December 22, 2019

Welcome to West Prairie Lutheran Church! Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC)

Our Mission Statement: To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all through Worship, Education, Outreach and Fellowship

Worship Service for the Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 am, December 22, 2019

Worship Service with Holy Communion All who are baptized in the Christian faith and have received Jesus Christ

as their Lord and Savior are invited to celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Prelude

Pastoral Greeting

Lighting of the Advent Candles Please stand if you are able.

Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness .............. page 77

Opening Hymn, Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel ..... LBW #34 vs. 1-4

Kyrie ......................................................................................... page 78 & 79

Hymn of Praise ............................................................................. page 79

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

ALL: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebra-tion of Your birth, that we may receive You in joy and serve You always; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. You may be seated.

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 7:10-17 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for

a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give

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you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when He knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.”

Here ends the Old Testament lesson. Psalm 24 (Responsively) L: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, C: the world, and all who live in it; L: for He founded it on the seas C: and established it on the waters. L: Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? C: Who may stand in His holy place? L: The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, C: who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. L: They will receive blessing from the Lord C: and vindication from God their Savior. L: Such is the generation of those who seek Him, C: who seek Your face, God of Jacob. L: Lift up your heads, you gates; C: be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. L: Who is this King of glory? C: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. L: Lift up your heads, you gates; C: lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. L: Who is He, this King of glory? C: The Lord Almighty—He is the King of glory.

SECOND LESSON: Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and

set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures

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regarding His Son, who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appoint-ed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Word of the Lord. Please stand.

Alleluia ....................................................................................................................... page 83

The Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

Response: Glory to You, O Lord .................................................................... page 83 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His

mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord ap-peared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to You, O Christ ............................................................. page 83 You may be seated.

Sermon: Pastor Scalisi Hymn, Comfort, Comfort Now My People .................................. LBW #29 Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incar-nate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs. C: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen Pastor: The Peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. Pastor: Let us share the Peace of the Lord with each other.

You may be seated. Offering Please stand.

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Offertory, Let the Vineyards ..................................................... page 86 Pastor: Let us pray; Merciful Father, C: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what You have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of Your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of Him who offered Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving....................................................... page 88 The Words of Institution ..................................................... page 89 The Lord’s Prayer .................................... Grey Hymn Book #440 You may be seated.

Distribution of Holy Communion Please follow direction of ushers.

Communion Hymn: Lamb of God ..................................... page 92 Distribution Hymns: .... Grey Hymn Book #166, #181, #183 Please Stand.

Post-Communion Canticle Thank the Lord ................. page 92 Prayer ............................................................................................. page 94 C: Amen Benediction .................................................................................. page 95 Closing Hymn, O God of Love, O King of Peace ....... LBW #414 Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God! Postlude Worship Leader: Pastor Tony Scalisi Pianist: Nancy Larson Lectionary: Lanette Branstad Usher: Jan and Julie Reimann Acolyte: Gabby Branstad

Email: info@westprairiechurch.com Church Phone: 641-567-3733 www.westprairiechurch.com

Friend us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/westprairie

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Today . . . 9:30 am Fellowship Coffee Sunday School will resume in January 2020. Tuesday, December 24 . . . 7:30 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Joint Worship Service with Holy Communion at West Prairie Wednesday, December 25 . . . 8:30 am Christmas Day Joint Worship Service with Holy Communion at Sion Lutheran in Lake Mills Next Sunday, December 29 . . . 8:30 am The Service of the Word for Healing This service shares scripture, prayers, and anointing for those who are in need of healing. All are welcome.

Weather Related Worship Cancellation: Tune in to KIOW 107.3 or Channel 2 TV for cancellation notices.

Worship Time Change: Worship at West Prairie January through April 2020 will be at 11:00 am, 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages, 10:15 am Fellowship Coffee.

Financial Reports: West Prairie auditors, Julie Reimann and Rita Schutter, need all 2019 financial books and reconciled bank statements at the close of the year. The annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 19th. Please be prepared to present your report to the congregation.

Prayer List Jonie Bang, Alan Goranson, Chuck Holland, Denise Holst, Brittney Hawke, Dorothy Kall, Eldora Reil, Roger Peterson, Rozella Hagen, Karen Johns; the mission of GoServ Global; An-gela Haugen in the military. Ralph Holst, father of Bryon Holst, passed away on Decem-ber 17th. Our deepest sympathy to Bryon, Denise and family.

Prayer Requests To speak with Pastor Scalisi, leave a message, request a visit and/or prayer, or an emergency, please call 641-529–9476 or email to Pastor at arscalisi@outlook.com; or you may leave a message on the church answering system @ 641-567-3733.