we celebrate christ, teach christ, witness to christ, and
TRANSCRIPT
Grace Lutheran Church Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sunday, December 20, 2020
We celebrate Christ, teach Christ, witness to Christ, and care for others as though they are Christ!
Fourth Sunday of Advent
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 who know that Jesus is called king only as he is executed still find it a mystery hard to fathom, but with Mary today we hear the news of what God is up to and say, “Count us in.”
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE John Kopp “Noel Bourguignon” French Carol, arr. by Olive Nelson Russell
KYRIE ELW #154 John Kopp
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy; have mercy, O Lord. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P Blessed be God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, whose forgiveness is sure and whose steadfast love endures forever. C Amen. P Together let us honestly and humbly confess that we have not lived as God desires.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P Loving and forgiving God, C 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.
P 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. C Amen. “Come Now, O Prince of Peace” ELW #247 John Kopp and Carol Mead and Amy Kopp on flute
1 Come now, O Prince of peace, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people.
2 Come now, O God of love, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people.
3 Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile all nations.
4 Come, Hope of unity, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile all nations. Text: Geon-yong Lee, b. 1947; tr. Marion Pope Text © Geonyong Lee.
APOSTOLIC 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. LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: ADVENT 4 P Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. In your Son, Emmanuel, you have shown us your light and saved us from the power of sin. Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath. Increase our longing for your presence, that at the celebration of your Son’s birth his Spirit might dwell anew in our midst, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God forever. C Amen. Light four candles. 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
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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.
L Word of God, word of life. C Thanks be to God! SPECIAL MUSIC “Comfort, Comfort, Now My People” The Chancel Choir
1 "Comfort, comfort now my people; tell of peace!" So says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow's load. To God's people now proclaim that God's pardon waits for them! Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever. 2 For the herald's voice is crying in the desert far and near, calling us to true repentance, since the reign of God is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way. Valleys, rise to greet the Savior; hills, bow down in humble favor. 3 Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain. Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God's holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that God's word is never broken. Text: Johann G. Olearius, 1635-1711; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.
PSALM Luke 1:46b-55
46bMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
47my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
49you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
50You have mercy on those who fear you,
from generation to generation.
51You have shown strength with your arm 3
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
52casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
53You have filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,
to remember the promise of mercy,
55the promise made to our forbears,
to Abraham and his children forever.
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.
L Word of God, word of life. C Thanks be to God! GOSPEL ACCLAMATION “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. THE GOSPEL - Luke 1:26-38
P The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the 1st Chapter. C Glory to you, O Lord. 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 The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.
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MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY “Canticle of the Turning” ELW #723 Katie Lange
1 My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? Refrain My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn. 2 Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. Refrain 3 From the halls of pow'r to the fortress tow'r, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears ev'ry tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; there are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. Refrain 4 Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. Refrain Text: Rory Cooney, b. 1952, based on the Magnificat Text © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
APOSTLES' CREED 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.
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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 everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P God of power and might, fulfill your promise and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.
A brief silence.
P Gracious God, all generations call you blessed. In this holy season we pray for our neighbors of other denominations and faiths. Inspire the faith of their people. Cultivate understanding among us and strengthen us in love and service to our community. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
P Creator God, you scatter the proud. Everything we have belongs first to you. Bless and protect the seas, mountains, plains, forests, skies, and soils that surround us. Give us humility as we tend them. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
P Righteous God, you humble the powerful and lift up the lowly. We pray for the leaders of all nations, that they amplify the voices of people in need. Guide all people entrusted with leadership, to create societies in which everyone can flourish. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
P Compassionate God, you fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. Nourish those who lack access to adequate food and nutrition. Bless the work of advocates, community organizers, and food pantries. Encourage others to provide for their neighbors in need. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
P Healing God, you pour out mercy to all who cry out to you. Surround everyone in need of healing in body, mind, or spirit with your tender presence especially those we name in our hearts at this time. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
P Eternal God, you are faithful to the promises you made to our forebears. We give thanks for the ministry of our ancestors who organized, planned, dreamed, encouraged, and reached out as they served you. We give thanks for the bold leadership of leaders in our own time. Inspire others with their steadfast witness. Hear us, O God. C Your mercy is great.
P Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER 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.
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“CHRIST IN OUR HOME” Christ in our Home daily devotional books for the months of January/February/March are now available. Please contact the church office: 432-0308 and we will send one to you.
SENDING HYMN “Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn” ELW #242 Pam Anderson
1 Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn, for angels herald its dawning. Sing out your joy, for soon he is born, behold! the Child of our longing. Come as a baby weak and poor, to bring all hearts together, he opens wide the heav'nly door and lives now inside us forever.
2 To us, to all in sorrow and fear, Emmanuel comes a-singing, his humble song is quiet and near, yet fills the earth with its ringing; music to heal the broken soul and hymns of lovingkindness, the thunder of his anthems roll to shatter all hatred and blindness.
3 In darkest night his coming shall be, when all the world is despairing, as morning light so quiet and free, so warm and gentle and caring. Then shall the mute break forth in song, the lame shall leap in wonder, the weak be raised above the strong, and weapons be broken asunder.
4 Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night, though dark the winter and cheerless, the rising sun shall crown you with light, be strong and loving and fearless. Love be our song and love our prayer and love our endless story; may God fill ev'ry day we share and bring us at last into glory. Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950 Text © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
BENEDICTION P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord's face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. C Amen.
THE POSTLUDE John Kopp “Fum, Fum, Fum” Spanish Carol, arr. by Olive Nelson Russell
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Christmas at Grace 2020
Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve - 2:00 p.m.
Live-streamed and recorded Christmas Service Links to his service will be available on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/gracegb) or our website www.gracegb.org
Music from: Pam Anderson Chancel Bells Chancel Choir Lizzie Haapala John Kopp Cheryl Murphy, Harp Denise Zenko John and Cheryl Kollath, Mike and Sarah Briggs
4:00 p.m. Christmas Light and Carols: Christmas caroling outside with glow sticks for everyone! The service will be broadcast over the radio so it’s available outside around the Christmas Tree, in cars, or at home! (WDUZ 1400 AM radio)
Whether you are worshiping from your car or outside gathered around the tree, please call for reservations beginning on Monday, December 21. Space is limited.
● Worshiping from your car: please use the Monroe Street entrance only. ● Gathered around the tree: please park only in the Madison Street Newcomer Funeral Home parking lot. ● Please do not use the carport entrance. ● Face coverings required for outdoor worshippers. ● 4:00 p.m. Christmas Concert and Sunday School Christmas Tree decorating ● 4:15 p.m. ½ hour worship
Music: Cheryl Murphy, Harp Song leader for outdoor Christmas Caroling: Katie Lange Denise Zenko John and Cheryl Kollath, Mike and Sarah Briggs Lizzie Haapala String Ensemble
We only need 2 more parking lot ushers for the 4:00 p.m. service.
Please contact Pastor Julie at [email protected] if you can serve! Thank you!
Sunday, December 27 The First Sunday of Christmas 8:00 a.m. Live-streamed and recorded radio broadcast service. (WDUZ AM radio) Links available on Face-book (https://www.facebook.com/gracegb) or website (www.gracegb.org). 9:30 a.m. Christmas Communion Gathering (please call ahead beginning Monday, December 21. Capacity: 45.)
Sunday, January 3 The Second Sunday of Christmas 8:00 a.m. Live-streamed and recorded radio broadcast service. (WDUZ AM radio) Links available on Face-book (https://www.facebook.com/gracegb) or website (www.gracegb.org). 9:30 a.m. Christmas Communion Gathering (please call ahead beginning Monday, December 28. Capacity: 45.)
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WEEKLY COMMUNION GATHERINGS If you would like to attend the December 27th Communion Gathering, please call the church office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the week to let us know you’re coming.
● The capacity for this service is 45. ● Keeping the number of people gathering small and keeping the amount of time for the gatherings short are important safety practices. ● Knowing who has signed up for the services would also be helpful in case the pastoral staff need to be quarantined or isolated and the gatherings need to be cancelled. ● COVID-19 precautions are observed: masks, hand-sanitizer upon arriving and leaving, socially distanced standing and seating, communing after exiting the sanctuary. COMMUNION BY APPOINTMENT FOR PEOPLE AT-RISK FOR COVID-19
The next opportunity for Communion by Appointment will be Saturday, January 9th from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Individuals, couples or families can sign-up starting Monday, January 4th by calling the church office that week between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 432-0308 Communion will be
● served by pastors, ● in the sanctuary, ● seated at opposite ends of eight-foot tables, ● and using a very short order of service. ● COVID-19 precautions are observed: masks, hand-sanitizer upon arriving and leaving, socially distanced
standing and seating.
We will make every effort to schedule an opportunity like this every month
2020 Christmas Giving Opportunities
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift to give to family members or friends? How about buying
fairly traded coffee, chocolate, cocoa and tea? Not only will you please people on your Christmas list with your delicious purchases but you will be supporting small farmers in countries throughout the world. See the ad in this bulletin! Happy shopping!
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MITTENS, HATS AND SCARVES NEEDED
THANK YOU to all Grace members that made and donated hats, mittens and scarves for our food pantry clients. They are very well received and we could use more of them. If you could donate these items, please bring them to church and drop them off in the lobby. Our food pantry volunteers will take it from there. Many thanks!
TEMPORARY TAX CHANGE THAT COULD BENEFIT YOU AND GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
There is a special provision this year that allows more people to deduct up to $300 in charitable dona-tions in 2020. As part of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, individu-al taxpayers can claim an "above-the-line" deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made to charities (such as churches) during 2020. This means the deduction lowers both adjusted gross income and taxa-ble income – which can mean tax savings for you.
And remember, in order for offerings to be counted as 2020 contributions for tax purposes, they must be delivered to the church office by Thursday, December 31 -OR- postmarked in 2020. Offerings that are postmarked in 2021 cannot be included in 2020 contributions, even if the check is dated 2020.
As always, feel free to contact Sharon if you have any questions: [email protected] or 432-0308.
Thank you for your contributions to the ministries of Grace!
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Come join us for
Night
Games
at Grace 2.0
When?
Wednesday, December 30th 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Where? Trick Question. See above.
Who? Grace Youth 7th -
12th Grades
BRING A BROOM & MASK UP PEOPLE!
Please RSVP by Monday,
December 28 to [email protected]
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!
At its September meeting, to avoid over-crowding the sanctuary with an Annual Meeting, Council forwarded a request to all the Board members to consider serv-ing another year if their term was up. At its October meeting, Council made the same request of Officers and at-large members of the Council. Many Board and Council members were able to extend their commitment to leadership at Grace. In addition to the positions opening up, many positions have been unfilled for quite a while. Council and most Boards are still hard at work: many hands make light work! Please consider serving on a Board!
● Please check out the list below to see if the ministry of one of the Boards fits your interests, gifts, or skills.
● Please let a Board contact person know of your interest. ● You’re welcome to attend a Board meeting to see what they’re working on before making a commitment.
Board contact people can arrange to get Zoom links for meetings to you ● All Boards are meeting by Zoom for now, but members can attend meetings by phone as well. ● Board members serve for two-year terms and may serve more than three two-year terms if they’d like
and if there’s no one to take their place.
Thank you! 1 MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION NEEDED. If you have a love for learning and a desire to help guide the educational offerings for all ages at Grace, please consider joining. If you have questions please inquire with Pastor Larry, Pam Anderson, or any Board member. If you’d like to “try it out” consider attending one of our meetings.
Dates(s) & Time(s) – The Board meets on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. 2-year term, 11 meetings, tasks related to projects. 2 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF CELEBRATION NEEDED. This Board develops plans for all worship services and tracks the progress of all the music ministries at Grace.
Date(s) & Times(s) – The Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. 2-year term, 11 meetings, tasks related to projects. Contact Pastor Larry for further information. 2 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF PERSONAL GROWTH NEEDED. 2 members have stepped forward to serve on this board. Thank you. 1 MEMBER FOR THE BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP NEEDED. This Board provided opportunities for members of Grace to consider the gifts they have been given by God and how to share those gifts in support of the life and ministry of the congregation
Date(s) & Times(s) The Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. 2-year term, 11 meetings, tasks related to projects. Contact Pastor Julie for further information.
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Cozy Cup Decaf $8.00
Join us for our last class of the year on Sunday, December 20th at 9:15 on Zoom.
For a Zoom invitation, please e-mail Pastor Larry at [email protected]
Please have a Bible handy.
Our next study will start on Sunday, January 3rd and will introduce us to the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel we will hear in worship most often in 2021. The present class members will receive an e-mail with a new link before the class. If
you’d like a link, please contact Pastor Larry at [email protected].
SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION
Church in Waiting
Our experience of God’s Grace in the Season of Advent is to:
▪ Be Enriched and Strengthened
▪ Wait Patiently
▪ Repent and Prepare the Way of the Lord
▪ Glorify God through Jesus Christ
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Preacher: Pastor Julie Wrubbel-Lange Liturgist: Pastor Larry Lange Accompanist: John Kopp Music: John Kopp and Carol Mead, Amy Kopp on flute Chancel Choir; John Kopp, Director Katie Lange Pam Anderson AV Technician: Gayle Schmeling Lector: Scott Ashmann
Grace Lutheran Church 321 South Madison Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301 920-432-0308 [email protected] www.gracegb.org
Grace Lutheran Church Green Bay gracelutherangreenbay
Rev. Rebecca Proefrock, Visitation Minister - [email protected] Sharon Haapala, Parish Administrator - [email protected]
Dean Ahrens, Maintenance Supervisor - [email protected] Denise Zenko, Organist John Kopp, Choir Director
Rev. Larry Lange and Rev. Julie Wrubbel-Lange [email protected] [email protected]
Home phone: 920-455-0511
Sunday Service broadcast at 8:00 a.m. on Radio 1400 AM and live-streamed on YouTube (Grace Lutheran Church Green Bay WI)
● Hope to see you at the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service with your ornaments! ● This week Spark curriculum and extra worksheets for Faith and Family Time for the month of January will
be mailed to all families. Please let Pastor Larry know if you do not receive your mailing. ● The next e-mail with Faith and Family Time readings and a message from Pastor Julie will be sent
Wednesday, December 30th for use on Sunday, January 3rd.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Larry