MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP
Grace Lutheran Church, Tucson, Arizona December 7, 2022
PRESERVICE MUSIC WELCOME
RESPONSIVE SENTENCES
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
CONFESSION OF SIN
1 John 1:5 8
Father, I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your child. Yet in mercy you sacrificed your only Son to purge away my guilt. For his sake, O God, be merciful to me, a sinner, and in the joy of your Holy Spirit let me serve you all my days.
Silence for personal examination and confession
OPENING HYMN—When All the World Was Cursed Christian Worship 317 Please standABSOLUTION
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Upon this, your confession, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:9 Amen.
PRAYER
Let us praise the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Lord God, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Fill us with the peace of your forgiveness so that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Please be seated
FIRST READING
1 Hannah prayed and said:
My heart rejoices in the L ! In the L , my horn is raised high. My mouth is opened wide against my enemies, because I find joy in your salvation.
2 There is no one holy like the L . Yes, there is no one but you, and there is no rock like our God.
3 Do not talk so high and mighty. Do not let proud words come out of your mouth, because the L is a God who knows.
By him actions are weighed.
4
The bows of powerful warriors are broken.
Those who were staggering are now armed with strength.
5 Those who once were full now hire themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are satisfied.
Yes, the childless woman has given birth to seven children, but she who had many children is weak with sorrow.
1 Samuel 2:1 10
7
The L puts to death, and he makes alive.
He brings down to the grave, and he raises up.
The L makes some people poor, and he makes others wealthy.
He brings some low. He raises others up.
8
He raises the poor out of the dust.
He lifts up the needy from the garbage pile.
He makes them sit with nobles.
He gives them a glorious throne as a possession.
The pillars of the earth belong to the L .
He has set the world upon them.
9
10
He will guard the feet of his favored ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness, because a person does not prevail by his own strength.
Those who oppose the L will be broken to pieces.
He will thunder against them in the heavens.
The L will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give strength to his king.
He will raise up the horn of his anointed one.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
RESPONSIVE PSALM
Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord. Let us give a loud shout to the Rock who saves us. Let us approach his presence with thanksgiving. With music we will shout to him.
For the Lord is the great God and the great King above all gods.
He holds the unexplored places of the earth in his hand, and the peaks of the mountains belong to him.
The sea belongs to him, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us bow down. Let us revere him. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the flock in his hand.
Psalm 95:1-7
PSALM PRAYER
Lord, we praise you for your marvelous creation and making us the sheep of your flock. Give us ears that listen to your voice so we never go astray. Let us rest in the green pastures where you lead us, that we may spend eternity acclaiming you King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.
SECOND READING Luke 1:39-45
39 In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. 40 She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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.
LORD HAVE MERCY
For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Lord God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us also from the fear of our enemies, that we may live in peace and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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.
BLESSING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Please be seated
fill out the Friendship Register located in the red folder at the end of the row. Thank you!
POSTLUDE MUSIC
CLOSING HYMN—Hark the Glad Sound Christian Worship 313 PleaseIf 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:
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY
Pastor Ryan Heiman Accompanists Jim and Deb Bakken Vocalist
Jeff Weinstein (7:00 PM) Acolyte Sam Kassulke (7:00 PM) Sound and Recording Techs
Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler, Sam Kassulke (7:00 PM) Copyright Information: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org
HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Midweek Advent Services Wednesdays: Dec. 7, Dec. 14
10:00 AM at Grace Benson (lunch following worship)
10:00 AM & 6:00 PM at Grace Sahuarita
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM at Grace Tucson (supper at 6:00 PM)
Christmas Day Worship Sunday, December 25
7:30 AM at Grace Benson 10:00 AM at Grace Vail 10:00 AM at Grace Sahuarita 10:00 AM at Grace-Tucson
Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24
Children’s Christmas Service 4:00 PM at Grace-Sahuarita
Christmas Eve Worship 4:00 PM at Grace Vail 4:00 & 7:00 PM at Grace-Tucson 7:00 PM at Grace Sahuarita
New Year’s Eve Worship
All-Site Service Saturday, December 31 7:00 PM at Grace Tucson Followed by food and fun!
Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a group of nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in nearly 1,300 congregations across the United States and Canada united by a common faith in Christ's saving love. We are committed to a common calling encouraging each other in our faith and sharing God's gift of a Savior with the rest of the world.
For more information about our synod and what we believe visit: www.wels.net
