WORD, REVIEW, SERMONS, & BULLETINS

Christ’s presence in our midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for
     singing. The nearness of the God in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for
     rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with a winnowing
     fork in hand, is good news—and cause for exultation—for us who are being
     saved. Great joy is the tone for the third Sunday of Advent.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the
     preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of
     repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with
     you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING

ZEPHANIAH 3:14-20
The prophet Zephaniah’s message is mostly one of judgment for sin. This
reading, however, which comes from the conclusion of the book, prophesies joy for
Judah and Jerusalem. Judgment has led to repentance, and God’s salvation is at hand.

14 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
18 as on a day of festival.”
I will remove disaster from you,
so that you will not bear reproach for it.
19 I will deal with all your oppressors
at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the Lord.

PSALM

ISAIAH 12:2-6
(Response) In your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Is. 12:6)

2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God is my strength and my might, and has become my salvation.
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
(Response) In your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Is. 12:6)

4 And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name;
make known the deeds of the Lord among the nations; proclaim that this name
is exalted.
5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
(Response) In your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Is. 12:6)

SECOND READING

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
Despite being in prison, Paul is remarkably upbeat as he writes this letter. Here,
     he urges his friends in Philippi to trust God with all their worries and concerns
     with the hope that they will experience God’s joy and peace.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be
     known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in
     everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
     made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
     will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. I am sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia. (Matt. 11:10)

GOSPEL READING
LUKE 3:7-18

John the Baptist heralds the mighty one who is coming. John teaches that
     preparation for God’s reign is not a matter of identity but of bearing fruits of
     merciful justice, radical generosity, and vocational integrity.

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!
     Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of
     repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
     ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to
     Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree
     that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

     10 And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” 11 In reply he said to
     them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and
     whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized,
     and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect
     no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And
     we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by
     threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

     15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their
     hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all
     of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I
     is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you
     with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his
     threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn
     with unquenchable fire.”

     18 So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people.

LICENSES & EXPIRATION DATES
Worship Service Content is used via permission through Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2025.
Our Hymns and Worship Music are used via permission through CCLI One
License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2025.

SERMONS
(AVAILABILITY VARIES PENDING ON THE MINISTER)

READABLE DOUBLE-SIDED VERSION

John in the Wilderness 12/8/24

TAKING FAITH HOME