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2nd Sunday in Advent

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, December 8, 2024

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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

A Thrill of Hope, A Weary World Rejoices

December 8, 2024

10:00 a.m.

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Luke 3:4

PRELUDE O Come O Come Emmanuel excerpt

Arranged by: Steven Nelson, Jon Schmidt and Al Van der Beek

In the Bleak Midwinter arr. David Archuleta

“Speaking of bleak winters- David Archuleta, b. 1990, and former American Idol star, wrote the arrangement for this beautiful hymn. He and his mother were members of the Mormon Church in Utah. He came Out publicly, and had since had intense conversations with the Mormon Church. While they ended up pointless, and while he felt defeated, he finally left the membership. He considered suicide feeling that God would forgive him better for that, than for being homosexual.” -Engel

What can I give Him, | Poor as I am? —

If I were a Shepherd | I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man | I would do my part, —

Yet what I can I give Him, — | Give my heart.

WELCOME

SOLA GRATIA +

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, alive in the world, reviving creation,

arriving soon. Amen.

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

God of mercy, we confess that we have sinned. We mistakenly put our trust in earthly powers and human authority alone. We grow fearful. We cling to false comforts.

God of might, we confess that we have sinned. We have turned away from our neighbors. We have trusted false promises.

God in our midst, we confess that we have sinned. We plead: come to us. Bring your mercy to birth in us. A righteous branch springs forth: it is Christ the Lord, our Savior, in whom we have forgiveness, life, and mercy.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, receive the grace and forgiveness of God through Christ Jesus, whose day draws near. Amen.

OPENING HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, O Lord of might,

as to your tribes on Sinai's height

in ancient times you gave the law

in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Refrain

O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer;

O Sun of justice, now draw near.

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death's dark shadow put to flight.

Refrain

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE AND PRAYER OF THE DAY

Kyrie Eleison Kyrie Eleison

Christe Eleison Christe Eleison

Kyrie Eleison Kyrie Eleison

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the first and second candles on this wreath, rouse us from sleep and fill us with hope and peace that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes with all the saints and angels.

O come, O King of nations, come,

O Cornerstone that binds in one:

refresh the hearts that long for you;

restore the broken, make us new. Refrain

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray: Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

SOLA SCRIPTURA +

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Malachi 3:1-4

God announces a covenant with Israel. A messenger like Malachi (his name means “my messenger”) will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord by purifying and refining God’s people, as silver and gold are refined.

1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Luke 1:68-79 Zechariah’s prophecy through the Holy Spirit

First time through repeat refrain after the cantor

68 Blessed are you, Lord, the | God of Israel,

you have come to your people and | set them free.

69 You have raised up for us a | mighty Savior,

born of the house of your | servant David. R

70 Through your holy prophets, you promised of old to save us | from our enemies,

71 from the hands of | all who hate us,

72 to show mercy | to our forebears,

and to remember your | holy covenant.

73 This was the oath you swore to our | father Abraham:

74 to set us free from the hands of our | enemies,

free to worship you | without fear,

75 holy and righteous before you, all the days | of our life. R

76 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of | the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to pre- | pare the way,

77 to give God’s people knowledge | of salvation

by the forgiveness | of their sins.

78 In the tender compassion | of our God

the dawn from on high shall | break upon us,

79 to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shad- | ow of death,

and to guide our feet into the | way of peace. R

EPISTLE LESSON: Philippians 1:3-11

The apostle Paul was the pastor of many new churches. He writes in this letter about his joy to be in partnership with the Christians of Philippi. Listen to how tender-hearted Paul, sometimes a stern preacher, is with his friends as he encourages them to grow in love and knowledge.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness

GOSPEL: Luke 3:1-6 Glory to you, O Lord.

A light shines in the darkness. And the darkness cannot overcome it.

John the Baptist is a herald of Jesus, whose way is prepared by “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” As we hear the careful record of human leaders, we sense the spectrum of political and religious authority that will be challenged by this coming Lord.

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth;

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Pastor Kurt

HYMN OF THE DAY Prepare a Royal Highway

SOLA FIDE +

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*after each petition:

Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

OFFERING Give online using the QR code to the right

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Offertory Music April Child Music-Michael Valenti and lyrics - Henry Comer

from the 1976 off Broadway Production

soloist Trevor Patricia Watkin

April Child, sleep the winter, / Sleep the winter months away.

Wake up, wake to the robin, / Wake up on the first spring day.

April Child, your mother loves you / And keeps the winter months away.

Ah, sleep 'till you hear the robin, / Sleep until the first spring day.

December's come, / December soon will be gone.

The snows will melt. / The frost will thaw.

So April Child, sleep the winter, / Sleep the winter months away.

Ah, sleep 'till you hear the robin, / Sleep until the first spring day.

OFFERING PRAYER

God of our waiting and watching, we offer the gifts of our hearts and our lives to the service of all your people. Prepare the way before us as we meet you in this simple meal, through Christ Jesus, our pathway and our peace. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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.

PROPER PREFACE

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:

SANCTUS

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. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is present in the bread and wine, however full of mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you reach Pastor.

AGNUS DEI

COMMUNION MUSIC We Wait For You

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Lord Jesus, in this simple meal you have set before us a banquet.

Sustain us on the journey, strengthen us to care for the least of your beloved children, and give us glad and generous hearts as we meet you on the way.

Amen.

SENDING SONG He Came Down

BLESSING & BENEDICTION

Go now and prepare the way for the Lord. Share in the gospel of God’s grace;
Proclaim salvation and the forgiveness of sins; Make straight paths for justice and mercy.

And may God complete the good work begun in you; May Christ Jesus rejoice in your faith and compassion; and may the Holy Spirit fill your love with wisdom,
and produce in you a harvest of righteousness.

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Arr. James Kasen

The words in the first verse are from the angel’s song about goodwill and peace on earth, but the point of the carol isn’t about retelling the story of what happened one night in Bethlehem. Instead, this is a song about the present, about God coming near to us here and now, especially in hard times.

Edmund Sears, while serving as a Pastor got sick and lost his voice, which was obviously a big problem for a preacher in a large church before microphones. Losing his voice led him to a breakdown from depression, and after a year off, he went back to the small Wayland congregation in 1848. Shortly after his return to his little small-town congregation, he wrote It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and you can tell when you read the words, this is not your typical cheerful Christmas carol.

I’m quoting from an article about him, “Writing during a period of personal melancholy, and with news of revolution in Europe and the United States’ war with Mexico fresh in his mind, Sears portrayed the world as dark, full of ‘sin and strife,’ and not hearing the Christmas message.”

This is the Christmas carol for that kind of setting. It’s a lament; it’s honest about how broken the world is. Not just Sears’ world with the Mexican-American war and a divided nation which would shortly break into civil war, but our own world as well.

-Pastor Daniel Flucke from Living Hope Lutheran in Fond du Lac Wisconsin

Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director and Organist

Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone

Trevor Patricia Watkin, Flute

Jan Neuhaus, Cantor

Joe Slevcove, Lector

Beth Slevcove, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Paul Engel, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Joann Masters, and Randy & Joyce Sensmeier, Singers

Brian Jensen, Genette McGowan, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Tech team

Ruth Clayton, Dan Kjonegaard, Melinda Person, Paula Gutterud, Ushers

Ruth Clayton, Fellowship Snacks

prayer of the day, offering prayer, and dismissal

from Sundays and Seasons 2021, Year B

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

gospel acclamation, preface, eucharist, sanctus, agnus dei, nunc dimittis

from All Creation Sings setting 12

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,

License A-710629.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Today after Worship: Budget Draft Review

At this first of two annual congregational meetings, we will take a vote to approve next year’s budget. Please attend to get any questions about the budget answered before our vote the following Sunday. This meeting will be Zoomed. Use the link on the website to access the meeting at 11:30.

Also, check out the Fair Trade Fair table for leftovers for purchase from last week!

Good Gifts Tree

In the lobby you’ll see our Good Gifts Tree. On the table are various ornaments representing different gifts you may purchase for a family in need in different parts of the world. Goats, piglets, cows, school supplies, roosters, bees are all available to give. Please choose a gift and make your donation through Tithely. The QR code posted on the wall will take you there. Choose "ELCA Good Gifts" from the drop-down menu, and note what you are purchasing in the memo area. Checks or cash should be left in the plate. Grab an envelope and label it "Good Gifts" and note what you are purchasing. Then hang an ornament on the tree that represents your gift.

Upcoming Post-Worship Forums

If you wish to attend a forum online please notify the church office

December 15: Congregational Meeting 1: Budget Approval (with Zoom option)

December 22: Special forum with Pastor Lee Precup

December 29: Welcome the Babe packing

December 14: TACO Concrete Christmas Wrapping Party

Join us at 10am with wrapping paper, scissors, and packing tape to prepare Christmas gifts for our patio parishioners. Bring a dish to share for a potluck afterwards. The entire FLC community is invited! Gifts will be distributed at the Monday meal before Christmas.

Congregational Meeting and Cookie Exchange December 15

At this first of two annual congregational meetings, we will take a vote to approve next year’s budget. Any questions or suggestions for revision can be discussed at the forum on December 8 when the current draft is presented. The meeting on the 15th will simply be to take the vote on the final revised budget. Anyone who is a member of FLC may submit their vote. Please attend - we need a quorum to be able to vote! After the meeting we will have a cookie exchange! Please bring one dozen homemade cookies for fellowship and another dozen to trade. Anyone who brings cookies to trade can take some home.

FLC Volunteers: Please update your availability

Erin will be working on the volunteer schedule in the upcoming weeks. Please update your availability in the FLC Member Area no later than December 22 so that the first quarter of 2025 can be scheduled. Google Sheets will no longer be used for scheduling.

LAST CALL! Welcome the Babe Donations Needed

If you are able, please consider donating any amount to help fund our Welcome the Babe, baby care kit project. You will be able to make donations at our website at: firstlutheransd.org, go to “Give,” then to the drop-down menu to “Welcome the Babe” or drop cash or a check in the plate with a note/memo. Thank you so much for considering this important ministry. Kits will be assembled after church on December 29 and blessed on Epiphany, January 5.

Children, Youth, and Families Corner

Grab a bag! Children’s worship bags will be available to grab on your way into the sanctuary, filled with quiet activities to do during worship. Those marked with a heart are for children under 5. Those marked with a star are for older children.

Children’s Church: We invite children up to age 12 to a special time in the library during worship, from the scripture readings until the sharing of the peace.

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal and free clinics
Tuesday	6:15 FLC Council Meeting
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks/clothes closet
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship