Gaudete—Third Sunday in Advent
15 December 2019
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.
Parish News
Advent Daily Reflections from Higher Things are available to download to print or for your electronic device at media.higherthings.org/reflections. If you are unable to access them online, copies are available in the Narthex and outside the Parish Office.
Children’s Christmas Service is this Wednesday at 7pm.
Adult Bible Class meets Sunday at 9am in the Parish Center, studying the 13th chapter of Hebrews.
Matins is prayed in the Nave on Wednesday mornings at 8:30am and on feast days. Everyone is welcome to join in this service of Psalms and prayer from Lutheran Service Book. Coffee Break Bible Study follows, at 1 Samuel 8.
GivePlus Mobile App No checks? No problem! Electronic giving is now available at Immanuel with the GivePlus mobile app. Simply download the app and set up a one time or recurring gift. Simple and secure giving electronically with your mobile device. Additional information is available on the table outside the office.
German Christmas Service Immanuel will host our annual German Service this afternoon at 4pm. Please plan to attend and invite your friends and neighbors.
Wabash Valley Right To Life is again sponsoring their annual pro-life billboard campaign, where positive life messages will be posted around Terre Haute in January and February 2020. We need to raise $525 to sponsor a billboard this year. If you would like to contribute, please do so before January 6, marking your donation “Right To Life.” Please speak to Chuck Roush or call the church office with any questions.
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
St. Thomas, Apostle—December 21
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…
Order of Daily Prayer
L Make haste, O X 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.
