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Fourth Saturday in Advent
December 20th, 2015
Welcome to Worship!
Children’s Christmas Service
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (LCMS), 607 N. Maguire, Warrensburg, Missouri
Rev. Joel R. Kurz, Pastor
Vicar Eamonn Ferguson
As We Gather
Have you ever wondered who wrote the Christmas carols we know and love so much?
This worship service, led in part by children of the congregation, highlights the history
and meaning of many of the familiar songs we sing at Christmas. As the story of each
song is told, we will sing and celebrate together our joy in Jesus, the newborn King!
Regarding Holy Communion Advent calls our attention to Jesus—the Word made
flesh who came among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14)—who comes to us still in
the bread of His Body and wine of His Blood in Holy Communion and will come again
on the last day. As a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we
celebrate and receive Christ’s Holy Supper for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen
our union with Him and one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His
words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and
loves us so that we might show forth his death and resurrection until He comes.
Because the Lord’s Supper is a sacred meal and confession of unity in the faith, any
who are not yet instructed or who hold a differing confession of faith and yet desire to
receive Christ’s gifts at the altar are asked first to speak with the pastor or elder.
If you will not be partaking of Communion today but would like to receive a
blessing of Christ’s peace for your life, please cross your arms over your chest as
you come forward. If communing, but certain factors prohibit you from partaking
of regular wine, non-alcoholic wine is in the center circle of each tray.
Pre-Service Music
(Please use this time for prayerful listening and preparation. Prayers can be found on the
inside cover of the hymnal and on pages 305-318. If you have a prayer request or
concern, fill out a prayer request—on the back of the pew in front of you—and an usher
will pick it up.)
Visitors: We are glad you have chosen to be with us today! We would especially like to
follow-up with you beyond today, so please take a moment to leave your best contact
information in the guest books at each entrance/exit or in the Record of Fellowship books
found on each pew. Many thanks!
Announcements
Pastoral Welcome
Prelude
Stand
Processional Hymn .......... Angels We Have Heard on High” #368 (All)
Advent Gathering
Today we light four candles. The first candle is the light of patience for those in times of
waiting. The second candle is the light of strength for those who are wearied by the
circumstances of life. The third candle is the light of joy for those eagerly watching for
Christ’s promised glory. The fourth candle is the light of hope for those who carry the
wounds of life. We see the light shining in the darkness—the Savior who came to rescue
the lost, to help the hurting, and to bind up the broken.
“Christ, Be Our Light!” ................ Words and music by Bernadette Farrell
The choir sings the verse for Advent 3, then all join on the refrain below.
Congregational refrain:
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.
Responsive Litany
P
C
P
C
Advent is the time of binding up the brokenhearted.
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For past wrongs that prevent us from moving forward:
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
P
C
P
C
P
C
For any bitterness that lingers in our soul:
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For relationships left in decay and neglect:
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For any action that has wounded us or by which we have wounded other:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, His love as we act,
and His grace as we speak.
The Advent candles are lit this time, then after an interlude, all sing the refrain.
Congregational refrain:
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.
Divine Service, Setting Two
(The verse and response portions are spoken, while the longer portions are sung.)
Confession and Absolution
The sign of the cross † may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Preparation ............................................................................................ page 167
Litany of Joy
L Sing a new song to the Lord; He has done wonderful things!
C Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
L Praise Him with songs and shouts of joy!
C Clap your hands, you rivers;
L You hills, sing together with joy before the Lord, because He comes to rule the earth.
C He will rule the people of the world with justice and fairness!
Prayer of the Day ................................. Amen.
Sit
A Meditation
The Prophecy ................... Micah 5:2-5a
Jesse Tree Ornament
Bethlehem (Micah 5:2and Luke 2:1-7)
Story and Carol .............................................................. “The First Noel” (All)
The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord,
Who hath made heav’n and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
Story and Carol .............................. “Away in a Manger” #364 (Children)
Story and Carol .................... “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #380 (All)
Story and Carol ........ “Silent Night” #363 (1 & 2 by Children, 3 by All)
A Reading from Luke 2
Story and Carol ...................... “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” #366
(1 by Children, 2-4 by All)
Story and Carol ..............................................“Joy to the World” #387 (All)
Homily ....................................................................................... “Caroling Christ”
Offering
Stand
Apostles’ Creed ............................................... inside back cover of hymnal
Prayer of the Church
P ...Lord, in Your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
Service of the Sacrament
Communion Liturgy ................................................................ pages 177-180
(All are seated during the distribution of Communion until signaled by the ushers.)
Stand
Closing Prayer........................................................................................... Amen.
Benediction ................................................................................................ Amen.
Parting Hymn ............................. “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” #386 (All)
Dismissal
Acknowledgements: Divine Service, Setting Two from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Reprinted with permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Readings next weekend:
Luke 1:5-13, 16, 59-79; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-12; Luke 2:13-14,
Matthew 2:1-11
Attendance Last Saturday: 38
Attendance Last Sunday: 125
Total Offering: $4,107.00
SOSF: $0.00
Home Use: $3,857.00
Benevolences: $230.00
Missions: $20.00
Serving us this morning:
Musicians .................................................................................................................................To be announced
Elders ....................................................................................................... Ken Hoemann & Jeremy VanWey
Offerings.........................................................................................................................................Lynn Johansen
Altar Committee .............................................. Teresa Hillsman (chair), SueAnn Carter, Lisa Gulick,
Lynn Johansen, Beryl Lindley, Sheree Moody, Judy Pierce
Flower Committee ....................................................................... Eunice Cobb (chair) and Bonnie Rich
This Week’s Schedule:
Today
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
11:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Radio Broadcast 98.5 FM
(Sermons can also be found at www.blchurch.com)
Christian Education
Children’s Christmas Service
Junior Catechesis
Strength Training
Hanging of the Greens
Bittersweet Place
Quilting
Board of Education Meeting
Advent Service
Adult Choir
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Day
Lessons and Carols
Bible Study
Prayers
In Our Prayers—We remember those who are sick, homebound, in nursing homes,
going through treatments, and recovering from hospitalization or surgery: Mike Carter,
Cindy Clendenin, Crystal Harper, Eunice Jenkins, Alice Lane, Dick & Aileen Luehrman,
Llyod McCarter, Robert Miller, George & Marilyn Mitchell, Johnny & Joan Nichol, Aaron
Pederson, Cathy Potter, Doug & Sharon Reith, Aline Snodgrass, Jason Taylor, Jane
Thurman, and Rich Vanderburgh, as well as Pr. Perry Copus (Lexington).
Prayers for Our Military—We remember our service and support personnel who are far
from home and for their families: Andy Burden, Bethany Keirans, Scott Lockard, David
Meir, and Branden Waner.
Prayers of Rejoicing for Haley Rose Clemons as she is baptized into Christ and goes
forth to grow in His grace!
Upcoming Worship Opportunities
Advent Midweek Services finish on December 23 at 7:00 p.m. Our theme will be Stir
Up the Power of Joy. Please join us for this quiet and reflective time of Holden Evening
Prayer the day before Christmas Eve.
Children’s Christmas Service—Have you ever wondered who wrote the carols we
know and love so much? Sing a Song of Christmas, a worship service led in part by the
children of our congregation, highlights the history and meaning of many of the
familiar songs we sing. Join us on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20 at 10:30
a.m., for this special service of carols and the regular celebration of Holy Communion.
Christian Education
Children’s Christmas Program Practice is from 9:10-9:40, this is a little earlier than
our usual opening so we ask you to have kiddos at church promptly as we only have 30
minutes of practice time. Our program is December 20 during Sunday service, so we
will have a final practice on 20th!
Saturday Bible Study—Join us from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room
following the evening service for a very informative DVD-based study called
“Reformation Roots.” You’ll learn a lot from leading scholars about Luther and the
various reforms in the Church.
Sunday Bible Study—Join us for the Advent/Christmas installment of an occasional
series this year called Learning from Luther. We’ll be looking at some of his carols and
hymns, followed by “Sayings in Which Luther Found Comfort.” Please join us in the
Conference Room at 9:15 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study—Join us at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room as we
continue the DVD-based study on the Apostles’ Creed and its relevance to our daily life
(which was held on Sundays this summer). This is a series of 17 weekly sessions, and
there’s still plenty to cover. We will not meet again until January 6—Epiphany Day!
Psalter at the Altar—All are welcome to gather by the altar (from 12:15 to 12:30) as
we discuss and pray one new psalm a week. We’re making our way from Psalm 106 to
150, but will pause until January 6 also.
Saturday Bulletin
Wednesday Advent Service: 7
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: 6 & 11
Saturday Worship: 5:30 p.m. Bible Study: 6:45
Christian Education: 9:15 a.m. Worship: 10:30
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
a.m.
Pastor’s Cell Phone: 660 441-5710
Vicar’s Cell Phone: 441-7767
Office: 660 747-6742
www.blchurch.com