3rd Sunday in AdventDecember 15, 2019

SERVICE THEME:Doubt Not: Jesus Is the Savior!

WELCOME — We are so pleased that you have joined us for worship today! If you are a guest with us, please sign our guest register, which is located in the center entryway of the church. We welcome and encourage children to join our worship services! Enclosed “cry rooms” are available in the back of the church near the restrooms, if your child becomes restless. Pictorial children’s Bibles are available for children to use, on the table in the back of church. Please let us know if there is any other way we can be of service to you. Again, welcome! OUR MISSION — The mission of St. Andrew Lutheran Church is to guide people to know Jesus as their Savior, to grow in their faith, and to show Jesus to others. OUR BELIEF — We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only source of all Christian doctrine and teaching. We believe that the only true God is the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that we are saved not by anything we do, but only through faith in Jesus Christ, who gave his life for our sins. We will be happy to tell you more about what we believe! OUR HISTORY — St. Andrew Lutheran Church was established in 1888 and is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a confessional Lutheran church body with over 1,200 congregations in North America and with more than 30 sister church bodies worldwide.

Church Office: 3650 S. Honore St., Chicago, IL 60609 (next door to church)Website: www.standrewchicago.org Office Phone: 773-376-5370Office Email: churchsecretary@standrewchicago.orgFacebook Page: www.facebook.com/standrewchicago/ Pastor: Adam Gawel, pastor@standrewchicago.org, cell: 773-383-2395

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In the Messiah’s kingdom things are not always what they seem. Appearances can be deceiving and lead to doubt. In the Prayer of the Day, the Church asks Christ to drive the darkness of doubt from our hearts and fill us with the light of the knowledge of Christ. Faith in Jesus leads us to patiently hope in the Lord’s caring plan despite any appearances to the contrary. 

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO TODAY’S SERVICE

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS – At this time, anyone may share special prayer requests with the pastor, which he will then pray about later in the worship service, during the Prayer of the Church.  If you prefer to submit a written prayer request, you may do so before the service or hand it to an usher during the offering.  As a family of believers, we want to know each other’s joys and struggles, so that we can pray for each other.

OPENING DIALOGUE AND PRAYER

M: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:C: On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)M: You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;

C: they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. (Isaiah 9:3)M: Christ himself has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,

shattering the yoke of sin that burdened us. (Isaiah 53:4)C: He restores to us the joy of salvation and grants us willing spirits. By

his wounds our weary souls are healed. (Psalm 51:12, Isaiah 53:5)M: Let us pray.

Almighty God, you give strength to the weary and pronounce blessings on those who mourn. You have sent us a Savior. You have made us your people. Fill our hearts with joy that flows from the forgiveness of our sins, joy powered by the resurrection of our living Savior, that we may shine like the stars of the heavens, bringing glory to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C: Amen.

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Three Advent candles are lit during the OPENING HYMN.

OPENING HYMN – 12 – Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes

INVOCATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

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.

M: 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: Amen.

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

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HYMN OF PRAISE – 276 – Praise Be to the Lord (Benedictus – Song of Zechariah)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray.Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with your light; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON – Job 1:6-22 (EHV)

6There came a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came into their midst. 7The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming the earth and walking around on it.”

8Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and turns away from evil.”

9Satan answered the LORD, “Is it without cause that Job fears God? 10You have put a protective hedge around him and his household and everything that belongs to him, haven’t you? You have blessed the work of his hands. His livestock has spread throughout the land. 11But just stretch out your hand and strike everything that is his, and he will certainly curse you to your face!”

12So the LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then. Everything that he has is in your hand. But you may not stretch out your hand against the man himself.” So Satan left the presence of the LORD.

13One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother, 14a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys were grazing nearby, 15when the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to death with the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

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16While he was still speaking, another servant came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the flocks and the servants and consumed them, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17While he was still speaking, another servant came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and plundered the camels and took them away. They put the servants to death with the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

18While he was still speaking, another servant came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and were drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother. 19Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it collapsed on the young people, and they died, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

20Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshipped. 21Then he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. May the name of the LORD be blessed.”22In all this, Job did not sin or blame God.

PSALM OF THE DAY – Psalm 146 – CW p. 120

SECOND LESSON – James 5:7-11 (EHV)

7Therefore, brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the valuable harvest from the ground, patiently waiting for it, until it receives the early and late rain. 8You be patient too. Strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord is near.

9Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look! The Judge is standing at the doors! 10Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering with patient endurance. 11See, we consider those who endured to be blessed. You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and have seen what the Lord did in the end, because the Lord is especially compassionate and merciful.

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VERSE OF THE DAY

M: Alleluia. I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia. (Matthew 11:10, NIV)

GOSPEL – Matthew 2:1-11 (EHV)

After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:

2While John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ was doing. He sent two of his disciples 3to ask him, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?”

4Jesus answered them, “Go, report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the one who does not take offense at me.”

7As these two were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? No, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you! And he is much more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11Amen1 I tell you: Among those born of women there has not appeared anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

After the reading of the Gospel, the congregation sings: 

1 Usually, people say Amen at the end of a prayer, but Jesus used this Hebrew word at the beginning of a statement, which was unique. The inspired writer simply transliterated the Hebrew word that Jesus spoke, instead of using a Greek term. This translation does the same in English. The basic meaning is: “I solemnly tell you the truth.” For more information about this, see FAQ #1 at wartburgproject.org/faqs

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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 Mary, and became fully 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 in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian 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.

HYMN OF THE DAY – 14 – Arise, O Christian People

SERMON – Matthew 11:2-11 – Doubt Not: Jesus Is the Savior!

After the sermon, the congregation sings:

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OFFERING

Members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church use this time to respond to God’s goodness with gifts of thanks and love.  Our giving is guided by this Word of God: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8, NIV).  If you are a guest with us today, please do not feel obligated to participate.  Online giving is also available; please see the announcement on page 18 of this service folder for more information.

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH – for Advent – CW p. 123 – including the following special prayer:

for mid-year graduates of Martin Luther College:Lord Jesus, as Martin Luther College produces another class of mid-

year graduates, lead us to see them as precious gifts from you to your church. According to your will, give these workers, who have said, “Here am I send me,” places to serve somewhere in your vineyard. Give them wisdom and eagerness to teach your lambs and sheep about you, the Good Shepherd. If your will is that some of them must wait for a call or assignment, give them patience and confidence that you do all things well for the benefit of your Church, which you have purchased with your holy precious blood. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYEROur 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.

THE SACRAMENTOur Lord Jesus has given us a holy Supper in which we receive his true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith. In this Supper, we celebrate the gift of his redemption, we bear witness to the fellowship we share as confessors of the truth, and we proclaim his death until he returns.  Following the teaching of the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:17; 11:27-29; etc.), St. Andrew practices “close communion.”  We ask that only those who are communicant members of St. Andrew or another congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) partake of the sacrament today.  Our pastor would be happy to speak with you about receiving the Lord’s Supper with us in the future!

M: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.M: Lift up your hearts.C: We lift them up to the Lord.

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M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.C: It is good and right so to do.M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared when he called people to repentance and pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

WORDS OF INSTITUTIONM: 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.”

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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.”

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.C: Amen.

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DISTRIBUTION

Those receiving the common cup are invited to assist the minister in guiding the cup to their lips.  Those who need to receive grape juice instead of wine may take the purple individual cups in the center of the tray.  Gluten-free wafers are available for those who need them; please speak with the pastor before the service, or with an usher, to request one.

M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.C: And his mercy endures forever.

M: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in

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you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen.

M: 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 – 20 – When All the World Was Cursed

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THIS WEEK AT ST. ANDREWDecember 15-22, 2019

Today 9:30 AM Worship Service w. Communion10:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Study

Tuesday 6:30-8:30 PM Youth Confirmation Class

Wednesday 7:00 PM 中文圣经学习 (Chinese BibleStudy)

Friday 10:30 AM Adult Bible Study

Sunday 9:30 AM Worship Service10:45 AM Rehearsal for Christmas Eve

service, for Sunday School children and youth readers

The paraments are blue for the season of Advent. Our Christian faith rests on the hope that Christ, who came in history taking on human flesh, will also return on the last day of time from that same blue sky into which he ascended long ago.

WELCOME, GUESTS! – We are happy to have you with us today! Please sign the guest register in the church entryway so that we have a record of your visit. Our pastor, Adam Gawel, would be happy to meet with you if you would like. Please join us for worship or Bible study again!

MEMORIALS- In loving memory of Mrs. Charlene Wacyra, who passed away Nov.

29th, 2019, by Frank & Sandy Thompson.- In loving memory of Mrs. Charlene Wacyra, who passed away Nov.

29th, 2019, by the Dobkowski Family.- In loving memory of Charlene Wacyra, who passed away Nov. 29th,

2019, by Erika Eng.

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE STUDY TOPICS TODAYIn adult Bible study, we continue a series entitled Sing to the Lord: A Study of Lutheran Hymnody. This Bible study covers many of the great

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hymns that express the truths of Scripture with beautiful lyrics set to timeless melodies, which make great tools for Christians to confess their faith and sing praises to God. Adults meet for Bible study in the back of the church sanctuary, and children meet for Sunday school in the ministry center next door to church. All are welcome!

ADVENT, CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR’S WORSHIP SCHEDULEThe St. Andrew Ministry Council has decided not to hold Wednesday-evening worship services during Advent this year. Our Advent meditation will continue on the 4th Sunday in Advent (Dec. 22) at 9:30 a.m. On Christmas Eve (Tues., Dec. 24) at 7:00 p.m., we will have a candlelight worship service, with Sunday school children and youth participating. On Christmas Day (Wed., Dec. 25) at 9:30 a.m., we will have a festival worship service. On New Year’s Eve (Tue., Dec. 31) at 7:00 p.m., we will have a worship service with Lord’s Supper. Please mark your calendars and invite your friends to join us for these special worship services!

ADVENT DEVOTION BOOKLETS AVAILABLEIf you haven’t received one yet, please pick up a copy of the Advent devotion booklet entitled “Christ Is the World’s Light,” provided to us by Martin Luther College (the ministry training college of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). There are daily devotions for each day in Advent, through Christmas Day, to assist in your Advent meditation.

BE PART OF “C19” (“Christmas 2019” outreach)One million souls. That is the goal. To share the gospel with one million souls prior to and on Christmas Eve. That goal is part of WELS Congregational Services’ “C19” program (“Christmas 2019” outreach). The only way to achieve that goal is for all WELS members, young and old, to embrace the privilege and responsibility of sharing Christ with unchurched friends, relatives, and neighbors. A simple way to do that: invite them to come with you to our Christmas Eve worship service (Dec. 24, 7:00pm). A recent survey found that 80% of unchurched adults would seriously consider accepting an invitation, extended by a friend, to attend a Christmas Eve service!  C19 seeks to encourage every member of our WELS family to do just that. Please fill out the “My Personal Mission Field” form (extra copies available in the entryways) for your personal use; pray for the people whose names you write down; and

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then take some time to invite them to come with you to our Christmas Eve worship service (Dec. 24, 7:00pm).

CHRISTMAS INVITATION “BUSINESS CARDS”This year we purchased 500 business-card-size Christmas worship invitation cards. We still have large postcards from previous years available, but the advantage of a “business card” is that it easily fits in your pocket, wallet, or purse, so you can have some always on hand for either planned or unplanned opportunities to invite someone to join us for worship on Christmas Eve (see the note above). Two of these cards are included in this service folder today. Many more are available in the church entryways and next door in the church office. Please take as many as you’d like to share! All are welcome – at Christmas, or any other time!

CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-SALE – next Sunday (Dec. 22)St. Andrew Mission Society will hold its annual Christmas cookie bake sale next Sunday, Dec. 22, after the worship service. Proceeds will be used to support mission work affiliated with our church body. To make this a success, we are asking for donations of homemade cookies during this coming week (Dec. 16-21). Cookie baskets will be packed on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10:00 a.m. Cookies may be dropped off at the ministry center (the house next door to church) on Dec. 16-20 from 9:00 to 3:00, or at church on Dec. 21 by 10:00 a.m. If you are willing to bake cookies and/or help pack them, please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the center entryway so that we can plan accordingly. If you have baskets from previous years’ cookie sales and are willing to bring them to be used again, please bring them in to church or the office at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

DID YOU LOSE YOUR APPLE AIRPODS CHARGER CASE?An Apple AirPods charger case was found in front of the church building last Sunday (Dec. 8). If it is yours, please speak with an usher or Pastor Gawel to retrieve it.

“VOICES OF PEACE” CONCERT – ZION, CRETE – Fri., Dec. 20, 7:00pmVoices of Peace, a ministry partner of Zion Lutheran Church in Crete, will present a Christmas concert entitled, ‘O Magnum Mysterium: A Mass for Christmas.’ The story of Christ’s Nativity is told through both carols and the familiar texts of the liturgy. You are invited to celebrate the great

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mystery that is Christmas, at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Crete, IL on Friday, December 20, at 7pm.

MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE FORMIf you have not done so yet, please fill out a member information update form for yourself, your spouse, and your children under 18 / other dependents, so that we can update our records and be able to contact you when needed. Forms and pens are available in the church entryways, and completed forms can be returned to an usher or church secretary Margie Hendricks. Thank you!

NEW MEDITATIONS DEVOTION BOOKLETS AVAILABLENew Meditations daily devotion booklets are available in the information rack in the center entryway. Feel free to take one for use in your personal devotions.

ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLESt. Andrew Lutheran Church is set up to receive online donations. There are a number of ways to do that. Step-by-step instructions with screen-shots are available in the center church entryway, for both the mobile app “Give+” (from Vanco) and the giving page through our church website (go to standrewchicago.org and click on the “Giving” tab). Or, scan this QR code with your smartphone. Please contact St. Andrew’s elder for stewardship, Sam DeLaurentis delaurentis.sam@gmail.com, with any questions.

“EVERY MEMBER VISITS” WITH PASTOR GAWELThis year Pastor Gawel would like to meet individually with all the adult members of St. Andrew (or with married couples together), so that he can get to know everyone better and to see if there is any way that he or the church can serve you better spiritually. Pastor Gawel is willing to meet with you at your home, at a coffee shop or other venue near your home or workplace, or at our ministry center (next door to church). Please speak with Pastor Gawel, or call or text him at 773-383-2395, to schedule a time for a visit.

SERMONS AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING, DOWNLOAD, AND PODCASTINGIf you miss the Sunday sermon, would like to listen to it again, or would like to share it with a friend, audio recordings of the sermons are

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archived on our church website, posted weekly to our church Facebook page, and are available for podcasting (quick links and instructions available on our website). Go to http://standrewchicago.org/sermons/ to listen! Service folders are also available for download on our church website: http://standrewchicago.org/bulletins

WEDNESDAY EVENING CHINESE GROUP BIBLE STUDYOn Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the ministry center (the house next door to church), there is a Chinese group Bible study. New friends are always welcome to join! Please invite any Chinese friends or neighbors. You may share with them the following invitation: 每周三晚上 7:00，圣安得烈基督教路德宗教会之福音事工中心（教堂隔壁的房子）有成人中文圣经学习。欢迎您参加！事工中心楼上设有活动间供儿童使用；欢迎小孩跟家长一起来！地址是 3650 S. Honore St.（在麦金利公园区）。高乐仁牧师的电话号码是 773-383-2395.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASSIn Bible Information Class, we study the main teachings of the Christian faith. Adults and teens who would like to become members of St. Andrew are encouraged to attend this class to learn what St. Andrew teaches according to God’s Word. This class is also open to anyone who is interested in learning more about what the Bible teaches and what Christians believe, with no requirement to join the church after the course is finished. Pastor Gawel is able to teach the class in English and Chinese, and course materials are also available in Spanish and other languages, as an aid for those whose first language is not English or Chinese. If you or someone you know are interested in starting this class, please contact Pastor Gawel to set up a time.

Equipping Christian WitnessesEquipping Christian Witnesses, the new campaign from Martin Luther College, focuses on recruitment, financial aid, and facilities. By enrolling more future ministry workers, helping them fund their Christian education, and enhancing their learning environments across the campus, WELS strengthens the foundation for its future. Learn more at mlc-wels.edu/mlc-campaign.

WELS Special MinistriesWELS Special Ministries helps equip churches and individuals to serve in

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love. The Special Ministries umbrella covers eight specialized areas, but the opportunities to put love in action are countless. You may put God’s love in action to someone far away, such as an inmate or a soldier. But most special ministry is local. You carry it out in your home, your church, or your community. Thousands of WELS volunteers serve the needs of neighbors who have a disability, an addiction, an illness, or other limiting circumstances. Learn about the many ways WELS Special Ministries can help you serve those around you at wels.net/special-ministries

Worship attendance last Sunday: 39(adults: 34; children: 5)

Adult Bible study attendance last week, through Tues.: 11(Friday: 2; Sunday: 9)

Sunday School: 5 Youth Confirmation Class: 3

Income needed each month Offerings received in November$11,840.00 $8,508.84

Offerings received last week: $2,333.88(needed each week: $2,732.31)

Offerings received so far this month: $6,389.73

December head usher: Dale TaylorAssistant ushers: Tom Pindelski & George LawsonMusic and liturgy printed under OneLicense # A-714339Scripture readings are from the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2018 by the Wartburg Project, www.wartburgproject.org

PLEASE GREET THOSE AROUND YOUIf you are able, please stay for a time of fellowship after the worship service concludes; greet those around you and introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

Please take this service folder with you! Continue to meditate on the Bible readings throughout the week, and pray for God’s blessing on the mission and ministry of the church!

God bless your week, as you live and witness for him!

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