2017 7 Easter RCL (done from GLM) - St Mark Lutheran Church

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St Mark Lutheran Church Service of Holy Communion Welcome to this divine service of worship! Plain font indicates portions of the liturgy shared by worship leaders. Bold font indicates portions of the liturgy shared by the congregation. The obelisk ( ) invites the congregation to stand as it is able. The double obelisk ( ) invites the congregation to kneel or sit as it is able. December 22, 2019: Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00/11:00am Prelude Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus M. Miller Welcome and Preparation for Worship God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. †Advent Candle-lighting Text: from Psalm 80:3 Tune: G. Melson, for Advent 2019 Litany: Psalms 30:5; 51:3; 80:3-5, 17-18 O LORD, how long will your anger fume when your people pray? God’s wrath is short; God’s favor lasts a lifetime. We have tasted the bread of tears. We know our offenses. We have drunk from bowls of sorrow. Our sin is ever before us. Weeping spends the night, but joy comes in the morning. Come, Emmanuel; strengthen us and keep us in your grace. Give us hope and love and joy and peace, that we may call upon your name. Restore us, O God,

Transcript of 2017 7 Easter RCL (done from GLM) - St Mark Lutheran Church

St Mark Lutheran Church

Service of Holy Communion

Welcome to this divine service of worship! Plain font indicates portions of the liturgy shared by worship leaders.

Bold font indicates portions of the liturgy shared by the congregation.

The obelisk ( † ) invites the congregation to stand as it is able.

The double obelisk ( ‡ ) invites the congregation to kneel or sit as it is able.

December 22, 2019: Fourth Sunday of Advent

8:00/11:00am

Prelude Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus M.

Miller

Welcome and Preparation for Worship

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing

your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in

spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

†Advent Candle-lighting Text: from Psalm

80:3

Tune: G. Melson, for Advent 2019

Litany: Psalms 30:5; 51:3; 80:3-5, 17-18

O LORD, how long will your anger fume when your people pray?

God’s wrath is short; God’s favor lasts a lifetime.

We have tasted the bread of tears. We know our offenses.

We have drunk from bowls of sorrow. Our sin is ever before us.

Weeping spends the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Come, Emmanuel; strengthen us and keep us in your grace.

Give us hope and love and joy and peace, that we may call upon your name.

Restore us, O God,

and let your face shine upon us, O God,

and we shall be saved.

†Hymn: Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel.

Anthem Sing a New Song for God R. Bruxvoort-

Colligan

ACT ONE: THE SHEPHERDS – GREETING, KYRIE, PRAYER OF THE DAY

Shepherd #1: 97, 98, 99… 99… 99…

Shepherd #2: Have you counted all the sheep yet? Are all one hundred here?

Shepherd #1: I only count 99. It’s that little quirky lamb, missing again—

Shepherd #2: Well, let’s keep searching—and don’t say “quirky.” I love that lamb, quirks

and all!

Shepherd #3: (comes in with lamb) Good news! Look who I found! Does this make the

flock whole?

Shepherd #1: O joy! All right Shepherds, let’s give the flock the spiel! (clears throat)

Attention, Flock!

Shepherd #3: The grace of the Lord, of the Lord Who Saves, of the Messiah—

Shepherd #2: And the love of God—

Shepherd #1: And the communion of the Holy Spirit—

All Shepherds: Be with you all!

Congregation: And also with you!

Shepherd #1: We’re going out into the world together tonight, so you can wake up in

green pastures, and dwell beside still waters.

Shepherd #2: We’ll pass through some shadowy valleys! And you might be scared

sometimes—but your shepherds will be with you, abiding in the fields,

keeping watch over you.

Shepherd #3: And God, our Shepherd, will be with us too, abiding with us always,

watching over us forever.

Congregation: Lord, have mercy!

Shepherd #1: Now, if any of you feel like a quirky lamb among the well-behaved sheep, or

if you have a habit of wandering off or getting lost, we want you to

remember…

Shepherd #2: You are so loved!

Shepherd #3: Yes, you are loved…but if you get lost, it’s your shepherds’ job to find you.

So trust us…and trust us that we’re trusting God to be the best shepherd—in

fact, to be the Good Shepherd who comes to find and rescue everyone who

wanders from safety!

Congregation: Christ, have mercy!

Shepherd #3: Okay, are we ready? Let’s take on the night! Let’s face the world! Let’s go!

Shepherd #2: Yeah, let’s do that… but… but…

Shepherd #1: But what? You look worried. Are you worried?

Shepherd #2: Well, you know I love this flock. I love each lamb as I love myself. But

we’re all a little quirky—and sometimes the ones we love the most are the

ones who walk off. And we can’t keep them safe. And there are wolves and

bears out there. And… and… and… I’m scared of the shadows myself! We

can’t do this alone!

Congregation: Lord, have mercy

Shepherd #3: To tell you the truth, I’m afraid I’m afraid too—but I trust our God will

guide us safely through the shadows. And when I’m afraid, I say a prayer

over and over…it’s a one-word prayer: Immanuel. It means “God is with

us.” I whisper to God that one word: “Immanuel. Immanuel. Immanuel.”

So I’m afraid, but I’m also hopeful, because God is with us.

Shepherd #1: Hey friends, it’s time—but look at the sky! Does it seem like something is

brightening in the night? The heavens look different somehow. The

shadows look different too. And I believe you’re right about Immanuel! I

believe that soon we’re gonna see it: God is with us! This good news of

Immanuel, this is most certainly true! Let’s pray…

Shepherd #2: Stir up your power, Immanuel, and come. With your abundant grace and

might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may

receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation: Amen.

Anthem Jesus, Shepherd Us, Your Sheep W.

Wold

ACT TWO: THE MAGI – LESSONS, PSALM, GOSPEL

Balthasar: Caspar! I hear it! Listen, the music of the spheres! Melchior! I see the

heavens brightening! Quick, take your glass and scan the horizon!

Caspar: Yes, Balthasar, but what music am I supposed to be hearing?

Melchior: And on the horizon, what am I supposed to find?

Balthasar: All I can say is – and I know it may seem impossible, but – there’s a song in

the air! There’s a star in the sky!

Caspar: All this commotion for a song?

Melchior: What’s so impossible about a star?

Balthasar: But listen to the song! Look at the star! Don’t you find the meaning? The

song is coming from God! The star is beaming from God! This music, this

light: it’s saying God is with us!

Melchior: God? What God?

Caspar: With us? Whose God?

Balthasar: What God? Whose God? This is the Great I AM, the Holy One of Israel!

This is Immanuel—this is God, God who is with us!

Caspar: It sounds like this God is far from home. On earth? Should be in heaven.

Melchior: With us? But we’re Magi—not Israelites! Should be in Judea, or Galilee,

perhaps.

Balthasar: No, I’ve read about this. In the library, in the holy books of the God of

Abraham, from the prophet Isaiah:

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God;

let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not

ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear

then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that

you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a

sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and

shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time

he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the

child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land

before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

This is the word of the Lord.

Congregation: Thanks be to God!

Caspar: Immanuel, yes—what music! Now I hear, but still only like the tuning of

an orchestra before a symphony…

Melchior: like a prelude of worship to come…

Balthasar: like Israel’s ancient psalms being joined anew with the hope of Gentiles...

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,

stir up your strength and come to help us.

All sing: Restore us, O God,

and let your face shine upon us, O God,

and we shall be saved.

Melchior: O LORD, God of hosts,

how long will your anger fume when your people pray?

You have fed them with the bread of tears;

you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

You have made us the derision of our neighbors,

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

All sing: Restore us, O God,

and let your face shine upon us, O God,

and we shall be saved.

Caspar: Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,

the one you have made so strong for yourself.

And so we will never turn away from you;

give us life, that we may call upon your name.

All sing: Restore us, O God,

and let your face shine upon us, O God,

and we shall be saved.

Melchior: “We shall be saved.” We shall be safe! Yes—what light! Now I see, but still

only like the very first light of a very first star in a black and beautiful and

sacred night…

Balthasar: like the lamp of a lighthouse just beginning to cut through the densest fog…

like the gentlest nightlight already warm in the nursery of an expected

child…

Melchior: Yes, a small light tonight—but crowning on the horizon like the birth of a

new and glorious day! Soon it will be brilliant! Soon it will be blinding! Soon

it will knock the old order off its road to destruction and reveal the face of

God! Soon our libraries will be filled with the blessings of people who have

seen this Light! Soon we will hear of …

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for

the gospel of God, which God promised beforehand through his

prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who

was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared

to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by

resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom

we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience

of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including

yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s

beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Congregation: Thanks be to God!

Balthasar: (excitedly, continuing into the background) Alleluia! Alleluia! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Caspar: What incantation is this, Balthasar? (worriedly) Melchior, what’s he saying?

Melchior: Caspar, I’ve never heard of it. Could it be the lyrics of the hymns of the

music of the spheres?

Caspar: Or maybe this light is too bright for his senses. Friend, we’re Magi—we’re

supposed to be wise. Now, I’m not willing to expose poor Balthasar to

public disgrace, but do you think – if he’s lost it – we might wanna plan to

dismiss him quietly…then we can pursue this holy song, this holy light, on

our own?

Melchior: Well, I can’t explain his words. Who knows? Maybe we should suggest

retirement to the Old Wisemen’s Home. We could get by as a duo, no?

Balthasar: Praise ye the Lord! You question my words, but to whom shall you go?

Look at what’s coming! We’re witnessing the birth of, well, what’s the most

marvelous grace you can ponder? This will be the birth of eternal life, the

birth of the one who will bless us and keep us safe, even from ourselves!

Alleluia! Praise ye the Lord! Listen to my joy! What else can I say?

Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord! Try it!

Melchior: (sheepishly) Alleluia. …like that? Say, that’s light on the tongue!

Caspar: (clearing throat) Hallelujah. …like this? Jesus, what a sweet, sweet sound!

Balthasar: Jesus! Exactly! Light and song and joy and coming our way! Say it together!

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia Tune: SOUTH AFRICAN, arr. Gobinca Mxadana

Balthasar: Yes, and it will be forever said:

The birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his

mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived

together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her

husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her

to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he

had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a

dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary

as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy

Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will

save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had

been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin

shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he

did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his

wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;

and he named him Jesus.

Yes, this is Jesus—the gospel of the Lord.

Congregation: Praise to you, O Christ.

Balthasar: Caspar, Melchior: time to pack!

Melchior: What? No! I’m just bringing the richest light into focus through my

telescope.

Balthasar: Friend, in that glass you see dimly. Let’s behold this moment face to face!

Caspar: But I can’t go! The music! It’s ringing in my ears! It’s echoing off these

walls! It’s too, too sweet to leave behind….

Balthasar: But this sound you hear, this is the Word of God. This is the creation of

creation. Let’s go see this Word Made Flesh, this one who comes to dwell

among us, full of grace, and truly grace, and grace upon grace!

Caspar: Yes, yes, of course—and let’s greet sweetness with sweetness! I’ll bring sweet

frankincense and fragrant myrrh…

Melchior: And I’ll bring gold – the richest, shiniest gold for the richest, brightest light!

And you, Balthasar, what will you bring?

Balthasar: Diapers. No one will remember when he’s grown, but for a moment Mary

might treasure a practical gift in her heart. After all, love your neighbor as

yourself….

Song Journey (excerpt) E.

Whitehill

ACT THREE: THE HOLY FAMILY – SERMON

Joseph: Mary, we’re here! O little town of Bethlehem, my family’s home since the

days of the shepherd King David!

Mary: Yes, Joseph, and I think it will be our baby’s hometown too.

Joseph: We came to Bethlehem to pay our taxes. Don’t you want to wait till we’re

back home in Nazareth of Galilee to deliver the baby?

Mary: Baby Jesus is coming soon. We don’t have time to go home.

Joseph: But there are so many people here. What if there’s no room for us?

Mary: There’s room for Jesus right here, right now. There’s room for Jesus

everywhere.

(at hotel check-in desk – sign says “Ring Bell for Service” – Mary and

Joseph ring zimbelstern)

Innkeeper: Welcome to Bethlehem! How can I help you?

Joseph: We’ve walked for days from far away. We need a little room to stay.

Innkeeper: Impossible! It’s sad, but true. We’re full. We have no room for you.

We’re in a sticky situation.

Congregation: You should have made a reservation!

Mary: But nothing is impossible with God.

Joseph: You see our aching, tired feet. Perhaps you have a bridal suite?

Innkeeper: Impossible! I’ve searched, I’ve looked, and everything we’ve got is booked.

Unless we have a cancellation…

Congregation: You should have made a reservation!

Joseph: But nothing is impossible with God.

Mary: We’d gladly tuck in any place. Perhaps you have some closet space?

Innkeeper: Impossible! Each hole, each nook: if there’s a place to take, it’s took.

So here it comes, the old narration:

Congregation: You should have made a reservation!

Mary: But nothing is impossible with God.

Joseph: Our baby will be very small. He won’t take up much room at all.

Mary: A bench outside your lobby door? A spot upon your hard wood floor?

Innkeeper: Impossible! A baby’s cry? It fills the sea and earth and sky,

and so I say, and in summation,

Congregation: You should have made a reservation!

Joseph: But nothing is impossible with God.

Mary: As angels sing, we’re not afraid. A reservation has been made.

Joseph: For long ago the prophet shared a reservation God prepared:

Congregation: “The oxen and the donkeys knew

their master and his manger too.”

Anthem Lowly Animals S.

Beske

Innkeeper: Impossible! You mean to say… you’d sleep upon a bed of hay?

But cows are loud! But donkeys smell!

Mary & Joseph: It’s perfect for Immanuel!

Mary: And nothing is impossible with God!

Joseph: People raise their voices too! People raise a stink, pee-yew!

Mary: As God is with us, God’s aware there’s room for Jesus everywhere.

Joseph: Our God provides what we have craved: for you and me, a place is saved.

Mary: So let it be, no hesitation:

Congregation: Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Salvation!

†Hymn: When Christmas Morn is Dawning Text: Ehrenborg-Posse/Lundeen, 1918-1990 Tune: WIR HATTEN GEBAUET, 1823

ACT THREE: THE ANGELS – PRAYERS, PEACE, OFFERING

Gabriel: Look, it’s Joseph! And there she is! Mary, full of grace!

Angel of the Lord: The Lord is truly with her: she’s not only full of grace, she’s full of Jesus,

Immanuel himself! Gabriel, how long has it been since you brought Mary

the good news of great joy that she will birth for all people?

Gabriel: The good news of Jesus? Let’s see, twenty? No, thirty? No, it was forty

weeks ago now.

Angel of the Lord: You’re right – it feels timeless, but they’ve been wandering through this

wilderness for a pregnant forty weeks, waiting to land the promise of God

with us. I remember visiting Joseph in his dream that night, when all of this

was so new – it scared him too.

Anthem Do Not Be Afraid (excerpt) E.

Whitehill

Gabriel: Humans do seem to scare easily, don’t they? God keeps sending us with the

message of good news—that they’re loved, that God has made them very

good, that God is faithful to being their savior, that grace is a gift they’re

already receiving!

Angel of the Lord: Yeah, God keeps sending us with good news, but it seems like we spend a

lot of time reassuring them. We angels say it over and over:

Congregation: “Have no fear!” “Don’t be afraid!”

Gabriel: Exactly! “Fear Not!” has become our motto, the old standard all God’s

angels know how to sing by heart. You can sing it to humans over and over,

and they never get tired of it.

Angel of the Lord: And when people hear it, they love it! They even start to sing along—

humming “Fear Not!” at work; singing “Fear Not!” in the shower; belting

out “Fear Not!” in their commutes along the way.

Gabriel: Even now, if we listen, we can hear God’s people reflect the angels’ song in

their prayers, worshipping God without fear, praying for the church, for the

world, and for all who are in need.

Voice of Prayer: God of good news, you send the advent of the gospel in the words, “Fear

not!” Free your church from fear, that unbounded love for you and fervent

love for one another may prepare your people to behold your fullness in

Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy,

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Voice of Prayer: God of creation, you send the advent of the gospel in the words, “Fear not!”

Free the world you have founded from the angst or the anger your creatures

find within it. Lord, in your mercy,

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Voice of Prayer: God, willing to be with us, you send the advent of the gospel in the words,

“Fear not!” Through your abiding presence in our joy or sorrow,

confidence or confusion, pleasure or pain, free us from any worry of

isolation, even those we remember aloud on our lips or silently in our

hearts. Lord, in your mercy,

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Voice of Prayer: God, unwilling to abandon us, you send the advent of the gospel in the

words, “Fear not!” When we fear we are lost, shepherd us to safety. When

we fear we are dim, light us with your word. When we fear we are alone,

reserve our place beside you. When we fear to the point of despair, return

us to the faith of your saints and the songs of your angels. Lord, in your

mercy,

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Gabriel: With saints of earth and angels of heaven, receive the prayers of your

people, O God, who trust in your mercy through your anointed Word

Made Flesh, our Lord.

Congregation: Amen.

Angel of the Lord: Gabriel, it’s a beautiful song – “Fear Not!” – but I’ve got more to sing than

those few words. When Jesus comes and fear is gone, there needs to be a

new song.

Gabriel: A new song! What a beautiful gift! A fearless song! Yes—let’s sing to the

Lord a new song! …but, what shall we sing?

Angel of the Lord: I know exactly what we’ll sing: Gloria in excelsis Deo! It will be a new song

of joy and peace. It’ll début with Jesus himself! Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to God’s people on earth!

Anthem Do Not Be Afraid (Reprise) E.

Whitehill

Gabriel: Oh, let’s sing together till God’s peace echoes from spirit to spirit, from soul

to soul: “The peace of Christ be with you all!”

Congregation: And also with you!

Angel of the Lord: Let’s sing! Let’s dance! Let’s share God’s peace with one another!

Offertory Dance O Come All Ye Faithful J.

Sparkman

Angel of the Lord: Gabriel, grab your trombone! The crowning of Emmanuel is near!

Gabriel: Gather the heavenly host! Sing glory to God! Peace on earth! Away with

fear!

Angel of the Lord: Now the world will see Christ Jesus! Now the world will see amazing

things—

Gabriel: …things into which angels have longed to look! Mortals cradling God! Saints

holding God in their hands!

†Congregation: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Praise God, all creatures here below!

Praise God above, ye heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

†Great Thanksgiving (Dialogue, Preface, Sanctus, Eucharistic and Lord's Prayers)

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give

thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You

comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also

make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so,

with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

God is great. God is good.

Let us thank God for our food.

By God’s hand we all are fed.

Give us, Lord, our daily bread.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread,

blessed it, broke it, and gave it for them to eat, saying,

“Take and eat; this is my body given for you;

do this for the remembrance of me.”

Again after supper he took the cup,

gave thanks, and gave it for them to drink, saying,

“Take and drink; this cup is the new testament in my blood

poured out for you and all people for the forgiveness of sin;

do this for the remembrance of me.”

So we remember his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection;

we pray for the Holy Spirit to come among us;

and we offer our sacrifice of thanks and praise:

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest

and let these gifts to us be blessed.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

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.

†Invitation to Communion

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Thanks be to God.

Agnus Dei

Communion

Believing in the real presence of Christ, this church practices eucharistic hospitality. All baptized persons are welcomed to Communion.

The host will be placed in your hand. A tray will follow with both the pre-poured (juice) and empty cups for wine. The common chalice will follow for those who desire to partake in the common cup and lastly a pouring chalice for individual empty cups. Please place your empty cups on one of the tables provided at the end of the aisles. We also encourage non-communing persons forward to receive a blessing.

The body of Christ, given for you. Amen.

The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

†Post Communion Blessing

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you & keep you in his grace. Amen.

ACT FOUR: THE NATIVITY SCENE – BENEDICTION AND SENDING

Shepherd #3: The flock’s been fed. They drank their fill.

Caspar: The Word will grace you: “Peace—be still!”

Shepherd #2: The rams and lambs and ewes will snooze.

Melchior: The Word will wake you with Good News!

Shepherd #1: The shepherd’s life is good for me.

Balthasar: The Word will call you: “Come and see!”

Joseph: I hear the angel. Do I dream?

Angel of the Lord: Fear not! God’s light’s about to beam!

Mary: Glory to God, O God of my birth!

Gabriel: Immanuel! Come, Peace on Earth!

Angel of the Lord: Now let the hosts of heaven say

to you, who walk your pilgrim way…

Gabriel: to you, whom God sees face to face…

to you, whom God makes full of grace…

Angel of the Lord: and let you share with one another,

every sister, every brother,

Gabriel: the blessing God is pleased to dwell

as Word Made Flesh, Immanuel.

†Congregation: The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD smile on you and be gracious unto you;

the LORD look upon you with favor and give you peace.

And the peace that passes understanding

will guard our hearts and our minds

in Christ Jesus, who comes. Amen.

†Hymn: Joy to the World Text: I. Watts, 1674-1748

Music: ANTIOCH, English Melody, Arr/L. Mason, 1792-

1872

†Nativity Scene: Go in peace! Serve the Lord! †Congregation: Thanks be to God!

Postlude Joy To the World Arr/G.

Martin

PJ’s reflection on the Gospel Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

The grammar of the gospel, as I read

it, clearly states that Joseph was engaged –

not married yet – to Mary, and that she’d

been outed pregnant. Had he been enraged

I can’t imagine he’d have married her—

and yet he must have, since the man was now

“her husband Joseph” who carried her

who carried Christ across the threshold: how

come only now he thinks of letting go?

I know betrothal and espousal were

a different story then, but even so,

why’d Joseph (being righteous) risk the blur?

“It’s complicated”—a recurring theme

for those who rest in God’s recurring dream.

Copyright © 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006860.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by

permission. All rights reserved.

St Mark Lutheran Church

118 Old York-Hampton Highway

Yorktown, Virginia 23692

757-898-4395 / smlconline.org

Ministers: all the people of St Mark

Pastors: the Rev Joel Neubauer / 757-775-3622 / [email protected]

the Rev Rachel Manke / 757-598-3551/ [email protected]

Minister of Music: Greta Melson / [email protected]

Handbell Choir Director: Gail Teigeler / [email protected]

Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center / 757-873-2273 / www.peninsulapastoral.org