Psalm 126Two lectors read responsively by whole verse. · Web viewDec 13, 2020 · 1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship TextsFor Virtual Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipHoly Communion Setting 2

December 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic

THIS SUNDAY: December 13, 2020 – Third Sunday of Advent10:30 – Virtual-only Worship and Communion with YouTube Live stream

TUES – No quilting through DecemberM/W/F – Preschool - Preschool is collecting mittens and hats for Mills County Public Health’s

NEST Program. Look for the tree outside of the sanctuary. Thank you.

NEXT SUNDAY: December 20, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Advent10:30 – Virtual OR In-person Worship with Live stream – check website, facebook page,

prayer chain, and word-of-mouth after Monday!

* If you would like to put a Newspaper article clipping up of one of our church family, you are welcome to do so on the bulletin board. We would love to read it!

ACCOMPANIST: Barb Mass ACOLYTE: noneUSHERS: none GREETERS: none

none READER: noneALTAR COM: Dec. 13 none

Virtual Communion:During Sunday worship when we worship virtually-onlyOR When worship the following Sunday is in-person: (meeting address is the same each week) Wednesdays at 11am: meet.google.com/ixe-mnpg-eej AND Thursdays at 6:30pm: meet.google.com/uwh-pewk-hms OR by other arrangement with Pastor Luke.

Pick up a prepackaged communion cup/wafer at church at any of the following times (or use your own bread and wine/grape juice from home):

Communion Pick-Up Times: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday – 9:30am-Noon, or 1:30pm-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Tuesday – 2:00-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Friday/Saturday – by arrangement only.

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St. John Lutheran ChurchMineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.orgPastor Luke Kuenzli

December 13, 2020 10:30amThird Sunday of Advent

We are called to glorify God, grow in faith,

and build community.Mission Statement

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION – COVID-19 Virtual-ONLY

Covid-19 Precautions for in-person worship We will require masks be worn while you are in the building. Refusal to

wear a mask will result in your being asked to leave. We will be practicing social distancing of 6 feet. Open pews are marked, and

closed pews are cordoned off and labelled. Please don’t gather in the hallway or enter any closed spaces. Restrooms will

be limited to single-person/family use at any given time. Those who do not comply with social distancing policies will be asked to leave.

There will not be singing, prolonged unison speaking, communion, or fellowship time. Virtual communion begins December 6.

We continue to advise (not require) that persons in the vulnerable population groups of 65+ years of age and anyone with underlying medical conditions remain home.

We ask that anyone with any respiratory symptoms (cough, sniffles, sneezing, sore throat) or fever please remain home. You will be asked to leave if you are displaying such symptoms.

We ask that if you are traveling to areas of high virus activity, you remain home for the Sunday following your travels.

Hand sanitizers are located throughout the open areas. Feel free to use them!

Food DriveThe Women of St. John are having a food drive and collecting

for Mills County food pantry all through the month of December.

Kid-friendly cereals, canned tuna, chicken, pears, peaches and mixed fruits. Dry pastas, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products ALWAYS welcome and needed.

Items will be collected in the shopping cart. Only food items

The Mills County Ministerial Association will not be hosting Soup and Song this

year due to pandemic concerns.Please designate gifts to the

MCMA Energy Assistance Fund to support Mills County residents in need.The church office can collect these gifts

and send them all together!

Christmas PoinsettiasPurchase for $10 each.

These are used in the Poinsettia Tree, and can be taken home with you after the Christmas Eve Worship service.

Sign up for one or more on the list in the hallway,

or let Michelle know.

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Setting 2) (*Stand)

Prelude Welcome/Announcements

GATHERINGLighting of the Advent Candles

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. Your prophets spoke of a day when the desert would blossom and waters would break forth in the wilderness. Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath. Strengthen our hearts as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. May he give water to all who thirst, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God forever. Amen.

The first three candles are lit, signifying the Hope of God’s promised Messiah , the Peace of God, and the Joy of the Spirit, as we sing:

public domain

*Confession and Forgiveness (from sundaysandseasons.com)Blessed be God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,whose forgiveness is sure and whose steadfast love endures forever. Amen.

Together let us honestly and humbly confess that we have not lived as God desires. Silence is kept for reflection.

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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 grace your sins are forgiven, and you are free— free from all that holds you back and 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.

Gathering Hymn “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” #249

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Public domainGreeting 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.

Kyrie p. 120

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*This is the Feast p.122

Salutation The Lord be with you. And also with you.

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Prayer of the DayStir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORDFirst Reading: A reading from Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

1The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

8For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 126 Two lectors read responsively by whole verse.1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who

dream.2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy .

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them .”3The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed.4Restore our fortunes, O LORD , like the watercourses of the Negeb. 5Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.6Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,

will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

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Second Reading: A reading from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

23May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

…Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

*Gospel Acclamation

I am sending my messen- ger be-fore you, | who will prepare your way be - fore you.

*Announcement of the Gospel The holy gospel according to John 1:6-8, 19-28. Glory to You, O Lord!

*The Gospel is proclaimed 19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites

from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” as the prophet Isaiah said. 24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then

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are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

…the gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ!

Sermon Pastor Luke Kuenzli

We have heard a version of this Gospel story before – just last week, we

heard Mark’s account of John the Baptizer as the promised voice crying in the

wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Now we hear from the Gospel of John.

The key difference in this version of the story is that we are given a clear indication

of who John isn’t. He is not the Messiah. He is not Elijah come again. He is not the

prophet long-foretold. According to him, he is simply a voice in the wilderness. It

is ironic then, that the Church for many centuries has associated John the Baptizer

with the prophet, with Elijah 2.0. We haven’t taken him at his word.

But all that is beside the point. The point John seems to be making is that,

despite all appearances and despite all the expectations held by the Hebrew people

in general and by the priests and Levites and Pharisees in particular, John, with his

baptism by water, was not the one for whom they had been waiting. No, that one

was not isolating out in the wilderness and making people come to him for a ritual

immersion of repentance. The one for whom they had been waiting was “standing

among them.”

Much like last week’s message that God comes right before our faces, no

matter where they are turned, we are once again reminded that in Jesus Christ, God

comes to where we are – among us. That is one of the names we give to Jesus, after

all, Immanuel – God-with-us. But the birth of Jesus was not the first Immanuel, nor

is it the last. God is and has been and will be with God’s people before and during

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and after the Incarnation, those 33 years when Jesus was in bodily human form,

living, breathing, eating, drinking, suffering, dying with us and for us.

Immanuel, the name we give to Jesus, is truly the very being of God in

God’s fullness – it is who God is, who God has chosen to be! At the creation of

humankind, God was there, walking with them in the garden. In the midst of lions’

den and fiery furnace, God was there with Daniel and with Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego. In the midst of wilderness journey, God was there with Moses and

the Israelites in a pillar of cloud and fire, in water gushing from rocks and manna

falling from the skies. In the deliverance of the judges, God was there. In the

anointing of Saul and David and Solomon, God was there. In the midst of exile and

destruction, God was there, too, even if many of the ancient Hebrew people could

not see him clearly through their grief and pain. God is Immanuel, with us, always.

Isaiah proclaimed that this was so when he said: “The spirit of the

Lord GOD is upon me.” God is with me! But that isn’t only a word of comfort

found in holy companionship, it is also a word of holy challenge. “The spirit of the

Lord GOD is upon me because…” Because. Why is it that God has come among

us? This passage, you may recall, was read by Jesus in the synagogue as he began

his public ministry, according to Luke’s Gospel account, when he said “Today, this

scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because… the Lord has anointed

me.” God had set Jesus aside for a holy purpose. God had chosen Jesus, sent Jesus

with a mission. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because… he has sent me

to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim

liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of

the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who

mourn…”

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We like these words – they make us feel good inside, that the God of our

worship, of our praise, of our faith, would do such wonderful things for us. But

what is good news for the oppressed? Only that the oppressors cease their

oppressive ways. Are we considering how our ways might lead to oppression of

others? How are the brokenhearted bound up? Only when those who have broken

their hearts seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Are we cognizant of the ways in

which we cause others’ hearts to break? How are captives liberated? Only when

the captors release them, or are defeated and freedom is offered by another. Whom

do we hold captive by our actions, by our lifestyles, by our ideological systems?

When are prisoners released? Only when their prison sentence has been served, or

when bail is paid, or when new evidence exonerates those wrongfully imprisoned.

Who have we wrongfully imprisoned, and how might we rectify that situation?

You see, the good news for the oppressed seems, at first glance, to be bad

news for the oppressor. But I think that we can all agree that continued oppression

is not God’s intention or will for the world, for God’s people the Church. God’s

intention, stated quite clearly throughout scripture, is freedom, deliverance, peace

and good will. God does not desire sorrow and sadness, but joy! Oppressor and

oppressed alike are bound by the chains of sin – the very captivity which Christ

frees us and from which the Holy Spirit leads us. Good news for one is good news

for all.

I recently spoke with a woman who had held a grudge with a neighbor for

many years over the matter of a fence going up between their yards. But when the

neighbor’s wife died and he was left caring for two children on his own, this

woman decided enough was enough, and she began to bake cookies and other

goodies for them. She received from the neighbor, in return, a warm note of

thanks. The burden – the chain – of that grudge gave way to lifted spirits for all of

them. This is a small example over a mostly trivial matter. But what comfort was

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found, what joy! Think, then, of the joy that can be found when a true conflict, a

matter of real oppression, can be resolved and reconciliation can be had!

This is the promise in which we, as baptized Christians, live. It is not simply

a one-time ritual of repentance and a washing by water, but a life-long journey

toward reconciliation with all whose hearts we have broken and all who have

broken our hearts; with all who we hold captive in any way, and with all by whom

we feel imprisoned; with all suffering from our oppression and with by whom we

have been oppressed. We live in the promise of forgiveness for ourselves and for

all.

And we can live in this reality only because of the joyful fact that God is

with us (and if with us, then with all!) through the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudging

breezes and through her forceful gales of justice. Only because God stands among

us, dwells with us and within us – Immanuel!

Sometimes we have forgotten; we forget; we will forget again! … that our

lives are not primarily about us. My life isn’t primarily about me, and yours is not

primarily about you. As people of faith, we are called to live lives that are

primarily about others – about seeking, through our words and our ways, to bring

the good news to the world that in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we

do not need to remain in bondage to our hurtful and harmful ways of sin!

When we trust in the guidance of the Spirit, then we can say with John, with

honest conviction, that we are NOT the Messiah, NOT the prophet, NOT the one

for whom the world has been waiting… but we can point toward the one who is.

We can repent of our own sin and invite others to repent of theirs, but we do so not

for ourselves, but for the sake of life lived hopefully, lived peaceably, lived

joyfully, in community.

May God stand among us – with us – to give us the strength, the courage,

and the humility to live our faith for the sake of those with whom we interact – for

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that is why Jesus has come, why we have been gifted with the Holy Spirit, why we

have been baptized by more than water, with the powerful reality of mercy. God

stands among us, God-with-us, Immanuel. I pray that our eyes will be enlightened

to see him in our midst. Amen.

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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,

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 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 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 God of power and might, shine your radiance and come quickly to this weary

world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need. A brief silence.

God of preachers and messengers, you have entrusted your church with the work of proclaiming good news. Strengthen the witness of bishops, pastors, deacons, church musicians, lay leaders, and all people who contribute their prayers and talents to public worship. We pray especially for Vine Street Bible Church and Pastor Evan Welcher; and for Brayton and Exira Lutheran Churches and Pastor Stephen Frock. Embed your word in their hearts. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of every living creature, you announce the year of your favor for all of creation. Extend your kindness and relief to endangered animals and plants.

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Strengthen the human beings who rely on the rhythms of nature to make their living. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of all peoples and nations, you plant us as your oaks of righteousness and ask us to care for one another. Be present with the leaders of every nation as they govern. Give them a spirit of righteousness, that your goodness and mercy is revealed through their actions. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of exiles and wanderers, you repair what was once destroyed. We pray for people who have been displaced from their homes by fire, flood, earthquake, or storm. Support the work of Lutheran Disaster Response, and all disaster relief organizations in their recovery efforts. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of the powerful and helpless, you clothe us with strength when our spirits are weak and weary. Bestow your spirit upon this congregation and empower us to comfort the people who turn to us in times of need. We pray for: Cindy McCollester, Jeremy and Jillian Kahl, Katie Hannasch, Kathy Deitchler, Matt Rutledge, Greg Kruse, Paul Heinecke, Ann Pestal-Vorce, Randy Williams, Luke Harms, Mark Weiler, Karen Engelke, Chuck and Betty Brotherton, “PJ,” Flo Tompkins, Linda, Erin, Jackie Ackers and family (COVID), Dennis, Mario, the family of Genevieve Hunt, . Make your church a place of refuge and healing. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of sinners and saints, you offer joy even in the midst of our grief. We are grateful for the beloved, imperfect people whose lives testified to your radiant love. Anoint all who mourn with the oil of gladness. 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.

Peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.Share a word or a sign of peace with those around you, or send a virtual greeting of peace to someone you’re thinking of.

MEAL

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GREAT THANKSGIVING

The presiding minister continues:

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Eucharistic Prayer and Words of InstitutionThis God of whom we speak, of whom we sing, in indeed a Holy and Mighty God, powerful and merciful. And this God not only came to us, but became one of us; God grew in Mary’s womb, nurtured by her body, and as he grew, the hope and fears of all the years drew near to their fulfilment.

On the night in which he was born, our Lord Jesus took a body, in all its human brokenness, and his mother placed him in a feeding trough – a foreshadowing of another night, when Jesus would offer his own body, broken as food. That night, when God came to earth, the new covenant began to take shape, a covenant begun with the pains of labor and brought to completion with the agony of the cross. On the night in which he was born, our very God became very human, so that he might live and die for us.

On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks; and 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, take and drink, this 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.

For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim that the Lord comes, that the Lord has come, that the Lord will come again. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

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God who comes to us, pour out your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine, and upon all your people gathered here: grant us faith so that we may live in hope; lead us into Peace with self, neighbor, creation, and Creator; bring us the Joy of living in the freedom of salvation; send us out with the Love that is born in Bethlehem and in our hearts; so that we may proclaim Christ in word and deed. Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

All glory and honor is yours, O God, who comes to fulfill all expectation in the most unexpected of ways, through Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, with the Holy Spirit who breathes life into a dying world; now and forever. Amen.

Gathered together by the Holy Spirit, we 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 Communion:Even as we watch and wait, Christ is here. Come, eat and drink.

At this time, peel back your pre-packaged communion cup’s top (clear) layer to remove the wafer, then the next (foil) layer to open the juice cup.OR, prepare your bread and wine or grape juice from home for your communion.

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If you are by yourself, eat the wafer or bread as the Pastor speaks these words: The body of Christ, broken for you. You may reply: Amen.And drink the wine or grape juice as the Pastor speaks these words: The blood of Christ, shed for you. You may reply: Amen.

If you are with family members or others, you may choose to serve the meal to one another using the words above.

After communion, we sing:

Prayer after CommunionGracious 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 us and open our hearts to the world’s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SendingBLESSING

The 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. Amen.

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Sending Hymn “Prepare the Royal Highway” #264

Dismissal Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord! Thanks be to God!

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

“Prepare the Royal Highway” Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used by permission with ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

Permission to stream music in this service obtainedfrom ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A. All rights reserved.

UPCOMING:December – Virtual Communion begins:

During Sunday worship (starting the 6th) if virtual only ORWednesdays/Thursday (staring the 2nd) if worship is in-person and livestreamed.OR by other arrangement with Pastor Luke.

Wednesdays, 11am: meet.google.com/ixe-mnpg-eejThursdays, 6:30pm: meet.google.com/uwh-pewk-hms Sundays, during 10:30 Worship, via YouTube Livestream

Pick up a prepackaged communion cup/wafer (or use your own bread and wine/grape juice) at church at any of the following Communion Pick-Up Times: Sunday – before/after 10:30 worshipMonday/Wednesday/Thursday – 9:30am-Noon, or 1:30pm-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Tuesday – 2:00-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Friday/Saturday – by arrangement only.

December 24th, Christmas Eve Worship 3:30pm and 7:00pm(IF in-person ) – RSVP ONLY, so that we can plan for proper social distancing. Contact Pastor Luke or Church Secretary Michelle Woodrum to reserve your spot in-person. Both services will be livestreamed. No communion.(IF Virtual only ), no RSVP required; same times, with virtual communion.

January 17th – Annual Congregational Meeting after Sunday WorshipVirtual Meeting Option: meet.google.com/pwo-bcny-rip

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Documents

Psalm 126Two lectors read responsively by whole verse. · Web viewDec 13, 2020 · 1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring