{"id":2864,"date":"2020-12-13T12:04:48","date_gmt":"2020-12-13T18:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=2864"},"modified":"2020-12-13T12:04:48","modified_gmt":"2020-12-13T18:04:48","slug":"third-sunday-of-advent-13-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=2864","title":{"rendered":"Third Sunday of Advent: 13 December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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JOHN 1:20 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straighth the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Happy 3rd Sunday of Advent! And happy Santa Lucia! I pray this service finds you joyful, well and safe. Today I am especially thankful for all the people who work to make the life of the church continue to go. There is so much done by so many…blessed Advent to you all!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peace, Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order of Worship for December 13, 2020<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meditation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRejoice always,\u201d begins the reading from 1 Thessalonians. Isaiah and the psalmist make clear that God is turning our mourning into laughter and shouts of joy. \u201cAll God\u2019s children got a robe,\u201d go the words of a spiritual. It is not so much a stately, formal, pressed outfit as it is a set of party clothes, clothes we are happy to wear. We receive that robe in baptism, and in worship we gather for a foretaste of God\u2019s party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Hymn:<\/strong> – ELW 715- “Christ, Be Our Light,” verses 1, 2, & 5. Brittany and Miriam Anderson, vocalists. Pam Edwards, pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer of the Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though the people had returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon, they continued to face hardship and oppression. In the language of the jubilee year described in Leviticus 25, the prophet, moved by the spirit of God, announces deliverance for those who are oppressed and comfort for those who mourn.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u20031<\/sup>The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
\u2003\u2003because the Lord has anointed me;
\u2003he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
\u2003\u2003to bind up the brokenhearted,
\u2003to proclaim liberty to the captives,
\u2003\u2003and release to the prisoners;
\u20032<\/sup>to proclaim the year of the Lord\u2019s favor,
\u2003\u2003and the day of vengeance of our God;
\u2003\u2003to comfort all who mourn;
\u20033<\/sup>to provide for those who mourn in Zion\u2014
\u2003\u2003to give them a garland instead of ashes,
\u2003the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
\u2003\u2003the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
\u2003They will be called oaks of righteousness,
\u2003\u2003the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
\u20034<\/sup>They shall build up the ancient ruins,
\u2003\u2003they shall raise up the former devastations;
\u2003they shall repair the ruined cities,
\u2003\u2003the devastations of many generations.

\u20038<\/sup>For I the Lord love justice,
\u2003\u2003I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
\u2003I will faithfully give them their recompense,
\u2003\u2003and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
\u20039<\/sup>Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
\u2003\u2003and their offspring among the peoples;
\u2003all who see them shall acknowledge
\u2003\u2003that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
\u200310<\/sup>I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
\u2003\u2003my whole being shall exult in my God;
\u2003for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
\u2003\u2003he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
\u2003as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
\u2003\u2003and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
\u200311<\/sup>For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
\u2003\u2003and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
\u2003so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
\u2003\u2003to spring up before all the nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonians by encouraging them to live lives of continual joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. The closing blessing is grounded in the hope of Christ\u2019s coming.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16<\/sup>Rejoice always, 17<\/sup>pray without ceasing, 18<\/sup>give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19<\/sup>Do not quench the Spirit. 20<\/sup>Do not despise the words of prophets, 21<\/sup>but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22<\/sup>abstain from every form of evil.
\u2003 23<\/sup>May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24<\/sup>The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

John\u2019s gospel describes Jesus as the \u201clight of the world.\u201d John the Baptist is presented as a witness to Jesus, one who directs attention away from himself to Christ, the true light.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6<\/sup>There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7<\/sup>He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8<\/sup>He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

\u2003 19<\/sup>This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, \u201cWho are you?\u201d 20<\/sup>He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, \u201cI am not the Messiah.\u201d 21<\/sup>And they asked him, \u201cWhat then? Are you Elijah?\u201d He said, \u201cI am not.\u201d \u201cAre you the prophet?\u201d He answered, \u201cNo.\u201d 22<\/sup>Then they said to him, \u201cWho are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?\u201d 23<\/sup>He said,
\u2003\u201cI am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
\u2003\u2018Make straight the way of the Lord,\u2019\u2006\u201d
as the prophet Isaiah said.
\u2003 24<\/sup>Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25<\/sup>They asked him, \u201cWhy then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?\u201d 26<\/sup>John answered them, \u201cI baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27<\/sup>the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.\u201d 28<\/sup>This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sermon: <\/strong>Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hymn of the Day:<\/strong> ELW 252- “Each Winter as the Year Grows Older,” verses 1, 2, & 5. Brittany and Miriam Anderson, vocalists. Pam Edwards, pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers of Intercession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

God of power and might, shine your radiance and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of preachers and messengers, you have entrusted your church with the work of proclaiming good news. Strengthen the witness of bishops, pastors, deacons, church musicians, lay leaders, and all people who contribute their prayers and talents to public worship. Embed your word in their hearts. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of every living creature, you announce the year of your favor for all of creation. Extend your kindness and relief to endangered animals and plants. Strengthen the human beings who rely on the rhythms of nature to make their living. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of all peoples and nations, you plant us as your oaks of righteousness and ask us to care for one another. Be present with the leaders of every nation as they govern. Give them a spirit of righteousness, that your goodness and mercy is revealed through their actions. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of exiles and wanderers, you repair what was once destroyed. We pray for people who have been displaced from their homes by fire, flood, earthquake, or storm. Support the work of Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, and all disaster relief organizations in their recovery efforts. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of the powerful and helpless, you clothe us with strength when our spirits are weak and weary. Bestow your spirit upon this congregation and empower us to comfort the people who turn to us in times of need. Make your church a place of refuge and healing, especially this day we pray for all who suffer: Woody and Luellen Kasselman; Greg, Judy and Kristine Mayer; Mariah Pearson; Jeanna LaRue; Louise Larson; Karen Bemowski; and Dan Wolever. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God of sinners and saints, you offer joy even in the midst of our grief. We are grateful for the beloved, imperfect people whose lives testified to your radiant love especially Lucy, martyr of the church. Anoint all who mourn with the oil of gladness. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord’s Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communion Anthem:<\/strong> ELW 244- “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” Handbell Choir, directed by Robin Asay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer after Communion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gracious and abundant God, you have done great things for us, and we rejoice. In this bread and cup you give us life forever. In your boundless mercy, strengthen us and open our hearts to the world\u2019s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting, the long-expected Savior fill you with love, the unexpected Spirit guide your journey, \u2629 now and forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sending Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 248- “People, Look East,” verses 1, 3, & 4. Brittany and Miriam Anderson, vocalists. Pam Edwards, pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lighting of the Advent Candle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dismissal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video link for December 13, 2020, Worship Service:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/190629367619921\/videos\/145503267025260<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits: John the Baptist, stock.adobe.com\/free_stock and Advent bustedhalo.com. Holly clip art: mamajwsmomentaway.blogspot.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music credits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Christ, Be Our Light.” Text: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957. Music: Bernadette Farrell. Text and music copyright 1993 Bernadette Farrell, admin. OCP Publications. \u00a0All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Each Winter as the Year Grows Older.” Text: William Gay, b. 1920, alt.. Music: Annabeth Gay, b. 1925. Text and music copyright 1971 United Church Press. \u00a0All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers.” Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660 – 1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823 -1907. Music: Swedish folk tune. Public domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“People, Look East.” Text: Eleanor Farjeon, 1881 – 1965. Music: French carol; arr. Barry Rose, b. 1934. Text copyright Miss E. Farjeon Will Trust, by permission of David Higham Associates. Arr. copyright 1999 Novello & Co. Ltd., London.\u00a0All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Reprinted\/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Happy 3rd Sunday of Advent! And happy Santa Lucia! I pray this service finds you joyful, well and safe. Today I am especially thankful for all the people who work to make the life of the church continue to go. There is so much done by so many…blessed Advent to you all! Peace, Pastor Chris … [Read more…]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-flcadmin","4":"post-2864","6":"format-standard","7":"category-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2864"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2958,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2864\/revisions\/2958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}