GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS December 19, 2012

THE ALTAR FLOWERS The Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God and the beautification of His House by Allen and Dorris Deislinger in memory of Allens parents Fred and Marie Deislinger and in thanksgiving for Gods many blessings.

THE ORDER OF EVENING PRAYER FOR THE WEEK OF THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE CHURCH
Immanuel, God with us, I rejoice in Your promise to be with me always. You are the fulfillment of all of the prophetic promises. For the miracle of Your conception and Your birth, for Your suffering, death and resurrection and my forgiveness and eternal life, I give to You my thanks and praise and I ask that by Your Spirits power I may know the things that I am to do that are pleasing in Your sight, that which gives You glory. In Your name I pray. Amen

THOSE WHO SERVE Pastor: Vicar: Director of Parish Music: Acolyte: Greeter: Choir: Euphonium: Trumpet: Trombone: Ushers: Nursery Attendant: Altar Guild: Rev. James C. Walter David Witte Nathan Beethe Mason Andrews Debbie Penny Adult Choir, Handbell Choir Paul Walter Richard Sanders Rudy Bischof, Christina Junkans, Joel Junkans, Jeff Ralston Charlie Buchanan, Terry Clawitter Bryan Gipson, Dave Roberts Mary Ann Dyer Suzanne Raddle and Wilma Richter

WELCOME
This is a busy time of year. It is good that you have chosen to take this time to be here this evening. There are many things for us to do in this season and there does not seem to be enough time to do them. Use this time to be strengthened by Gods Word, refreshed by the Gospel which is the power to salvation. If you are visiting with us and have any questions about Grace Congregation, please speak with our Pastor. We invite you to come and worship with us again.

AS WE GATHER
Advent has long been a time of preparation, preparation for the celebration of Christmas and for recognizing that our Lord Jesus will come again in glory. As we wait to once again hear the story of Christmas we cannot forget how God, from before the beginning of time, had a plan. While that is a mystery for which we can wonder, we must remember that faith accepts God at His Word and so we are left in our wonderment to confess that, while we may not understand we believe. Our believing is Gods work in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. During our Midweek Evening Prayer Services we will be considering the Wonders of Advent. In so doing we will see how Gods plan found its fulfillment through His working amongst ordinary people like us in order to accomplish great things. We will see how Zechariah, Mary and Joseph wondered about what they were told by Gods messengers. This evening Joseph Wonders, What Will I Do?

Our thanks to the Grace Youth and the Board of Parish Fellowship for serving our Advent dinner this evening.

Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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Prelude Ringing of the Church Bell

III. Magnificat Tertii Toni #4 - Johann Pachelbel

Phos Hilaron: O Light Whose Splendor

LSB 891

Service of Light
Stand

Versicles

1989 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479.

Thanksgiving For Light

A Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, king of the universe, who led Your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Enlighten our darkness by the light of Your Christ; may His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for You are merciful, and You love Your whole creation and we, Your creatures, glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C Amen

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Responsive Canticle: Oh, That You Would Rend the Heavens

LSB 984

Service Note: The Choir will sing the Antiphon first, then the congregation will sing the Antiphon, joining each additional time as indicated.

There is no one who calls up- | on Your name,* who rouses himself to take | hold of You; for You have hidden Your | face from us,* and have made us melt in the hand of our in- | iquities. Oh, that You would rend the heavens and | come down,* that the mountains might quake at Your | presence as when fire kindles | brushwood* and the fire causes wa- | ter to boil to make Your name known to Your adver- | saries,* and that the nations might tremble at Your | presence! But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our | potter;* we are all the work | of Your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity for- | ever.* Behold, please look, we are all Your | people. Glory be to the Father and | to the Son* and to the Holy | Spirit; as it was in the be- | ginning,* is now, and will be forever. | Amen.

When You did awesome things that we did not | look for,* You came down, the mountains quaked at Your | presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived | by the ear,* no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who | wait for Him. You meet him who joyfully works | righteousness,* those who remember You | in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, | and we sinned;* in our sins we have been a long time, and shall | we be saved? We have all become like one who is | unclean,* and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted | garment. We all fade | like a leaf,* and our iniquities, like the wind, take | us away.

2001 Crossway Bibles. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479.

Sit

Readings
Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 7:1014

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. And he said, Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. A O Lord, have mercy on us. C Thanks be to God.
Stand

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The Holy Gospel

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

Matthew 1:1825

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. P C
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God the Father was His source, Back to God He ran His course. Into hell His road went down, Back then to His throne and crown. For You are the Fathers Son Who in flesh the victry won. By Your mighty powr make whole All our ills of flesh and soul. From the manger newborn light Shines in glory through the night. Darkness there no more resides; In this light faith now abides. D 8 Glory to the Father sing, Glory to the Son, our king, Glory to the Spirit be Now and through eternity. Amen.

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.

Sermon Hymn: Savior of the Nations, Come

LSB 332

Service Note: Stanza 1 All, Stanza 2 Brass, Stanza 3 Women, Stanza 4 - All, Stanza 5 Men, Stanza 6-8 All.

2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479.; 1978 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. Public domain

Sermon
Joseph Wonders, "What Will I Do?" Stand

Matthew 1:18-25

Catechism
A The Second Article: Redemption C I believe in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. A What does this mean?

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C I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
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Offering
Stand

Savior of the Nations, Come - Friedrich Zachau

1991 Stephen P. Starke. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100011479. Public domain

Prayer
LSB 933 Litany
The congregation's response may begin just as the leader's petition ends so that the word "Lord" is sung simultaneously by both leader and congregation.

Canticle
Magnificat: My Soul Rejoices

P For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For Matthew, our Synodical President, and Roger, our District President, for all pastors in Christ, for all servants of the Church, and for all the people, let us pray to the Lord:

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C Lord, have mercy. P For our President, for all public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For those who work to bring peace, justice, health, and protection in this and every place, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For those who bring offerings, those who do good works in this congregation, those who toil, those who sing, and all the people here present who await from the Lord great and abundant mercy, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. P For . . . [additional bids for prayer may be inserted here] . . . let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy. The prayers then continue:

Collect For Peace

P O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen

Luther's Evening Prayer

C I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen

Lord's Prayer
P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: C 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

Matthew 6:913

Silence for individual prayer may follow.

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and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Benedicamus

[Psalm 103:1]

Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Benediction

Closing Hymn: Abide with Me

LSB 878

Service Note: The Brass will play Stanza Three alone. Please reflect on the text as they play.

Closing Hymn: Abide with Me

Printed on the next page

Postlude

Abide With Me - John Jay Hilfiger

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I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is deaths sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if Thou abide with me! Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. Heavns morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Public domain

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