The Fourth Sunday in Advent - Online Worship - December 22, 2024

 

The First Sunday in Advent

Upcoming Events

Festive Christmas Eve Worship
”The Wonders of His Love”
December 24, 4:00PM
Carols, Communion, Candlelight, Children’s Message, & “One Solitary Life”

Sunday Worship - The First Sunday After Christma
”Joy to The World”
December 29, 9:30AM
Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet!

Faith Quest Sunday School resumes January 5th!

Advent Devotions

Check back daily on our website and facebook page for daily Advent devotions!

 

All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.

 
 

Song of Hope & Joy

He Came Down

Cameroon Traditional

vs. 1
He came down
That we may have love
He came down
That we may have love
He came down
That we may have love
Hallelujah
Forevermore

vs. 2
He came down
That we may have light
He came down
That we may have light
He came down
That we may have light
Hallelujah
Forevermore

vs. 3
He came down
That we may have peace
He came down
That we may have peace
He came down
That we may have peace
Hallelujah
Forevermore

vs. 4
He came down
That we may have joy
He came down
That we may have joy
He came down
That we may have joy
Hallelujah
Forevermore

(repeat verse 1)

 

Litany of Hope as We Wait for Jesus’ Promised Return

BASED ON PSALM 89

Today we rejoice one day the wait will be over, The One who came down will come down again. For now, we hold fast to hope and grace; heaven and nature sing in Jesus’ advent, arrival, and promised return, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. Your Word is as firm as the heavens.

People of God: The Lord has established us and our descendants forever. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we fail to trust the presence and promised return of The One who rules the world with truth and grace.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: Jesus who was born in a manger, who died for you, who rose again, who will come again, gives life and grace in these words: Jesus saves, and Jesus forgives you all your sins. Heaven and nature sing! He rules the world, and you are his chosen ones! Go, join the angels! Share the good news of the greatest joy!

Song Announcing Hope

Angels We Have Heard on High

French Traditional

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

Let me join the angels; let heaven and nature forever sing! You have found your servant. You have anointed him. Who in the skies can be compared to you, Lord, and your faithfulness?

Friends in Christ: The Lord is great and awesome. All of heaven and nature belong to him. Like the angels, let us sing and make known the One who came down to rule the world, will come again!

Song Announcing Hope

Angels We Have Heard on High

French Traditional

vs. 2
Shepherds why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song

refrain:
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo

 

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. In these final days of preparation and anticipation for Christmas this year, as we wait for Christ’s promised return, give us faith to go tell others heaven and nature sing, for you alone rule the world.  On this Fourth Sunday in Advent, as angels pointed Mary and Joseph and the shepherds, as the star pointed the wise men, grace us to point others to your comfort and hope and joy, to your light that forever banishes the darkness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Song Lighting The Advent Wreath

Light One Candle

Wold

vs. 4
Light four candles
To watch for Messiah 
Let the light banish darkness
He is coming
Tell the glad tidings
Let your lights be shining

Lighting of The Advent Wreath – The Angel Candle

 

Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet today.

 

The Old Testament

MICAH 5:2–5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

(New Revised Standard Version)

The New Testament

HEBREWS 10:5–10

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.” Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God” (in the scroll of the book it is written of me). When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

(New Revised Standard Version)

 

Song of True Joy

What Child Is This?

Dix

vs. 1
What child is this who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
This this is Christ the King 
Whom shepherds guard
And angels sing
Haste haste to bring him laud
The babe the son of Mary

 

Gospel

LUKE 1:39–45

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 

(New Revised Standard Version)

 

Stating Our Faith in God

BASED ON LUKE 1:47–55

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.

 

He Rules The World

MICAH 5:2-5a; HEBREWS 10:5-10; LUKE 1:39-45, 46-55

The world is ever changing.  Remember when you used to be able to ....  The world is ever changing.  What will the daily news tell us next?  The world is ever changing.  We can connect with anyone, anywhere, at any time, yet we are focused more inward than ever.  The world is ever changing, yet we long for transformation!  `He rules the world with truth and grace!’  The angels pointed Mary and the shepherds, the star pointed the wise men, in a world that was changing, to The One who was about to change the world, transform the world, rule the world!  As this final week of Advent begins for this year, as we share the Christmas season, as we await Jesus’ promised return, trust, celebrate, be transformed by The One who rules the world in truth and grace: Emmanuel, God with us!

1. `He rules the world, with truth and grace,’ and heaven and nature sing, even in a world that is changing, even in a world that has changed.

A. `He rules the world,’ even a world that is changing, even a world full of statements which begin, “You used to be able to ...”  Heaven and nature sing, in Emmanuel, for God is with us, to abolish what used to be, to fulfill what is promised. 
Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10

i. Jesus is The One who makes us secure, The One who is great to the ends of the earth, The One who is peace.

ii. Jesus is The One who came to abolish the old, that is the law, and to fulfill the second, that is the gospel, The Good News of our greatest joy, the hope given in truth and grace!

B. `He rules the world,’ even a world that is changing, even a world full of uncertainty, doubts and fears.  Heaven and nature sing, in Emmanuel, for God is with us, to overcome all that overwhelms.
Luke 1:39-45, 46-55

i. What will the news of the day be .... nation rising up again nation, and so much more.

ii. Mary and Elizabeth lived in a world that was changing, yet they knew Who was changing the world: “My soul magnifies The Lord.”  “Elizabeth was filled with The Holy Spirit,...”  All this started with the visit of an angel, `Be not afraid ... with God all things are possible.’

C. `He rules the world,’ even a world that is changing, even a world that at times feels like it is getting smaller and smaller, at times we are focused more inward than ever before.  Heaven and nature sing, in Emmanuel, for God is with us, calling us to say, `Here I am, Lord,’ to `believe there would be a fulfillment of all that is promised.’
Luke 1:39-45, 46-55

i. The world was about to change, heaven and nature were about to sing like never before; Mary and Elizabeth said `yes!’

ii. Our world is ever changing, and yet, `He rules the world,’ and he is asking us, to say, `yes’ to his call.

D. `He rules the world,’ in a world longing to be restored, reconciled, in relationship, heaven and nature sing, Emmanuel, God is with us!
Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55

i. Even in the holiest of days in front of us, the things, can easily become `the thing’ we look to.  Be transformed!

ii. The One who rules the world with truth and grace, is our joy in the world, even in a world that is ever changing!

2. In a world that is ever changing, now more than ever, as our personal journeys continue, as we celebrate Christmas, as we share the season, as we await Jesus’ promised return, as we trust in real hope for all eternity, let us trust the angels are still singing, the star is still shining, pointing us and our faith to The One who is forever personally with us; The One who forever rules the world is The One transforming the world, with truth and grace!

 

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 Glory & Hope

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mendelssohn

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)

 

...as we pray to you, Jesus,
We trust heaven and nature sing; you and your grace come to us.

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.

 

Song During Holy Communion

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Willis & Willcocks

vs. 1
It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth good will to all
From heav’n’s all-gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

vs. 2
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
An still their heavn’ly music floats
O’er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hov’ring wing
And ever o’er its babel sounds
The blessed angels sing

vs. 3
And you beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
And toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing

vs. 4
For lo The days are hast’ning on
By prophets seen of old
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling
And all the world give back the song 
Which now the angels sing

 

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, and as we await, and forever trust, God’s grace in 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 Anew In Joy & Promise

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 to 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

Comfort and joy have come to us
In God’s amazing grace
Comfort and joy have come to us
In this and every place
Comfort and joy will be fulfilled
The day we see God’s face
O - tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O - tidings of comfort and joy

 

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Today, Sunday, December 22nd, we celebrate The Fourth Sunday In Advent, “He Rules The World!” Today, Our Faith Quest Sunday School Ministry Meets!

Join us Tuesday, December 24th, 4 p.m., as we celebrate and share Our Festive Christmas Eve Worship, “The Wonders Of His Love!” Our Festive Christmas Eve Worship includes, Carols, Communion, Candlelight, Children’s Message, And “One Solitary Life!”

Join us next Sunday, December 29th, as we celebrate The First Sunday After Christmas, “Joy To The World!” Next Sunday, Our Faith Quest Sunday School Ministry Does Not Meet! Faith Quest Resumes Sunday, January 5th!

As we share our worship, we give thanks for every volunteer as you bless our ministry, greeting, ushering, nursery, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, fellowship, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

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 Of Hope As We Wait For Christ’s Promised Return – written based on Psalm 89. “Angels We Have Heard On High” “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” “What Child Is This,” “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” © 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. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction” based on the LBW. “He Came Down” © 1999 This Far by Faith; An African American Resource for Worship, Augsburg Fortress; “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” © 1980 Beam Me Up Music, CCLI #39441 All rights reserved. Used with permission. All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.