MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP
Grace Lutheran Church, Tucson, Arizona
December 18, 2024
It is the most widely recognized symbol of the season the Christmas tree. Other religions had used evergreen branches as ceremonial decoration to represent eternal life. However, in the 16th century, the Lutherans of Germany took the next step of bringing freshly cut evergreen trees indoors for the holidays. They decorated the trees with red ornaments, symbolizing the blood of Christ, and with candles, symbolizing the light of Christ. They would top the tree with a star or angel, both important in the story of Jesus’ birth. The Christmas tree is a special part of our Christmas celebration.
In our midweek Advent services, we will look at some Christmas trees. They are not evergreens, nor decorated with tinsel or garland or bright lights. Rather, we will look at some of the trees in the Scripture that point us to the Christ. These Christmas trees, more than the decorative ones, remind us of why the birth of Jesus Christ is so important. . . so worthy of celebration.
PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
RESPONSIVE SENTENCES
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! (Psalm 84:1)
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. (Psalm 84:4)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)
Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. (Psalm 85:7)
The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. (Isaiah 40:5)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Almighty God, grant to your Church the Holy Spirit and the wisdom that comes from above. Let nothing hinder your Word from being freely proclaimed to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, so that we may serve you in steadfast faith and confess your name as long as we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Please be seated
16 To the woman he said:
I will greatly increase your pain in childbearing. With painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, but he will rule over you.
17 To Adam he said:
Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, “You shall not eat from it,” the soil is cursed on account of you. You will eat from it with painful labor all the days of your life.
18 Thorns and thistles will spring up from the ground for you, but you will eat the crops of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the soil, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
20The man named his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living. 21The Lord God made clothing of animal skins for Adam and for his wife and clothed them.
22The L God said, “Look, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, so that he does not reach out his hand and also take from the Tree of Life and eat and live forever ” 23the L God sent him out from the Garden of Eden to work the soil from which he had been taken. 24So he drove the man out, and in front of the Garden of Eden he stationed cherubim and a flaming sword, which turned in every direction to guard the way to the Tree of Life.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
RESPONSIVE PSALM
The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I ask from the Lord. This is what I seek: that I live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, and to seek him in his temple.
Yes, he will hide me in his shelter on the day of trouble. He will hide me in his tent. He will set me high on a rock.
Hear me, O Lord. With my voice I call.
Be merciful to me and answer me.
Wait for the Lord.
Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27, selected verses
PSALM PRAYER
Dearest Lord, instill in us a fearlessness no enemy can shake. Lead us to your house to meditate on your saving deeds and gaze on the beauty of your Son, our Savior. When we suffer, make us patient. Teach us perseverance to long for your final salvation and rest secure in your house forever; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
30Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, did many other miraculous signs that are not written in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
The Tree of Life
Revelation 22:1-5
22 The angel showed me the river of the water of life, which was as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. 2In the middle of the city’s street and on each side of the river was a tree of life that yielded twelve kinds of fruit. The tree yields its fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations.
3There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him. 4They will see his face. His name will be on their foreheads.
5There will no longer be any night or any need for lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.
Please stand
CONFESSION OF FAITH
Luther’s Explanation to the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil,
not with gold or silver but with his holy precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.
All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.
PRAYER
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness, come to my relief.
Spare us, Lord, from the lies of the devil and the attacks of our conscience. Comfort and save us in your patient compassion.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Guide us, Lord, to the wisdom of your Word and the power of your promises. Take away our confusion and doubt.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Hear us, Lord, when we come to you in prayer. Make us confident to take you at your word and to follow you in faith.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Empower us, Lord, to walk in your ways and live in your truth. Fill us with your love, that we may love you and one another.
Have mercy on us, Jesus.
Almighty God, you gave your only Son to take on our humanity and to dwell among us. Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children in Baptism, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 almighty and merciful Lord the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit bless us and keep us. Amen.
Please be seated
CLOSING HYMN When the King Shall Come Again Christian Worship 307
POSTLUDE MUSIC
Please fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row. Thank you!
If you would like to leave an offering, you may place it in the offering plates located at either exit. Members of Grace respond to their Savior’s love with offerings that are given joyfully, generously, regularly, and in a way that is proportionate to how the Lord has blessed them. Their cheerful gifts support the mission and ministry of our congregation. If you are a guest today, please know that we do not expect you to contribute to our congregation’s work. However, if you would like to give an offering to the Lord in response to his love to you, we are happy to receive it and put it to work in God’s kingdom. If you prefer, use your smart phone to give online by scanning this QR code:
There is no cost to park in our parking lot during worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.
Midweek Advent Services Wednesday, December 18
10:00 AM Grace-Benson (lunch following worship)
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Grace-Sahuarita (supper at 5:00 PM)
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Grace-Tucson (supper at 6:00 PM)
HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Tuesday, December 24
2:00 PM Benson Christmas Worship
4:00 PM Grace-Sahuarita
Children’s Christmas Service
5:30 PM Grace-Tucson
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
6:00 PM Grace-Vail
Christmas Candlelight Worship
7:00 PM Grace-Sahuarita
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Christmas Day Worship Wednesday, December 25
10:00 AM Grace-Sahuarita
10:00 AM Grace-Tucson
Tuesday, December 31
All-Site New Year’s Eve Worship
5:30 PM Grace-Tucson Followed by dinner & fellowship
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY
Minister........................................................................................................................ Pastor Ryan Heiman
Accompanists Teri Guenther (10:00 AM), Jim Bakken (7:00 PM)
Vocalist.................................................................................................................. Jeff Weinstein (7:00 PM)
Ushers Stanley Mead (10:00 AM), Dylan Guenther, Ferdie Kramm (7:00 PM)
Sound and Recording Techs..................................................Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler (7:00 PM)