The Third Sunday in Advent - Online Worship - December 12, 2021
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vs 1
Oh come oh come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
refrain:
Rejoice
Rejoice
Emmanuel
Shall come to you
O Israel
(refrain 2x)
Today we rejoice and celebrate heaven and nature sing in the good news and the greatest joy, God’s grace is made known, in the arrival of Emmanuel, and Jesus’ promised return, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live, with my whole being, and repeat the sounding joy!
People of God: Do not put your trust in princes or mortals in whom there is no help. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and the times we have failed to trust and repeat the sounding joy of Jesus’ presence and promised return.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ, Jesus who was born in a manger, who died for you, who rose again, who will come again to this world, graces you in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Heaven and nature forever sing! Go and tell; repeat the sounding joy! Be still! Our joy is great, for The Holy One is here!
vs 1
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
vs 2
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
He burns with holy fire
With splendor He is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant King of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
Loving God, as you called John the Baptist, increase our faith to witness, to point others, to testify, to make known, The Holy One is here. By your Holy Spirit, like the children today, like the shepherds long ago, we will repeat the sounding joy, we will go and tell others, the salvation we have, the forgiveness we trust, the assurance given, and the hope that is ours, is in Emmanuel alone, for God is with us, as we await Jesus’ promised return. On this Third Sunday in Advent, let heaven and nature sing, make known perhaps like never before, the good news of the greatest joy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
vs 3
Light three candles
To watch for Messiah
Let the light banish darkness
Lift your heads
And lift high the gateway
For the King of glory
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Long ago God’s holy servant Mary was blessed with faith to witness heaven and nature sing, to hold the One who first came to us, to repeat the sounding joy of all that had been told to her. May we boldly magnify all God is still making known to one and all!
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. 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. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 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; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made with our ancestors, to Abraham, and to his descendants forever.” Amen.
vs 1
O come little children
O come one and all
To Bethlehem’s stable
In Bethlehem’s stall
And see with rejoicing
This glorious sight
Our Father in heaven
Has sent us this night
vs 2
O see in the manger
In hallow-ed light
A star throws its beam
On this holiest sight
In clean swaddling clothes
Lies the heavenly Child
More lovely than angels
This Baby so mild
vs 3
Oh there lies the Christ child
On hay and on straw
The shepherds are kneeling
Before him with awe
And Mary and Joseph
Smile on him with love
While angels are singing
Sweet songs from above
ISAIAH 12:2-6; ZEPHANIAH 3:14-20; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7; LUKE 3:7-18
The sounds of the season! They come to us, bless us, try to influence us, crowd us, inspire us, fill us, save us. Which sounds do you hear? Which ones do you listen to, listen for? Which sounds do you need to break through all the others, to ring out the loudest, to ring out the truest? Good sound requires being true, clear, harmony, balance, and amplification. What you like to hear may be a matter of personal style. In our Gospel today, John the Baptist is preaching a baptism of repentance, calling all to bear fruit, proclaiming The One more powerful still to come, announcing The Holy Spirit. As we are blessed with the children today, to “Get Ready, For The Real Story,” may we listen anew for heaven and nature to sing, as we share the season of Advent, as we long for Christmas, as we wait for Christ’s return, as we live each day in The One more powerful than any of us! Let us like the shepherds, like the children today, hear The Good News of The Greatest Joy, and repeat the sounding joy!
Repeat the sounding joy, for it is time to clear the road and follow, free from distractions and obstacles, for The One who is more powerful is coming! Luke 3:16 There is still time to clear our priorities. Jesus will help us know what to do, what to do first, what is most important!
Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 3:10, 12, 14There is still time to clear our schedules.
Philippians 4:6There is still time to clear our throats.
Isaiah 12:5-6; Zephaniah 3:14; Philippians 4:5-6There is still time to clear our minds. There is so much going on, we all need a moment of peace. `The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:7
There is still time to clear our hearts. John invited the people `to bear the fruits worthy of repentance.' We cannot just go through the motions!
Luke 3:7There is still time … The time is now! John was called and he went, the people heard and they came. The shepherds heard, and they went with haste. What will we do and say, will we follow more closely?
Luke 3:16
Like the children today, we are invited to join the real story, to jump into our role, to repeat the sounding joy! The good news of Advent and Christmas is that God sent Jesus `The One who is more powerful' to clear the way, The One to restore us before the Lord.' In Christ who has come, and in Christ who will come again, we repeat the sounding joy, and we `rejoice, and again, I say, rejoice!'
Philippians 4:4, Luke 3:16
Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.
vs 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
refrain:
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
vs 2
Shepherds why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song
(refrain)
...as we pray to you, Jesus,
We trust heaven and nature sing; as you come to us and bless us with your grace.
All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.
In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
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.
vs 1
Come they told me
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Rrum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him
Pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
vs 2
Baby Jesu
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa-rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give our King
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you
Pa-rum pum pum pum
On my drum
vs 3
Mary nodded
Pa-rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
vs 1
Hark The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth
And mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful all you nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
refrain:
Hark The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn king”
vs 3
Hail the heav’n-born
Prince of Peace
Hail the sun of righteousness
Light and life
To all he brings
Ris’n with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that we no more may die
Born to raise each child of earth
Born to give us second birth
(refrain)
The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace, this day, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, as we hear heaven and nature sing in God’s grace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
vs 1
Caroling caroling now we go
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling caroling thru the snow
Christmas bells are ringing
Joyous voices sweet and clear
Sing the sad of heart to cheer
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing
vs 2
Caroling caroling thru the town
Christmas bells are ringing
Caroling caroling up and down
Christmas bells are ringing
Mark ye well the song we sing
Gladsome tidings now we bring
Ding dong ding dong
Christmas bells are ringing
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Today we share and celebrate The Third Sunday In Advent! Worship today includes, our Children’s Christmas Program! Thank you to one and all for blessing our ministry and worship and the joy of the season!
Join us next Sunday, December 19, The Fourth Sunday In Advent, “He Rules The World!”
Join us for our festive Christmas Eve Worship, Friday, December 24, at 4 p.m. “Wonders Of His Love!” Christmas Eve Worship to include: Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Candlelight, and “One Solitary Life”
As we share worship in this way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion is now offered once again during worship, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served! For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.
For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving!
Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org
We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church,as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Litany of Hope as We Wait for Jesus’ Promised Return – written based on Psalm 146. “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel,” “Be Still,” “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” The Little Drummer Boy,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN, and Public Domain. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction” based on the LBW. “O Come, Little Children” © 1999 PsalmSinger Music, CCLI #2769183 “Caroling, Caroling,” © 1954, renewed 1957 Hollis Music, Inc. All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.
