T THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT T DECEMBER 20, 2020

9:30 AM

2

FIRST SAINT PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 1301 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60610

312.642.7172 www.fspauls.org

THE REV. DR. THOMAS R. JOHNSON, Pastor, tjohnson@fspauls.org MRS. MARLO SCHULZ-KITTL, Dir. of Family Ministry & Outreach, mschulz@fspauls.org

STEVEN WENTE, Cantor, swente@fspauls.org MARGARET DANILOVICH, Associate Cantor, mdanilovich@fspauls.org

ANNA ALBRECHT, Church Secretary, aalbrecht@fspauls.org

WELCOME… …in the strong name of Jesus Christ. We are glad you have joined us for worship! We hope you experience God's love and a nurturing community while you are with us. Your presence here makes our community richer and fuller. We worship online in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and encourage you to follow along in this document as you also watch or listen to the service. May the Lord bless our worship this day.

TODAY IN WORSHIP God keeps the promise made to David to give him an everlasting throne. The angel tells Mary that God will give David’s throne to her son Jesus. She is perplexed by Gabriel’s greeting and by the news of her coming pregnancy, but she is able still to say, “Count me in.” We know the full story of Jesus from his birth to his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. And yet, we also find Jesus’ Kingship a mystery hard to fathom. But with faith and hope like Mary, we say, “Count us in.”

3

The Fourth Sunday

in Advent

PASTOR’S WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please note: LSB refers to the burgundy hymnal, Lutheran Service Book.

T Gathering T Stand

The sign of the cross T may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen. Matthew 28.19b; [18.20]

P Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124.8

P If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. Psalm 130.3-4

P Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word and call upon Him in prayer and praise,

let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that

we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from

our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of

God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God,

be merciful to me, a sinner. [Luke 18.13]

C Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting

life. Amen.

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives

you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I

therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of

the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. [John 20.19-23]

C Amen.

4

ENTRANCE HYMN Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn WOV 633

5

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy

Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13.14

C And also with you.

KYRIE (Lord, Have Mercy) Mark 10.47

A For the reign of God, and for peace throughout the world,

for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

A For your people here who have come to give you praise,

for the strength to live your word, let us pray to the Lord.

C Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.

A Help, save, and defend us, O God.

P The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4.22

C And also with you.

6

P Let us pray.

Silence

P Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make

us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve

you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and

forever.

C Amen.

Sit

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Prepare the Way of the Lord

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH P O faithful and loving God, we praise You for your tender compassion and give You

thanks for your steadfast love for us and all creation. Bless us who see the light of this

wreath, that we may be strengthened by the hope of your advent among us, and live

toward the completion of all things in You. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

7

T Service of the Word T

FIRST READING 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16 Instead 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.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

8

PSALM 89.2-3, 16-17, 18-19 setting by Luke Mayernik

A Refrain

C Refrain

A I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will

proclaim your fidelity. I have declared your mercy is established forever; your

fidelity stands firm as the heavens.

C Refrain

A “With my chosen one I have made a covenant; I have sworn to David my servant: I

will establish your descendants forever, and set up your throne through all ages.”

C Refrain

A “He will call out to me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock of my salvation.’ I will

keep my faithful love for him always; with him my covenant shall last.”

C Refrain

SECOND READING Romans 16.25-27

Paul 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.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Stand

9

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Matthew 1.23

We repeat the Alleluia.

HOLY GOSPEL Luke 1.26-38

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

In 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.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

10

Sit

SERMON The House of David

“He 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.” — Luke 1.32

Stand

HYMN OF THE DAY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357

Tune and text: Public domain

11

APOSTLES’ CREED P God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

C 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 T everlasting. Amen. “catholic” meaning the whole/universal Church

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according

to their needs.

A brief silence.

P Lord, in your mercy,

C Hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude:

P Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your

mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C Amen.

12

LORD’S PRAYER P Lord, remember us in Your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

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. Matthew 6.9-13

T Sending T

P Let us bless the Lord. Psalm 103.1

C Thanks be to God.

13

HYMN Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus LSB 338

Text and tune: Public domain

P Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

14

SERVICE MUSIC

Prelude O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Michael Burkhardt

Postlude The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came Robert Powell

SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY

PRESIDING MINISTER SINGERS The Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Johnson Lisa Barrett LECTOR Margaret Danilovich Mark Wimer Pastor Johnson INSTRUMENTALISTS Linda Kimbrough Lisa Barrett, flute Cheryl Kobetsky Margaret Danilovich, piano David Rogner Karla Wente flute Susan Rosborough Steven Wente, organ Jan Seefeldt Sarah Sekki Betsy Pennington Taylor Karla Wente Susan Wente

Acknowledgements: Liturgical texts from Lutheran Service Builder, license #10001126 and sundaysandseasons.org, used by permission of

Augsburg Fortress License #25151.

Scripture quotations from The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian

Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission,

Augsburg Fortress License #25151. All rights reserved.

Psalm 89: from The Five Graces Psalter by Luke Mayernik. Refrain text from Lectionary for Mass, Copyright © 1969, 1981,

1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. Psalm verses from The Revised Grail Psalms,

Copyright © 2010, Conception Abbey/The Grail, admin. By GIA Publications, Inc. Setting © 2017 Birnamwood

Publications (ASCAP), A division of MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission

One-license.net #A-711746.

Gospel Acclamation/Alleluia: based on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (“Savior of the Nations, Come”). Adapted by

Steven Wente

All other liturgical music from Lutheran Service Builder.

15

First Saint Paul's Parish Notes

www.fspauls.org

WEDNESDAY NOON BIBLE STUDY

Wednesday Noon Bible Study will be on break for the remainder of December. The class will resume

on Wednesday, January 6 and will begin studying Philippians.

IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES

Brief, in-person services of Word and Sacrament are held on Sunday mornings at 9 AM and Wednesday

mornings at 7 AM. So that we know how many to expect at the services and so we can assure that

attendance levels are appropriate for physical distancing, please reserve your seat(s) on the FSP

webpage (www.fspauls.org). If you need help signing up for the service, please contact the church

office (office@fspauls.org or 312.642.7172). If you sign up and are no longer able to attend, please

delete your registration or contact the church office to let us know so that the spot can be opened up

for others. We are looking forward to seeing you.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE STREAMING

Worship services are streamed at 9:30 AM every Sunday via the Zoom information below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172?pwd=L2psYks5K29xaUF5dG1sK3BSV0RDZz09

Phone in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

Passcode (Only needed if using the Zoom app): 1301

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

All-ages Sunday school will continue our look at My First Catechism. Today we will continue our look

at the Apostles’ Creed and talk about the Second Article and what we believe about Jesus, God the

Son. Contact Marlo Schulz-Kittl at mschulz@fspauls.org with any questions or to get the link for the

Zoom conference meetings.

Additional Resources:

1. Saddleback Kids Video: Jesus is Born

2. Bible for Kids: Jesus Dies on the Cross

3. For teens/ adults Youthesource: Apologia Talks: The Apostles' Creed Article 2

4. Motions for the Apostles' Creed. We will practice this together.

5. Link to last week's lesson: Apostles' Creed First Article God the Father

6. What is the Apostles' Creed? as explained by kids. An activity to do after watching this

video is to create your own pictures to help you remember and explain the Apostles' Creed.

16

ADULT BIBLE FORUM

Join Dr. David Rogner this morning at 11 AM via Zoom as he presents

“Adoring the King: Paintings and Poems of the Nativity” at the Adult

Bible Forum. The study will explore Christ’s Nativity as the birth of a

king who “reigns” from a manger. The witnesses (shepherds, animals,

wise men, Mary and Joseph) respond in adoration and worship, as should

we. Painters and poets include Hugo van der Goes, Charles Le Brun,

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Christina Rossetti, Richard Crashaw, and Robert

Herrick. Log-in information is below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172?pwd=L2psYks5K29xaUF5dG1sK3BSV0RDZz09

Phone in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

Passcode (Only needed if using the Zoom app): 1301

BOOK CLUB

Book Club will meet via Zoom conferencing on Wednesday, January 6 from 7:15-8:30

PM. (Please note the time change.) We will revisit chapter 3 and discuss chapter 4 of

Callings for Life: God's Plan, Your Purpose. Have you ever wondered, "What is God

calling me to do? What is the one thing I was born to do? Am I truly doing what I am

called to do?" We hope you can join us as your schedule permits. Sign up here to attend.

Please contact Marlo Schulz-Kittl at mschulz@fspauls.org for more information.

Join us on January 6 via the log-in information below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172?pwd=L2psYks5K29xaUF5dG1sK3BSV0RDZz09

Phone in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

Passcode (Only needed if using the Zoom app): 1301

We will wrap up our discussion of Callings for Life: God’s Plan, Your Purpose on January 20 as we

look at chapter 5.

17

MEANT FOR MORE BOOK STUDY

Join Pastor Johnson via Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday evenings as he leads

a discussion of Rev. Dr. John Nunes’ book Meant for More: In, With, and Under the

Ordinary. “You are meant to dance more, laugh more, sing more, pray more, learn

more, care more. You are meant for more.”

What makes this particularly exciting is that Dr. Nunes plans to attend each of these

discussions. Dr. Nunes is a long-time friend of First Saint Paul’s. His sister, Deaconess

Brenna Nunes, served at First Saint Paul’s for 8 years. Please join us via the log-in information below.

Contact Pastor Johnson (tjohnson@fspauls.org) if you have any questions.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3126427172?pwd=L2psYks5K29xaUF5dG1sK3BSV0RDZz09

Phone in: 312.626.6799

Meeting ID: 312 642 7172

Passcode (Only needed if using the Zoom app): 1301

December 23: Chapters Ten through Twelve

December 30: Chapters Thirteen through Sixteen

January 6: Chapters Seventeen through Twenty

SAVE THE DATE

The next Voter’s Meeting will be held via Zoom on Sunday, January 17 at 11 AM.

PLAN FOR GIVING

If you have not already done so, please remember to complete your online “Plan for Giving”.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

If you wish to make a monetary donation to help beautify the church for the Christmas season, please

add a donation to your regular giving check or look for the button on the Online Giving page.

Donations will help defray the cost of the tree, garland, flowers, wreaths, etc.

THANK YOU

Wunder’s Cemetery Board of Directors is grateful for donations from Dorothea and John Chaveriat,

as well as the Berning family, which were allocated to our new chipper at Wunder’s. A chipper is a

machine that turns branches and tree limbs into small wood chips. This purchase was instrumental in

helping clean up damage caused by the August 10, 2020 derecho that blew across the Midwest.

We thank the Chaveriats and Bernings for their generosity and continued confidence in our efforts to

help maintain and beautify Wunder’s Cemetery.

18

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, died 1552

Sunday, December 20

Born to an impoverished nobleman, Katie eventually took vows as a nun, but around age twenty-four

she and several other nuns who were influenced by the writings of Martin Luther left the convent. Six

children were born to Katie and Martin.

Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

Saturday, December 26

Stephen was a deacon and the first martyr of the church. He was one of those seven upon whom the

apostles laid hands after they had been chosen to serve widows and others in need. Later, Stephen's

preaching angered the temple authorities, and they ordered him to be put to death by stoning.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY: FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Isaiah 61.10—62.3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.22-40

GENERAL FUND

RECEIVED LAST WEEK: $5,364

RECEIVED TO DATE: $359,446

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK Sunday 9:00 AM—23

Wednesday 7:00 AM—8