The Third Sunday in Advent - Online Worship - December 17, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE - The Third Sunday in Advent
Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship - Christmas Eve & The Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 24, 2023, 9:30AM & 4:00PM
Both services to include: Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Candlelight, and “One Solitary Life” Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet.
Join us in person, or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Song of Promised Return
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel
Helmore
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
Rejoice
Rejoice
Emmanuel
Shall come to you O Israel
(repeat refrain)
Litany Telling the Awe of Christ’s Promised Retrun
Based on Psalm 46
Today we rejoice, and we announce the signs made known in the presence of Emmanuel, and in the arrival and promised advent and return of The Christ, 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 sing praises to the Lord as long as I live. Like the children today, I will get ready to tell the real story, to share and make known, every sign of Emmanuel: Praise the Lord!
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 those times we fail to trust and announce the awe of God’s grace in the Prince of Peace.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ: Jesus who was born in a manger, who died for you, who rose again, who will come again, makes known every sign of grace in these words: Jesus saves, Jesus, forgives you all your sins. Trust anew! Like the children today, go, tell others, make known every sign of Emmanuel; be still, for The Holy One is here!
Song of Hope Made Known
Be Still
Evans
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
Happy are all who know and trust the awe of the Lord who made heaven and earth, the One who keeps the faith forever. May we go tell others, every sign made known in Jesus alone!
Friends in Christ: The Lord sets the prisoners free, lifts up those who bow down, and he loves the righteous. Be still! Come to the One who comes to you first; then go like the children, go in faith, make known, every sign, for the glory of the Lord, is shining, all around!
Song of Hope Made Known
Be Still
Evans
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 and courage, to witness, to point others, to testify, to make known, Jesus. By your Holy Spirit, like the children today, we will go and tell others, the salvation we have, the forgiveness we trust, the assurance given, and the hope that is ours, in Emmanuel, God with us, as we await your promised return. On this Third Sunday in Advent, like the shepherds, announce to us again, make known completely, perfectly, like never before, every sign of the good news of the greatest joy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Song Lighting the Advent Wreath
Light One Candle
Wold
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
Gospel
John 1:6–8; 19–28
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you a prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
(New Revised Standard Version)
based on Luke 1:47–55
Long ago God's holy servant Mary was blessed with faith to see, to hold The One who first came to us, to announce and make known the signs that had been told to her. May we believe and boldly magnify all God is announcing in every sign of God’s grace!
"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.
Song Anticipating True Joy
O Come, Little Children
Schulz
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
The Sign Made Known
ISAIAH 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24; JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
Witnesses hear and make known the truth. Witnessing something first hand is helpful. Even when we do witness something, we still might miss something. In your faith walk, what have you witnessed along the way? What has been made known to you; who has made known to you signs of God’s grace and Light? What do you hope to have made known to you first hand this Advent and Christmas season? What do you need to see, to hear, to know this year more than ever before? Today we light The Shepherd's Candle, we share the gifts they heard as the first witnesses of this `good news of a great joy.' The news made known to them, the news they went and shared with Mary and Joseph, is the same good news made known to us. Though we deeply miss the children sharing their program with us today, the children are still sharing of the joy of the story this year, they are still making known once again the joy of Jesus, the same truth and Light John the Baptist gave witness to. Whether you call Him, `Light of The World,' `Wonderful Counselor,' `Mighty God,' `Good Shepherd,' `Prince of Peace,' `Savior,' `Jesus;' may you receive the witness of others, may you witness first hand again this year, the best news of the greatest joy, made known in every sign of God’s grace!
1. The children this season are still making known the truth to us once again. As we continue our journeys in faith, as we continue our journey this Advent and Christmas season, we uncover the truth, we build on the truth, we witness first hand, we make known, every sign of God’s grace made known to us!
Isaiah 61:1; John 1:7-8
A. As the children this season give witness to the joy we know, as we go along, we are blessed with the witness of others, we are blessed to witness for ourselves, every sign of God’s grace made known.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
i. We cannot see it all, hear it all, or know it all. The witness of others blesses us, strengthens us, makes known to us, when we question what we know, widening the circle of believers, building on the truth we know and the Light we see shining.
John 1:6
ii. We like witnessing things first hand. We are blessed to witness signs of grace first hand. Being a first hand witness comes with risk. Surrounded by other first hand witnesses, making known what we know, Who knows us, gives us courage to believe and to testify.
Isaiah 61:1
B. As the children share the joy of the season, we are reminded, the more witnesses the better, so `let’s get busy!’ The more that is witnessed and is made known adds to the signs of God’s grace, to the signs of Christmas.
John 1:19-24
i. The more witnesses the stronger the case.
Isaiah 61:9
ii. The more details witnessed the stronger the case.
Isaiah 61:1-4
iii. The more witnesses, the more details, the more signs made known, the easier to build up faith and to remove all reasonable and unreasonable doubt. Be the signs of Christmas!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
2. There is no doubt when it comes to the signs of God’s grace being made known! The cloud of witnesses, those testifying to the Light, is growing bigger, stronger, every day, with every Advent and every Christmas, yet, there is room for still more! Thanks be to God, we have witnessed the Light, we are blessed by others who have seen the Light. Whatever you hope to witness in the best news of the greatest joy this season, may you see it and hear it clearly being made known in every sign of God’s grace!
Isaiah 61:8,11; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; John 1:25-28
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.
Song of Signs Made Known
The Little Drummer Boy
Davis
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
Rum 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
... As we pray to you, Jesus,
We trust your signs; our hope is in your promise and 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 during our service. 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.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
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.
Songs During Holy Communion
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Regney & Shayne
vs. 1
Said the night wind
To the little lamb
Do you see what I see
(Do you see what I see)
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
(Do you see what I see)
A star a star
DDancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
vs. 2
Said the little lamb
To the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
(Do you hear what I hear)
Ringing thru the sky shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
(Do you hear what I hear)
A song a song
High above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
vs. 3
Said the shepherd boy
To the mighty king
Do you know what I know
(Do you know what I know)
In your palace warm mighty king
Do you know what I know
(Do you know what I know)
A Child a Child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver & gold
Let us bring Him silver & gold
vs. 4
Said the king
To the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
(Listen to what I say)
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
(Listen to what I say)
The Child The Child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Unknown
vs. 1
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy
vs. 2
From God our heav’nly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy
vs. 5
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Savior lay
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay
His mother Mary kneeling
Down unto The Lord did pray
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy
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 you await and trust God’s every sign in the grace of Jesus Christ. 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!
Going In Signs of New Tidings
Caroling, Caroling
Hutson & Burt
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, Sunday, December 17th, we celebrate The Third Sunday In Advent! “And This Will Be A Sign For You; The Sign Made Known!” Today, our Faith Quest Sunday School shares our Children’s Christmas Program: “The Christmas Story: A Poem”
Join us next Sunday, December 24th, Christmas Eve, as we celebrate The Birth Of Our Lord! “And This Will Be A Sign For You!” We will share identical Christmas Eve services at 9:30 a.m. & 4 p.m. Both services to include: Carols, Children’s Message, Communion, Candlelight, and “One Solitary Life” Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet.
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion.
For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets as you exit the building.
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.
We hope our worship will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.
From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! 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 Telling The Awe Of Christ’s Promised Return – written based on Psalm 146. “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel,” “Be Still,” “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” © 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 “Do You Hear What I Hear?” © 1962 Regent Music Corp., renewed by Jewel Music Publishing Co., Inc. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 “Caroling, Caroling,” © 1954, renewed 1957 Hollis Music, Inc. “Caroling, Caroling,” © 1954, renewed 1957 Hollis Music, Inc. All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.