Sunday Worship - December 13, 2020

Sunday, December 13, 2020
Third Sunday of Advent

Stan Sanderson
PRELUDE Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (ELW 272) (vs 1,2,4)

1 Lo, how a rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming as seers of old have sung, it came, a flow'r so bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.

2 Isaiah had foretold it, the rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half-spent was the night.

4 O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe; O Savior, king of glory, who dost our weakness know: bring us at length, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven and into endless day.

Pastor Daniel welcomes the church to worship. 
GREETING

Wreath lighting this morning will be by the Zicco Family
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
Your prophets spoke of a day when the desert would blossom
and waters would break forth in the wilderness.
Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.
Strengthen our hearts
as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.
May he give water to all who thirst,
for he is our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
Amen.

Jeff Horvath will lead the assembly in our gathering song. 
GATHERING SONG As the Dark Awaits the Dawn (ELW 261) (1,2,4)

1 As the dark awaits the dawn, so we await your light. O Star of promise, scatter night,
loving bright, loving bright, till shades of fear are gone.

2 As the blue expectant hour before the silv'ring skies, we long to see your day arise,
whole and wise, whole and wise, unto your holy dawn.

4 Shine your future on this place, enlighten ev'ry guest, that through us stream your holiness,
bright and blest, bright and blest; come dawn, O Sun of grace.

Our psalm this morning is read by Sue Koenig
PSALM: Psalm 126

1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
  then were we like those who dream.
2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.
   Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3The Lord has done great things for us,
  and we are glad indeed.
4Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
   like the watercourses of the Negeb.
5Those who sowed with tears
  will reap with songs of joy.
6Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
  will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

The children’s word is brought by Deacon Tracy Katschke
CHILDREN'S WORD

The gospel is read by Pastor Pastor Danie Morris. 

The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL: John 1:6-8, 19-28

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.  19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said,  “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” as the prophet Isaiah said.   24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

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

Pastor Pastor Danie Morris proclaims God’s Word for you in the sermon. 
SERMON

Jason Fralish  will now lead the assembly in  prayer
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

 Let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.

God of power and might, shine your radiance and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.

A brief silence.

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.
Your mercy is great.

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.
Your mercy is great.

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.
Your mercy is great.

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, or earthquake. Support the work of Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, and all disaster relief organizations in their recovery efforts. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

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 (especially for Mike, Sherri, Lizetta, Kim, Kyle, Jan, Rita, Gina, Laurie, Tracy, Jeff, Chris, Don, Douglas, Hoyt, and Bruce). Make your church a place of refuge and healing. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

We pray for our own personal needs and our thanksgivings in these few moments of silence (pause a moment.) Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Pastor Daniel leads the assembly in giving thanks for God’s Word.
THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD 

Let us pray.
O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever.
Amen.



Jason Fralish leads the assembly in the Lord’s Prayer.
LORD’S PRAYER 

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.

Receive the blessing.
BLESSING

The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting, the long-expected Savior fill you with love,
the unexpected Spirit guide your journey, ☩ now and forever.
Amen.

Amanda Morris leads us in our sending song.
SENDING SONG People, Look East (ELW 248)

1 People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east, and sing today-- Love, the Guest, is on the way.

4 Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth.
Set ev'ry peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east, and sing today-- Love, the Lord, is on the way.

PEACE AND DISMISSAL
The peace of Christ be with you always.  Let us go forth sharing a greeting of Christ's peace. 

At this time the assembly is invited to unmute to share the peace.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS



GIVING YOUR OFFERING
We thank God for all that we have and all that we are as we make our offering. You can give your offering in many different ways: Mailing our check to church / Using our own bank website “send-payment” feature / Going to www.peacelutheranlz.com and clicking on “make a donation” / or, downloading and using the app: https://giveplushelp.vancopayments.com/. 






THANK YOU
So much gratitude for everyone who has contributed to worship today.  The young and old, readers, musicians, and the technical help are all making this possible.  Find all of this week’s announcements in the Prints of Peace on the PLC website.   Allison Hearst, Office Admin: office@peacelutheranlz.com  /  Deacon Tracy Katschke: tracy@peacelutheranlz.com  /  Pastor Daniel Morris: pastor@peacelutheranlz.com 

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