The Service in PDF format is at: December 12, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Dan Johnson
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Haley Bentsen, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Aaron Bentsen, Oscar Gutbrod, Reese Grube, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd
Today, December 12, 2021
Musician Karen Motlok & Karyn Stanley
Ushers Tim & Trudy Ewing
Flowers
Fellowship Lindy Young & Maggie Baker
THEME
Have you noticed the pink candle for this Third Sunday in Advent? The festive, joyful, pink candle reflects today’s Readings, which begin to anticipate the joy that Jesus’ birth brings. We do many joyful things during Advent. We sing Christmas carols, bake cookies, decorate our homes inside and out, and travel far and wide to visit those we love. Yet all these joyful things point to an even greater joy – the joy that comes by the Creator of the universe, the Lord almighty, who loves you, forgives you in Jesus, and cares about you beyond human measure!
RINGING OF THE BELL
INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Lighting OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Pastor: On the four Sundays in Advent, we light a new candle each week. We mark the four candles with these four words: hope, peace, joy, and love. Jesus Christ is the hope of all nations.
People: We wait for the Lord, and in His Word do we hope.
The third candle is lit during the Advent Song.
ADVENT SONG “My Soul in Stillness Waits”
People: For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits; truly my hope is in you.
Pastor: O Root of Life, im-plant your seed with-in us, and in your ad-vent, draw us all to you, our hope re-born in dy-ing and in ris-ing.
People: For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits; truly my hope is in you.
Pastor: We don’t always rejoice in the Lord as Psalm 146 asks us to do. During our time of confession, we admit our sins to God and one another. We also count on God to restore joy to our lives through the forgiveness He offers in Jesus.
Silence for reflection
Pastor: We confess to You, O Lord, that we are captive to sin in thought, word, and deed. We have wandered from you. Our wonderings have at times turned into doubts that drew us away from You.
People: Remember Your mercy, O Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Pastor: Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
People: according to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O Lord!
… HEARING GOD’S FORGIVENESS
Pastor: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
PRAISE SONG “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
Text: Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933, Arr. from Ludwig van Beethoven 1770-1827, adapt.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Hail Thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the gloom of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain,
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
All who live in love are Thine:
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the Joy Divine.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Pastor: Let us pray. Lord Jesus, You caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, the possessed to be free, the dead to be raise.
People: You promise to raise us to new life.
Pastor: You are the One who alone can answer all our wonderings.
People: You alone are the Way to an abundant life.
Pastor: Fill us with the joy that comes from you alone
People: that our lives may radiate Your joy in this broken world;
Pastor: for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament: Zephaniah 3:14-20
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.
Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 7:18-28
18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ ”
21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.
22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.
23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” 24 When John’s messengers had gone, 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?
25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You O Christ.
SERMON SONG “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice”
Text: Latin & German, 14th cent.; tr. Arthur T. Russell, 1806-74, alt. Tune: German, 14th cent.; setting: Richard w. Hillert, b. 1923, alt. Text and Tune: Public Domain.
Now sing we, now rejoice,
Now raise to heav’n our voice;
He from whom joy streameth
Poor in a manger lies;
Not so brightly beameth
The sun in yonder skies.
Thou my Savior art!
Thou my Savior art!
Come from on high to me;
I cannot rise to thee.
Cheer my wearied spirit,
O pure and holy Child;
Through Thy grace and merit,
Blest Jesus, Lord most mild,
Draw me unto Thee!
Draw me unto Thee!
Now through His Son doth shine
The Father’s grace divine.
Death was reigning o’er us
Through sin and vanity
Till He opened for us
A bright eternity.
May we praise Him there!
May we praise Him there!
Oh, where shall joy be found?
Where but on heav’nly ground?
Where the angels singing
With all His saints unite,
Sweetest praises bringing
In heav’nly joy and light,
Oh, that we were there!
Oh, that we were there!
SERMON
People: 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.
Pastor: As we prepare our hearts and minds for Christ’s coming, we turn to the Lord in prayer.
Pastor: O Wisdom from on high, lead us by your Spirit to rejoice in all that You have done to demonstrate Your love for us. Move all the people to rejoice in the Lord always. We pray,
People: hear us, coming Lord.
Pastor: O Desire of nations, bless the leaders of nations, our president and Congress, our governors and local leaders. Move all leaders to cease envy and boastfulness, injustice and corruption. Guide our leaders to be honorable people who do not neglect the poor and who strive toward the flourishing of all human beings. Bless those who serve in our armed forces and lift up refugees and all victims of war. Bring peace between us and our enemies and let Your peace reign over this broken world. We pray,
People: hear us, coming Lord.
Pastor: O Dayspring from on high, come to the aid of all who are in need. As You humbly entered this world as a vulnerable baby, help all of us to enter humbly the lives of those who are sick, facing surgery, or dying, to offer comfort and hope, [especially…]. Bring healing according to Your will and peace to those whose suffering endures. Thank You for the work of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who work toward healing and restoration of wholeness. Guide scientists searching for cures for diseases that bring suffering to the world that their work might lead to healing for many. We pray,
People: hear us, coming Lord.
Pastor: O Key of David, let Your joy, forgiveness, and peace flow freely in and among the families of this congregation. Empower parents and grandparents to love their children and children to love their parents. Watch over all who travel and comfort families who are separated by many miles. Guide families to be places where Your love is demonstrated to strangers as well as to friends. We pray,
People: hear us, coming Lord.
Pastor: You, O Lord, know the thoughts of our hearts and hear those prayers that come to You in sighs too deep for words. All our prayers we entrust to You in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
People: Amen.
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
Pastor: The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give + you peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING SONG “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854, alt. Tune: Henry T. Smart, 1813-1879
Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Once you sang creation’s story;
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Chorus: Come and worship,
come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light.
Chorus
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
You have seen his natal star.
Chorus
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One.
Chorus
Pastor: Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
Vina Moses Donations. The Vina Moses Center provides relief and builds resilience in underserved communities in Benton County. Peace is again supporting this mission during this holiday season and Sunday. Today, December 12, is the final day to bring donations for Vina Moses. The gift sheets are attached to the windows in the narthex. For more information, please contact George Abele or Todd Muhly.
Advent Services. Our final Advent midweek service is this Wednesday, December 15, at 7:00pm. We will be following the Holden Evening Prayer format.
Red Cross Blood Drive. We have a Red Cross Blood Drive on December 22nd. Celebrate Christmas with the lifesaving gift of a blood donation, or support the event with treats (small oranges, homemade cookies, bananas) for the donors, and prayers for a successful blood drive.
church Council. The church council will meet this Tuesday, December 14, at 7:00pm.
Eat, chat, pray. The eat, chat, pray meetings are every Wednesday at 7:30am in the fellowship hall. Please note, they will not meet on December 22nd or 29th.
Holiday Service Schedule
Dec 15 – Advent Midweek Service. Holden Evening Prayer – 7:00pm
Dec 19 – Communion Service in the Sanctuary – 11:00
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion – 7:00pm
Dec 26 – Worship Service in Sanctuary at 10:00
** Note the time change **
Dec 31 – Hymn Sing and celebration of the New Year.
Jan 2 – Communion Service in the Sanctuary – 10:00
** Note the time change **