3rd Sunday in Advent (Gaudete) ~ 2024

 

Today's Service Leader Rev. Brett Cornelius, Pastor Holy Cross Lutheran Church

 

Today’s liturgy, Divine Service Five, page 213, in the LSB Hymnal.

 

511 Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment

Text: Moir A. J. Waters, 1906–80
Tune: David McCarthy, 1931
Text: © 1977 Moir A. J. Waters. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: © 1975 Stainer & Bell Ltd, admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518

 

Stand

 

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

 

Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Exhortation LSB 213

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

P Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth.

P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

 

Kneel/Stand

 

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

 

Confession of Sins LSB 213

P O almighty God, merciful Father,

C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

 

Absolution LSB 213

P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Stand

 

Introit Psalm 85:1–2, 6, 8; antiphon: Philippians 4:4–5

Rejoice in the Lord | always;*
again I will | say, Rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to | everyone.*
The Lord | is at hand.
Lord, you were favorable | to your land;*
you restored the fortunes of | Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your | people;*
you covered | all their sin.
Will you not revive | us again,*
that your people may re- | joice in you?
Let me hear what God the | Lord will speak,*
for he will speak pea/ce to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to | folly.
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.
Rejoice in the Lord | always;*
again I will | say, Rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to | everyone.*
The Lord | is at hand.

 

942 Kyrie! God, Father

Text: German version, Ordenung der ceremonien, 1537/38, Naumburg; tr. W. Gustave Polack, 1890–1950, alt.
Text and tune: Latin, 9th cent.
Tune: adapt. Kirchen ampt Deutsch, 1525, Erfurt
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 40:1–11

¹Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
²Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
³A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
⁴Every 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.
⁵And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

⁶A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
⁷The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
⁸The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

⁹Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
¹⁰Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
¹¹He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Psalm 80:1–2

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, | shine forth.*
Stir up your might and come to | save us!
Give ear, O Shepherd of | Israel,*
you who lead Joseph | like a flock!

 

Epistle 1 Corinthians 4:1–5

¹This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ²Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. ³But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn of the Day

 

345 Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

Text: Latin, c. 5th–10th cent.; tr. Edward Caswall, 1814–78, alt.
Tune: William H. Monk, 1823–89
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

Holy Gospel Matthew 11:2–11

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

²When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ⁴And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

⁷As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

 

Creed ~ We All Believe in One True God ~ LSB 954

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Latin, 14th cent., adapt.
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Sit

 

Sermon - "Words of Comfort & Caution" - Rev. Brett E. Cornelius, Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church

 

Stand

 

Prayer of the Church

P Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

In You, O Lord, we rejoice and trust. Give us joy at all times and make us reasonable in word and deed, that all would recognize our Christian confidence in Your Son’s advent. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O almighty God, through Your Son You bring to light the things hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart. Give Your Church faithful stewards of Your mysteries, servants of Christ who are trustworthy to proclaim You alone as Lord and Judge. Tend Your flock by Your Word and Spirit, that Your lambs may be gathered into Your arms and gently led to eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Heavenly Father, be the source of strength and comfort in every home. Bless the children of our families, that every darkness would be lightened by Your Son’s gracious visitation. Preserve them from dangers to body and soul, guide them by Your Word in wise paths, and keep them firm in the faith until life’s end. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O Lord, our God, You made and preserve the heavens and the earth. You execute justice and provide for all. Remember the people You have appointed to positions of authority as Your instruments, including Joseph, our president; Donald, our president-elect; _____________, our governor; and all who make, judge and administer our laws. Give them wisdom and courage to exercise authority in ways that honor You and provide for those entrusted to their care. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P O Lord, the prophet Isaiah looked for the day when blind eyes would see, deaf ears would hear, lame legs would leap and mute tongues would sing. Until the final day of restoration, draw near to all who have requested our prayers, [especially _____________,] and give them healing according to Your gracious will. Bind up those who grieve, that they may look for the resurrection of all flesh. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Blessed, O Lord, is everyone who is not offended by Your Christ. Give us faith to believe His blessed testament, seek His Holy Supper for the forgiveness of our sins, and confess Your truth with honest hearts in the communion of this altar. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.

P Lord God, heavenly Father, You gave Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to become man that He might enter this world and destroy the works of the devil. Deliver us from sin and death, and give us everlasting life. We implore You to rule and govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that we would seek no refuge but His Word, that we would avoid the sin to which our sinful flesh is inclined, and that we would remain among the faithful followers of Christ, in whom we obtain eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Offering

 

Offering Hymn 355 ~ O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide ~ Sat. Night

 

5 O Morning Star, O radiant Sun,
When will our hearts behold Your dawn?
O Sun, arise; without Your light
We grope in gloom and dark of night.

 

6 Sin’s dreadful doom upon us lies;
Grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand
From exile to our promised land.

 

7 There shall we all our praises bring
And sing to You, our Savior King;
There shall we laud You and adore
Forever and forevermore.

Text: Friedrich von Spee, 1591–1635; tr. Martin L. Seltz, 1909–67, alt.
Tune: Rheinfelssisch Deutsches Catholisches Gesangbuch, 1666, Augsburg
Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

Offering Hymn ~ Holy Cross Choir ~ Lift Up Your Heads, O Gates ~ Sun. AM

 

Stand

 

Preface LSB 216

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 Him thanks and praise.

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Grant us Your Spirit, gracious Father, that we may give heed to the testament of Your Son in true faith and, above all, firmly take to heart the words with which Christ gives to us His body and blood for our forgiveness. By Your grace, lead us to remember and give thanks for the boundless love which He manifested to us when, by pouring out His precious blood, He saved us from Your righteous wrath and from sin, death, and hell. Grant that we may receive the bread and wine, that is, His body and blood, as a gift, guarantee, and pledge of His salvation. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Lord’s Prayer

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

     and the power and the glory

     forever and ever. Amen.

 

Introduction to The Words of Our Lord

P In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at His command, and with His own words, we receive His testament:

 

The Words of Our Lord LSB 217

 

960 Isaiah, Mighty Seer in Days of Old

Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Text and tune: Martin Luther, 1483–1546
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

Pax Domini

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C Amen.

 

Agnus Dei LSB 198

 

Sit

 

Distribution Hymns

 

In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:

 

618 I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table

Text: Friedrich Christian Heyder, 1677–1754; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, abr.
Tune: Emskirchner Choral-Buch, 1756, Leipzig
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

334 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

 

5 Sin’s debt, that fearful burden,
    Cannot His love erase;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
    And cover by His grace.
He comes, for you procuring
    The peace of sin forgiv’n,
His children thus securing
    Eternal life in heav’n.

 

6 He comes to judge the nations,
    A terror to His foes,
A light of consolations
    And blessèd hope to those
Who love the Lord’s appearing.
    O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth Your beams so cheering,
    And guide us safely home.

Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

617 O Lord, We Praise Thee

Text: German, 14th cent.; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, 1524, Wittenberg, ed. Johann Walter
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Benedicamus LSB 218

A Let us bless the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Benediction

P 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 T give you peace.

C Amen.

 

917 Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise

Text: John Ellerton, 1826–93
Tune: Edward J. Hopkins, 1818–1901
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Acknowledgments

Divine Service, Setting Five from Lutheran Service Book

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.