The Resurrection of Our Lord
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Established 1874
Rev. Kerry B. Eversole, Pastor
Deacon Cindy Cordes-Eversole, Associate in Ministry
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 314, Lanesboro, MN 55949-0314
Physical Address: 200 Kenilworth Ave S, Lanesboro, Minn.
Telephone: 507.467.3344
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Web Page: www.staronthehill.com
On Facebook at: Bethlehem Lutheran Church Lanesboro
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parsonage Phone: 507.467.3017
Pastor Kerry’s Cell Phone: 507.951.3954
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Lanesboro, Minnesota
Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2020
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a
witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through
him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the
light.
John 1:4, 6-8
Welcome to worship this morning
at Bethlehem Lutheran!
“The star on the hill.”
Being Together in Church in the Time of COVID-19. Church members
and visitors are required to wear a face covering or mask when in
the building and during the service when they are able. They must
sanitize their hands upon entering the church and frequently while
in the building and wash their hands after using the lavatories.
They must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people not in
the same household. Please follow ushers’ directions when entering
and exiting the sanctuary to maintain proper physical distancing
including which pew you may sit in, where in the pew, and how many
people can be in the pew.
Worship Practices and Restrictions. Hymnals will not be
available in the pews. A full-service bulletin is placed on the pew
where an individual worshipper may sit but it should not be shared.
The order of worship, prayers, liturgy, readings, and hymn/song
lyrics will be projected on a screen. No shaking of hands, hugging,
fist-bumping, high-fiving, etc., to greet one another before,
during, or after worship. Instead, say “Good morning!” or “Glad you
are here!” or “Hello!” … with eye contact! No standing together in
groups before or after worship. Speaking and singing will be
permitted but only while wearing a face covering or mask. There
will be no passing of offering plates. Plates are located at the
entrances/exits where you can simply drop your offering into the
plate. Sorry, no coffee or fellowship after worship.
Abbreviations. Throughout this worship folder P: refers to the
presiding minister or preacher, A: denotes an assisting minister,
and C: and/or bold text indicates the congregation.
An means that you may stand, as you are comfortably able.
Gathering
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
Introduction to the Season. Once again, we have begun our
journey around the great circle of the Christian calendar. The new
church year begins with Advent, which means coming. God’s people
have always lived in great expectation of the second coming of
God’s Christ, the so-called end times, the end of the world, That
expectation finds specific and repeated pronouncement in the
readings for the four weeks of Advent.
Introduction to the Day. “Rejoice always,” begins the reading
from 1 Thessalonians. Isaiah makes clear that God is turning our
mourning into laughter and shouts of joy. “All God’s children got a
robe,” go the words of an African American spiritual. It is not so
much a stately, formal, pressed outfit as it is a set of party
clothes, clothes we are happy to wear. We receive that robe in
baptism, and in worship we gather for a foretaste of, a peek at,
God’s party.
PRELUDE by Sue Holst
WELCOME
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH Hope for Those Who Are Watching
Responsive Litany
Advent is a time to awaken our senses to God’s mighty acts.
We stand in awe of your words and deeds, O Lord. Repeat them in
our day!
Grant us vision to behold your promises and your work.
We stand in awe of your words and deeds, O Lord. Repeat them in
our day!
Make us vessels of your compassion and grace and mercy.
We stand in awe of your words and deeds, O Lord. Repeat them in
our day!
For all of us eagerly watching for your glory in our midst:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the
love of Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.
Candle Lighting
This morning we light three candles. The first candle represents
those who find themselves waiting patiently and hopefully for God’s
activity. The second candle stands for anyone feeling weak and
weary by the circumstances of life. God promises to renew your
strength and increase your power. The third candle signifies our
listening for God’s voice and looking for God’s light as we
anticipate our Savior’s certain coming.
OPENING HYMN Hark, the Glad Sound
Hymn text and music are printed at the back of the bulletin
GREETING
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray together.
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God,
All: 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.
God’s Word About Christ’s Coming
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song
FIRST READING Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Though the people had returned to Jerusalem from exile in
Babylon, they continued to face hardship and oppression. In the
language of the jubilee year described in Leviticus 25, the
prophet, moved by the spirit of God, announces deliverance for
those who are oppressed and comfort for those who mourn.
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.
Continued on the next page.
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.
A: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM 126
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.
SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonians by encouraging
them to live lives of continual joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. The
closing blessing is grounded in the hope of Christ’s coming.
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.
A: The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL John 1:6-8, 19-28
P: The holy gospel according to John.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
John’s gospel describes Jesus as the “light of the world.” John
the Baptist is presented as a witness to Jesus, one who directs
attention away from himself to Christ, the true light.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as
a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe
through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify
to the light.
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 are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor
Elijah, nor the prophet?”
Continued on the next page.
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.
P: The gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON by Deacon Cindy
HYMN OF THE DAY Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!
Hymn text and music are printed at the back of the bulletin
Responding to God’s Advent Word About Christ’s Coming
BLESSING THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
P: Gracious God, we offer to you these banners and paraments,
these garlands and wreaths, these candles, lights and ornaments
that adorn our worship space, all of which have been inspired by
our love for you. We especially praise you for this Christmas tree.
It is a sign of your everlasting, evergreen presence. It is a sign
of the reign of heaven, sheltering the creatures of the earth under
its open arms. It is a sign of the cross, shining with the light of
your grace and mercy. May everyone who stands in all this beauty
and light eagerly welcome the true Light which never fades, whose
coming we anticipate once again this season. We ask this through
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
OFFERING
OFFERING PRAYER
A: Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide
for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these
gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus,
the light of the world, we pray.
C: Amen.
OFFERING SONG I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Hymn text and music are printed at the back of the bulletin
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Each prayer ends with these words and response:
A: Hear us, O God.
C: Mighty Savior, come and save us.
Concluding prayer and response:
A: God beyond all things, God dwelling among us now, receive our
prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, who came, who comes, and who
is coming now and forever.
C: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER Traditional Wording
P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus
taught us.
All: 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.
Sending
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
P: 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.
C: Amen.
DEPARTING HYMN Christ, Be Our Light
Hymn text and music are printed at the back of the bulletin
DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE by Sue Holst
Hark, the Glad Sound
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Christ, Be Our Light
Acknowledgements
Permission to Podcast / Stream provided by Christian Copyright
Licensing International, Inc., under License #11459672. Additional
fee paid. www.ccli.com.
Permission to Podcast / Stream provided by One License, LLC
under License # A-735588. Additional fee paid.
www.onelicense.net.
Permission to livestream or podcast liturgy and music content
under copyright to or administered by Augsburg Fortress provided
under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SAS103296.
PowerPoint® Slides, Worship Texts, and Graphics are from
sundaysandseasons.com © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights
reserved. Used by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies
Annual License SAS103296.
Lighting the Advent Wreath written by Rev. Rich Davis, Senior
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, River Forest, IL. Date not
known.
Some Worship Texts are from Worship in the Home for Sunday,
December 6, 2020, prepared by the ELCA Worship Office for use
during this time of world-wide crisis because congregations of this
church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ.
Published on the ELCA website,
https://blogs.elca.org/worship/3106/.
Hark, the Glad Sound! Text: Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751; Public
Domain. Music: Thomas Haweis, 1734-1820. Tune: CHESTERFIELD; Public
Domain.
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding! Text: Latin hymn, 1632; tr.
Edward Caswall, 1814-1878; Public Domain. Music: William H. Monk,
1823-1889. Tune: MERTON; Public Domain.
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Text: Kathleen Thomerson,
b. 1934. Music: Kathleen Thomerson. Tune: HOUSTON. Text and music ©
1970, 1975 Celebration. Used by permission of One License, LLC,
Song # 00361. License # A-735588. www.onelicense.net.
Christ Be Our Light Text: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957. Music:
Bernadette Farrell. Tune: CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT. Text and music ©
1993, 2000 Bernadette Farrell, admin. OCP Publications. Used by
permission of One License, LLC, Song # 80229, License # A-735588.
www.onelicense.net.
