FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTDecember 20, 2020

10:30 AM

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CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH 

WORSHIP GUIDE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 WELCOME TO CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH!

 EXTENDING OUR HANDS AS FRIENDS

 We are thankful that the Lord has led you into our worship today. We believe that it is not by accident that you are here and that we can be a blessing to each other. We hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to be with us again. · Adult guests are cordially invited to receive Holy Communion whenever offered at CTK. · Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are invited and encouraged to be part of all

CTK activities and ministries.· If you’d like to consider God’s call to faith in Christ, and membership in this church

family, please speak to the pastor.    Pastor Laura can be reached by calling the church during the day (504-469-4740) or by e-mail at CTKPastorK@gmail.com.For emergency assistance during non-business hours, you may call her cell at 510-529-9854.

 CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH

 WORSHIP GUIDE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 December 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent 

10:30 AM

PRELUDE DIANA THACHER 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTSTHE GREAT O ANTIPHONSP: The Spirit and the church cry out.C: Amen. Come Lord Jesus.P: All those await his appearance pray:C: Come Lord Jesus.P: The whole creation pleads.C: Come Lord Jesus. SOLO “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” DOUG GOBER

CONFESSION AND FOREGIVENESSAll may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. 

Blessed be God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,whose forgiveness is sureand whose steadfast love endures forever.Amen.Together let us honestly and humbly confessthat we have not lived as God desires.Silence is kept for reflection.

Loving and forgiving God,we confess that we are held captive by sin.In spite of our best efforts, we have gone astray.We have not welcomed the stranger;we have not loved our neighbor;we have not been Christ to one another.Restore us, O God.Wake us up and turn us from our sin.Renew us each day in the light of Christ. Amen. 

People of God, hear this glad news:by God’s endless graceyour sins are forgiven, and you are free—free from all that holds you backand free to live in the peaceable realm of God.May you be strengthened in God’s love,☩ comforted by Christ’s peace,and accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

* GREETING A: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.And also with you. 

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* PRAYER OF THE DAYA: Let us pray. (A brief silence is kept before the prayer.) 

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen. LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: ADVENT 4Use this blessing when lighting all four candles.Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.In your Son, Emmanuel,you have shown us your lightand saved us from the power of sin.Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.Increase our longing for your presence,that at the celebration of your Son’s birthhis Spirit might dwell anew in our midst,for he is our light and our salvation.Blessed be God forever.Amen..

WORD

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16Instead of David building a house (temple) for God, God promises to establish David’s house (dynasty) forever. Centuries later, after the Babylonian exile, no king sat on the throne. Even then, however, the people of Israel remembered this promise and continued to hope for a king, the messiah, God’s anointed. 1Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.”  4But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live 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 and a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders 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 following the sheep to 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 live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict 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. 16Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. L: The Word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.  

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Psalm: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26Your love, O LORD, forever will I sing. (Ps. 89:1)  1Your love, O LORD, forever will I sing;  from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness. 2For I am persuaded that your steadfast love is established forever;  you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens. 3“I have made a covenant with my chosen one;  I have sworn an oath to David my servant: 4‘I will establish your line forever,  and preserve your throne for all generations.’ ”  19You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people:  “I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people. 20I have found David my servant;  with my holy oil have I anointed him. 21My hand will hold him fast  and my arm will make him strong. 22No enemy shall deceive him,  nor shall the wicked bring him down. 23I will crush his foes before him  and strike down those who hate him. 24My faithfulness and steadfast love are with him,  and he shall be victorious through my name. 25I will set his hand on the sea,  and his right hand on the rivers. 26He will say to me, ‘You are my father,  my God, and the rock of my salvation.’  L: The Word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.   

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27Paul closes his letter to the Romans by praising God because, in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God has revealed the promised, divine plan of salvation for all humanity. Paul proclaims this gospel of Christ in order to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations. 25Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. L: The Word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God. 

* GOSPEL ACCLAMATION  THE HOLY GOSPELThe Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the1st chapter.Glory to you, O Lord! 

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Gospel: Luke 1:26-38In this annunciation, Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people from little known places. This king will not be born to royalty in a palace, but to common folk in a stall. Here Luke highlights the role of the Spirit, a special emphasis in this gospel. 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him 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 ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to 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 holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. The Gospel of the Lord!Praise to you, O Christ!  SERMON Rev. Laura Stephenson   HYMN OF THE DAY “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness” ELW 251  

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 * NICENE CREED A: Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

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,was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Maryand became truly human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose againin accordance with the scriptures;he ascended into heavenand 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 the Son,who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,who 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.

* PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION A: God of power and might, fulfill your promise and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.

A brief silence.

Gracious God, all generations call you blessed. In this holy season we pray for our neighbors of other denominations and faiths Divine Mercy, Chinese Presbyterian Church, Grace Presbyterian Church, New Hope Community Church, those celebrating Hanukah, Kwanza and others. Inspire the faith of their people. Cultivate understanding among us and strengthen us in love and service to our community. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great.Creator God, you scatter the proud. Everything we have belongs first to you. Bless and protect the seas, mountains, plains, forests, skies, and soils that surround us. Give us humility as we tend them. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. 

Righteous God, you humble the powerful and lift up the lowly. We pray for the leaders of all nations, that they amplify the voices of people in need. Guide all people entrusted with leadership, to create

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societies in which everyone can flourish. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Compassionate God, you fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. Nourish those who lack access to adequate food and nutrition. Bless the work of advocates, community organizers, and food pantries. Encourage others to provide for their neighbors in need. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Healing God, you pour out mercy to all who cry out to you. Surround everyone in need of healing in body, mind, or spirit with your tender presence (especially) Lois Snyder, Jennifer Robilotta, Carolyn Russo, Carolyn Calhoun, Dwayne LeBlanc, Gene Hahn, Diane McDermott, Judy Fenner (Kathy Brown’s sister), Holly Heffernan (Ed & Phyllis Dusang’s granddaughter), Alden Aiola (Barbara Cozic’s brother), Maritza Sprague, Charles Griffin (Carol Drouant’s father), Karen Chaplain (Diane Ferguson’s sister), Blossom Holder (Christopher Holder’s mother), Vivian Blackwell (Nancy Gilbertson’s mother), Lori Terral (Brenda Bastone’s cousin), (Pause for other names offered up from the congregation). Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Hear all who mourn, O God, as we remember the lives of our beloved dead, especially Dudley Stadler and Jack Bonin. Encourage the living to learn from our ancestors in faith as we follow your call. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Here other intercessions may be offered.

Eternal God, you are faithful to the promises you made to our forebears. We give thanks for the ministry of Katharina von Bora Luther and other ancestors who organized, planned, dreamed, encouraged, and reached out as they served you. We give thanks for the bold leadership of female leaders in our own time. Inspire others with their steadfast witness. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.  * PEACEThe peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.(We will be sharing peace physically distanced at this time).

 * COMMUNION LITURGY

 OFFERTORY “Breath of Heaven” KRISTIN DIAZ 

Ways to give electronically include Vanco electronic automatic and the GivePlus app. They can be accessed online, with your phone or you are invited to send your offering by mail to 1001 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, LA 70065. 

  WORDS OF INSTITUTIONIn the night in which he was betrayed,

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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.

 * THE LORD’S PRAYERLet us pray as Jesus taught us:

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.

 INVITATION TO COMMUNIONEven as we watch and wait, Christ is here.Come, eat and drink. POST-COMMUNION BLESSINGThe body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.Amen.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Gracious and abundant God,you have done great things for us, and we rejoice.In this bread and cup you give us life forever.In your boundless mercy, strengthen usand open our hearts to the world’s needs,for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.Amen. BLESSINGThe Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting,the long-expected Savior fill you with love,the unexpected Spirit guide your journey,☩ now and forever. SENDING HYMN "Of the Father’s Love Begotten” ELW 295

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  DISMISSALA: Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.Thanks be to God. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUSPENDED— With the recent surge of COVID cases in Louisiana and

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especially in Jefferson Parish, the Mitigation Team has reached the conclusion that it is not safe at this time to continue to have in-person worship services. The Mitigation Team will continue to meet weekly and give you weekly updates. We will also continue to make worship services available online as we have been doing. As always, Pastor Laura is available for you. You may reach her at the church (504-469-4740), her cell (510-529-8954) or e-mail @ CTKPastorK@gmail.com. You can rest assured that CTK will resume in-person worship as soon as safely possible. Thank you for your support and patience.  ADVENT VESPERS - will be available online this Wednesday evening at 7PM. Special thanks to our musicians who have made this for us to stop, relax and reflect each week. Each week, we will also offer an Advent Study based on “The Redemption of Scrooge” by Matt Rawle. Pastor Laura will lead and you’re invited to join on Wednesday evenings by clicking on the link that will be sent by e-mail. CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE—Please note the Christmas Worship Service Schedule on page14 of this bulletin. Online services will be posted and available in time for viewing at the scheduled time. There is no scheduled service for Christmas Day. PRE-PACKAGED COMMUNION – is available for you to pick up to use during online services. Just call the church office and let Earl know how many you need and when you would like to pick them up.  CHRISTMAS BLESSING BOXES—At Christmas we make an outrageous claim- God was born among us as a baby! And we celebrate with festivities including getting together, special music, lights, special food, laughter and generally joy! And this year, during the pandemic, we at Christ the King recognize that some of these things may be different because of this awful virus. For example- some of us may not be travelling, we should not gather in large crowds, most live music is cancelled. We know we still have needs for what these things bring us- connection, meaning, beauty- we have created Christmas Blessing Boxes, which will be available on December 18th-24th. Inside each box are materials suitable for a family to share communion during our Christmas Eve December 24th at 5 PM online service available anywhere in the world at https://www.facebook.com/christthekingnola or from our website http://ctk-nola.org/  If it's better not to use a computer, phone or tablet, there will be materials that require no additional electricity and can be used by anyone wherever they find themselves on Christmas. Further, there will be materials suitable for children so families can enjoy time together. If you have an out of town family member, you're invited to come by and pick up a box and send it to them. If you know someone who cannot join in person, get them a box and deliver it. We request a donation of $10 each box but if that's not possible, some of the boxes have been sponsored so they are available to everyone. May this time find you blessed!  SOCIAL MINISTRY—– We will still be collecting cards for angel place. You can drop the cards at church and I will pick them up and deliver them. Also there is so many in need so please any time you can bring food to church, Barbara and I will deliver it to the food bank. This year has been so incredibly tough we would like to think the food brings joy. Please call Barb or Jody with any questions. Many blessings to our church members.  

STEWARDSHIP—Please contemplate the time, talents, and/or financial treasures God has blessed you with, and consider sharing those gifts generously. If you’re behind in your 2020 offerings and God has blessed you with the ability to catch up, please consider doing so. Additionally, please prayerfully consider pledging generously in 2021. Pledge cards have been mailed out and extras are in the Narthex next to the pledge box, where you can insert your completed cards.Also consider downloading the GivePlus app and giving it a try – even if it’s just a small donation the first time. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to automate your offerings, which would help provide a steady supply of resources to Christ the King. Let’s work together to welcome Pastor Laura with abundant generosity and resources that will make it possible for Christ the King to do

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amazing things under her leadership!

SHAWL MINISTRY—The shawl ministry finished pink shawls to give to breast cancer patients. We are a small group but very devoted. We are still bringing the finished shawls to the cancer yeni center. We buy our own supplies and would love for anyone to join us. We are taking proper precautions for the virus. Please call Jody if any questions.  COUNCIL POSITIONS—Faithful members of the congregation have volunteered to run for all 2021 council positions, but all positions except Worship are open this year to any member interested in volunteering to serve.  If you would like to run for a position on the 2021 council, please contact Richie Baud, Ellen Peralta, Barbara Cozic, Debbie Manos, or Irene Fager. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE— HELP KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND HEALTHY-Please stay home if you are not well and help prevent the spread of illness!  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that people social distance, wear masks and refrain from shaking hands. We will continue to greet our friends and guests but we recommend that you do not shake hands (or hug/kiss). To learn more on how to protect yourself and others from communicable illnesses, visit https://www.cdc.gov/ CTK NEWSLETTTER—If you don’t receive the church newsletter electronically, and would like one sent, please contact Earl at the church office. CHRIST IN OUR HOME—The devotional booklets for January/February/March are available in the narthex. If you would like one sent to you, please contact Earl at the church office.

READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR—The reading schedules for January are available in the narthex. If you would like one sent to you, please contact Earl at the church office.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION FORMS—Emergency Information forms are available in the foyer for those who have never submitted one to the church or need to update their contact information. We keep these on hand so we know how to communicate during an emergency. Our website has a link to a list of emergency evacuation sites and also to a weblog where members of Christ the King can keep in touch. www.ctk-nola.org.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS—You may read our monthly newsletter and calendar of events at our website at www.ctk-nola.org. Many of our members and guests also receive the weekly bulletin announcements by email. Simply write your email address on your green attendance slip in the bulletin and you will be added to the list of those who receive them. (This list also serves as a data base for keeping in contact electronically during an emergency.)

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We invite you to include the following in your prayers this week:

 

Lum Ellis, Joey LeBlanc, Shirley Orr (Diane McDermott’s sister-in-law), Richard Short (Diane

McDermott’s ex-husband), Bruce Dedmond, Erin Groves (Dianne McDermott’s grand-daughters mother), Billy & Phyllis Kitchen (friends of Elouise LeBlanc), Jane Chatelain, Espy Gonzales, Jill Harsch (Donna Oliver’s friend).

 

Please remember to pray for:Peaceful paths to justice, that all may live in peace and prosperity. In the midst of the world’s violence, we are called to another way. Help us to engage with all our hearts, minds and strength in God’s project of transforming the world.

LAST WEEKEND AT CTK 10:30 AM Online only 

Last Week’s Offerings: $ 5,034.25 Weekly Need: $ 7,001.00 1/1/2020 to Present:Offerings: $ 292,992.89Need (based on pre-COVID budget): $ 343,049.00

Christmas Worship

 

MID-WEEK ADVENT SERVICESWednesdays Dec. 23rd.

Worship 7 pm.  

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICESThursday, December 24th at 5:00 and 7:00pm.

  

SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

Sunday, December 27th at 10:30 AM. 

Altar Flowers and Bulletin Sponsorship—2020/2021

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The following dates are available for flower sponsorship:

January 10,17,24,31February 7, 14, 28March 14, 21, 28April 4, 11, 18, 25May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30June 6, 13, 20, 27

The following dates are available for bulletin sponsorship: 

January 3,10,17,24,31February 7, 14, 21, 28March 7, 14, 21, 28April 4, 18, 25May 9, 16, 23, 30June 6, 13, 20, 27

FLOWER SPONSORSHIP IS $25.00 BULLETIN SPONSORSHIP IS $15.00 

Sponsored Date (Flowers)___________________ Please check one:———-I would like to bring the flowers home ______I would like them brought to a shut-in or nursing home Sponsored Date (Bulletin)_____________________ Sponsored by_________________________________________________ In Memory of__________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ In Celebration ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ In Honor of____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________  SERVING THIS WEEKEND

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December 27

December 27 

 

10:30amAltar Guild Barbara CozicAssistant Brenda BastoneLector Kris DIazAcolyte Danny WeilWelcomersGreeters/UshersTellers Dorothy Nelson/Earl Teabout

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are not sponsored this weekend. THE BULLETIN is sponsored this weekend by Darryl & Larry Borne in Memory of Darryl’s grandparents, Leahmon & Cordelia McElveen.  SundayDec. 20

10:30 am – Holy Communion

MondayDec. 21

TuesdayDec. 22

WednesdayDec. 23

7:00 am — Men’s Bible Study @ Chateau Café

7:00 pm—Advent Worship service

ThursdayDec. 24

5 & 7 pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

FridayDec. 25

Christmas Day

OfficeClosed

SaturdayDec. 26

SundayDec. 27

10:30 am -A Festival of Lessons and Carols

SERVING NEXT WEEKEND (December 27)

10:30 amAltar Guild Barbara CozicAssistant Brenda BastoneLector Kris DiazAcolyte Danny WeilGreeters/UshersTellers Dorothy Nelson /Earl Teabout

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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December 20, 2020 

CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH 1001 W. Esplanade Ave.

  

Kenner, LA 70065 Telephone: (504) 469-4740 Web: www.ctk-nola.org Email: church@ctk-nola.org

  

Rev. Laura Stephenson PastorEarl Teabout Administrative AssistantMaritza Sprague Preschool DirectorDebbie Paulson Director of Small Groups/Volunteer MinistryDiana Thacher OrganistChristopher Holder Music DirectorJason Marcell & Mike Koorie Worship A/V TechniciansDorothy Nelson Bookkeeper 

CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERSPresident Cleburne SimonVice-president Dolinda Werling-BayeSecretary Ellen Peralta 

The service is reprinted from Sundays and Seasons © 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27116. All rights reserved.

 

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“God’s work. Our Hands.”

—ELCA Mission Statement

Our purpose as a church isto share the joy

of growing, giving and livingin Christ's love.

-Mission Statement of Christ the King Lutheran Church