https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEy-pTjdnZY

The Sign God Promised, IS HERE!      FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT   December 18, 2022

ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS  700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016

Pastor Dan 1-(920)-341-2025    shepherdatzion@gmail.com

AS WE GATHER – One of the pleasures of walking through towns and cities in Europe is seeing the signs that hang above the doorways of various stores and craftwork locations.  Without a word of written language, you can tell where the town’s cobbler, blacksmith, baker, and glove maker do their work. The signs indicate that the masters are at work.  For Christians, Advent is a time for looking to the signs of the presence of God and His work done for us.  There are signs around us!  The candles on the Advent wreath burn brightly reminding us of the Light of the World!  We hear God’s Word!  The cross at the front of church, without speaking a word, points us to the work promised and accomplished by the Master of all creation through the coming of Jesus as the babe of Bethlehem.  A promise of forgiveness and life fulfilled as that babe became our crucified and resurrected Lord.  We will celebrate the babe of Bethlehem’s meal of body and blood.  Yes, the signs of Advent are all around us.

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

Hymn  “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”  LSB 341

 We light the 4^th Advent Candle – The Angels Candle

 Invocation- In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.    Amen

 Opening Sentences   Psalm 19:1, 4–6; 112:1b, 7b – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.  Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.  Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments!    His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. Praise the LORD!

 Confession and Absolution- Let us now confess our sins to God, our gracious heavenly Father.  All: Eternal God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and that sin is ever-present in our lives. Heavenly Father in Your mercy, we ask for Your forgiveness.  Redirect our hearts and renew us in our souls, that we may joyfully follow Your will and gladly obey Your commandments.  Graciously forgive our sins for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, guide us in You ways of compassion and love toward all people.   Upon this your confession, as a called and ordained servant of Christ and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.  Go in X peace.  Amen

 Introit    Psalm 130:5–8; antiphon: Isaiah 64:1- Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence.  I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD!  For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption.  And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.  All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.  Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence.

 Salutation- The Lord be with you.       And also with you.

Prayer of the Day- Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come among us with Your abiding presence.  By the power of Your Spirit, direct our lives to expressions of repentant joy.  Bless our devotion and our prayers and lead us in ways of faithfulness as we wait for Your final coming in all glory, power, and honor; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading  Isaiah 7:10–17     (The birth of Immanuel is prophesied.)         Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”  But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”  Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David!  Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.  But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.  The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah–he will bring the king of Assyria.”

 

Psalm of the Day    Psalm 24 –  The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.  Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory!

 Epistle   Romans 1:1–7  (Paul points to Christ as the source of hope.)   Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God–the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.  Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.  And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.  To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Gradual and Verse- Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem.  Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  Alleluia.  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel. Alleluia.

 Holy Gospel  Matthew 1:18–25    (The telling of the birth of Jesus)

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the first chapter.     Glory to You, O Lord.

 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.”  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.   This is the Gospel of the Lord.   Praise to You, O Christ.

Nicene Creed- I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.  And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life X of the world to come.    Amen.

 Hymn “Savior of the Nations Come”                   LSB 332

Sermon

 Prayers of the Church

We gather our Tithes and Offerings

Service of the Sacrament

Preface   2 Timothy 4:22    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 Him thanks and praise.

Proper Preface- It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, Lord, our God, for You have had mercy on us and sent Your only-begotten Son, the long hoped-for Messiah, to bring us salvation. Pour out upon us the gifts of Your Spirit, that we may receive Your blessings joyfully and resolutely serve You in all we do. Grant that we may receive the body and blood of our Lord as the guarantee of our salvation and as a foretaste of the feast to come in Your eternal kingdom. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and praise, together with the Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.     Amen.

Sanctus                                                                         LSB 208

Prayer of Thanksgiving- Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, who in giving Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish our salvation has fulfilled the hope of the prophets and of Your people for countless generations.  We thank You for calling us to be Your people in this time and place and for inviting us to Your holy Table.  Joined together in the name of our Lord and in the communion of saints, we pray You to send Your Holy Spirit upon us to sanctify and renew us in body and soul for the sake of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

The Words of Our Lord – Consecration of the Elements

 Lord’s Prayer- Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray;  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.

 Pax Domini- The peace of the Lord be with you always.    Amen.

Agnus Dei                                                                     LSB 210

 We Celebrate our Lord’s Supper

 Distribution Hymns: “Come, Thou Precious Ransom Come”  LSB 350                                                                   “Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring”  LSB 353         “Jesus!  Name of Wondrous Love”   LSB 900

 Post-Communion Canticle – Nunc Dimittis    LSB 211

Post-Communion Thanksgiving- Almighty and ever-living God, we thank You for having fed us with the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Continue with Your gracious presence among us and bless our coming in and our going out this day and each day of our earthly lives.  Graciously hear our prayers and grant all that is best for us according to Your loving will.  Grant us Your abiding peace as we await Your eternal kingdom.  In the name of Jesus Christ, our Advent hope, we pray.  Amen.  

Benediction The blessing of almighty God, the Father, the +  Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you, now and forever.     Amen.

Hymn:  “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”    LSB 358              

_______________________________________________

 *Announcements*

 Our Advent theme is “Prepare!”

Our final Advent service is this Wednesday!  John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, will show us how to have courage in “Proclaiming” the news of the Christ Child along with our faith in the One who was born to save all people!

From the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism:  Matthew 1:21 – “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” What our good works could never do, Jesus has done: He has saved us from our sins, paid our debt, set us free. How can we not give thanks to Him with lives of generosity and godliness? What God’s Law could not do — truly motivate us to truly good works — Jesus’ love has done!

The Pewpoint – THEME OF THE DAY

God’s Word Is Fulfilled for Us in the Flesh and Blood of Christ Jesus, the Son of Mary-  The Fourth Sunday in Advent turns our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With the blessed Virgin Mary, we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Word and Spirit of God. This fulfillment of the sign once given to the house of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Is. 7:14), is now given to us in the Gospel. It declares that salvation is by His grace alone, entirely His work and a free gift. It also is the way and means by which the Lord our God is Immanuel, “God with us.” The almighty and eternal Son of God is conceived and born of Mary, and is thus “descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3–4). He comes in this way to save us with His own flesh and blood; wherefore, He is called “Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). As Joseph received this sign in faith and immediately “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Matt. 1:24), we also live by faith in this Holy Gospel.

YES IN CHRIST  —  Saying Yes With Our Treasures  Needed per week to make budget: $3,025                   Sunday Envelopes $1,790   Plate $60   Advent Envelopes $485

 Attendance:  Sunday Service: 50 Communed:     42        Advent Service: 22      Communed: 19

 Brothers and sisters in Christ to lift up in prayer!

1) Two of our members, one who had surgery this past week and one who is having surgery this week.

2) Carole Stuebe, sister to Dave.  Carole was released from the hospital and has been staying with Dave and Betsy. Pray for continued improvement.

3) We pray for Dee Dee’s brother Ross, who is dealing with heart issues and blockages.

4)  Deanne as she continues to go through the Christmas season away from family. Pray that she is able to share the news of Christ born in Bethlehem with those who may not know Him as their Savior, and may He bless her, and all who are celebrating His birth with joy in their hearts/

Upcoming Events

December 21st – Choir Practice @ 6pm  Our final Advent Midweek Worship service at 7pm

December 24th – Christmas Eve service 7pm

December 25^th – Christmas Day Service 8:30am

January 1^st – New Year’s Day Service 8:30am

January 2^nd – Elder’s Meeting @ 6pm

January 4^th – We will have our normal Mid-Week Service at 7pm

January 5^th Council Meeting @ 6pm

January 8^th – Installation of Officers during our Sunday service

On their special day please wish them a Happy Birthday.

 

Malachi D	12/20
Karen H	12/25
Douglas S	12/28
Carl F	12/30

 

We remember those Celebrating their Wedding Anniversary!

 

Jim & Erica G	12/23
Felix & Janet O	12/29
Kevin & Sandra S	12/29

The December Lutheran Witness has arrived pick up a copy!

The new Portals of Prayer have arrived – please pick up a copy!

It’s that time of the year and I’m going to need reports from the following people by the end of January.

Pastor

President – Neal Kohlhoff

Archivist – Tracy Schwartz

Elder – Dan Chaveriat

Board of Trustee – Dave Huebner

Secretary – Connie Kreitzman

Cemetery – Nancy Schlender

Treasurer – Erica Goehl

Thanking everyone in advance  Nancy Kohlhoff