Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dec.19, 2021 – 10:30 am
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and the blessed virgin Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the church always lives as when in the holy communion—with high delight—“we proclaim the Lord’s death.”
A Companion in the Waiting
It is possible that not everyone who found out Mary was pregnant was as supportive as her cousin Elizabeth in our reading today. Since receiving the angel’s message, Mary likely felt uncertain, worried, scared, and alone plenty of times. So, when she visited her cousin Elizabeth and received Elizabeth’s blessing in words that echoed the angel Gabriel’s announcement, it must have been comforting to Mary. Hearing Elizabeth’s words of affirmation was a reminder to Mary that she was not alone in her journey and that God really was at work in her life.
At one point or another, we all need a reminder like this in our lives. It is not always easy to recognize God’s presence or to see just how God is at work in and through us. And sometimes much waiting is required until we see the fulfillment of God’s promises. That’s why we need people in our lives who will believe with us when we feel less than certain, walk with us through uncharted terrain, and support and pray for us along our journey.
Our gospel presents us with two unlikely mothers. Their experiences remind us that knowing God is with us—and even that we have received God’s favor—does not mean our lives will be without hardship. We will still encounter challenges, experience grief, and have our hearts broken. But it does mean that in our waiting, and in our struggles, we are not alone. Through those who wait with us, and through the promise of Advent, we are reminded that Emmanuel is here, and has been with us all along.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In remembrance of their baptism, all may make the sign of the cross.
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.
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, nd 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 – “Come Emmanuel”
O Beloved, all-creating God.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, grieving for us God.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, come to court us God.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, we to us, O God.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O Beloved, Word made flesh, we cry.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, dwell with us, we cry.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, full of grace, we cry.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, grace on grace, we cry.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O Beloved, hear us night and day.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, seek us night and day.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, hide us night and day.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
O Beloved, wake us night and day.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
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.
KYRIE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord,
Lord have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen, amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power,
Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING Micah 5:2-5a
The prophet Micah, having pronounced judgment upon Judah, speaks of a future shepherd- king who, like David, will come from the small town of Bethlehem. (Ephrathah refers to the area around Bethlehem.) This king will restore Israel and bring peace. New Testament writers understood this passage to be referring to Jesus.
A reading from the book of Micah.
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Hebrews 10:5-10
The author of Hebrews uses the image of religious sacrifice to convey the significance of Christ’s coming. Through obedient acceptance of God’s will, Christ allows his own body to be- come the greatest sacrifice of all, one through which we are made a holy people.
A reading from the book of Hebrews.
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]
Elizabeth, John’s mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, are two women filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. In Elizabeth’s inspired greeting and Mary’s song of praise we hear of a saving God who remembers, scatters, lifts up, and fulfills all things.
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” [And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”]
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
YOUTH MESSAGE
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.
Advent Week 1 – November 28 – Verse 1
Advent Week 2 – December 5 – Verse 1, 2
Advent Week 3 – December 12 – Verse 1, 2, 3
Advent Week 4 – December 19 – Verse 1, 2, 3, 4
- Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
- Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, gently lead them homeward.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
- Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
Lift your heads, and lift high the gateway for the king of glory.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
- Light four candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He is coming, tell the glad tidings. Let your lights be shining!
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
MESSAGE -Don Bennett
HYMN OF THE DAY – “My Soul Magnifies the Lord”
Good news of great joy
For every woman every man,
This will be a sign to you:
A baby born in Bethlehem,
Come and worship, do not be afraid.
A company of angels,
Glory in the highest
And on the earth a peace among
Those on whom His favor rests.
Come and worship, do not be afraid.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord,
My soul magnifies the Lord;
He has done great things for me,
Great things for me.
Unto you a child is born,
Unto us a Son is given.
Let every heart prepare His throne,
Let every nation under Heaven
Come and worship, do not be afraid.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord,
My soul magnifies the Lord;
He has done great things for me,
Great things for me.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord,
My soul magnifies the Lord;
He has done great things for me,
Great things for me.
Of His government there will be no end,
He’ll establish it with His righteousness,
And He shall reign on David’s throne,
And His name shall be from this day on
Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father
Wonderful Counselor.
And His name shall be Everlasting Father!
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
He has done great things for us,
He has done great things for us.
He has done great things for us,
He has done great things for us.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord,
My soul magnifies the Lord;
He has done great things for me,
Great things for me.
My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord,
My soul magnifies the Lord;
He has done great things for me,
Great things for me.
He has done great things!
He has done great things!
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
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.
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. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
In this season of watching and waiting, let us pray for all people and places that yearn for God’s presence.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of new life, you come among us in the places we least expect. Receive these prayers and those of our hearts, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
DIALOGUE
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:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
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.
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.
Amen, amen, 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 to Christ’s banquet. Feast on God’s gift of grace.
Amen.
LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMN – “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descending
comes full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way;
as the Light of light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes, the pow’rs of hell to vanquish,
as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
“Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
HOLY COMMUNION
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Each person may respond: Amen.
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you always in his grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Most High God,
you have come among us at this table. By the Spirit’s power, form us to be bearers of your word, sharing gifts of mercy and grace with all, through Christ Jesus, our host and our guest. Amen.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN – “Savior of the Nations, Come”
Savior of the nations, come;
virgin’s son, make here your home.
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth:
God has chosen such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood,
but the mystic Breath of God,
was the Word of God made flesh,
fruit of woman, blossom fresh.
Wondrous birth—oh, wondrous child—
from his throne, a virgin mild!
Very God, and Mary’s son,
eager now his race to run!
From God’s heart the Savior speeds,
back to God his pathway leads;
out to vanquish death’s command,
back to reign at God’s right hand.
Now your manger, shining bright,
hallows night with newborn light.
Night cannot this light subdue;
let our faith shine ever new.
Praise we sing to Christ the Lord,
virgin’s son, incarnate Word!
To the holy Trinity
praise we sing eternally!
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is near.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah, thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD
Upcoming Commemorations
Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, died 1552
Monday, December 20, 2021
Born to an impoverished nobleman, Katie eventually took vows as a nun, but around age twenty- four she and several other nuns who were influenced by the writings of Martin Luther left the convent. Six children were born to Katie and Martin.
“Come, Emmanuel”
Words: adapt by Tony Alonso and Gabe Huck
Music: based on VENI, VENI EMMANUEL; arr. by Tony Alonso © 2005 GIA Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reprinted under license A-723735.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22920.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Curches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.