Second Sunday of AdventDecember 6, 2020

 

 St. John’s Lutheran Church of

Parkvillewww.stjohnsparkville.org

 

(410) 665-1234  

After hour emergency: (443) 844-9314 Office@stjohnsparkville.org

 Text SJPARKVILLE to 22828 to join our email list.

December 6, 2020

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT WELCOME PRELUDE Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Mark Roberts (©2011 Lorenz Publishing Co.) CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS  

In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen. 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  Most merciful God,we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. 

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen. GATHERING HYMN On Jordan’s Stormy Bank I Stand ELW 437(vv. 1-2) 

1 On Jordan's stormy bank I stand,and cast a wishful eyeto Canaan's fair and happy land,where my possessions lie.

RefrainI am bound for the promised land,I am bound for the promised land;oh, who will come and go with me?I am bound for the promised land.

2 All o'er those wide extended plainsshines one eternal day;there God the Son forever reignsand scatters night away. Refrain

(Text: Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795; Music: W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835; adapt. Rigdon M. McIntosh, 1836-1899.)

 

GREETING  

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.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Blessed are you, God of hope, for you promise to bring forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse who will bring justice to the poor, who will deliver the needy and crush the oppressor, who will stand as a signal of hope for all people.

As we light these candles, turn our wills to bear the fruit of repentance, transform our hearts to live in justice and harmony with one another, and fix our eyes on the root of Jesse, Jesus Christ, the hope of all nations.

O people of hope, come,let us rejoice in the faithfulness of the Lord. Amen.

He Came Down 253

He came down that we may have hope;he came down that we may have hope;he came down that we may have hope;

hallelujah forevermore.

He came down that we may have peace;he came down that we may have peace;he came down that we may have peace;

hallelujah forevermore.

(Text: Cameron traditional; Music: Cameroon traditional; arr. John L. Bell. Arr. (c) 1986 GIA :Publications, Inc.)

PRAYER OF THE DAY WORD 

FIRST READING Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to herthat she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’s handdouble for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald

of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord GOD comes with might,and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Psalm is read responsively. The assembly speaks the bold print.

You have been gracious to your land, O LORD;  you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.You have forgiven the iniquity of your people  and blotted out all their sins.I will listen to what the LORD God is saying;  for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,  that your glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;  righteousness and peace have kissed each other.Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,  and righteousness shall look down from heaven.The LORD will indeed grant prosperity,  and our land will yield its increase.Righteousness shall go before the LORD  and shall prepare for God a pathway.

 GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia  

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

 GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8  

The Holy Gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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

SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY All Earth is Hopeful ELW 266 (vv. 1-2)

1 All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!Furrows lie open for God's creative task:this, the labor of people who struggle to seehow God's truth and justice set ev'rybody free.

2 People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:"A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel";she conceived him, "God with us," our brother, whose birthrestores hope and courage to children of this earth.

(Text and Music: Alberto Taule; tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall. Spanish text and tune ©1993 and tr. ©1995 Centro de Pastoral Liturgica, admin. OCP Publications.)

A: Living together in trust and hope, let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed: 

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

 

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.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

After each petition Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.

A PRAYER IN THANKSGIVING FOR OFFERING 

God of all goodness, generations have turned to you, gathered around your table, and shared your abundant blessings. Number us among them that, as we gather these gifts from your abundance, and give thanks for your rich blessings, we may feast upon your very self and care for all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Servant. Amen. LORDS 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.

SENDING 

BLESSING

SENDING HYMN Fling Wide the Door ELW 259 (v 1) 1 Fling wide the door, unbar the gate;

the King of glory comes in state;the Lord of lords and King of kings,the Savior of the world who bringshis great salvation to the earth.So raise a shout of holy mirthand praise our God and Lord,Creator, Spirit, Word.

(Text: Georg Weissel, 1590-1635; tr. Gracia Grindal; Music: J. A. Freylinghausen, Geistreiches Gesangbuch, 1704; arr. Hymnal version. Text © 1978, Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress)

 A few friendly reminders:

We will continue to live stream our worship services at 10 am on our YouTube Channel at https://bit.ly/3nzgAWy but services will be available any time after the live streaming.

On December 21st we will be offering The Longest Night Service (A pre-recorded service of remembering our losses, acknowledging the darkness and celebrating the hope and light of Jesus.) This service will be available on our YouTube Channel.

We are suspending in-person worship through the MLK Jr. holiday with the exception of a planned outdoor family service Christmas Eve at 4 pm in the church parking lot.

Join us online for a Christmas Eve Worship Service on our YouTube Channel.

Announcements 

The beautiful flowers gracing our worship service today are given in honor of Karen and Leonard Ford’s 50th Wedding Anniversary.Additional flowers are given in memory of Mil and Bob Baxter’s wedding anniversary and Mil Baxter’s birthday, by their family.

Zoom Bible Studies with Pastor John  

 December 9th at 10 am – “Birth of the Messiah” in the Bible  January (tba) – The Year of St. Mark: An Overview  

Contact the church office at office@stjohnsparkville.org to sign up and we will send you the Zoom link.   Doing Any Shopping Online for Christmas? Support St. John's when you shop. Go to: smile.amazon.com/ch/52-6012034 and Amazon donates to Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Parkville Inc

 Thanks to everyone who supported the Busy Bee’s Jelly and Jam sale. We are happy to announce that we have some jellies and jams left. If you are interested in purchasing some, call the church office. They make great Christmas gifts. Get them quick before they run out! 

  We are excited to announce that the clothing shed is back open. All donations must be bagged. Acceptable donations are: All clothing, shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, drapes, and stuffed toys. Thanks for your cooperation!  

We have some advent materials available for adults and families. If you are interested, you may pick up the materials from the church office.

DISMISSAL 

Now that we have heard the story and know the story...Let us go into the world to tell the story and live the story!Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying arr. Gilbert M. Martin(© 2012 Lorenz Publishing Co.)

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Prayer List

Please remember the following individuals in your prayers. 

For health & healing: Vernon & Elaine Reid, Lee Krieger, Suzanne Lindsay, Kelly Sanford, Janine Stevens, Emily Rash, Joan Kraft, Patty Schwab, Tom & Marion McDonough, Ardi Scarborough, Gerry Steg, Shirley Watkins, Philip Kramer, Betty Hedgepeth, Kathi Peck, Bett Murphy, Vickie Jasinski, and Cynthia Kraemer 

 For family & friends: Wayne Zopp, Karen Alban, Tjark Steg, Karen Ehrenberg, Mary Hohne, Randy Powell, Linda Fliegel, Cheryl Aydelotte, Mary Jo Rother, Doug Adams, Bill Eubert, Doris Klug, Olivia Routte, John Miller, Norma Weber, Marie Pilachowski, Charles & Pat Frank, Mike Fischer, Joann Kloby, Nancy Snyder, John & Patty Bowman, Kathy Amos, Farron Steel, Darlene Koch, Roxann Kelly, Terri Busby, Ms. Linton, Pam Harmen, Linda Asplin, Anna Meyers, and Barb Collins 

For the military and their families: Jacob Verble, Lance Corporal Justin Ferro, Sgt. Stephen Peck, Staff Sgt. Brandan Hartmann, Michael Anthony Tucker, Chaplain A. J. Striffler and all those in harm’s way 

For those grieving family & friends of: Shirley Darling, Linda Gehrig, Audrey Miller, Helen Vaccarino, Richard Ortt 

For St. John’s Caring Friends: Trudy Anderson, Alma Arnold, Agatha Biensach-Daniels, Gladys Downs, Margaret Eubert, Betty Glassband, Betty Hedgespeth, Leroy Hohne, Paul Huber, Audrey Lentz, John Lotterer, Patrick O’Connell, Ann Powell, Arthur Pulket, Mary Ann Reek, Patricia Sollanek, Cass Tracey, Emma Volz, Doris Warfield, and Clara Westphal 

From SundaysAndSeasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual 30295.Permission for hymn use and organ music granted under ONE LICENSE #735150-A