Download Morning Devotion - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran

The Common Service
WELCOME in the NAME of the COMING LORD!
A warm welcome to everyone who has joined us for worship, especially our guests! If you have any
questions, please don’t hesitate to ask the usher. We are here to serve your needs.
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Today’s order of worship is printed for you in this worship folder.
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If you are in need of restrooms, they are located to the right and down the hallway.
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If you are visiting today, please sign our guest book on the back table. We’re glad you came!
 We invite everyone to stay after the service for friendship time! Enjoy some refreshments.
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GATHERING SONG
“Come, Emmanuel”
©1995 by GIA Publications, Inc.
Reprinted by permission
M: Let us confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness.
C: Almighty God, merciful Father, I confess to you that I have not loved you with all my
heart. I have pursued my ways instead of your ways. In what I have done and left
undone, I have not loved my brothers and sisters as myself. For this I deserve your
punishment both now and in eternity. I am truly sorry for my sins. I repent of them and
beg for your mercy, O Lord.
M: Forgive us for the sake of Jesus Christ who came into the world to save us.
C: Cleanse me from my sins. Release me from my guilt. Grant me your Holy Spirit, so that I
may amend my sinful ways.
All sing the refrain continuously, while the choir sings “Lord, have mercy.”
Choir: Lord, have mercy upon us and . . .
Choir: Christ, have mercy upon us and . . .
Choir: Lord, have mercy upon us and . . .
The congregation remains seated. The choir introduces the song once, and then the congregation
repeats the refrain and continuously sings:
During the singing of the refrain the choir sings:
For a shoot from Jesse will . . .
He will judge with justice and . . .
For the source of all patience will . . .
Now accept one another and . . .
Oh reform, for God’s reign has . . .
Oh prepare the way and . . .
INVOCATION
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
M: The almighty God has been merciful to us and has sent his Son to die for all. For his sake, he
forgives us our sins and calls us from darkness to his marvelous light. Therefore, as a called
servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Brief silence for meditation.
Then, all sing the refrain a final time.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Let us pray.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us
strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
SECOND LESSON
C: Amen.
Be seated
FIRST LESSON
PSALM OF THE DAY
Isaiah 11:1 – 10
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him –
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD –
and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to
him, and his place of rest will be glorious. (NIV)
14
Printed on the back cover
Romans 15:4 – 13
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through
endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among
yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For
I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the
promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is
written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name.”
Again, it says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples.”
And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
M: We light two Advent candles, remembering Jesus, who came in history. He came into a
world of sin and death.
C: We remember Jesus, who came as the promised Messiah. John the Baptist prepared the
way of the Lord.
M: We hear his call to repent.
C: We light two Advent candles as a sign of our repentance and desire for renewal.
M: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.
C: Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed.
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
Two Advent candles are lit.
Stand
GOSPEL
Matthew 3:1 – 12
After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for
him.’”
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His
food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and
the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan
River.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was
baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming
wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children
for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce
good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more
powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit
and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering
his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (NIV)
M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: (sings)
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
Be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY
16 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”
SERMON
Matthew 3:1 – 12
Be Ready by Repenting!
After the sermon, the congregation stands and sings:
LORD’S PRAYER
Be seated
OFFERING
To our guests: we freely give to the Lord because of what he has given to us.
If you would like, you may join us in giving thanks to the Lord, also.
Stand
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
M: Eternal Father, throughout the centuries you repeated and affirmed your promise to send
the offspring of the woman to crush the serpent’s head. Through your prophets of old, you
continually directed the eyes of your people to the advent of their Savior.
C: We praise you, O Lord, for keeping your promise and sending your Son, to destroy the
works of the devil.
M: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our King, use your mighty Word to shatter our pride
and to rouse us from spiritual slumber and apathy.
C: Move us to take to heart the words of John: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
M: You sent your Son to redeem us from sin. Let this good news be our joy and strength. Use it
to cheer the lonely, encourage the fearful, and give hope to the despairing. In these days
before Christmas, spare us from the stress of deadlines and the frenzy of commercialism.
C: Fill our lives with the message of your peace and the music of your grace.
M: Direct our eyes not only to the manger but also to the skies, where we will see your Son
coming again, not as a lowly child but as the Lord of lords.
C: Lift up our hearts in joyful anticipation of that day.
M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
Silent prayer.
M: Come quickly, Lord Jesus, in your grace, in your power, and in your glory!
C: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
C: 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.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
Be seated
HYMN
19 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”
Stand
PRAYER
M: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them,
read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy
Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
BLESSING
M: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and (†) give you peace.
C: Amen.
HYMN
15 “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding”
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Presiding Minister
Pianist
Pastor Arthur Faught
Michelle Gustafson
Youth are invited to join Debra Hofland for Bible study this morning.
Come & worship!
the Son of God who became man
according to his Word,
that at the time’s end we may stand
glorious as our Lord.
WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH HOUR
11:15 A.M.
(www.shepherdofthehillslutheran.net)
THANK YOU!
We thank Joshua Dudenhoefer for serving us as an usher this morning. We thank Betsy Faught
for providing flowers to beautify our worship and refreshments after service. Next week: TJ
Dudenhoefer & Caroline Fincher.
We thank the members of the choir for leading us in songs to and enriching our worship of the
Lord this morning: Carla Dallmann, Pastor Faught, Erin Gustafson, Kurt Gustafson, Jessica
Gustafson, Michelle Gustafson, Sara Gustafson, Allison Hofland, and Debra Hofland.
COME & GROW!
As a reminder of what it means to live as a believer, the apostle Peter writes: “Since you call on
a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent
fear” (1 Pe 1:17). That seemed to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks the Jews kept tripping
over, whenever Jesus talked about eternal salvation. Many Jews thought that they had a sure
“in” with God because of their inherited nationality, which allegedly influenced the way God
judged their lives. But one word in the apostle’s letter – this verse here – overrules that notion:
impartially. God’s acceptance of and favor toward someone is based on one thing and one thing
alone, and it has nothing to do with our race, our gender, our family upbringing, our best efforts
at life, or the like. It rests solely on God’s holy love, which is impartial. Holy takes into account
whether or not you and I have met God’s standard of perfection. If not, the law says: You’re
sentenced to death. Love, however, takes into account whether or not God made you and sent
his Son, Jesus, to atone for your sins by his life and death. If so, the gospel says: You’re saved for
life. And, because God is love (1 Jn 4:16), the gospel is his last word on the matter (Ro 5:1, 2).
Recognize, then, the eternal blessing of God’s impartial judgment. It really has nothing to do
with you, but everything to do with – and from and in and because of – God. That is the eternal
freedom we have in Christ our Redeemer, and is also what gives us confident faith to live as
Christians. (Adult Bible study)
Today in Sunday school, the children hear about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:26–56). In the
presence of the Son of God growing within Mary’s womb, John the Baptist leapt inside
Elizabeth’s womb. God fills us with himself in Word and Sacrament and we, like Mary, offer our
praise and worship. Mary’s song, “The Magnificat,” is sung by Christians as part of the Matins
Liturgy. Talk to your children about this wonderful Bible story and how God fills us with his
presence through Word and Sacrament. Review the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed, (“born
of the Virgin Mary”).
A LOOK AHEAD
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Sat., Dec. 11 – Rehearsal of Youth/Children’s Christmas service (Hampton Inn)
Sun., Dec. 12 – Worship (Holy Communion) & Spiritual Growth Hour, beginning at 10:00am
Sun., Dec. 12 – Catechism class (L12) at 12:15pm (Hampton Inn)
Wed., Dec. 15 – Choir practice at 6:30pm (Gustafson)
Th., Dec. 16 – Church Council meeting at Dallmann’s (Time TBA)
In the Lord’s House
We come for one another.
When you come into the Lord’s house, you are not alone. Others come too. For a stranger, that
is a little awkward at first. For him or her, no familiar faces exist. Even conversations before or
after church might make a stranger wary instead of welcome.
But we come together because we all know Jesus and we want to know him better. The
Scriptures remind us that we are all children of God by faith in Jesus and even identify us as
members of the family of Jesus. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that we are not alone.
Remember Elijah? He lived in a difficult time when it appeared that the family of God had
disappeared. He complained, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1
Kings 19:10). Of course, he was not the only one left. God encouraged him with the promise of
his gentle love for sinners.
Our journey through life is troublesome too. When faced with our own personal struggles, we
may be tempted like Elijah to think we are absolutely alone. Perhaps we think that the Christian
minority has dwindled down to so few that we are the only ones left.
Come into the Lord’s house. You are not alone! The Lord, by the power of his love in Jesus, has
brought others into his house too. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Over time even a
stranger comes to recognize faces and treasure smiles, handshakes, and greetings from other
Christians.
The battle we all wage throughout life is difficult. Others travel the road with us. God places
them along the road to help us, encourage us, and keep us going. We are there for them too.
God has drawn us together for one another.
No one offers perfect help or encouragement. We are still plagued with the sins of cold pride
and hard indifference. As imperfect as we are, we still need to love others and have them love
us just as Jesus loved us all. We are his family here on earth.
We come to the Lord’s house for one another. Sometimes all it takes is the voice of the person
next to you in worship. At other times that person may simply need to see your smile. Friendly
words sometimes turn into words of comfort, concern, and caring. Words often turn into actions
that help, support, and encourage.
All of us together have come to hear the Lord’s promises. We are not alone on life’s road,
wherever that leads. Our brothers and sisters in Jesus share the journey.
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