Make Straight the Way for the Lord!

Peace Lutheran Church 2090 Commerce Drive

North Mankato, MN 56003

2

Peace Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Synod

“Serving Christ with united hearts and hands and voices”

Pastor Timothy Hartwig

Church Office: 507-385-1386

Cell Phone: 507-382-6826

Email: pastorhartwig@gmail.com

Jesus Lambs’ at Peace Preschool Teacher/Director: Joslyn Moldstad

Phone: 507-385-7752

Email: joslynm@chartermi.net

Divine Service Sunday – 8:30 & 10:45 AM & Wednesday – 6:30 PM

December 14, 2014 Third Sunday in Advent

Welcome to Peace! – The purpose of our congregation is to worship God, who gives life through Word and Sacrament; to serve one another in love and fellowship; and to proclaim forgiveness and salvation to all through Jesus Christ alone.

Before Worship As you prepare to worship your Lord today, spend a few quiet minutes in prayer before the service. Review the lessons, the service notes, and pray this prayer:

Prayer of the Day

Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of Your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with Your light; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

For the Children

A Cry-Room is available if your little ones need a moment. It is the first room on the left as you walk into the church building. Sound and video are piped into the room to enable you to hear and see the service.

Facilities

Restrooms are located down the hall and on the right side.

3

The Divine Service with Holy Communion Rite 1, p. 41

Prelude: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” alto saxophone/piano

Opening Prayer

P: O Lord, our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter, we are assembled in Your presence to hear Your holy Word. We pray You to open our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of Your Word we may be taught to repent of our sins, to believe on Jesus in life and death, and to grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Christ’s sake. Amen.

8:30 - Hymn #107:1-4, “When All the World Was Cursed” 10:45 – Choir, “O Jesus, Grant Me Hope and Comfort”

O Jesus, grant me hope and comfort; O let me ne'er in sorrow pine, My heart and soul, yea, all my being, O Jesus, trust alone in Thee. Thou Prince of Peace, Thou Pearl from heaven, true God, true Man, my Morning Star! O come, Thou precious Sun most radiant, Thy beams illumine my heart and soul.

O Jesus, with Thy advent quiet my restless soul and anxious mind. In true humility I welcome Thee, Jesus Christ, my Joy divine. My thoughts, desires, and all my longings I dedicate, O Christ, to Thee. O come, Thou precious Sun most radiant, Thy beams illumine my heart and soul.

© 1939 by Paul A. Schmitt Music Company. Copyright renewed 1967 by Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-721927.

The Confession of Sin

P: Let us confess our sins to God and pray: We poor sinners confess to You, O God, not only that we have been conceived

and born in sin, but also that throughout life we have often and in many ways offended You, our Lord and Maker, in thought, word and deed, so that You could with perfect justice reject and condemn us for all eternity.

Therefore we come before You with sorrow of heart, in dread and terror of Your holy justice and of everlasting death. Our sins are a grievous foe, which we should hate in every way as long as we live.

O merciful God, You still grant us in this hour to be reminded of Your fatherly goodness. According to the promise of Your Word we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy and implore You, dearest Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your

4

only-begotten Son, our Brother, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised again for our justification:

Forgive us all our sins through faith, which the Holy Spirit increases in our hearts to full assurance.

C: We therefore pray You, O Lord, through Your servant to declare to us the forgiveness of all our sins. We poor sinners are willing to forgive all who have offended against us. We earnestly desire to grow in true godliness. Help us, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Kyrie Eleison (Lord, have mercy)

5

The Absolution

P: Hear the holy and comforting Word of our Lord: Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Lift up your hearts! By the authority of God and of my holy office I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the Highest)

P: Glory be to God in the highest.

6

The Salutation

7

The Collect P: Let us pray…one God, now and forever.

The Lesson – Isaiah 61:1-3,10-11 1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. 10I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the soil makes the sprout come up

8

and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

The Epistle – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this

is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test

everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil. 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May

your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

The Holy Gospel – John 1:6-8,19-28

P: The Holy Gospel for the Third Sunday in Advent is written in the 1st chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, beginning at the 6th verse.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." 22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who

sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in

the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" 24Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you

baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not

know. 27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

9

The Creed

P: Let us confess our holy faith in the words of the Nicene Creed:

C: 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 is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall 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,

10

Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe 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 of the world to come.

Hymn #106, “On Jordan’s Bank the Herald’s Cry”

The Sermon – John 1:6-8,19-28 Make Straight the Way for the Lord!

P: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto everlasting life. Amen.

The Prayer of the Church

P: Everlasting and merciful God, we beseech You in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ:

C: To have mercy upon us and to hear our prayer.

P: Look in mercy upon Your Church. Protect it and sanctify it by Your truth. May Your Word be taught in its purity and Your Sacraments be rightly administered. Grant unto Your Church faithful pastors who shall declare Your truth with power and shall live according to Your will. Send forth laborers into Your harvest and open the door of faith unto all unbelievers and unto the people of Israel. In mercy remember the enemies of Your Church and grant to them repentance unto life.

C: O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear us in the truth of Your salvation.

P: Let Your protecting hand be over our country and over all who travel. Prosper what is good among us and bring to naught every evil counsel and purpose. Protect and bless Your servants, the President of the United States, the Governor of this state, our judges and magistrates and all in authority. Fit them for their high calling by the gift of Your Spirit of wisdom and fear, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

11

C: Hear, O Lord, and have mercy! Lord be our helper.

P: According to Your promise, O God, be the defender of the widow and the father of the orphan. Relieve and comfort the sick and the sorrowful (especially our brother/sister ________ who is ill/grieving). Graciously help those who are assaulted by the devil and who are in peril of death. Be the strength of those who are suffering for the sake of Christ’s holy name. Grant that we may live together in peace and prosperity. Bestow upon us good and seasonable weather; and bless us with upright Christian counsel in all that we undertake.

C: O Lord, be with all in trouble. Hear their prayers to the honor of Your Name.

P: We especially commend to Your care and keeping this Your congregation which You have bought with a great price. Keep from us all offenses and bind us together in the unity of Your holy love. Grant that the little ones who are baptized in Your name may be brought up in Your fear. At Your table give to those who there commune with You peace and life everlasting.

C: Let all rejoice who trust in You; let them shout for joy because You defend them.

P: Be merciful, O God, to all, according to Your great love in Christ Jesus, our Lord. When our final hour shall come, grant us a blessed departure from this world, and on the last day, a resurrection to Your glory.

C: Amen. Grant us Your peace, O Lord!

The Apostolic Benediction

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Offering

The members of Peace Lutheran Congregation have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will

not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)

Please fill out the Friendship Register.

12

The Service of Holy Communion

Peace Lutheran Church practices close communion. We ask that only members of the ELS and WELS partake of the Sacrament today. Visitors, please speak to the Pastor about receiving the Sacrament in the future.

The Preface

P: The Lord be with you.

P: Lift up your hearts unto the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

13

The Proper Preface and Sanctus

P: It is truly good, right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

The Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)

14

The Lord’s Prayer

P: 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.

The Words of Institution

P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: “Drink of it all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

15

The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

16

The Distribution Distribution Hymn #319, “Just as I Am” Distribution Hymn #309, “A Wondrous Mystery Is Here” Distribution Hymn #321, “Zion, to Thy Savior Singing”

The Collect of Thanksgiving P: Let us give thanks and pray: We thank You, Lord God Almighty, that You have

refreshed us with these Your salutary gifts; and we beseech You of Your mercy, to strengthen us through the same in faith toward You, and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.

The Benediction P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

17

The Closing Hymn #107:5, “When All the World Was Cursed”

The Closing Prayer

P: O Lord, we render unto You our heartfelt thanks that You have taught us what You would have us believe and do. Help us, O God, by Your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ, to keep Your Word in pure hearts, that we thereby may be strengthened in faith, perfected in holiness, and comforted in life and death. Amen.

Thank you to those who served in our service today: Communion Assistants: Paul Fries and Paul Wold

Organist: Amanda Madson; The ushers; Cover artwork: Don Moldstad.

To God be the Glory!

Announcements

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are held at 9:45AM.

World Missions Update by Steve Petersen on December 21st – Bible Study

Steve Petersen will be presenting pictures from the 7 world mission fields that the ELS oversees. This will be a great overview of the foreign mission work being carried out on your behalf.

Christmas Cards are for sale after both services by the CROSSED youth as a fundraiser. Cost is $3.00 per box and there are a variety of styles to choose from. Please stop and check them out - 100% profit for the youth group and a great deal for you!!

Solid Grounds Bible Study meets on Tuesdays, at 9:00AM. Everyone is invited to attend!

During the season of Advent we have an Advent meal on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15 PM, and our Advent Worship Service is at 6:30 PM. We hope you can join us for both.

18

The Sunday School children will be rehearsing for their Christmas Program Saturday, December 20th, from 9-11 AM. The Christmas Program will be December 21st, during the 10:45 AM service. Sunday School families - please mark both of these dates on your calendars.

Benefit Dinner - Come and join us in Mt. Olive's Fellowship Hall for a Benefit Dinner from 5 - 6:15pm on Wednesday, December 17th (before the Midweek Advent Service--which starts at 6:30pm). This benefit dinner is for Philip Langhorst, infant son of Arthur and Constance Langhorst. A free will offering will be taken to help defray medical expenses incurred from his hospitalization after his preterm birth and emergency hernia surgeries. Please join us in supporting this young family!

Jesus' Lambs at Peace Preschool will celebrate Jesus’ Birthday with our

Preschool Christmas on Friday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. If you would like

to help serve or bring sandwiches please contact Kristy Ringen at 676-2307.

Please join us for our service as we raise our voices to thank God for His

gracious love for sinners. If you would like information about our Winter

Reminder - Group 6 is responsible for refreshments during the months of November and December. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the narthex. Questions can be directed to Terri Fries or Debra Howson.

What is all this talk about Groups?? Our church membership is divided into six groups to help organize and accomplish the different things that need to be done during the year - for the congregation and building/property. If you don’t know (or remember) which group you are in - please contact Karen at 385-1386.

Brian Koch, the Stewardship Coordinator, is looking for individuals who would be willing to be on a list of alternates to help count the offering after second services. If you are interested, or would like more information, please call Brian at 605-941-5521.

There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at Peace on January 2nd, from 12:30-5:30pm. Anyone interested in donating is welcome to contact Gabby Miller for more information at (507)995-3617 or gabmiller44@gmail.com. Gabby will also assist

anyone in signing up to donate on the Red Cross website, or you are welcome to do it yourself at http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearch.jsp with the sponsor code 017PEACE.

19

Are you unable to care for your feet? Your church home is offering a service to help you care for your feet and toenails. By appointment, a registered nurse, using sanitary equipment, will soak and wash your feet, trim toenails, and finish with a lotion foot massage. If the nurse feels

further medical attention is needed, she may suggest an appointment with your health care provider. This service is free; however, donations will be accepted to go to a church cause. For more information, or to set up an appointment, please call Amy Jo Reiner at 507-340-2061.

To watch our services live, go to: www.peacemankato.com/live-streaming. The service will start automatically when it is live (8:30AM). For recorded services, go to www.vimeo.com/peacemankato and you can choose which service you want to watch.

CROSSED is meeting tonight from 6:15 to 8:30 at the Wiechmann Home. We hope you’ll use this time to connect with God and connect with others. Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to join in the faith, fun, and fellowship time.

The address is 1745 Bassett Drive, Mankato.

Last week at Peace: Divine Worship 274 Wednesday 100

20

Christmas Worship Schedule

Midweek Advent Vespers ~ Wednesdays, 6:30pm

“Christ Is Coming"

12/17 5:30-6:15PM Advent Supper

6:30PM Pastor Tim Hartwig – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-16

“With a Word for Our Congregation”

12/19 6:30PM The Preschool Children’s Christmas Program

12/21 8:30AM Worship Service

10:45AM The Sunday School Children’s Christmas Program

One Worship Service, at 9:00am, on Sunday, December 28th.

No Sunday School or Bible Class on December 28th. Classes will resume again on January 4th.

No Solid Grounds Bible Study on December 23rd.or December 30th. Class will resume on January 6th.

No Confirmation Class on December 24th or 31st. Class will resume on January 7th.

New Year’s Eve Scripture & Song Service

6:30pm

Christmas Eve Worship Service

6:30pm

Christmas Day Worship Service

9:00am