4th Sunday in Advent (Rorate Coeli) ~ 2024

 

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

 

593 See This Wonder in the Making

Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008
Tune: Lofsånger och andeliga wisor, 1873, Sweden
Text: © 1984 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

The Rite of Baptism

 

When candidates are unable to speak for themselves, the sponsors answer the questions on their behalf.

 

Baptismal Address

P Dearly beloved, Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In the last chapter of Mark our Lord promises, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” And the apostle Peter has written, “Baptism now saves you.”

The Word of God also teaches that we are all conceived and born sinful and are under the power of the devil until Christ claims us as His own. We would be lost forever unless delivered from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation. But the Father of all mercy and grace has sent His Son Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sin of the whole world, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

The pastor addresses each candidate:

 

Naming of the Candidate

P How are you named?

R [Name]

 

The pastor makes the sign of the holy cross upon the forehead and heart of each candidate while saying:

 

Sign of the Cross

P [Name], receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your T forehead and upon your T heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.

 

The Flood Prayer

P Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, foreshadowing this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin.

We pray that You would behold [name(s)] according to Your boundless mercy and bless [him/her/them] with true faith by the Holy Spirit, that through this saving flood all sin in [him/her/them], which has been inherited from Adam and which [he himself / she herself / they themselves] [has/have] committed since, would be drowned and die. Grant that [he/she/they] be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, [he/she/they] would be declared worthy of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

Address to Sponsors LSB 269

P From ancient times the Church has observed the custom of appointing sponsors for baptismal candidates and catechumens. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church sponsors are to confess the faith expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and taught in the Small Catechism. They are, whenever possible, to witness the Baptism of those they sponsor. They are to pray for them, support them in their ongoing instruction and nurture in the Christian faith, and encourage them toward the faithful reception of the Lord’s Supper. They are at all times to be examples to them of the holy life of faith in Christ and love for the neighbor.

P Is it your intention to serve [name of candidate(s)] as sponsors in the Christian faith?

R Yes, with the help of God.

P God enable you both to will and to do this faithful and loving work and with His grace fulfill what we are unable to do.

C Amen.

 

Holy Gospel for Baptism

P Hear the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

They brought young children to [Jesus] that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

P This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

The pastor places his hands on the head(s) of the candidate(s), and the congregation joins in praying:

 

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.

 

If the baptismal party has stood at the entrance of the nave to this point, they now move to the font.

 

Blessing

P The Lord preserve your coming in and your going out from this time forth and even T forevermore.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

The pastor addresses the candidate(s) and asks the following questions:

 

Renunciation

P [Name(s)], do you renounce the devil?

R Yes, I renounce him.

P Do you renounce all his works?

R Yes, I renounce them.

P Do you renounce all his ways?

R Yes, I renounce them.

 

Profession of Faith

P Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth?

R Yes, I believe.

P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead?

R Yes, I believe.

P Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?

R Yes, I believe.

P [Name], do you desire to be baptized?

R Yes, I do.

 

The pastor pours water three times on the head of each candidate while saying:

 

The Baptism

P [Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

The pastor places his hands on the head of the newly baptized while saying:

 

Blessing of the Newly Baptized

P The almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life T everlasting.

C Amen.

 

 

Presentation of the Baptismal Candle

P Receive this burning light to show that you have received Christ who is the Light of the world. Live always in the light of Christ, and be ever watchful for His coming, that you may meet Him with joy and enter with Him into the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which shall have no end.

 

The newly baptized may be welcomed with the following:

 

The Welcome

A In Holy Baptism God the Father has made you [a member / members] of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and [an heir / heirs] with us of all the treasures of heaven in the one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We receive you in Jesus’ name as our [brother(s)/sister(s)] in Christ, that together we might hear His Word, receive His gifts, and proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

C Amen. We welcome you in the name of the Lord.

 

Stand

 

Collect for the newly baptized

P Let us pray.

Almighty and most merciful God and Father, we thank and praise You that You graciously preserve and enlarge Your family and have granted [name(s)] the new birth in Holy Baptism and made [him/her/them] [a member / members] of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and [an heir / heirs] of Your heavenly kingdom. We humbly implore You that, as [he/she/they] [has/have] now become Your [child/children], You would keep [him/her/them] in [his/her/their] baptismal grace, that according to Your good pleasure [he/she/they] may faithfully grow to lead a godly life to the praise and honor of Your holy name and finally, with all Your saints, obtain the promised inheritance in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

For parents

P Lord and Giver of life, look with kindness upon the father(s) and mother(s) of [this child / these children] and upon all our parents. Let them ever rejoice in the gift You have given them. Enable them to be teachers and examples of righteousness for their children. Strengthen them in their own Baptism that they may share eternally with their children the salvation You have given them; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

For the Church and her members

P Almighty and everlasting God, since You govern and sanctify the whole Christian Church by Your Holy Spirit, hear our prayers for all her members, and mercifully grant that by Your grace we may serve You in true faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C Amen.

 

The Peace

P Peace T be with you.

C Amen.

 

All return to their places.

 

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 19:1, 4–6; antiphon: Isaiah 45:8a

Shower, O heavens, | from above,*
and let the clouds rain down | righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may | bear fruit;*
let the earth cause them | both to sprout.
The heavens declare the glo- | ry of God,*
and the sky above proclaims his | handiwork.
Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end | of the world.*
In them he has set a tent | for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his | chamber,*
and, like a strong man, runs its | course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the | end of them,*
and there is nothing hidden | from its heat.
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.
Shower, O heavens, | from above,*
and let the clouds rain down | righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may | bear fruit;*
let the earth cause them | both to sprout.

 

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.

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 18:15–19

¹⁵“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— ¹⁶just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ ¹⁷And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. ¹⁸I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. ¹⁹And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.’”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Psalm 145:18, 21

The Lord is near to all who | call on him,*
to all who call on | him in truth.
My mouth will speak the praise | of the Lord,*
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and | ever.

 

Epistle Philippians 4:4–7

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

5 O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. Refrain

 

6 O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

 

7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

Text: Latin, c. 12th cent.; Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, 1710, Köln; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.
Tune: French, 15th cent.
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

Holy Gospel Luke 1:39–56

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

³⁹In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴²and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

⁴⁶And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
⁵⁰And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵²he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

 

954 We All Believe in One True God

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

 

Sit

 

Sermon ~ "Joyful Expectation" ~ Rev. Brett Cornelius, Pastor Holy Cross Lutheran Church

 

Stand

 

Prayer of the Church

P In peace, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For the Church, preparing to celebrate the incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that remembering John the Forerunner’s preaching of the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, we, too, may die to sin and rise to new life, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all the faithful, that they may celebrate the birth of Christ by hearing the Word, singing His praises, and receiving His body and blood, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For God’s institution of marriage between one man and one woman, established even before Adam and Eve’s fall into sin, that God would preserve it against all attack; and that He would bless the Church with many children and families that reflect the order of His creation, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For relief from war and disorder, strife and rebellion; and for good government, faithful magistrates and peace to aid the swift spread of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all Christian citizens, that God would renew our hearts with thanksgiving for His many blessings and grant us the wisdom to use them for His good purposes, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all women with child and all mothers with infant children, that God would grant them increasing happiness in their blessings [especially _____________]; for the lonely, the depressed and the despairing; for the sick, the anxious and the dying [especially _____________]; and for those who mourn [the death of _____________], that they would take comfort in the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all preparing to receive the Lord’s Supper, that we may rejoice in the presence of Christ, our true Emmanuel, who gives us a share in His divine life and forgiveness by His body and blood, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is truly the King of the nations and their desire. He, who formed us of clay, took on our human nature that He might save us. He came to His own and was rejected by them, yet You established Him as the true cornerstone, tested and precious, that whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; for You live and reign, ever one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Sit

 

Offering

 

Holy Cross Choir ~ Now That the Daylight Fills the Sky (Sunday)

 

737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing (Sat. Night)

 

5 He only will with patience chide,
    His rod falls gently down;
And all your sins He casts aside
    In ocean depths to drown.

 

6 His wisdom never plans in vain
    Nor falters nor mistakes.
All that His counsels may ordain
    A blessèd ending makes.

 

7 Upon your lips, then, lay your hand,
    And trust His guiding love;
Then like a rock your peace shall stand
    Here and in heav’n above.

Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–76; tr. John Kelly, 1833–90, alt.
Tune: Harmonischer Lieder-Schatz, 1738, Frankfurt
Text and tune: Public domain

 

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

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

 

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

 

622 Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared

 

5 Though reason cannot understand,
    Yet faith this truth embraces:
Your body, Lord, is even now
    At once in many places.
I leave to You how this can be;
Your Word alone suffices me;
    I trust its truth unfailing.

 

6 Lord, I believe what You have said;
    Help me when doubts assail me.
Remember that I am but dust,
    And let my faith not fail me.
Your supper in this vale of tears
Refreshes me and stills my fears
    And is my priceless treasure.

 

7 Grant that we worthily receive
    Your supper, Lord, our Savior,
And, truly grieving for our sins,
    May prove by our behavior
That we are thankful for Your grace
And day by day may run our race,
    In holiness increasing.

 

8 For Your consoling supper, Lord,
    Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for in ev’ry place
    The world against it rages.
Grant that this sacrament may be
A blessèd comfort unto me
    When living and when dying.

Text: Samuel Kinner, 1603–68; tr. Emanuel Cronenwett, 1841–1931, alt.
Tune: Peter Sohren, c. 1630–c. 1692, alt.
Text and 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.

 

384 Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Text: Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, 348–c. 413; (sts. 1–4): tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.; (st. 5): tr. Henry W. Baker, 1821–77
Tune: Plainsong, 13th cent., mode V
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.