St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church SUNDAY December 13 th, 2020 WELCOME. To our Church Family We re Glad You re Here.

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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

SUNDAY December 13

th

, 2020

To our Church Family

We’re Glad You’re Here.

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Today's Hymns from the Tower Church Carillon The Westminster Strike

Announcements

Prelude: A Celtic Medley (Gesu Bambino and What Child is This) Pietro Yon

Cassidy Pittman, flute Arr. Ed Hogan

Third Sunday in Advent: Joy

Watch and wait for Christ’s coming! Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.

We light this candle in hope. Light the first candle. We light this candle for peace. Light the second candle. We light this candle in joy! Light the third candle.

To those who live as exiles from home in a dark time, to those enslaved as exiles due to others’ oppression, to those who are sin’s exiles from their best God-promised selves, the Lord speaks the joy of good news. A reading from Zephaniah 3:14-20.

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!

Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.

“I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.

Let us pray: Isaiah 12:2-4, Philippians 4:4

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the LORD is my strength and my might; God has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice! Sing praises to the LORD, for God has done gloriously! Amen

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GATHERING SONG

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ELW 257 Verses 1-3

GREETING

During this time, the presiding minister and the assembly greet each other.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

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Prayer of the Day

Let us pray.

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.

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

1_{The spirit of the Lord G}

OD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;

2_{to proclaim the year of the L}

ORD’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

3_{to provide for those who mourn in Zion—}

to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.

4_{They shall build up the ancient ruins,}

they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

8_{For I the L}

ORD love justice,

I hate robbery and wrongdoing;

I will faithfully give them their recompense,

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9_{Their descendants shall be known among the nations,}

and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge

that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed.

10_{I will greatly rejoice in the L}

ORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

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and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11_{For as the earth brings forth its shoots,}

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55

46b_{My soul magni-| fies the Lord,}

47 _{and my spirit rejoices in | God my Savior,}

48_{for he has | looked with favor}

on the lowliness | of his servants.

Surely, from now on all | generations Will | call me blessed

For the Mighty One has done great | things for me And holy | is his name R

0 _{His mercy is for}_{| those who fear him,}

from generation to | generation.

51_{he has shown strength | with his arm}

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts| of their hearts,

He has brought down the powerful | from their thrones and lifted | up the lowly.

53_{He has filled the hungry | with good things}

and sent the rich | away empty. R

54_{He has helped his | servant Israel,}

in remembrance | of his mercy,

55 _{according to the promise he made | to our ancestors}

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Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

16_{Rejoice always,}17_{pray without ceasing,}18_{give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will}

of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of

prophets, 21_{but test everything; hold fast to what is good;}22_{abstain from every form of evil.}

23_{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_{The one who calls you is}

faithful, and he will do this.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

The holy gospel according to John, the 1st chapter Glory to you, O Lord.

6_{There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.}7_{He came as a witness to testify to the}

light, so that all might believe through him. 8_{He himself was not the light, but he came to testify}

to the light.

19_{This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem}

to ask him, “Who are you?” 20_{He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the}

Messiah.” 21_{And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you}

the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22_{Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an}

answer for 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 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?” 26_{John answered them, “I}

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after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28_{This took place in Bethany across} the Jordan where John was baptizing.

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

Rev. Mark Kreemer

HYMN OF THE DAY

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry ELW 249

CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

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I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.*

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

OFFERING

Anthem: An Advent Medley Arr. Ed Hogan

(There’s a Song in the Air and Infant Holy, Infant Lowly) Cassidy Pittman, flute

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.

After each petition the following response is given: 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.

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LORD’S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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.

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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.

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DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Postlude: Great is the Lord Michael W. and Deborah Smith

Arr. Stan Pethel Cassidy Pittman, flute

Guest Musicians

Cassidy Pittman graduated from Kent State University with a degree in nursing. A practicing nurse, she also enjoys music as an active part of her life. In high school, she consistently held first chair of the flute section for the Stow-Munroe Falls High School Wind Ensemble, the band program’s premier instrumental ensemble. She performed frequently for local concerts, festivals and adjudications, earning top marks for her artistry and technique. When not playing her flute or working as a nurse, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her cat, Jameson and her brother, Chad.

*Cassidy and Chad offer special thanks to Judy Hall, St. Paul’s member and flutist/flute teacher, for today’s service music.

Prelude: Gesu Bambino is an Italian Christmas carol composed in 1917. The melody and lyrics

are actually derived from Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful). When composed, many predicted that the song would not survive the test of time, but it is performed every holiday season all around the world with a wide variety of instrumentation arrangements.

The carol’s text is below:

In the humble hut, in cold and poverty the Holy infant is born, Whom the world will adore. Hosanna, hosanna, sing with a joyous heart, Your shepherds and angels, O King of light and love.

Come let us adore, come let us adore, come let us adore the Lord.

O beautiful Boy do not cry do not cry, Redeemer! Your mother cradles you, kisses you, O Savior.

Oh! Come let us adore, Oh! Come let us adore, Come, come, Come let us adore, Let us adore the Lord.

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Offertory

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky! There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a Baby’s low cry.

And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King! We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song that comes down through the night from the

heavenly throng.

Ay! We shout to the lovely evangel they bring, And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!

Flowers

The Altar flowers today are donated in loving memory of Tim and Larry Daniels by Anneliese Danields

In our prayers today we will remember

Bryan Jones, Jessic Gray, Tyler Bailey, Cindy Lash, Carla & Eric Myers, Laura Mottice, Chase Haines, Ray Jones, Connie Crabtree, Jeannie Tidwell, Renee Brown, Chris Collard, Chuck Evans, Josh Keller, Dr Donald Zimmerman, Nancy Straughn, Martha Scott, Judy Hall, Bob Keefer, Lynda Klein, Sara Hughes, Chrissy Sturtz, Donna Viles, Betty Ayers, Jean Dexter, Janet Duke, Betty George, Marjorie Hill, Bob Kirsch, Dan Landig, Anna Langenfeld, Scott &

Darlene Lewis, Angela Sutter, Amy White, Maria Lictenberger, Diane Brant, Karen Lunkwitz, Dave Paul, Ron Meimer, Hazel Draper, Jennifer Mays, Alice Ferguson, Cheryl Shaw

Hymns, Liturgies, and Live stream permissions granted by the following: Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # SAS027923

GATHERING SONG

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ELW 257

HYMN OF THE DAY

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry ELW 249

PUBLIC DOMAIN

SENDING SONG

Joy to the World ELW 267

PUBLIC DOMAIN