Category: Worship

Celebrating the Birth of Christ

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 24, 2023 – 7:00 pm

AS WE GATHER
On Christmas, the grace of God appeared bringing salvation for all people in the person of Jesus. The angelic proclamation to the shepherds of Bethlehem was “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11). This Jesus is the Child on whose shoulders the government rests. He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. For this gift of grace called Jesus, let all people rejoice and sing, “Glory to God, now and forever!”

BIBLE READINGS

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

The Final “little Easter”

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 24, 2023

AS WE GATHER
The final Sunday of Advent is the last “little Easter” before the Church celebrates the birth of the Savior at Christmas. As an angel shared the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, so the angel Gabriel shares with Mary the good news of the Savior’s coming birth. God has promised to be present with His people, and now that presence is fully “in person” in the person of Jesus. The presence of God among and for His people is certain and everlasting. His kingdom endures forever and ever!

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16
(A house that lasts forever is promised.)

EPISTLE READING: Romans 16:25–27
(Glory is ascribed to God forever.)

HOLY GOSPEL READING: Luke 1:26-38
(John the Baptist announces the coming of Jesus)

Don’t Worry; Be Happy

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 17, 2023

AS WE GATHER ~ The unknown always leads to fear and anxiety.  We spend so much of our lives waiting in fear of the unknown, painting dark pictures of an imposing future. St. Paul reminds God’s Advent people that we know the future—the future is Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who was born of the virgin in human flesh and blood to secure forgiveness and salvation for us will return in glory to complete His new creation. The divine blessings from the Word and Table of the Lord unite us and call us to fervent joy; the gifts of God initiate, nourish, and sustain that joy, refreshing our weary hearts with forgiveness, life, and hope. As God’s Advent people, we lay down our fears in order to retain the holy joy of Christ—both now as He comes in the means of grace and in expectation of His coming again that we might dwell with Him for all eternity.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
(The prophet proclaims the day of God’s favor and the promise of joy in the marriage supper of the Lamb which is to come.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
(Rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all things for this is God’s will.)

HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:6-8, 19-28
(John the Baptist points to the One who is to come, of whom he is not worthy to untie His sandals.)

Messengers and Messages

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 10, 2023

AS WE GATHER
Throughout the ages, God has sent messengers with special messages for His people. Many centuries before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah told of how God would comfort His people. The ministry of Jesus was announced by the strong spoken messages of John the Baptizer in the wilderness. After the ascension of Jesus, written messages such as those of Peter, John, Paul, and James encouraged the first Christians into ongoing lives of faith and witness. Through His Word, the timeless messages of God come to us anew each week and in each changing season of the Church Year.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 40:1-11
(Comfort God’s people is proclaimed)

EPISTLE READING: 2 Peter 3:8-14
(The Day of the Lord will be coming)

HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:1-8
(John the Baptist announces the coming of Jesus)

He Still Comes

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

December 3, 2023

AS WE GATHER
This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new Church Year of grace. Our Church Year counts time differently than the secular calendar. We are tied to the fullness of time in which God sent His one and only Son into the womb of the virgin, born to save us. The First Sunday in Advent is the Sunday on or closest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day). Today, we begin a journey not simply to the manger but the familiar journey that takes us to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb. It is not merely a remembrance of what took place so long ago but also preparation for what is to come—our Lord’s return in glory to lay claim to His Church for all eternity. Encouraged by the Spirit, we devote ourselves to faithfully keeping what God has made known to us and showing forth our living faith in words and acts of repentance and holy living. But each Advent is a reminder that we are one step further from Bethlehem and one year closer to our Lord’s coming again.

BIBLE READING

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 64:1–9
(“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down.”)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:3–9
(He will sustain you to the end.)

HOLY GOSPEL READING: Mark 13:24-37
(Stay awake and keep prepared for Christ’s coming.)

A Vision of Life

LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR

November 26, 2023

AS WE GATHER ~ “O God, O Lord of heav’n and earth, Thy living finger never wrote That life should be an aimless mote, A death-ward drift from futile birth. Thy word meant life triumphant hurled In splendor through Thy broken world. Since light awoke and life began, Thou hast desired Thy life for man.” Martin Franzmann, 1907-76

God is the giver of life, health, and salvation. His vision of life is one of divine service—the total emptying of Himself up for us in time and eternity. In our daily living and worship we receive God’s divine gifts, and respond in gratitude and praise. Today we hear and receive God’s Word first, only then responding in prayer and praise.

BIBLE READING

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
(God promises to shepherd His people directly.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
(Christ’s resurrection assures our own.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46
(Jesus teaches His vision of daily life for His followers.)

Time for a Change

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – Proper 28

November 19, 2023

AS WE GATHER ~ During the last few Sundays of the Church Year we turn our attention to God’s new creation and the eternal kingdom.  Though we find our busy lives constantly dealing with change, the Day of our Lord is coming and we have an appointment with the destiny prepared for us in Christ.  As we wait without anxiety or fear, we focus on what He has done to prepare us for that day.  He has called us from darkness into His marvelous light. By the aid of His Holy Spirit, we learn to live as children of light—watching and waiting for His return.

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Zephaniah 1:7-16 (The day of the Lord is near.)

EPISTLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
(The day of the Lord will come suddenly.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30
(The Parable of the Talents)

The Resurrection of the Body

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—PROPER 27

November 12, 2023

AS WE GATHER
The final three weeks of the Church Year are traditionally concerned with “the last things.” The lessons of the Church bring a special opportunity to reflect on the end of time and on the end of our earthly lives. In the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm our belief in the resurrection of the body, which is God’s good but temporary gift to us while we are living on earth. With all who have died in the faith before us, we await the coming of the Lord. Paul writes, “We shall all be changed.” Our faithful worship helps us prepare for that glorious event!

BIBLE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING:  Amos 5:18–24    (The Lord calls for justice.)

EPISTLE READING:  1 Thessalonians 4:13–18   (The Day of the Lord is coming.)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:1–13
(The parable of the wise and foolish virgins)