christ. Living with Christ and in the communion of saints, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.

Sponsors for each candidate, in turn, present the candidates:

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I present name for baptism.

The presiding minister addresses candidates who are able to answer for themselves: Name , called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to be

baptized into Christ? Each candidate responds: I do.

The presiding minister addresses parents or others who bring for baptism children who are

not able to answer for themselves: Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have your

children baptized into Christ? Response: I do.

As you bring your children to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with

responsibilities: to live with them among God's faithful people,

teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,

place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer,

so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed,

care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.

Do you promise to help your children grow in the Christian faith and life? Response: I do.

The presiding minister addresses sponsors:

Sponsors, do you promise to nurture these persons in the Christian faith as you are

empowered by God's Spirit, and to help them live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church?

Response: I do.

The presiding minister addresses the assembly:

People of God, do you promise to support name/s and pray for them in their new life in Christ?

We do.

Please stand.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

Response: I renounce them.

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

Response: I renounce them.

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Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? Response: I renounce them.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and 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 catholic church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by

your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family, and through the sea you led your

people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of Jesus' death and resurrection you set us

free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you. Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism

may be given new life. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

Please be seated.

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BAPTISM

Name , I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give

your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life. Sustain name with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit

of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.

Name , child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross

of Christ forever. Amen.

WELCOME

A lighted candle may be given to each of the newly baptized (to a sponsor of a young

child) as a representative of the congregation says: Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your

Father in heaven.

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Let us welcome the newly baptized. We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share:

join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Please be seated.

MEAL

OFFERTORY: Veni Emmanuel Wilbur Held

Please stand.

OFFERTORY HYMN (ELW 239 verse 4) Hark, the Glad Sound!

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Let us pray. Savior of the nations, come. Make your home here in us. Feed us with your

love, that our faith shine ever new and our lives reveal your light.

Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

DIALOGUE (ELW p. 144)

PREFACE

SANCTUS (ELW p. 144)

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE (ELW p. 145)

Please be seated.

Holy One, the beginning and the end… Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

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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.

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.

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.

LORD’S PRAYER (ELW p. 145)

DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

LAMB OF GOD (ELW p. 146)

COMMUNION HYMN (ELW 247) Come Now, O Prince of Peace

Please stand

POST COMMUNION CANTICLE

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Attendance/Offering

December 16-17th (317) General Fund Offering received $6,536.00

Midweek General Fund Offering received $720.00

Weekly budgeted amount $7,480.77 - Total General Fund amount received $7,256.00

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us pray. God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we

share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be

your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SENDING

BLESSING

May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before

your path. Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

Amen.

SENDING SONG (ELW 267) Joy to the World

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Remember the poor.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE: Veni Emmanuel Rudolf Moser

From Sundaysandseasoms.com Copyright © 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress LiturgiesAnnual License #SAS000001. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989,

Worship leaders today are:

Presiding Minister: Rev. Dr. Eric Bodenstab Assisting Minister: Carolyn Steinfeldt, ELCA Deacon

Organist: Ron Borchardt

Senior Choir Director: Ron Albert Acolyte: Antonyio Tackett

Lector: Carol Albert Children’s Message: Marjorie Burton

Prayers of the People: Judy Mears Serving Bread: Carolyn Steinfeldt, ELCA Deacon

Communion Assistants: Lyle Marquardt & Suzanne Jeffrey Sound Board: Tim Kostel & Andrew Castello

Ushers: Dean & Karen Slater, George & Betty Bickley, and Chet Leser Gathering Hosts: Ron & Carol Albert

Greeter: Al & Juanita Mitchell Altar Guild: Cindy Schwab

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At the 10:30 worship service, Zion welcomes into the family of faith through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism: TaJon Ezekiel Rohrbacher, son of Shelby Lynn rohrbacher. TaJon’s baptismal sponsors are Scott & Connie Bower.

Please leave your poinsettia in the sanctuary until after the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Christmas Day. If you want your poinsettia and do not pick it up after the Christmas Day service, you can pick it up when

the office opens again on the 27th. Also, please do not take the stands that the poinsettias are displayed on.

Thank you!

Wishing Everyone A Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

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Poinsettias-In honor of:

Our grandchildren, Noah, Lila , Jude, and Balian – Grandma & Grandpa Meyers Our Loving Parents, Harold & Barbara Baaske – Debbie, Pam, Vicki, Kim, Harold, & Amy Our wonderful Grandparents, Harold & Barbara Baaske – Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren To the Glory of God – Bill & Jean Bossetti Dan & Linda Bertsch’s 40th Anniversary – Justin, Sally, & Lily Hayley Livingston – Kathleen Shuck & Jim Kluding My Nieces – Elaine Conley Our Mom, Joan Mears – Laurie, Dave, & Steve Cora Bahnsen – Ronnie & Tricia

Poinsettias - In memory of:

Our Parents, Mr & Mrs. Carlton Meyers & Mrs. Geraldine Schippel-

Dean & Kathleen Meyers

Our Parents – Ed & Sylvia Gembka

My Beloved Parents, Lester & Kathryn Nemitz- Sandra Kieffer

My Beloved Husband, Ralph Kieffer- Sandra Kieffer

In Loving Memory of Janet Mapus-Tiffany, Brian, & Riley McCord

My Husband, Jim Wyatt –Barb Wyatt

Alfred Weller, Betty Weller, & Michael Weller-The Weller, Elk, Roth, & Laser Families Roy Jr. & Mickey Patterson – Roy & Joyce

The Stancl Family – Tim & Joanna Kostel

Bud Kaufman – Barbara Kaufman

Parents, Mardell & Frank Hartman – Jean Wieber

My Husband, Gale J. Leimbach – Joyce Leimbach

My Parents and Many Loved Ones – Joyce Leimbach

Francis E. Wright – Michael & Hope Bailey

Clayton & Jean Bailey – Michael & Hope Bailey

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My Wife, Linda Brunow – Richard Brunow

Dan Baker – Richard Brunow

Nick Baker – Richard Brunow

My Parents – Richard Brunow

My Husband Don and Our Son, Danny – Pauline Druckenmiller

Our Dads: Norman Steinert & Donald Albert – Ron & Carol Albert

Mom, Helen Steinert – Ron & Carol Albert

Our Loving Mother, Lois Ardner – Tim & Becky Brown & Beth Busdicker

Our Loving Mother, Jean Brown – Tim & Becky Brown

Our Loving Brother, Bill Busdicker – Tim & Becky Brown & Beth Busdicker

Infant, Diane Toft, Daughter of – Jim & Jeanette Toft

Dean Reichenbach – Linda Reichenbach

My Mother, Gladys Nims – Her Daughter, Joan Gibbins

My Husband Gil Gibbins – His Wife, Joan

All Of Our Loved Ones-Denny & Kathy Joiner

My Mom, Irene Ebner-Lyle Marquardt

My Wife, Sherry-Lyle Marquardt

Loved Ones – Carol Steuk

Our Parents, Brother, Loved Ones – Don & Cheryl Weichel

Loved Ones – Marj Burton

Marcia Kluding – Jim Kluding & Family Florence Reis-Kathleen Rudiger

My Dad, John Minier – Lisa Minier

Lucille Bodenstab – Eric, Erin & Althea Bodenstab

Loved Ones – Mr. & Mrs. George Haws & Family

Our Sister, Peggy Nejedly – Her Sisters

Our Mother, Lela Fultz – Her Daughters & Sons-In-Law

My Parents and Grandparents – Elaine Conley

Our Dad, Jim Mears – Laurie, Dave, & Steve

David Jonas – Daddy & Grandma Jonas

Barbara Nickle – Ron, Ronnie, & Tricia

Art Veleba – “The Patricks”, Cindy & Ted and grandchildren Elizabeth, J.T. &

Jennifer

Our Parents, Carl & Severia (Bee) Wiedeman- Wayne & Donna Yontz Our Parents, Albert & Helen Yontz- Wayne & Donna Yontz & Janice Casanova

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Christmas Memorials - In memory of:

In loving memory of Janet Mapus-Tiffany, Brian, & Riley McCord

Robert & Sally Monroe and Jay & Genevieve Harris – Jeff & Lori Harris

My Husband, Jim Mears – Joni Mears

Albert, Marian, and Ron Fox-Joe & Kathy Loris

Lois Olds – Don & Judy McEowen

Mr. & Mrs. George McEowen – Don & Judy McEowen

Loved Ones – Len & Susan Klohn and Family

In Loving Memory of George & Anna Hoehne & Their Son George Jr. –

John & Lyn Parker

Parents/Grandparents - Fenton & Rita McGookey-Len & Susan Klohn,

Fred & Martha Thompson, & Families.

My Wonderful Husband Ron – Laura Pearson

My Parents, Harold & Fran Mitchell – Their Daughter, Carla

Pam Lindsley, Pastor Bauerle, Verlin Eash, & Pastor Marv Miller – Carla Mitchell

Rolland Bertsch – Carla Mitchell

My Beloved Mother, Claudine “Zimmie” Zimmerman – Peggy Lazzara

Loved Ones – Gene & Mary Anne Lenhart

Robert Helfrich – Kathleen Helfrich

Ronald Fox – His Wife, Linda

Loved Ones – Linda Fox

Marvin C. (Butch) Evans – Janet Evans & Family

Jim, Jack, & Don (USCG Buddies) – Charles & Kit David

Denise David Wells, Beloved Daughter – Mom & Dad

Rev. Ted Stellhorn, Long Time Friend – Charles & Kit David

My Husband, Gale J. Leimbach – Joyce Leimbach

Loved Ones – Barbara Kaufman

Our Parents, Dick & Ruth Bevington and Merle & Betty Hegg –

Rich & Mary Ann Bevington

Our Niece, Angi Hegg Bronemann – Rich & Mary Ann Bevington

Our Family – Maury & Betty Bragg

Mom & Dad – Kay Thompson

My Loved Ones – Phyllis Tucker

Florence Reis – Kathleen E. Rudiger

Loved Ones – Jack & Lou Toft

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Jim Warner – Carolyn & Family

Ione Ramm – Karen Lavine

My Parents, Frank & Lillian Lavine – Karen Lavine

Leo Castello – John Castello

Marsha Castello – John Castello

Howard Surratt – John Castello

Elizabeth Surratt – John Castello

In Loving Memory of William Wobser Jr. – William III & Lori Wobser

Christmas Memorials - In honor of:

My Zion Senior Choir Family – Martha Thompson

Zion Choir, Past & Present Members– Carla Mitchell

My Church Family – Carla Mitchell

Julie Kessler – Vicki Boesch

God Daughter, Karen Mears – Joni Mears

Jennifer & Anthony Mitchell – Jeff & Lori Harris

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