St Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

Pastor Dennis Himm (810) 252-5821

December 15, 2024 Advent 3

A REAL CHRISTMAS RESULTS IN GREAT JOY

WELCOME

HYMN 3 “Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates”

(Please stand for the last verse)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Hear our prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with your light; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sung) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Zephaniah 3:14-17

We can rejoice, because the Lord has saved us and delights in us.

14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 103 – page 105

I will hear what the LORD proclaims: peace to his people.

SECOND LESSON: Philippians 4:4-7

What is the reason for our enduring joy? The Lord is near to us.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. Alleluia.

(Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These words are written that we may believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Luke 3:7-18

Those who rejoice in the good news of salvation joyfully produce fruits of repentance.

7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. 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 barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 32 “When Sinners See Their Lost Condition"

SERMON: Luke 3:7-18

The Joy of Forgiveness

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)

HYMN 7 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”

PRAYER - page 43 C: (sung) Amen.

BLESSING - page 44 C: (sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN 6 "Come, O Long-Expected Jesus"

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry. The basket is located next to the water dispenser.

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING.

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP – 5 PM. Join us at 5 pm on Christmas Eve to worship our newborn King. The children will enhance this service with words and song. Please invite family, friends, and neighbors.

There is no Christmas Day service at St. Paul’s. However, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Scottville has a 10 am service.

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.