December 15th, 2013

Fourth Sunday in Advent

The four Sundays before Christmas are a time of preparation; preparation for the coming of our Lord at Christmas and for his second coming on the Last Day. The Liturgical color is purple or blue. Purple is the color of royal mourning and repentance. Blue is the color of the sky and of hope.

The Lords Supper at Zion

participation in the Blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the Body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Those who celebrate the Sacrament together are expressing unity with both each another and Christ Jesus their Savior. When the faith publically confessed by the participants is unified, what God gives us in the Sacrament is pure Gospel and a truly a blessed communion and union with one another and our God. But if there is disagreement concerning Gods Word underlying a celebration of the Sacrament, its intended purpose is spoiled and those involved are improperly declaring unity where unity does not fully exist. The Lords Supper is truly a most high and intimate expression of unity. Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:16-17: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a

Welcome in the Name of Christ!

We pray that you enjoy your time with us and that your spirit is enriched as we together sit at the feet of our Savior. Gods richest blessings be on you! Bathrooms are located in the north and south side of the entryway as you go down into the basement. The mens is on the north side and the womens on the south side. A small Nursery with a changing table and rocking chair is in the back of church on the south side; a carpeted play area is found in the basement; and black activity bags are available in the entryway. If you would like talk to Pastor about anything, catch him after worship or give him a call at 507-648-3601 (Cell: 507-276-5225).

Our practice as it involves the Lords Supper is based on a deep reverence for God and His Word; it is based on our profound respect for the purpose of the Sacrament; and it is based on a deep desire to in every way honestly, accurately, and clearly confess all of Gods Word to the world. Therefore, those who are not yet fully united to us are cordially invited and encouraged to speak with Pastor or an Elder so that we may work together for the truth (III John 8); for when spiritual unity is achieved on the basis of Gods Word, outward unity can and will be joyfully celebrated. Those who have declared their unity with us, either by their membership here or by their membership in another congregation with which we are unified, are cordially invited to express that unity at the Lords Table.

Order of Service Sermon Text Sermon Theme Hymns Psalm

The Service of the Word on Page 38 Matthew 11:2-11 Dont Miss the Signs! 520, 14, 22, 6 146 on Page 120

Service Notes
This is our regular week for the WELS Connection. It will be shown after the ringing of the bells and before the Opening Hymn. The Choir selection, Follow the Christmas Star, will also be sung before the Opening Hymn. Following the Opening Hymn, well begin our service with the rite for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath, it is printed on your goldenrod insert.

First Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-10 The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Opportunities to Grow and Serve

SundayDecember 15th
Greeters Youth 8:45 am 8:45 am 10:00 am 7:00 pm 9:30 am Evelyn Rogotzke Kory Schenk Morning Bible ClassLove Speaks Sunday School in the School Building Sunday Morning Worship Service NEW Evening Bible ClassWhats in a Name? Worship Service at Cottonwood Ridge in Springfield Televised Worship Service (Springfield Channel 8) Catechism Class in the Church Regular Midweek Service Valley View Worship Service in Lamberton Televised Worship ServiceLamberton Channel 6 Televised Worship ServiceSpringfield Channel 8 Choir Practice in the School Childrens Christmas Eve Practice Curt & Jackie Schenk Katelyn Rogotzke Morning Bible ClassLove Speaks Sunday School in the School Building Sunday Morning Worship Service NEW Evening Bible ClassWhats in a Name?

Tuesday Wednesday
4:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Second Lesson: James 5:7-11 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lords

coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lords coming is near. Dont grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Jobs perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Thursday
10:00 am 4:00 pm

Friday
4:00 pm

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11 When John heard in prison what

Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else? Jesus replied, Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Saturday
9:00 am 10:00 am Greeters Youth 8:45 am 8:45 am 10:00 am 7:00 pm

SundayDecember 22nd

Altar GuildBecky Prell & Donalee Scheffler Councilman on DutyDale Fennern UshersBob Steffen, Todd Weber, Greg Werner, Ralph Pabst, Jim Zimmerman

Weekly Attendance in Worship

Wednesday 7:00 pm on November 27th: 49 Wednesday on December 4th: No Service Sunday 10:00 am on December 1st: 61 Sunday 10:00 am on December 8th: 129

Announcements Continued
Council and their families will be gathering at 6:00 pm for a meal and to stuff the Christmas Bags for the Christmas Eve Service. Please bring any donations for the bags to church no later than the Sunday morning service on December 22nd. Christmas Giving Tree: All the names on the giving tree were adopted once again this year! Thank you! If you would like to deliver the gift yourself, you are more than welcome to; if you would like the Ladies Evening Circle to deliver your gift, please have it to church by Sunday, December 15th. Sunday School Christmas Practice: The Sunday School has begun work on their parts of the Christmas Eve Service. On December 21st, at 10:00 am, all youth involved in the Christmas Eve Service are asked to be at the church to run through the service. A second practice will be on Monday, December 23rd, also at 10:00 am. Any questions can be referred to Pastor Prell or Evelyn Rogotzke. Office Position at MVL: Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School is seeking applicants for the position of Financial Secretary. Individuals interested in applying should be familiar with financial procedures and software, possess strong computer skills and have a desire to work with faculty, staff, students and parents. If interested, contact MVL Principal Tim Plath at 507-354-6851 or tplath@mvlhs.org for an application. New Sunday Evening Bible Class: Sunday evening December 1st, we began a new series in the Sunday Evening Bible Class entitled Whats in a Name? Old Testament Names for God. It will be presented by MLC President Pastor Mark Zarling. This Bible Class will be held Sunday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm in the church and will usually run about an hour. It will explore the meaning and significance of various names for God in the Old Testament. We look forward to seeing you there! Hospital Visits: If you or a loved one is going to be in the hospital for surgery, tests, etc., please call Pastor Prell and let him know. He will add you to the Prayer Chain (if you wish) so that others can join in prayers for you. This also helps Pastor know who he needs to visit; due to health care regulations concerning privacy, hospitals no longer publish who is in the hospital. Thanks in advance for your help!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25 I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1

Announcements
Farwell Dinner: Following Pastor Prells last service on January 5th, the congregation is hosting a farewell dinner. The dinner will be after the 10:00 am service and will be catered by Baunes. If you are planning to attend, please, if possible, RSVP so that we have an idea how many people to plan for. Please RSVP by Sunday, December 29th so we can get an estimate to Baunes. To RSVP, please contact Evelyn Rogotzke at 6483470. Pre-Call Meeting Information: This past Thursday a pre-call meeting was held at the church; survey sheets along with information on the call process was handed out to those in attendance. Extra copies of these sheets are in the back of church on the dark brown table. Special Voters Meetings: On December 22nd, the Voters are asked to be at church at 2:00 pm so that we may issue a call for a vacancy pastor. On January 12th at 2:00 pm, the Voters are asked to be present to discuss candidates and issue a Divine Call for a permanent pastor here at Zion. Christmas for Kids: A big thank you to all who helped with Christmas for Kids this past week at Hometown Christmas! Despite the cold, things went very well and we were able to share the Christmas story with dozens of children! Church Decorating: Thank you to those who stayed this past Sunday to help get the remaining decorationsprimarily the treeput up. Thank you also to anyone over the last few weeks that contributed in any way toward decorating. Christmas Services: Our annual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be held as normal: The Christmas Eve Service will begin at 6:30 pm (December 24th); the Christmas Day Service will begin at 9:00 am (December 25th). Because Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday, there will be NO evening service that week. Also, dont forget the New Years Eve Service on Tuesday, December 31st, beginning at 7:00 pm! Church Council Dinner and Bag-Stuffing: Sunday evening, December 22nd, the Church

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Third Sunday in Advent
STAND

M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ + and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. C: And also with you. M: We light three Advent candles, remembering Jesus, the Light of the world. He came to defeat the prince of darkness. C: We remember Jesus, Who came in answer to His peoples prayers. John proclaimed Him the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world. We light three Advent candles as a sign of our trust and confidence. Through Your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed.

M: We hear His call to see the light. C: C: M: Come, Lord, Jesus, be our guest.

AT THIS TIME TWO BLUE ADVENT CANDLES AND THE ROSE ADVENT CANDLE ARE LIT

THE SERVICE CONTINUES WITH THE CONFESSION OF SINS ON PAGE 38 IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP