The Service in PDF format is at: December 8, 2024 Service

Video of service is at: YouTube

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.

Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.

Serving You

Pastor                                                                          Pastor Jeremy Lucke

Music Director                                                             Colleen Schulze

Choir Director                                                              Diane Crocker

Supt. Of Sunday School                                              Anne Schroeder & Karyn Stanley

Admin Assistant                                                          Daniel Dusek

Parish Nurse                                                                Kathy Durling

Webmaster                                                                 Jim Holroyd

Audio-Visual     Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek

Praise Team      Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl

Today, December 8, 2024

Musician                                                                  Colleen Schulze

Reader                                                                     Lindy Young

Flowers                                                                    Lindy Young 

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

THEME

Mark Twain is sometimes attributed with the quote “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done the day after tomorrow just as well.” Though a humorous take on the problem of procrastination, there is a reality to the fact that we often are people who put things off until later, or even until it is too late. Thankfully, procrastinating is not an attribute of the one true God! As we focus on the Epistle from Philippians 1, we are reminded that the Lord always completes what He begins at His time.

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME & Announcements

CHORAL ANTHEM            “We Will Know Him”

By: Don Besig and Nancy Price

Are we ready for the Babe of Bethlehem

to be born in a lowly stall?

Are we ready to greet the tiny little King

who will come to save us all?

Are we ready for the star of Bethlehem

to appear in the winter sky?

Are we ready to follow anywhere it leads,

and let its light fill all our lives?

.

Prepare ye the way for the King of Glory,

once again proclaim the wonderous story.

God will send His own true Son,

but will we know Him when He comes?

.

Are we ready for the song of Bethlehem

to declare our Savior’s birth?

Are we ready to join the angels as they sing,

and spread the news to all on earth?

.

Prepare ye the way for the King of Glory,

once again proclaim the wonderous story.

God will send His own true Son,

but will we know Him when He comes?

.

Are we ready for the Babe of Bethlehem,

God’s true and promised Son?

Are we ready to greet the tiny little King

and will we know Him when He comes?

Will we know Him when He comes?

INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:  In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

People:  Amen. 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Leader:  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 gives the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

The first and second candles are lit during the Advent Song

ADVENT SONG:         “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

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.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to Thee, O Israel!

.

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.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to Thee, O Israel!

WE CONFESS OUR SIN…

Leader:  Our help is in the name of the Lord,

People: who made heaven and earth.

Leader: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

People: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

Leader:  Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in God’s infinite mercy. 

~~~~~ Silence for reflection ~~~~~

Leader:  Heavenly Father,   

People:  Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

…HEARING GOD’S FORGIVENESS

Leader:  Jesus not only comes as an infant at Christmas and in glory at His return, but He also comes to you in words of forgiveness and life.  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.   

SERVICE OF THE WORD

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Leader:  Let us pray. You are in our midst, mighty to save.

People:  You rejoice over us as our loving Father.

Leader:  When we wonder if Jesus is truly the One,

People:  You come to us in Your Word and refresh our souls.

Leader:  When we wander from You,

People:  You remain strong and never give up on us, coming to us again and again.

Leader:  Fill us with Your peace, that our lives radiate Your goodness to all the world;

People:  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Epistle:                     Philippians 1:2-11

Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Reader:  This is the Word of the Lord.

People:  Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Lesson:              Matthew 24:37-44

Are you ready?

37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,

39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Leader:  This is the Gospel of the Lord. 

People:  Praise to You, O Christ.  

Children’s Message

SERMON SONG:             “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”

Edmund Hamilton Sears & Richard Storrs Willis; © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold:

“Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From heav’n’s all gracious King”;

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

.

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heav’nly music floats

O’er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hov’ring wing,

And ever, o’er its Babel sounds,

The blessed angels sing.

.

All you, beneath your heavenly load,

By care and guilt bent low,

Who toil along a dreary way

With painful steps and slow:

Look up, for golden is the hour,

Come swiftly on the wing,

The Prince was born to bring you peace;

Of Him the angels sing.

.

For lo! The days are hast’ning on,

By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years

Shall come the time foretold,

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And all the world give back the song

Which now the angels sing.

Sermon

“Are You Ready?”

Pastor Jeremy Lucke

Part 1

Part 2

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

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.

OFFERING

We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.

OFFERTORY

THE PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Leader:  As we prepare our hearts and minds for Christ’s coming, we turn to the Lord in prayer.

~~~~~ A brief time of silence ~~~~~

Leader:  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.

Leader:  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.

Leader:  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.

Leader:  Into Your hands, Lord Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your ever-present mercy. 

People:  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

CLOSING BLESSING

Leader:  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 HYMN:              “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn king;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful, all you nations, rise;

Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn king.”

.

Christ, by highest heav’n adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the God-head see!

Hail, incarnate deity!

Pleased as man with us to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn king.”

.

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the sun of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Ris’n with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that we no more may die,

Born to raise each child of earth,

Born to give us second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn king.

Dismissal

Leader:  Go in peace! Serve the Lord!

People:  Thanks be to God!

POST-SERVICE MUSIC

Announcements

DECORATING THE TREE. Did you notice the Christmas tree in the sanctuary today? There is one step needed for the tree. We need to decorate it! We’ll be gathering right after service today to decorate the tree with lights and ornaments. Consider staying a little longer to help us out. Grab some hot chocolate too! Thank you to all who helped decorate the inside and the outside of the church for Christmas! 

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM and FELLOWSHIP NEXT WEEK. Next Sunday is one of our favorite services of the year! The children and youth will be presenting a Christmas program. Please consider bringing some finger foods or easy to eat treats (such as cookies) to fellowship next week following the program. 

HOLY COMMUNION NOTE. Holy Communion will be offered in Sunday, December 22’s, service. Next week (December 15) will be the Children’s Christmas program. Peace typically offers communion on the first and third Sundays of the month–but this month will be the first and fourth Sundays. 

BLOOD DRIVE. In partnership with the Red Cross, Peace is hosting another blood drive on Friday, December 13. The drive is from noon to 5 pm. There are still many donation times available. Also–please consider sharing a treat or cookie for the donors. Cookies and treats can be dropped off on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Thank you! 

Midweek Advent WORSHIP. All are welcome to join us for Peace’s midweek Advent worship on December 11 and 18. The order of worship is Holden Evening Prayer–a blessed tradition of our church. We gather at 6 pm and the service is no longer than 40 minutes. 

INTERGENERATIONAL BIBLE STUDY. We’ll be switching things up for the adult and children’s Bible Study on Sunday, December 22. Everyone will join together in the fellowship hall at 9:00 am as we’ll learn more about each other and the season of Christmas we are sharing together as a church family.