11 Dec BULLETIN – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
WELCOME TO MESSIAH & ST. PETER
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
3 Church Street, Halifax, PA 17032
Phone 362-4597
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Third Sunday of Advent
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
Holy are you, God of the brokenhearted and oppressed; you sent your chosen one to heal and deliver; you give an evergreen garland instead of ashes to those who mourn; you bring down the powerful and lift up the lowly. As we light another candle, open our lips in confession and open us up to the Spirit so we may testify with one voice to your light coming into the world to enliven everyone. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the desert. Reveal your truth to us, and fill our mouths with shouts of joy that declare the great things you have done for us. Amen.
Light three candles
The Responsive Reading
For those we love and others we’ve hurt, apply your mercy and forgiveness, Lord.
Come stir up our hearts to do your will.
From sin and other suffering that causes trouble, deliver us, Lord.
Come stir up our hearts to do your will.
For those transitioning, traveling or preparing for change; we pray, O Lord.
Come stir up our hearts to do your will.
For those untouched by the joy of this season; we pray, O Lord,
Come stir up our hearts to do your will.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, renew us, and lead us so we may delight and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name.
Come stir up our hearts to do your will.
According to the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ lived, died and rose among humanity to heal all of us from sin. For his sake all sin is forgiven. To those who believe in Jesus Christ God gives the power to become children and bestows his life-giving Holy Spirit empowering our hearts and minds to do his will. Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus #30
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 35:1-10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
PSALM 146:5-10
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God;
who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps promises forever;
who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the captive free.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down.
The Lord cares for the stranger; the Lord sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.
The Lord shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah! The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down.
SECOND READING JAMES 5:7-10
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
GOSPEL MATTHEW 11:2-11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY What Child Is This #40
PROFESSION of FAITH/APOSTLE’S CREED Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, we pray for a world yearning for new hope. A brief silence.
Gracious God, we rejoice in the gifts of your Spirit. Equip local congregations and the global church to magnify your love and peace to individuals in every land. We pray for the work of the Lutheran World Federation and ELCA Global Mission. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Abundant God, we rejoice in your creation. Revive lands depleted by misuse or overuse. Preserve woods, greenery, and water that nourish flora and fauna. Cleanse polluted and exhausted environments so living things may breathe, drink, and praise you. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Righteous God, we rejoice in the ways you work to promote social equity and justice. End racism and oppression. Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted. Reconcile nations and peoples in conflict. Help us pray for our enemies. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Healing God, we rejoice in your compassion. Comfort any in distress because of worry, illness, or loss (especially those on our prayer list). Strengthen and protect health care workers, rescue teams, crisis counselors, and all who risk themselves to keep others safe. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Abiding God, we rejoice in your company. Give us calm and patient hearts as we gather with family and friends. Keep us mindful of those for whom this season is not happy. Console the grieving and surround them with loving support. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Faithful God, we rejoice with Mary, Mother of our Lord, and with all the saints, that your mercy endures for all generations, that you have always valued commitment, servanthood and humility. We ask you for courage and power to do your will, following the footsteps of those who have died, leading us to joyfully sing of your everlasting promises. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs, the questions we have, the maladies from which we suffer. By your Spirit, receive our prayers and join our hearts with concern for all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERTORY Page 75
THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Message
The Father we are dealing with knows better than us what we need. With a God like this loving us, we can pray very simply.
Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best—as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.
BENEDICTION Page 74
CLOSING HYMN Joy to the World #39
DISMISSAL Page 74
POSTLUDE
Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Linda Lucas in memory of Ralph and Evelyn Noblit.
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Dave and Dianna Reed in memory of loved ones.