Gaudete—Third Sunday in Advent
16 December 2018
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind receive their sight
and the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed
and the deaf hear,
and the dead are raised up,
and the poor have good news preached to them.”
St. Matthew 11.4-6
John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord
The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord . . .” (Isaiah 40.1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah’s coming through repentance, for “all flesh is grass” (Isaiah 40.6). Now He asks from prison, “Are you the one who is to come?” (St. Matthew 11:2). Jesus’ works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord’s hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4.1) still deliver Christ’s overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God’s people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.
St. Thomas, Apostle—December 21
St. Thomas was thought to preach the Gospel in Persia and India. The carpenter’s square represents his construction of a church in India; the spear, the assumed means of his martyrdom.
The lessons are Ephesians 1.3-6 and St. John 20.24-31.
Collect: Almighty and ever-living God, who through the Word of Thy Son didst mightily strengthen the faith of Thine Apostle Saint Thomas: by the same Word keep us ever steadfast in the faith unto our end; through Jesus Christ…
Parish News
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Eric Crucitti.
2019 Flower Chart is on the table in the Narthex. Please write your name clearly and, if you wish, “in honor of” or “in memory of” an occasion or person.
The “8 Habits of a Highly Successful Christian” Our class on Christian piety is Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Class on December 18: “The Eighth Godly Habit: Remembering Death and the Day of Judgment.” Christians should think of death daily, remembering above all that they have in Christ victory over death, who defeated death for our sake. Thus they know in Christ how to die a blessed death, and so are set free to live a blessed and joyful life here in time, and there in eternity.
Children’s Christmas Service is this Wednesday at 7pm. Join us to hear the children tell the story of Christ’s birth through word and song.
Private Confession and Absolution is available this Thursday from 5-6pm, or anytime by appointment.
A Mobile Lutheran Bible Study Issues, Etc. is a radio show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s topics include: The Birth of John the Baptist, The Book of Obadiah, Thy Kingdom Come, The Apostle Thomas, Ahab Steals Naboth’s Vineyard and more. You can listen live or at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the LPR mobile app.
Prepare for Next Sunday
Deuteronomy 18.15–19; Philippians 4.4–7; St. John 1.19–28
Hymns: 333 – 357 – 335 – 332 – 356 – 353 – 334
Order of Daily Prayer
L Make haste, O + God, to deliver me.
R Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
Psalm 4
Scripture Readings:
[S] from Divine Service
[M] Hebrews 10.35-39; Isaiah 2.1-5
[T] St. Luke 21.5-24; Isaiah 24.21—25.5
[W] St. Luke 12.35-59; Isaiah 25.6-10
[Th] James 5.7-11; Isaiah 26.1-21
[F] St. Luke 1.1-25; Isaiah 51.1-16
[S] St. Luke 1.26-38; Isaiah 52.1-12
Hymn of the Day or Month On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (344)
Catechism (bulletin)
Apostles’ Creed
Kyrie: L Lord, have mercy upon us; R Christ, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father
Collect of the Day (bulletin)
Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer
L Bless we the Lord. R Thanks be to God.
