THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

December 20th, 2015 A.D.The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Rev. Rudolph M. Schneider, Pastor Emeritus

333 North Main Street • Manahawkin, NJ 08050

Phone: (609) 597-2696Church E-mail: LCHSoffice@verizon.net

Website: www.holyspiritnj.orgThe Rev. Philip H. Harkey, Pastor

In case of emergency please call the Church Officeor Pastor Phil at (706) 372-2393

WORSHIP PREPARATION: We are asking our worshippers to greet and talk with friends prior to entering the sanctuary at the beginning of the ser-vice. Once entering the sanctuary, people deserve quiet in order to prepare themselves for worship. Thank you.COFFEE/BAGEL FELLOWSHIP - Everyone is welcome to join us for refreshments following the service in rooms 11-12 (located down the hallway to the left). Help is always appreciated so if you would like to bring some baked goods or if you are able to help with the setup/clean up please speak to Pastor.

Announcements forDecember 20th, 2015 A.D.

PASTORAL NEEDS - If you are in need of any pastoral care, please call the church office or Pastor Phil (706-372-2393).

The Lutheran Church of the Holy SpiritManahawkin, NJ

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES - Every Thursday at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. Coffee will be hot. Feel free to bring a friend!

ALF - ALF (Adult Luncheon Fellowship) is a time of fellowship over a delicious meal, plus an interesting and informative program. ALF will be holding their next gathering will be Thursday, January 21st from 12 noon to 2 pm. Our menu will be roast loin of pork, vegetable, bread, salad and dessert. Our speaker at this meeting will be Peggy Ann and the Girls Florist. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICETHURSDAY, DEC. 24th - 6:00 PM

Candlelight and Holy Communion

EVANGELISM/ADULT MINISTRY MEETING - will be held on Tuesday, January 5th at 7 pm. Anyone who would like to be on the committee are welcome to attend or please speak to Ingie in the office.

SHARE YOUR HOLIDAY GREETINGS with the entire LCHS family. The bulletin board next to the Christmas Tree will be available for you to post your signed Christmas card. Please use this opportunity to share your joyful message and to read greetings from others!CALENDARS - The 2016 Christian Family Appointment Calendars have arrived. They can be found near the main and front entrances. Please feel free to take more than one.

HOUSEKEEPING POSITION AVAILABLE - Anyone who might be interested in the part time housekeeping position cleaning the church building, or know of anyone who may be interested, please speak with Pastor Phil or Steve Manger.

WELCOME We welcome you in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Whether you are a newcomer to the community or to our church, we are honored to have you here. We hope that our worship time together will be meaningful to you and bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. We are asking EVERYONE

to please fill out a pink attendance form (found in the pew rack) and place it in the offering plate during the offering. Thank you. A friendly reminder ... please remember to silence your cell phone.

SONG OF PREPARATION (Please remain seated)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and the blessed virgin Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the church always lives as when in the holy communion—with high delight—“we proclaim the Lord’s death.”

WELCOME

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (Please stand if able)P: In the name of the Father, and of the U Son, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.C: Amen.P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

~ Brief silence for reflection and meditation (please kneel) ~

Blessed be the Name of the LordHe is worthy to be praised and adoredSo we lift up holy hands with one accord,Singing, “Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name,Blessed be the name of the Lord.” by Don Moen ©1996 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI#406483

* * * * *

~ 2 ~

SHARING THE PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the name of the Lord. (Please stand if able) P: Sisters and brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace. The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. P: Let us share a sign of God’s peace.

OPENING HYMN - (Please stand if able)

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (Please stand if able)P: In the name of the Father, and of the U Son, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.C: Amen.P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

~ Brief silence for reflection and meditation (please kneel) ~

P: Most merciful God,C: We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the USon, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.

LBW #26 - “Prepare the Royal Highway”

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING -

P: Today we light the fourth Advent Candle and we call it Love!

This lighting is done by Bill and Linda Benitz

Oh, come, blest Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by your advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, Anddeathsdarkshadowsputtoflight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel.

~ 3 ~

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS

The Second Reading - Hebrews 10:5-10 (Page 1,190 in pew Bible)Deacon: Word of God! Word of life! Response - “Thanks be to God!”

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION - Sung (Please stand if able)

The First Reading - Micah 5:2-5a (Page 922 in the pew Bible)Deacon: Word of God! Word of life! Response - “Thanks be to God!”

PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

GREETING (please stand if able)P: The King of Glory comes, the nation rejoices!C: Open the gates before Him, lift up your voices!P: Who is the King of Glory; what shall we call Him?C: He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages.P: Enter in, Lord of our life. Stir in us the old excitement.C: Receive our praise. We who worship here want to help clear Your way into all the world.

The Holy Gospel - Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] (Page 1,013 in the pew Bible)Before the reading:P: The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the 1st Chapter beginning at the 39th verse.C: Glory to You, O Lord.

Following the reading:P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ.

~ 4 ~

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCHResponse - “Hear our prayer.”

OFFERING - The gifts of the Lord are gathered. (Please be seated.)

THE OFFERTORY HYMN (Please stand if able) Praise God from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen. CCLI#406483

APOSTLES’ CREED (Page 65 in LBW) (Please stand)C: L I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERTORY PRAYER (Please stand if able)P: Let us pray. God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord.C: Amen.

SERMON (Please be seated.)

HYMN OF THE DAY- (Please stand if able) LBW #30 - “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

~ 5 ~

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLEP: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,the Word made flesh.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVINGDialogue (Please stand if able)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 indeed right, our duty and our joy,that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

~ 6 ~

INVITATION TO COMMUNION (Please stand if able)P: The bread of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Come, eat and live.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Please stand if able)P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us ....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.

HOLY COMMUNION (Please be seated) All baptized Christians who believe that He is present in the meal to for-give and renew life are welcome to His table. Children who do not receive are invited to come with their families to receive a blessing. The wine is admin-istered by the individual glass or the common cup. Grape juice is also available. Receive the Lord’s Supper in the manner most meaningful to you. Please come forward as directed by the ushers and return to the pew by the side aisles. Persons unable to come to the table should speak with an usher and the communion will be brought to your seat. Please sign a communion card found in the pew and give it to the usher as you come forward.

P: In the night in which He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”P: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.P: With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.C: Come, Lord Jesus.P: Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.C: Come, Holy Spirit.P: All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.C: Amen.

~ 7 ~

Jesus, Name above all names, Hear our prayer, Lord, make us whole;

During Communion please join us in singing the following hymns:

* * * * *

* * * * *

* * * * *

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see JesusTo reach out and touch Him, and say that we love HimOpen our ears, Lord, and help us to listenOpen our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. ©1976 Maranatha! Music -- CCLI #406483

LBW #40 - “What Child is This”

Father, I adore You, Lay my life before You, How I love You.Jesus ....Spirit .... ©1972 Marantha! Music, Inc., CCLI#406483

You sat down at the right handOf the Father in majesty.You sat down at the right handOf the Father in majesty.You are crowned Lord of all.You are faithful and righteous and true.You’re my master, You’re my owner,And I love serving You.

© 1984 Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI), CCLI#406483

~ 8 ~

1. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Risen our victorious head!

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

TABLE BLESSING (Please stand if able)P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.C: Amen.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER (Please stand if able)P: Let us pray: God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen.

LBW #35 - “Hark, the Glad Sound!”

BLESSING (Please stand if able)P: The God of steadfastness and courage grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Jesus Christ.C: Amen.P: The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.P: The God of grace bless you now + and forever.C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN (Please stand if able)

COMMISSIONINGDeacon: Go in peace. Christ is with you.People: Thanks be to God.

Copyright ©2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permssion under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS028808.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS IN ROOMS 11-12ALL ARE WELCOME! (Located down the hallway to the left)

~ 9 ~

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

CLOTHING DRIVE - We are again collecting clothing. You may have noticed the bins on the side of the driveway, however, we are asking that you bring the clothing and/or shoes into the church building so that we can distribute any items that may be needed by others. No toys or books are being collected.

MONTHLY BULLETINS - we have a few months still available. Please sign up on the chart in the hallway. The cost is $25.00 per month.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES: 12/20 - Sandra Manger; 12/22 - Julia Wolfgang; 12/24 - Herbie Kreuz; 12/25 - Holly Carpenter; 12/26 - Benedict & Ingie Gilluly; 12/27 - Nathan Cappetta.

THE BULLETINS or the month of December are given by Ben and Ingie Gilluly in memory of Ben’s mother, Viola Gilluly, their nephew, Michael Gilluly and in honor of our 34th wedding anniversary on December 26th.

THE FLOWERS on the altar table are given to the Glory of God by Denise Ross in loving memory of her father, Izzy Silva. Following our worship service today, these flowers will be delivered to our sick and shut-in by our Altar Flower Ministry. (Please see the sign up chart in the hallway. We have many openings.)

4th Sunday of Advent - Often called the visitation, the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is full of joy, recognition, gratitude, and blessing. Luke immediately follows the annunciation with Mary’s journey to visit Elizabeth, who gives this unmarried pregnant girl not only a safe haven but also the first glimpse of what it means to be the mother of the Savior. The encounter is full of mystery and grace: the mystery of new life forming but still invisible, and the grace of recognizing each other as the Spirit-filled mothers they are becoming. The story is also full of theological gravity: as the women encounter each other, so do Jesus and John the Baptist. Yet the theological meaning is almost overshadowed by the sheer physicality of the encounter. Imagine the hasty travel, demonstrative greeting, joyful exclamation, the unborn John leaping for joy, and robust singing. As the celebration of Christ’s birth approaches, the four active and responsive bodies in this text remind us that this is, after all, the incarnation itself unfolding. God becomes a body in Jesus, and that body will be offered up for the sake of the world. This body, recognized already by John in the womb, will eventually undergo the suffering and shame of death on a cross. Without losing sight of that big picture, today we enter into the up-close picture of Mary and Elizabeth’s encounter and share in the joy and gratitude they have in common with all who recognize Christ in their neighbor.

THIS WEEK AT HOLY SPIRIT December 20th - 28th, 2015 A.D.

SUN. 12/20 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:30 am Worship Service w/Communion (Nursery provided) Sunday Church School (ages 3 to 6th grade) 5:00 pm Youth GroupMON. 12/21 10:00 am Alanon 1:30-2:30 pm Fitness Friends 5:00 pm Hebrew School 7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 7:30 pm AATUE. 12/22 7:00 pm AlanonWED. 12/23 1:30-2:30 pm Fitness Friends 5:30 & 7 pm Nursing Support GroupTHUR. 12/24 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Service 7:30 pm AAFRI. 12/25 CHRISTMAS DAY - We Welcome the Son! SUN. 12/27 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:30 am Worship Service w/Communion (Nursery provided) No Sunday Church SchoolMON. 12/28 10:00 am Alanon 1:30-2:30 pm Fitness Friends 7:30 pm AA

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Mon.-Thurs. 9 am - 3 pm; Fri. 9 am to 12 NoonChurch Phone: (609) 597-2696 • Church Secretary - Mrs. Ingie GillulyThe Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit is a member congregation of the NJ Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

~ YVONNE & CYNTHIA BAMBERGER (Daughter-in-law of Yvonne & Bruce)~ EVELYN EMMETS (c/o Mystic Meadows, Room #316, 151 Ninth Ave., Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087)~ JILL JANDRIS~ ANNALIESE GLUSA~ MIKE GREENE - (Grandson of Ruth Ann Ryan)~ BECKY HARKEY~ COLLEEN HADDON (c/o Debbie Bonner, 6 Gaylord Lane, Marlton, NJ 08053)

Due to space limitations, please check your church directory for addresses

PRAYER LIST FOR THIS WEEK~ GINNI HERR - (Friend of Joan Harrison)~ THE LEAMAN FAMILY - on the birth of their daughter, Hannah Emma on 11/28/15~ MARGE MARTIN - (Friend of Denise Davis)~ JOE & SINTA MARTYN and their new baby boy, Joseph Angelo, born 12/6/15 weighing 1 lb. 13 ozs.~ THE OPAUSKI FAMILY~ LUCAS PLACA (Upcoming surgery) ~ LORRAINE WOHLERT - (Mother of Linda Benitz)