Here's the worship for this Sunday. Have a great week!!
THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
June 24, 2018
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AS WE GATHER
Did you notice that today is a birthday? Very few birthdays are remembered on our Church calendar—only two, in fact. Jesus', of course, for that is what Christmas is about, and John's, who prepared His way. Every other saint is commemorated on the death day.
John, the name given by the angel, means "God is gracious." John fulfilled the meaning of this name by heralding the arrival of the long-promised Messiah. It was not merely a father's pride that gave a song to Zechariah, John's father. This miracle birth was the signal for a greater miracle—the fulfillment of a promise that went back to Adam and Eve in Eden. Though we call him John the Baptist, perhaps the term "John the Forerunner" best describes him. John was born into a priestly family; his birth was marked by the angel for his special role. In the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, John kicked in the womb, leaping for joy. As Jesus prepared to begin His public ministry, John began to preach repentance, to baptize, and to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy.
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INVOCATION AND OPENING SENTENCES Luke 1:68, 77–79, adapted
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
People: for He has visited and redeemed His people.
Pastor: He had given the knowledge of salvation to His people
People: in the forgiveness of their sins.
Pastor: Because of the tender mercy of our God,
People: those who sit in sin's darkness and in the shadow of death find peace.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Pastor: Come, let us confess our sins to God our Father.
People: O merciful Lord, we confess that we are an unclean people who have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed and who have sinned against one another. The good Your Law requires we have not done, and the evil You forbid we have done. We are truly sorry for our sins and beg You for the sake of Your mercy and Your Son, Jesus Christ, to forgive us all our sins, give us a clear conscience, and fill us with the desire to do Your will. Grant us Your grace so that we are prepared to hear Your Word and receive Your Holy Sacrament to amend our sinful lives, love You above all things, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Amen.
Pastor: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon You and has sent His only Son, who suffered for us to forgive us all our sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: May He who began this good work within you bring it to completion on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace be with you.
People: And also with you.
(Please greet one another with the peace of the Lord)
ENTRANCE HYMN "When All the World Was Cursed" 346
SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray.
People: Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, You once proclaimed salvation. Now grant that we may know this salvation and serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 40:1–5
(Comfort My people with the promise of forgiveness.)
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE Acts 13:13–26
(John proclaimed a Baptism of repentance to prepare the way of the Savior.)
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HYMN "Sing Praise to the God of Israel" Sts. 3–4: 936
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 1:57–80
(You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before Him to prepare His way.)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
(The Gospel is read.)
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE DAY "Comfort. Comfort Ye My People" 347
SERMON "What's Your Price for Comfort?"
APOSTLES' CREED
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Pastor: Glory to You, O Lord, and praise, for all Your goodness revealed in creation and proclaimed through the prophets. You did not abandon us to the sin and death we freely chose, but sought us out with the hope of redemption. In the flesh and blood of Your Son, we have seen Your salvation. People: Visit us with Your grace and Spirit that we may hear His voice and believe in Him whom You have sent to be our Savior and Redeemer. Keep us in this blessed faith and in the baptismal new life You have imparted through this blessed communion in His body and blood, until that day when we eat and drink it anew in His kingdom without end Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
Pastor: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26
People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20
Pastor: O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
LORD'S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9–13)
PAX DOMINI
Pastor: The X peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: Amen.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS
"Grace Wins" (video) by Matthew West
"Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good" 819
"Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Song" 812
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
Pastor: O almighty God, we give You thanks for the gracious visitation of Your Son and for the messengers of Your will who have prepared His way. Give us wisdom and courage that we raise our own voices in this day to proclaim Jesus Christ and His salvation.
People: Prepare the hearts of all who hear, that hearing they may believe, and believing they may be made one with us in Holy Baptism. Keep us and all the baptized through Your Word and Supper that we be found holy and blameless when Christ comes to finish His new creation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
BENEDICTION
HYMN "Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing" 924
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 3. Copyright © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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