ACCORDING TO THEIR NEED:

Prayer and Praises” is your personal invitation to join with the Prayer Ministry of our church in daily prayer. If you would like someone to stay on the prayer list, please call the church office at 760-247-7392, put your request on the prayer cards in the church, or go on-line at www.ascensionav.org. Otherwise, names will be removed after two months.

Carol Buchanan Gaylon Pastella Marvin Eisenbeiss Roger Hall Steve Martines Carolyn Penna Mildred Sears Nikki Stumbaugh Brendan Anderson Remo & Gloria Bastianon Richard Beck Darlene Castro Congregation Lori Davis Francis Durfee & Family Janice Estrick Kimberly Finch Josh Garcia & Family Government Pastor Harris Holtgrefe Family Pam Kaiser John & Connie Kays Jennifer LaRue Ronnie Longero Military Pastella Family Anna Petrowski Nevin Purbaugh Jesse Renterias Amy Reyes Martin Rivera Eric Schmidt Sterling Skiffington Mary Smith Mike Stewart Annette Strintz Sue Twarowski Donna & Chuck Wagers Marjorie Wilson GRIEF & STRENGTH Family of Lillian Halverson Family of Dylan Smith

Kenny Cabral Kevin Smith Mo & Rocky Gamas Gary Harrell Beverly Moglich Judy Pepper Barbara Stumbaugh Angela Alder Kevin Barnes Deanna Batts Jennifer Brecht Charlie Richard Connors Dan & Laura Diaz Dwight & Pam Easley Riley Faith Firefighters Hoot Gibson Grace Lutheran Church Jeanne Hecksel Rob Jackson Scott Kaiser Kienle Family Nicholas LaTrace Dennis Lumley Jennifer Millgate Braylee Perez Rita Poole Michelle Rawlins Resurrection Lutheran Dave Riffel Carla Rosen Ernie Schmidt Small Business Owners June Spradlin Gwen Strasburg Ora Thomas Deidre Tyska Edna Walker Ron Winkler & Family SAFE TRAVELS Matt DeWitt

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ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH 22130 Ottawa Rd. Apple Valley, CA. 92308

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1645, Apple Valley, CA 92307 Phone: (760) 247-7392, FAX: (760) 247-9014

Pastor@ascensionav.org; office@ascensionav.org Website: www.ascensionav.org

Rev. James Harris, Pastor 9:15 a.m. Service

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT 9:15 a.m. Drive– In Service

93.5 FM December 20, 2020

Thoughts as we gather

This Fourth (and last) Sunday in Advent places the Church on the threshold of celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Son of the Most High, who is the fulfillment of God’s promise to David to establish his throne forever (2 Sam 7:16, Old Testament Reading; Lk 1:31–33, Gospel). Though God did allow David’s son Solomon to build him a house (2 Sam 7:12–13; 1 Ki 6:12–13; 8:17–21), the Lord’s dwelling in a tent (tabernacle) until that point foreshadowed the fact that in the Virgin Mary, God would become flesh and dwell (tabernacle, tent) among us. The mystery promised to David and the patriarchs and foretold through the prophets is now enfleshed in the Virgin by the power of the Holy Lord as He overshadows her while the angel Gabriel announces the glorious incarnation (Lk 1:35). The antiphon for today’s Introit bids the heavens above to shower and “let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit” (Is 45:8). The im-agery points to the mystery of the Son of God descending from heaven to earth in the Virgin’s womb so that He might bring forth salvation and righteousness by His life, death, and resurrection. In the Collect, we pray that the Lord would stir up His power, come, and help His people by His might, graciously and mercifully lifting the sins that weigh us down. The Gradual for Advent has been encouraging us to rejoice because our king is coming, righteous and having salvation (Zech 9:9). Right before we hear the Gospel with the annunciation, the Verse declares that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (Mt 1:23). Jesus, God with us, is the revelation of the mystery of the Gospel. If we want to know God’s attitude toward us, we shall find it in Jesus Christ. Finally, in the Hymn of the Day, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (LSB 357), drawn from the Great “O” Antiphons listed on the facing page, we sing about our coming Savior, using several of His messianic titles. Stanza 5 is drawn from the antiphon for this day (December 20) and speaks of the coming Em-

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Be sure to sign the registration book as you drive in. Visitors are asked to sign the guest book in the Narthex, please include your address and home church. If this is your first time attending Holy Communion at Ascension, please speak with the Pastor or an Elder prior to the service.

FREE CHRISTMAS TREE

A six-foot artificial Christmas tree with lights, decorations, stand, and storage bag has been donated to the Church. If you or someone you know would like to have it, please call Kathy Benzow at 760-247-9545.

ANGEL TREE

Please have all your gifts for the Angel Tree here today as it is the last day to turn them in. Make sure to attach the angel to the gift. If you have more than one package, please tie them together or use a gift bag. Thank you!

CHRISTMAS CARDS

If you wish to give Christmas cards to other members, mailboxes in the Narthex are available. Please practice social distancing and masks are required.

COUNCIL MEETING

The next Council Meeting will be held next Sunday, December 20th after the cleanup of the Church.

FRANCIS DURFEE’S ADDRESS

Francis Durfee has been moved within the same facility. His new address is: c/o Reche Canyon Rehab, Room 126B, 1350 Reche Canyon Rd., Colton, CA 92324.

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THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION

OFFERING:

Needed weekly: $ 3,880.00 Needed YTD $ 194,000.00

Received 12/13/20 $ 3,585.00 Rec’vd YTD $ 152,855.40

Short $ (295.00) Short $ (41,144.60)

Sun. (12/20) 9:15 a.m. After Church

Drive-In Worship Council Meeting

Thurs. (12/24) 1:00 p.m. Drive-In Worship

Fri. (12/25) 9:15 a.m. Drive-In Worship

Sun. (12/27) 9:15 a.m. Drive-In Worship

ATTENDANCE:

12/13/2020 9:15 a.m. 58

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manuel as the “Key of David,” the “scepter of the house of Israel,” who opens wide for us the heavenly home that is ours in Him. This is truly a mystery re-vealed!

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

O Come, All Ye Faithful Carrie Underwood

O come, all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem Come and behold Him Born the King of angels O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ, the Lord Sing, choirs of angels Sing in exultation O sing, all ye citizens Of heaven above Glory to God Glory in the highest O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ, the Lord Yes, Lord, we greet Thee Born this happy morning O Jesus, to Thee be All glory given Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ, the Lord.

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Horns and Halos Dolly Parton

Halos and horns, sinners and saints, Hearts that are torn between what’s wrong and ain’t Just because it feels right does not make it so So we struggle through life in horns and halos.

Tempted and tried with each step we take We stumble and slide and make our mistakes, Ask God to forgive us for all of our sins, Then we take off our horns and wear halos again

Halos and horns, sinners and saints, Hearts that are torn between what’s wrong and ain’t Just because it feels right does not make it so So we struggle through life in horns and halos

Halos and horns, sinners and saints, We’re praised or we’re scorned, we either run or we faint Oh, but life is a challenge from the day that we’re born Just tryin’ to balance halos and horns It’s heaven or hell, halos or horns

Halos and horns, sinners and saints, Hearts that are torn between what’s wrong and ain’t But just because it feels right; well that don’t make it so So we struggle through life in horns or halos It’s either horns or halos.

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.

CONFESSION OF SINS 292

Let us run before our Lord's throne of grace and confess our sins to Him who is faithful and just and promises to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unright-eousness We Confess

I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before God of all sins. I have lived as if God did not matter and as if I mattered most. My Lord’s name I have not honored as I should; my worship and prayers have faltered.

STEWARDSHIP: December 20 – Advent 4 2 Samuel 7:4 – “But that same night the word of the LORD came to Na-

than. . .” Nathan thought David’s idea was great, so he blessed it with the

Lord’s name. But, later that night, the Word of the Lord set him straight.

The Word of the Lord must be the basis for what we think, say, and do in

God’s Kingdom – not our own desires or whims.

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SERVING SERVICE TODAY: ELDER Rick Ferrell

HEAD USHER Bruce Benson

SUNDAY READINGS The readings for Sunday, December 27, 2020 are:

Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 111 (antiphon: v. 9a, b) Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40

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I have not let His love have its way with me, and so my love for others has failed. There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I have failed to help. My thoughts and desires have been soiled with sin. I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.

ABSOLUTION 203

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

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.

APOSTLES’ CREED

C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And 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. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

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the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16

1Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from

all his surrounding enemies, 2the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” 4But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 5“Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build Me a house to dwell in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for My dwelling. 7In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?”’ 8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from fol-lowing the sheep, that you should be prince over My people Israel. 9And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall af-flict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over My people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. . . . 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

PSALM Psalm 89:1–5; antiphon: v. 8

1I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all genera-tions. 2For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.” 3You have said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant: 4‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’”

5Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

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Away in a Manger Carrie Underwood

Away in a manger No crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head The stars in the sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay by my side ‘Til morning is nigh Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to heaven To live with Thee there.

Acknowledgments

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 © 2020 Concordia Publishing House.

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O Holy Night Faith Hill

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining ‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Fall on year knees, oh, hear the angel voices O night divine, O night when Christ was born O night, O night divine O night, O night divine Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace Chains He shall break for the slave is our brother And in His name all oppression shall cease Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus praise Him Let all within us praise His holy name Christ is the Lord, then ever, ever praise we His power and glory ever, ever more proclaim His power and glory ever more proclaim His power and glory ever more proclaim

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EPISTLE Romans 16:25–27

25Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to My gospel and

the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

HOLY GOSPEL Luke 1:26–38

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Gali-

lee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.

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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

Tune and text: Public domain

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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.”

PAX DOMINI

P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C Amen.

DISTRIBUTION

In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:

THE DISMISSAL

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace.

C Amen.

POST-COMMUNION COLLECT

P Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, cele-brate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

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.

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SANCTUS 161

C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

P Blessed are 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. In Your boundless mercy You sent Your servant, John the Baptist, to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of heaven draws near. With thankful hearts we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus,” confident that in His body and blood, given us to eat and drink, we receive the forgiveness of sins and so proclaim His death until He comes again in glory. Hear us as we pray in His name and as He has taught us:

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.

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SERMON TEXT: Romans 16:25-27

SERMON THEME: The Best Mystery Revealed

ROOM FOR SERVICE NOTES:

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P In peace, let us pray to the Lord: C Lord, have mercy.

Brief silence

P In thanksgiving to God for the favor shown us in Christ and His incar-nation; for faith to believe that nothing is impossible with Him; and that everything would be to us according to the Word of the Most High, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For faithful preachers of Your Gospel to bring about the obedience of faith by the mystery of Christ now revealed in the prophetic and apos-tolic Scriptures; for Matthew, our Synod president; Mike, our district president; and James, our circuit visitor; and for the Holy Christian Church, that God would strengthen it in every place, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For our nation, its president, all legislators and judges, and those new-ly elected to serve, that God would preserve their lives and guide their actions for the good of our people; for peace among the nations of the earth, and that God would preserve us from pestilence and famine, war and bloodshed, sedition, rebellion and every evil, 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; for the lonely, the depressed and the despairing; for the sick, the anxious and the dying [especially _____________]; and for those who mourn, that they would take comfort in the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all who receive Christ’s holy body and precious blood today, that they may eat and drink it in repentance and faith and in the unity of a true confession; and for a love and desire for the blessed Sacrament this Christmas, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

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P O Most High, we give You thanks for Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Key of David and the scepter of the house of Israel. By His death, He has opened the kingdom of heaven and closed the gates of hell for all who trust in Him. By His resurrection, He has rescued the prisoners who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. Grant that, as we recall with thanksgiving His advent in the flesh, we may always con-fess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day; 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.

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

Communion Statement

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes. Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and be-cause Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet in-structed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the Pastor or an Elder.

PREFACE LSB 208

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, holy Father, almighty and everlast-ing God, for the countless blessings You so freely bestow on us and all creation. Above all, we give thanks for Your boundless love shown to us when You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into our flesh and laid on Him our sin, giving Him into death that we might not die eternally. Because He is now risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity, all who believe in Him will overcome sin and death and will rise again to new life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, ever-more praising You and saying: