the forerunner prepares: christ is coming€¦ · the forerunner prepares: christ is coming the...

THE FORERUNNER PREPARES:

CHRIST IS COMING

The Second Sunday in Advent

December 10, 2017

2

WELCOME TO WORSHIP!

We are pleased that you have chosen to worship the Lord with us today. If you are a guest

visiting with us, know that we are thankful you have joined us, and please take a moment to sign

the guest register in the entryway.

Large print hymnals are available upon request from an usher.

Hearing assist devices are available upon request from an usher.

Restrooms: In the lower level of the church and also down the school hallway.

If you need a place to quiet a restless child, the service is streamed to a TV in the lower level.

SERVICE NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

We are blessed to have Koiné visiting this morning and leading our worship. The special order of

service for today is printed for you in this folder. The hymns are also printed in the bulletin.

1st Candle – (blue) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE

2nd Candle – (blue) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his

promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us

to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the

prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths

for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall

become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)

SERVING IN WORSHIP

Preaching Minister Pastor Peter Schmidt

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Cover artwork by Ian M. Welch. © 2013 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. www.paramentics.com

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL

VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

N84 W15252 Menomonee Ave. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

N108 W14290 Bel Aire Lane

Germantown, WI 53022

3

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

OPENING HYMN Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising | 42

Come, your hearts and voices raising,

Christ the Lord with gladness praising;

Loudly sing his love amazing,

Worthy folk of Christendom.

See how God, for us providing,

Gave his Son and life abiding;

He our weary steps is guiding

From earth's woe to heav'nly joy.

Christ, from heav'n to us descending

And in love our race befriending,

In our need his help extending,

Saved us from the wily foe.

Jacob's Star in all its splendor

Beams with comfort sweet and tender,

Forcing Satan to surrender,

Breaking all the pow'rs of hell.

Gracious Child, we pray you, hear us;

From your lowly manger cheer us.

Gently lead us and be near us

Till we join th' angelic choir.

Please stand

INVOCATION

P: The grace of our Lord ✙ Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy

Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: My dear Brothers and Sisters, we eagerly anticipate the coming of the King of Kings and

Lord of Lords. We prepare our hearts and minds for his second coming by remembering

his first coming, when he humbled himself by leaving his heavenly throne and taking on

human flesh for us, becoming like us in every way.

C: Let us worship the coming Lord!

CONFESSION OF SINS

Koiné: (sings) Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God.

Ask him through Jesus Christ to grant forgiveness freely from above.

4

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have

disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed

to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I

am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have

mercy on me, a sinner.

C: (Sings) O Jesus, Lamb of God, you are

My comfort and my guiding star;

I come, a sinner, trustingly

And bring my many sins with me.

O Lord, my sin indeed is great;

I groan beneath the dreadful weight.

Be merciful to me, I pray;

Take guilt and punishment away.

Saint John the Baptist points to you

And bids me cast my sin on you,

For you have left your throne on high

To suffer for the world and die. (CW 27 v.1-3)

P: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the

atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I

forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: (Sings) Help me to change my ways, O Lord,

And gladly to obey your Word.

While here I live, abide with me,

Then take me home eternally. (CW 27 v.4)

P: We praise the Lord for the forgiveness he has freely given through his one and only Son,

Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.

5

HYMN OF PRAISE Hosanna to the Coming Lord | 21

Hosanna to the coming Lord!

Hosanna to the incarnate Word!

To Christ, Creator, Savior, King

Let earth, let heav'n hosanna sing.

O Savior, with protecting care

Abide in this your house of prayer,

Where we your parting promise claim,

Assembled in your sacred name.

O Advent King, our sins forgive;

Come in our lives and hearts to live,

And let our humble souls become

A temple worthy of your name.

Then in the last and dreadful day,

When earth and heav'n shall melt away,

Your flock, redeemed from sinful stain,

Shall swell the sound of praise again.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Let us pray.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us

strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Please be seated.

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11

Isaiah forsees the work of John the Baptist as one who will prepare God's people to receive his sweet

good news.

40 Comfort, comfort my people,

says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

and proclaim to her

that her hard service has been completed,

that her sin has been paid for,

that she has received from the LORD’s hand

double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness prepare

the way for the LORD;

make straight in the desert

a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

6

the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out.”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,

and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of

the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

because the breath of the LORD blows on

them.

Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God endures forever.”

9 You who bring good news to Zion,

go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

say to the towns of Judah,

“Here is your God!” 10

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,

and he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him. 11

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

HYMN Comfort, Comfort All My People | 11

Tune written by Koiné

"Comfort, comfort all my people; Speak of peace," so says our God.

"Comfort those who sit in darkness, Groaning from their sorrows' load.

Speak to all Jerusalem Of the peace that waits for them;

Tell them that their sins I cover, That their warfare now is over."

All their sins our God will pardon, Blotting out each dark misdeed;

All that well deserve his anger He no more will see or heed.

They have suffered many a day; Now their griefs have passed away.

God will change their aching sadness Into ever-springing gladness.

John the Baptist's voice is crying In the desert far and near,

Calling people to repentance For the kingdom now is here.

Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way;

Let the valleys rise to meet him And the hills bow down to greet him.

Straighten out the crooked highway; Make the rougher places plain.

Let your hearts be true and humble, Ready for his holy reign.

For the glory of the Lord Now o'er earth is spread abroad,

And all flesh shall see the token That his word is never broken.

7

SECOND LESSON 2 Peter 3:8-14

The people of John's day needed to prepare to see Jesus, and the same is true today, since Christ is

coming and will usher in significant changes to this world.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a

thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand

slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to

repentance. 10

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the

elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought

to live holy and godly lives 12

as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That

day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the

heat. 13

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new

earth, where righteousness dwells. 14

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found

spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8

John's rough appearance matched his rough to-the-point message.

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the

Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah

the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’” 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the

wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for

the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean

countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went

out to him. Confessing their sins, they were

baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore

clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt

around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes

the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and

untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

8

HYMN OF THE DAY Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel | 23

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Root of Jesse, free

Your own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell your people save,

And bring them vict'ry o'er the grave.



Oh, come, O Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by your drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.



Oh, come, O Key of David, come,

And open wide our heav'nly home.

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.



THE MESSAGE Mark 1:1-8

Prepare to Greet Jesus

THANK OFFERING

Moved by God’s love in Christ, we offer him our first and best gifts, purely out of thanks to him.

Please take a moment during the gathering of the thank offering to sign the

FRIENDSHIP REGISTER and get to know those seated around you.

OFFERING HYMN All Praise to You, Eternal God | 33

All praise to you, eternal God!

Now clothed in human flesh and blood,

You took a manger for your throne

While worlds on worlds are yours alone. Alleluia!

Once did the skies before you bow;

A virgin's arms contain you now

While angels, who in you rejoice,

Now listen for your infant voice. Alleluia!

9

O little Child, you were our guest

That weary ones in you might rest;

Forlorn and lowly was your birth

That we might rise to heav'n from earth. Alleluia!

You came to us in darkest night

To make us children of the light;

Like angels in the realms divine

Around your throne we, too, will shine. Alleluia!

All this your love for us has done;

By this our love for you is won;

For this our joyful songs we raise

And shout our thanks in ceaseless praise. Alleluia!

STAND

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P: Eternal Father, throughout the centuries you repeated and affirmed your promise to send

the offspring of the woman to crush the serpent’s head. Through your prophets of old, you

continually directed the eyes of your people to the advent of their Savior.

C: We praise you, O Lord, for keeping your promise and sending your Son to destroy the

works of the devil.

P: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our King, use your mighty Word to shatter our pride

and to rouse us from spiritual slumber and apathy.

C: Move us to take to heart the words of John: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is

near.”

P: You sent your Son to redeem us from sin. Let this good news be our joy and strength. Use it

to cheer the lonely, encourage the fearful, and give hope to the despairing. In these days

before Christmas, spare us from the stress of deadlines and the frenzy of commercialism.

C: Fill our lives with the message of your peace and the music of your grace.

P: Direct our eyes not only to the manger but also to the skies, where we will see your Son

coming again, not as a lowly child but as the Lord of lords.

C: Lift up our hearts in joyful anticipation of that day.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

10

P: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

P: Come quickly, Lord Jesus, in your grace, in your power, and in your glory.

C: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on

earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those

who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom,

the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT

STAND

C: Holy, Holy, Holy,

Lord God of Heavenly Hosts

Heav’n and Earth are full

Of your glory.

You’re my God, Lord hear my cry

I exalt your name on high

Thanks and praise, for you’ve become

My salvation.

P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given

thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which

is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

C: Blessed Jesus, living Bread,

By your self our souls are fed:

Give us all the eyes to see

All that you were sent to be.

11

On this table made of wood

Lies our sacramental food:

“Take and eat and, live,” you call,

“Here is life for each and all!”

P: Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of

sins. Do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

C: Precious blood once spilled for me

Now within this cup receive

Cleanse this desperate soul of mine

With your blood shed so divine.

P: O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

C: (spoken) Have mercy on us.


C: (spoken) Have mercy on us.


C: (spoken) Grant us your peace.

C: Word incarnate, Word divine,

Word that comes in bread and wine:

Love that we have come to know:

Lord, to whom else shall we go?

P: Come, the table is ready.

BE SEATED

DISTRIBUTION

12

SONG OF SIMEON

C: (Sings) Lord, now you let your servant,

Depart in peace, according to your word.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

Which you have prepared before

The face of all people.

A light to lighten the Gentiles,

And the glory of your people Israel.

BLESSING

P: The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and ✙ give you peace.

C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN Savior of the Nations, Come | 2

Savior of the nations, come; Virgin's Son, make here your home.

Marvel now, O heav'n and earth, That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood, By the Spirit of our God

Was the Word of God made flesh, Woman's offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child Of the virgin undefiled,

Though by all the world disowned, Yet to be in heav'n enthroned!

From the Father's throne he came And ascended to the same,

Captive leading death and hell -- High the song of triumph swell!

Praise to God the Father sing, Praise to God the Son, our King,

Praise to God the Spirit be Ever and eternally.

13

Koiné is a Greek word that means “common.” They play common instruments and common

hymns that many know and enjoy. The only extraordinary thing about Koiné and what they do is

the message that they proclaim through the music they play. It’s the same message of the Bible –

Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

Koiné Music Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose main source of support is the generosity of

local churches and WELS members like you. Koiné Music Ministries has partnered with Wisconsin

Lutheran College as they share the mission and purpose of this amazing institution through their

many travels. For more information about the opportunities for undergraduate, continuing

education, and graduate studies, check out the Koiné table or visit their website: www.wlc.edu

Throughout the year Koiné travels to churches, schools, and events across the United States. From

Seattle to Miami and everywhere in between, Koiné travels to share God’s saving message

through music. In addition to playing concerts and services, Koiné serves the church by making

their music available on recordings, sheet music, and non-vocal CDs, which are often used by

grade school and Sunday school teachers to teach hymns to children.

The group consists of: Brian Davison – vocals, Shelley Willis – vocals, Seth Bauer – piano, Seth

Kock – drums, Benj Lawrenz – guitar, and Matt Scott – bass.

For up-to-date information on Koiné and to see their latest schedule, find Koiné on facebook and

visit www.koinemusic.com.

http://www.wlc.edu/

http://www.koinemusic.com/

14

WEEKLY NEWS AND NOTES

PASTORAL CALL – On Sunday, December 3rd, a Divine Call was extended to Pastor Brian

Kom to serve at Bethlehem. Pastor Brian Kom currently serves at Ascension Lutheran

Church in Rochester, MN. Please keep Pastor Kom and his family in your prayers as he

deliberates where he can best serve the Lord.

EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY DIRECTOR CALL UPDATE –Ms. Shawna Mehlberg has

returned the call to serve as the ECM Director for the preschool and child care programs at

Bethlehem. We pray that the Lord continues to bless her work at Divine Savior in Florida.

The details of a future call meeting for an ECM Director will be shared when available.

MID-WEEK ADVENT SERVICES – Advent Services will continue on December 13th and

December 20th, with services at 3:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. at the Menomonee Falls Church.

LUTHERAN GIRL PIONEERS will be holding their annual bake sale this weekend on

Sunday, December 10th after all of the Sunday Services. Please stop by the tables and see

what the girls have been busy baking for you!

SEEDLINGS - BETHLEHEM’S CAREGIVER & TOT GROUP - Please join us in the Omega

Room at the Germantown Campus on Friday, December 15th starting at 8:15am for our final

get together of 2017! This month’s devotion focus will be “Advent: Let Your Light Shine.”

We will learn more about the meaning behind each Advent candle and have multiple

“giving” opportunities for you to join in on that correlate with our theme. After devotion,

we’ll create a baby Jesus ornament with our “Tots” and enjoy snacks and fellowship. Ask

questions and find more information on our Facebook page – Seedlings.

To serve others in light of Christ’s arrival, we also have three unique ways Seedlings

attendees can express their love this Christmas season through stations that we will be

working our way through during our devotion.

As part of “Advent: Let Your Light Shine” we are asking you to bring items to donate to New

Beginnings, a home for local single mothers. Items include, but are not limited to - diapers,

baby monitors, gift cards, etc. A full list of requested needs will be posted on our Seedlings

facebook page!

BETHLEHEM MEMBERS: What can you do? We’d love to have additional items to donate

to New Beginnings! Drop them in one of the boxes found at both Bethlehem campuses

by Sunday, December 17.

15

KML 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School is once again

reaching out to help three families in need through our 12 Days of Christmas event. Our

student body will be participating for 12 days to help these families. You are also invited to

participate via www.kmlhs.org/12days. "Christmas at the Seminary" – Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Chorus Sunday, December 10th | 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary | 11831 N. Seminary Dr. Mequon The 3:00 p.m. concert is streamed live at http://livestream.com/WLSLive

SCRIP - Please be aware that the last day to order physical SCRIP cards in time for

Christmas is Sunday, December 17th. The SCRIP tables after church will not be open for

sales during the weekends of Christmas and New Year’s. However, Reloads and ScripNow

are always available for purchase by using your PrestoPay account. Merry Christmas!

OPEN GYM VOLLEYBALL – Open gym volleyball has been going great - come and join in the

fun! Come to the Germantown campus on December 10th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. This open

gym will be fun and a great way to keep up your skill. For co-ed adults - all skill levels

welcome! Come for all or part of the session. Bump, set, spike! CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE INFORMATION – Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year and the service times will be:

8:00 a.m. (Regular Worship Service) – Menomonee Falls Church 9:15 a.m. (Regular Worship Service) – Germantown Church 10:30 a.m. (Children’s Sunday School Program) – Menomonee Falls Church 9:00 p.m. (Candlelight Service) – Menomonee Falls Church Christmas Day – 9:15 a.m. Festival Service – Menomonee Falls Church

Please note that there will not be a service at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve this year.

NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE INFORMATION – New Year’s Eve is also on a Sunday this year and the service times will be:

8:00 a.m. – (Regular Worship Service) – Menomonee Falls Church 9:15 a.m. (Regular Worship Service) – Germantown Church 10:30 a.m. (Regular Worship Service) – Menomonee Falls Church New Year’s Day – 9:15 a.m. Festival Service – Menomonee Falls Church

http://www.kmlhs.org/12days

http://livestream.com/WLSLive

16

Continued prayers of healing and comfort for Pastor John Zickuhr, who has been hospitalized. Church Attendance Last Week: 748 Unified Offerings Last Week: $28,535.94 Building Relationships Offerings Last Week: $3,740.00

Serving in Worship:

Service Overseer:

Sunday, December 10th

Menomonee Falls – Larry Ruddat

Germantown – Jim Affeldt


Menomonee Falls – Gary Schilling

Germantown – Jim Affeldt

Communion Assistants: Saturday, December 9th 5:00 p.m.

Ron Eigenfeld & Joe Bartz


8:00 a.m. – Jim Casper

10:30 a.m. – Fred Banaszak

Set Up Teams (Germantown): Sunday, December 10th

Team 3 – Todd Plichta


Team 5 – Daryl Weber

Ushers: Saturday, December 9th

5:00 p.m. Team 18 – Gruber


8:00 a.m. Team 3 – Kasten

9:15 a.m. Team 15 – Braun

10:30 a.m. Team 16 – Neuberger

Saturday, December 16th 5:00 p.m. Team 3 – Kasten


8:00 a.m. Team 8 – Maliszko

9:15 a.m. Team 18 – Gruber 10:30 a.m. Team 19 – Schulz 2:00 p.m. Team10 – Affeldt

We are working on finalizing the

Greeter Schedule for 2018. If

you would like to welcome

members and visitors as they

come for worship, we would love

to add you to the schedule!

Please contact the church office

for more information!

17

The Week Ahead

Sunday, December 10

LGP Bake Sale – All Services

Koine will be in Menomonee Falls Today

8:00 AM Worship Service w/ Communion –M

9:15 AM Bible Study – M

9:15 AM Sunday School Program Practice – M

9:15 AM Worship Service w/ Communion – G

10:30 AM Adult Bible Study – G

10:30 AM Worship Service w/ Communion – M

3:00 PM Seminary Concert

7:00 PM Seminary Concert

Counters Leroy’s Team

Monday, December 11

5:30 PM PSC – G

6:00 PM Handbells – M

6:30 PM Trustees – M

7:00 PM Choir – M

Tuesday, December 12

10:15 AM Bible Class – M

10:30 AM Linden Grove

6:00 PM LGP (Grades 5 - 8) – M

6:00 PM Board of Education – M

Wednesday, December 13

3:30 PM Advent Service – M

6:45 PM Advent Service – M

7:45 PM Church Council – M

Thursday, December 14

6:00 PM Bible Class – M

Friday, December 15

8:15 AM Seedlings – G

Saturday, December 16

8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study – M

5:00 PM Worship Service – M

Sunday, December 17

8:00 AM Worship Service – M

9:15 AM Sunday School

Program Practice – M

9:15 AM LES Christmas Program

(Grades 5-8) – G

10:30 AM Worship Service – M

2:00 PM LES Christmas Program

(Grades Pre4 – 4) – G

For a complete list of contact information for faculty and staff, as well as

various boards and committees, please check the church narthex for a

contact information sheet (printed on green paper).

the forerunner prepares: christ is coming€¦ · the forerunner prepares: christ is coming the...

Documents