DECEMBER 8th SERVICE Passcode required: &zkT4#8i
or click on SERMON below, in the Order of Service, to hear weekly sermons
Zoom Meeting, Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83025269997?pwd=VW1ZUXlsSTdkcWl0SC90SWRvK2dHUT09
For those not using computer for the worship service:
PhoneNumber: 1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 830 2526 9997
Password: 958432
December 8th, 2024
“I am the good shepherd,
and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.
I am the good shepherd.
I know my sheep, and they know me.”
Worship Theme: John the Baptist is a herald of Jesus, whose way is prepared by repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Pastor: Nathan Whittaker
First Reading: Ron Stephens
Second Reading: Maria Roy
Assisting Minister: Merlean Locke
Musician: Anita Tucker
We pray that you are blessed with the Word of God today.
May the spirit of the living God abide with you always!
Welcome
P: Blessed be ✝ God, who creates and sustains all life; who redeems and restores us to new life; and who works within us and this world,
C: Amen.
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Before God and in the company of our siblings in Christ, let us confess our sin.
Silence for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: we have sinned 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, 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.
P: God’s love for you is total and complete. No matter who you are, no matter what happens, and no matter what you do, God still loves you. Even more, in God’s good pleasure and in the name of Jesus Christ ✝ your sins are forgiven now and forever.
C: Amen.
Opening Hymn TFF 49 – On Jordan's Stormy Banks
On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
and cast a wishful eye
to Canaan's fair and happy land,
where my possessions lie.
Refrain:
I 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.
All o'er those wide extended plains
shines one eternal day;
there God the Son forever reigns,
and scatters night away.
Refrain
No chilling winds or pois'nous breath
can reach that healthful shore;
sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
are felt and feared no more.
Refrain
When shall I reach that happy place,
and be forever blest?
When shall I see my Savior's face,
and in God's bosom rest?
Refrain
Greeting
P: The grace of God that is Christ’s gift to all, the love of God that sustains us all, and the unity of the Spirit who binds us in peace be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Call to Worship TFF p.72-76
AM: We grow weary of waiting.
C: God, keep us from our impatience and despair.
AM: The world grows loud.
C: We rest in silence.
AM: We can pause and listen.
C: Silence is yours.
AM: The divine dwelt in a body.
C: The flesh is sacred.
AM: The world feels dim.
C: But glory grows in darkness.
AM: And glory is revealed in the dawn.
C: Glory to the one who comes in flesh for all flesh!
Kyrie TFF pp. 26-27
AM: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: 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.
AM: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son.
C: By his coming, give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation, in Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Advent Wreath
One of the best-known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting amid growing darkness strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light.
P: Praise to you, O God, who gives us courage to start again.
C: You fasten righteousness around your waist and baptize with the Holy Spirit’s fire.
P: Bless us as we mirror your mighty fire in these simple flames.
C: Teach us to mirror your justice in the paths we prepare.
P: We ask that peace abound,
C: until none hurt or destroy over all the earth. Amen.
First Reading Malachi 3:1-4
1 Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me;
suddenly the Lord whom you are seeking will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you take delight is coming,
says the Lord of heavenly forces.
2 Who can endure the day of his coming?
Who can withstand his appearance?
He is like the refiner’s fire or the cleaner’s soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.
He will purify the Levites
and refine them like gold and silver.
They will belong to the Lord,
presenting a righteous offering.
4 The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord
as in ancient days and in former years.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Response
AM: Take off your mourning clothes and oppression, Jerusalem!
C: Dress yourself in the dignity of God’s glory forever.
AM: Wrap the justice that comes from God around yourself like a robe.
C: Place the eternal one’s glory on your head like a crown.
AM: God will show your brilliance everywhere under heaven.
C: God will give you this name by which to be called forever:
AM: The Peace That Comes from Justice,
C: The Honor That Comes
from Reverence for God!
AM: Get up, Jerusalem! Stand on the high place, and look around to the east!
C: See your children gathered from the west to the east by the holy one’s word, as they rejoice that God has remembered them.
AM: They went out from you on foot, driven along by their enemies,
C: but God will bring them back to you, carried aloft with glory as on a royal throne.
Second Reading Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. 4 I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. 5 I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. 6 I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. 7 I have good reason to think this way about all of you because I keep you in my heart. You are all my partners in God’s grace, both during my time in prison and in the defense and support of the gospel. 8 God is my witness that I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. 10 I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. 11 I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation TTF 98 – Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Gospel Luke 3:1-6
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 3rd chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
1 In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius—when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler over Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler over Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler over Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas —God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 4 This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
A voice crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be leveled.
The crooked will be made straight
and the rough places made smooth.
6 All humanity will see God’s salvation.”
P: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Hymn of the Day LBW 26 – Prepare the Royal Highway
Prepare the royal highway,
the King of kings is near;
let every hill and valley
a level road appear.
Then greet the king of glory
foretold in sacred story:
Refrain:
O blest is he that came
in God the Father's name!
God’s people, see him coming:
your own eternal king!
Palm branches strew before him;
spread garments; shout and sing.
God’s promise will not fail you;
no more shall doubt assail you:
Refrain
Then fling the gates wide open
to greet your promised king;
your king, yet every nation
its tribute too should bring.
All lands, bow down before him;
all voices, thus adore him:
Refrain
His is no earthly kingdom;
it comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding
for kindness so abounding:
Refrain
Sermon
Passcode: &zkT4#8i
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He 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. 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 again 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.
Music Group Selection
Prayers of the Congregation
AM: As we prepare for Emmanuel, God-with-us, let us pray for all people and places that long for God’s presence.
Silence
Refining God, move through your church. Root out practices that harm people.
C: Kindle a fire for sharing the gospel; ignite pastors, preachers, bishops, deacons, and all the baptized for your love.
AM: Renewing God, transform your creation. Steer us from habits that harm what you have made.
C: Guide us in practices that preserve and restore creatures and habitats.
AM: Ruling God, teach the nations your ways. Refrain us from pursuing power and wealth.
C: Strengthen organizations and communities that broker peace and care for refugees, immigrants, and all caught in the middle of conflict.
AM: Reforming God, fill this congregation – and all communities of The Way – with your presence.
C: Enrich our seasonal preparations and bless the efforts of all who honor you in worship, especially Anita Tucker and our Music Group.
AM: Rescuing God, restore all who are in need. Heal the sick and suffering, especially those in our congregation: Jerelene, Norma, Rozetta, John, Maurnitta, Rosa, Jean, and Ella.
C: Provide comfort and strength, and nurture sustained wholeness for the future.
AM: For what else do the people of God pray? We invite those joining us via zoom to offer their prayers first.
Prayers to consider:
- Peace in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, and all in armed conflict
- Women’s rights
- LGBTQ+ safety and care
- End of gun violence in our city and nation
- End of racism in America and the world
- Ceasing of gentrification in the Central District
- Good Shepherd House and LIHI
- Those impacted by weather and nature)
AM: We now invite those in the sanctuary to offer up their prayers.
After the petitions:
AM: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: Savior of the nations, come, and receive these prayers and the pleas of our hearts, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, we pray,
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(We now greet one another with: “Peace be with you.”)
Gathering of Offerings
Offering Prayer
P: Let us pray. Loving God, in this Advent season, we bring our offerings with hearts open to your call. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, use our gifts to prepare the way for your kingdom.
C: Use these offerings to bring hope, justice, and transformation. Help us to look beyond the surface, to see your work in surprising places and people. Bless our giving, that it may shine with the presence of Emmanuel. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and proper that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our brother; who is the Prince of Peace. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy TFF p.38
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: We give thanks that on the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Lord’s Prayer
P: Let us pray, with confidence, the words our brother gave us:
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Communion Hymn TTF 39 – Lamb of God
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
Communion
Wine is served in individual glasses.
Grape juice is available in the center of the tray.
Prayer after Communion
P: Let us pray. God of our ancestors and of all people, we thank you that as the broken bread was gathered into one loaf, the broken fragments of our history are gathered up and healed by this redeeming act of Christ.
C: Send us forth in peace and form us into what we just received: your love and grace for all people. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessing
P: Beloved in the Lord, God has shown us what is good. What does the Lord require but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God? We do so with the love, grace, and power of the Father, Son ✝, and Spirit given to us.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn TFF 161 – Go, My Children
Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; you are my own.
In my love's baptismal river I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing—you are my own.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son's story;
here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me;
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit's power filled you;
here his tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.
“I the Lord will bless and keep you, and give you peace.
I the Lord will smile upon you, and give you peace.
I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother.
Go, my children, I will keep you, and give you peace.”
Announcements
Dismissal
We’ve Come This Far by Faith
We’ve come this far by faith
Leaning on the Lord
Trusting in His holy word.
He’s never failed me yet.
Oh……. Can’t turn around,
We’ve come this far by faith!
Closing Blessing
Acknowledgments
All songs come from This Far By Faith: An African American Resource for Worship (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1999) reprinted with permission under onelicense.net license #A-738102, unless otherwise acknowledged. All Scripture passages are from Common English Bible © 2012. Elements taken from sundaysandseasons.com.; Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Selected liturgy comes from Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley published through CONVERGENT BOOKS and copyright in 2024. On Jordan's Stormy Banks (TFF 49), Text by Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795; Tune: PROMISED LAND, Southern Harmony, 1835; apt. Rigdon M. McIntosh, 1836-1899; arr. Norman Johnson; Arr. © 1968 Singspiration Music, admin. Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. Prepare the Royal Highway (LBW 26), Text by Franz Mikael Franzen, 1772-1847; Tune: BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN; Tr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Go, My Children, with My Blessing (TFF 161), Text by Jaroslav J. Vajda, b. 1919; Tune: AR HYD Y NOS; © 1983 Jaroslav J. Vajda.
Announcements for December 8, 2024
- Welcome to our visitors. Please take a moment to sign our guest book in the narthex. You are always welcomed here!
- Portals of Prayer for October through December and January through March 2025 are available on the narthex table.
- Advent Worship Services will be held at Good Sheperd Wednesday December 4th, 11th and 18th at 7:00pm. The ministers will rotate the services, 4th Pastor Nate, 11th Pastor David Reinke, and 18th Pastor Dillan Webber.
- LCGS Christmas Eve candlelight Worship Service will be held December 24th at 4:00pm.
- Donations for our new neighbors are being collected for both food and basic including cleaning products. Please see the sheets on the narthex table for items that we will always need. Thanks to all who donate to support our community!
- English classes for asylum seekers are being held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Good Shepherd.
- Immigration Process – The Church Council of Greater Seattle will be hosting an informational gathering about the immigration process in December. More details coming soon!
- LCGS Socks it to homelessness. Thank you to all who donated to this important mission at Operation Nightwatch.
- LWML Advent Tea next Sunday, December 8th 4-6. Please invite your friends and family.
Prayer Requests –
To update/add prayer requests,
please contact us at (206) 325-2733
or lcgs22un@outlook.com
_____________________
Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit,
the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is to give glory to God
for the building of His Kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.