Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Epistle: Heb.
10:5-10
Church
1711 Grant Street – Hopewell, VA
23860
804-458-7994 |
Hymns for Today: LSB 357(vs. 1 – 5)
LSB 375
LSB 803
Serving the Lord and His
People Today:
David Voss, Pastor
Betty Schneider, Organist
Marilyn Antunes, Lector
Taylor Leis, Acolyte
Madison Van Worth, Assisting Acolyte
Karen Van Worth, Nursery
Altar Team # 2
Thelma Klein & Cindy Reierson
Usher Team # 5
Marilyn Antunes, Kathy Beahm, Rowena
Carter, Anna Klein, Sue Skalleberg
This Week’s Ministry at Nazareth
Dec 13 thru Dec 20
Today 9:30am Sunday School
10:15am Christmas Pageant
11:00am Worship
12:30pm Christmas Party
Mon 7:00pm Spiritual Care
Tue 9:30am TOPS
Wed 6:00pm Soup & Sandwich
7:00pm Advent Service
7:40pm Confirmation
7:45pm Choir Practice
Thurs 9:30am Quilters
Fri 6:00pm Youth Caroling @ HHCC
7:00pm GS Caroling @ BL
Sat Wrapping For Christmas Families
Sun 9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Coffee
11:00am Worship/HC
The Scripture Readings for Dec 20th:
1st Reading: Mic. 5:2-5a
The Holy Gospel: Luke 1:39-45(46-56)
Reflecting on Today’s Worship
By Pastor David Voss
When I hear the word “rejoice” I
always think of someone with head held
high and waving their arms in the air or
someone doing a leap of happiness!
So, when Saint Paul tells us to “rejoice
in the Lord always” I admit that there are
times when I not only don’t feel like
rejoicing but I don’t have the time to!
There can be days when my head is
held low and my hands are in my
pockets! I just don’t feel like “rejoicing!”
The problem is that my idea (and I
have a feeling your idea) of rejoicing is
not what Paul is referring to. When
Saint Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord
always”, he is telling us that we should
be living in a constant state of
appreciation and peace for what Christ
has done for us. We should not be
anxious about earthly things but be
thankful for heavenly things!
The birth of Christ granted us the
possibility to rejoice even when our
heads are held low! No one knows this
better than Saint Paul, who wrote his
words of rejoicing from prison!
 So, today, as we worship,
regardless of our state of mind, together
we rejoice in the Lord!
CHILDREN’S NURSERY – Nazareth
provides a Nursery for children that are
4 years old and younger. When you
take your child to the Nursery, please fill
out one of the Information Sheets on
your child. It is important to know if your
child has allergies, if they are taking
medicine or if they need special
assistance. The forms will be located
outside of the Nursery door. It is also
important that you sign your child out or
make special arrangements with the
nursery attendant. The Nursery is
located on the first floor near the
sanctuary. If you need assistance to
locate the Nursery, please see an usher.
NURSERY SCHEDULE FOR DEC.:
You will notice that on December 24th,
December 25th and December 31st there
are no attendants in the Nursery during
this season. The Christmas Services
are structured around the family. If your
child needs to stretch his or her legs, the
Nursery will be open.
It’s a reality we have to face: flu season
has hit full force! We have provided
hand sanitizer for you in the narthex and
encourage you to use in on your way in
and out of Worship (or anytime you
enter or leave the church). Please
respect, without offense, anyone’s
desire not to shake hands during the
sharing of the peace. May God
graciously comfort all who have
contracted the flu thus far.
ADVENT: The last Advent Service will
be on Wed. at 7:00pm. We will also
have Soup and Sandwiches at 6:00pm.
The third supper will be headed up by
the Committee on Finance &
Stewardship. If you would like to make
a soup, sandwiches or a dessert, please
let Al Schneider or Marilyn Antunes
know.
Beginning in the new church year, we
will be accepting individual prayer
requests to be spoken by the Pastor
during the Prayer of the Church. To
submit a name, please call or e-mail
Karen or Pastor Voss with the name and
nature of the prayer (for healing, for
comfort, etc.). If you have any
questions about this, please contact
Pastor Voss.
Our “God 101” class has been very
popular with those looking for a no-
nonsense explanation of the basics of
Christianity. Join us, share your
thoughts, and feel free to ask Pastor
Voss tough questions because the truth
of God’s Grace is a wonderful thing to
explain! 9:30 AM in the Sanctuary.
PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER!
Prayer List for the week of Dec 13, 2009
Lord, in Your mercy, hear us as we pray for …

For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Nursing Homes -

Mary Blaho, HHCC (229) Velma Fleming, HHCC (227)
Mildred Skroback, HHCC Mary Nemetz, In Charlottesville
Louis Harvey, BL (130) Phyllis Kane, Conover Nursing & Rehab Center
For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are home-bound -
Elsie Voda Mary Petik
For our members and friends serving our country in the military -
Bruce Layne Danny Petik Chris Graham Dustin Petik James Eckenrode
David Petik Scott Naumann Jeff & Stacy Crossen Courtney
Williams Jeffrey Head Steve Foxx Brandon Edwards Michael McKinzie
For our members and friends away at college –
Landry Doane Casey Davis Brandon Edwards
For our members who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating
Gerald Rayner & Family Betty & Al Schneider Rowena Carter Tina Doane
Leann Eckstein Annette Dry Ilse Appleby Jordan Layne Charlene
Logan Kay Grochowaski Barney Hampton
For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating
Darleene Farley Jonathan Weston Connie Williamson Rita Joyner
Joann Miller Jeff Walter Mark Black Francis Brinkley
Shelby Slayton Nick Doize Pastor Kane
For the Family of the Saints departed – Ed Appleby
 Third Sunday of Advent

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,

Rejoice!”
– Philippians 4:4
Kyrie, p. 168
Hymn of Praise, “Glory to God in the Highest” p. 170
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.

P Let us pray. …one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

Old Testament Reading Zephaniah 3:14–20

14Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
18I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
19Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
Please Join us for Advent Service on
MEN & WOMEN BIBLE STUDIES: Our Wednesdays at 7:00pm.
Men and Women’s Wednesday Bible
Studies will take a break during the NURSING HOME: Please have the
Advent Season through the New Year. packages turned back in as soon as
possible.

IN OUR PRAYERS: As you probably
already know, former members Pastor
Mike & Phyllis were in an accident.
Phyllis broke both of her ankles and had
to have surgery. Phyllis will be off her
feet for quite a while, but is in the
process of being released. We have put
them on our prayer list and will keep you
updated. We pray that God will comfort
them, heal them and give them
guidance down the road ahead. The
address to Conover Nursing & Rehab
Center is 920 4th St SW, Conover, NC
28613-9679.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Please join the
children as we celebrate Jesus’ Birthday
downstairs in the Fellowship hall.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS: Christmas
Poinsettias have been ordered for this
year. There is still time to bring your own
Poinsettia. Please call the Church
Secretary to schedule a time to bring it in.
ADVENT DEVOTIONS: The Advent
Devotions are available in the Narthex.
If you need assistance, please ask the
ushers. If you need additional copies,
please see the Church Secretary.
NEW YEARS EVE SERVICE: There will
be a New Years Eve Prayer Service on
December 31st at 7:00pm. Please join
us.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP: Each Sunday
at 10:30am, we encourage you to get a
cup of coffee and join in the fellowship
at Nazareth. Whether it be your first
visit or someone who has been coming
here for many years—this is a great
opportunity to serve the Lord with
gladness. Coffee Fellowship is located
in the Adult Sunday School Room. All
are invited to come by. If you would be
willing to bring snacks to accompany the
coffee, please write your name on the
sheet posted outside the door.
YOUTH GROUP: On Friday, December
18th at 6:00pm, the youth group will go
Christmas Caroling to the Hopewell
Healthcare Center. They would like to
extend the invitation to everyone in the
church. Please meet at the church at
6:00pm. After that, they will come back
to the church for a $10 gift exchange
and fellowship. Please join us in this fun
event. Please bring a special treat to
share.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Mr. Louis Harvey
5301 Plaza Drive, Rm. #130
Hopewell, VA 23860
Phone # 458-1454
 O Christmas Tree

The specific origin of the Christmas tree is lost in the dim and distant
past. It seems to be generally recognized that the people who lived in
what is now Germany were the first to develop the tradition of the
Christmas tree.

One tradition is that about 1000 years ago, in Germany, St Boniface

came across a group of pagans worshipping under and oak tree. He
was so annoyed that he cut down the
tree. To his surprise he found that a
fir tree grew in its place and the fir
was thereafter associated with the
primacy of the Christian faith.

Martin Luther is credited with first

placing candles on the Christmas
tree. After his banishment from the
Catholic church he spent a great deal
of time walking through the forests
of evergreen conifers thinking
through his beliefs. The candles are
said to have represented the stars
which were seen by him through the
trees

The custom of a decorated Christmas

tree appears to have started in
Britain in the early middle nineteenth
century. Albert, the Prince Consort to
Queen Victoria, brought the tradition
from his homeland of Saxe Coburg
which is now part of Germany. The
example set by royalty became a
general fashion.

(courtesy stboniface.org)
 Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2009
Order of Service: Divine Service – Setting Two
Prelude
Greeting and Sharing of the Peace
Hymn of Invocation LSB 357, v. 1-5

Service of the Word

Confession and Absolution, p. 167
Introit
P Rejoice in the Lord | always;*
C again I will say, | Rejoice.
Blessèd is he whose help is the God of | Jacob,*
C whose hope is in the | LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is | in them,*
C who keeps faith for- | ever;
who executes justice for | the oppressed,
C who gives food to the | hungry.*
The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes | of the blind.
C The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the
| righteous.
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
C and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
C is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
Rejoice in the Lord | always;*
C again I will say, | Rejoice.
are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good
news preached to them. 23And blessed is the one who is not offended by
me.”
24When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds
concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed
shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in
soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in
luxury are in kings’ courts. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the
one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Children’s Message
Hymn of the Day LSB 375

Sermon
Apostles’ Creed, p. 175
Prayer of the Church
Offering and Offertory, p. 176
Lord’s Prayer
Benediction
Closing Hymn LSB 803

Recessional
Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting Two from Lutheran Service Book
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News
Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Explanation of the Lutheran Liturgy

This glossary of terms has been made available to describe the gift of liturgy and how it serves
the proclamation of the Gospel.
Absolution – A formal act by the pastor by the authority of Christ of pronouncing God's
forgiveness of sins.
Agnus Dei – A prayer to Jesus, the lamb of the Passover sacrifice which prefigured the
crucifixion.
Alleluia – An expression of praise, "Praise the Lord," from the Hebrew Hallelujah.
Benediction - A blessing from God at the conclusion of the worship service.
Baptism – Water and God’s Word poured upon the one who receives God’s Grace and the
promise of salvation (1 Peter 3:21).
Canticle - A biblical song, other than a Psalm. The most familiar canticles are the songs of
Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) and Mary (Luke 1:46-55).
Confession - An acknowledgment of sin. Confessions of sin during the liturgy are general,
made by all the people. The church also provides for private confession.
Collect – A short liturgical prayer, variable according to the season of the church year and the
occasion.
Creed - A concise and formal statement of basic beliefs about God. The term is derived from
the Latin credo, "I believe." Creeds state important points of doctrine.
Hymn - A form of congregational song in praise of God, using important words that proclaim
what God has done and is actively doing for us through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Introit - A psalm that is read by pastor and congregation. The term is from Latin, "to go in" or
"enter" as it fittingly leads us into the Service of the Word.
Kyrie – A supplication for the LORD to have mercy upon His people.
Lord's Prayer - This prayer of Jesus was given to his disciples as an example of how they should
pray. (See Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4)
Offering – An expression of thanksgiving and generosity for the mission of the church that is in
response to Christ's self-offering for our salvation.
Pax Domini - Latin for "peace of the Lord". Prior to the distribution of the Lord's body and
blood, the pastor blesses the people with these words.
Prayer – Intercessions to God that His gracious will may be done.
Salutation - This dialogue of greeting and response is based on Boaz's greeting to the reapers
in Ruth 2:4.
Sanctus - Based on the song of the seraphim (Isaiah 6:1-3).
Sermon – A proclamation of God’s Word by the pastor as it applies to the congregation with an
emphasis on rightly distinguishing God’s Law and Gospel.
Words of Institution – The spoken words of our Savior, Jesus Christ, used by the Holy Spirit to
present the body and blood of our savior in, with, and under the bread
OUR MISSION STATEMENT AT NLC: IN HIS HOUSE and FOR HIS WORK
A Community In Christ; Growing In Att Last Sunday 76 Att Last Year 67
Faith; Active In Love. Weekly Budget Needs $ 3,314.00
Received Last Week $ 4,760.30
Other Income $ 540.00
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
DEC. NURSERY ATTENDANTS
Dec 20 – Vacant
Dec 24 – No Attendant
Dec 25 – No Attendant
Dec 27 – Karen Van Worth
STEWARDSHIP CORNER:
3rd Sunday in Advent
Philippians 4:4-7: Our LCMS definition
of stewardship begins with these words:
“Christian stewardship is the free
and joyous activity of the child of
God…” During this preparation season
of Advent we are reminded that
Christian stewardship really is free and
joyous when we acknowledge that God
is the Owner of all things and He
delights in lavishing His gifts upon us to
use to His glory and the welfare of our
neighbors.
CHRISTMAS FAMILIES: We are
collecting items for our two Christmas
Families. The items are listed on the
back of a Christmas Card. Please take
a card off of the tree. When bringing the
item back to the church, tape the
Christmas Card on the package. Items
need to be in by Dec. 19th.
2010 CALENDARS: Our 2010
Calendars are available in the Narthex.
Please take one. If you need
assistance, you may ask an usher.
and renown in all the earth.
20At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
Thank you to J.T. Morris & Son for
providing these calendars to us.
INVITATION CARDS are available in
the Narthex in the clear stand on the
table next to the door. You are invited
to take an envelope. Inside you will find
two cards to leave with someone to
invite them to worship with us at
Nazareth. [You can return the
envelopes at any time for refills!] You
might want to carry them with you in
your wallet or purse, having them ready
to hand to someone you've met. You
might also want to consider leaving
them on the table if you go out to eat,
along with your tip and a cross.
Remember our job is to ignite the world
with Christ's Love!
CHRISTMAS is a wonderful time to get
together with family and friends for
fellowship. However, there are some
people including members of Nazareth
who will be unable to gather with family
and friends for the Christmas holiday.
Please remember those who are
hospitalized, shut-in or away at college
or on military assignment in your
prayers. If you can send a card, a letter
or just a note; make a telephone call or
a personal visit it would be very
meaningful for those who cannot be with
family and friends on Christmas. The
names of our hospitalized, shut-ins,
military and college members are listed
in our worship folder.
 among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the LORD.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Choir Anthem
Epistle Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoicein the Lord always; again I willsay, Rejoice. 5Let
your
reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Alleluia and Verse, p. 173

Holy Gospel Luke 7:18–28
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the seventh chapter.
C Glory to You, O Lord.

18The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19calling
two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one
who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 20And when the men had come
to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the
one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” 21In that hour he healed
many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were
blind he bestowed sight. 22And he answered them, “Go and tell John what
you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers