It Is Well with My Soul: The Sacred Roots Annual 2022-2023

I t I s W ell with M y S oul

T h e U r b a n M i n i s t r y I n s t i t u t e a m i n i s t r y o f W o r l d I m pa c t , I n c .

The Sacred Roots Annual 2022-2023 Revised Common Lectionary Year A I t I s W ell with M y S oul

TUMI Press • 3701 East 13th Street North, Suite 100 • Wichita, Kansas 67208

It Is Well with My Soul The Sacred Roots Annual 2022-2023

© 2022. The Urban Ministry Institute. All Rights Reserved. Copying, redistribution, and/or sale of these materials, or any unauthorized transmission, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher is prohibited. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to:

The Urban Ministry Institute 3701 East 13th Street North, Suite 100 Wichita, KS 67208

Published by TUMI Press, a division of World Impact, Inc. The Urban Ministry Institute is a ministry of World Impact, Inc.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, © 2001 by Crossway Bible, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.

T able of C ontents

The Season of Advent: The Coming of Christ

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Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2022 •

Week 1

First Sunday of Advent: Anticipation

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Dec. 4 - 10 • Second Sunday of Advent: Annunciation

Week 2

20

Dec. 11 - 17 • Third Sunday of Advent: Affirmation

Week 3

26

Dec. 18 - 24 • Fourth Sunday of Advent: Arrival

Week 4

32

The Celebration of Christmas: The Birth of Christ

38

Dec. 24 • Christmas Eve

43

Dec. 25 - 31, 2022 • Christmas Day: The Nativity of the Lord

Week 5

48

Jan. 1 - 7, 2023 • First Sunday after Christmas Day / Holy Name of Jesus / New Year’s Day 54

Week 6

The Season after Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ

60

Jan. 6 • The Epiphany of the Lord

64

Jan. 8 - 14 • The Baptism of the Lord,

Week 7

First Sunday after the Epiphany

70

Jan. 15 - 21 • Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Week 8

76

Jan. 22 - 28 • Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Week 9

82

Week 10 Jan. 29 - Feb. 4 • Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

88

Feb. 2 • The Presentation of the Lord

94

Week 11 Feb. 5 - 11 • Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

100

Week 12 Feb. 12 - 18 • Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

106

Week 13 Feb. 19 - 25 • Transfiguration Sunday, Last Sunday before Lent

112

The Season of Lent: The Lowliness of Christ

118

Feb. 22 • Ash Wednesday

124

Week 14 Feb. 26 - Mar. 4 • First Sunday in Lent

130

Week 15 Mar. 5 - 11 • Second Sunday in Lent

136

Week 16 Mar. 12 - 18 • Third Sunday in Lent

142

Week 17 Mar. 19 - 25 • Fourth Sunday in Lent

148

Week 18 Mar. 26 - Apr. 1 • Fifth Sunday in Lent

154

The Observance of HolyWeek: The Passion of Christ

160

Week 19 Apr. 2 - 8 • Palm Sunday, Sixth Sunday in Lent

164

Apr. 3 • Monday of Holy Week

170

Apr. 4 • Tuesday of Holy Week

176

Apr. 5 • Wednesday of Holy Week

182

Apr. 6 • Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)

188

Apr. 7 • Good Friday

194

Apr. 8 • Holy Saturday

200

The Season from Easter to Pentecost: Eastertide The Resurrection of Christ

206

Week 20 Apr. 9 - 15 • Easter Sunday,

The Resurrection of the Lord

210

Week 21 Apr. 16 - 22 • Second Sunday of Easter

216

Week 22 Apr. 23 - 29 • Third Sunday of Easter

222

Week 23 Apr. 30 - May 6 • Fourth Sunday of Easter

228

The Season from Easter to Pentecost: Eastertide The Ascension of Christ

234

Week 24 May 7 - 13 • Fifth Sunday of Easter

238

Week 25 May 14 - 20 • Sixth Sunday of Easter

244

May 18 • The Ascension of the Lord

250

Week 26 May 21 - 27 • Seventh Sunday of Easter

256

Week 27 May 28 - June 3 • Day of Pentecost

262

The Season after Pentecost: Kingdomtide The Coming of the Holy Spirit

268

Week 28 June 4 - 10 • Trinity Sunday,

First Sunday after Pentecost

272

Week 29 June 11 - 17 • Second Sunday after Pentecost

278

Week 30 June 18 - 24 • Third Sunday after Pentecost

284

Week 31 June 25 - July 1 • Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

290

Week 32 July 2 - 8 • Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

296

The Season after Pentecost: Kingdomtide A Season of Christ’s Headship

302

Week 33 July 9 - 15 • Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

306

Week 34 July 16 - 22 • Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

312

Week 35 July 23 - 29 • Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

318

Week 36 July 30 - Aug. 5 • Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

324

Week 37 Aug. 6 - 12 • Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

330

The Season after Pentecost: Kingdomtide A Season of Christ’s Harvest

336

Week 38 Aug. 13 - 19 • Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

340

Week 39 Aug. 20 - 26 • Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

346

Week 40 Aug. 27 - Sept. 2 • Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 352 Week 41 Sept. 3 - 9 • Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost 358 Week 42 Sept. 10 - 16 • Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 364

The Season after Pentecost: Kingdomtide A Season of Christ’s Hope

370

Week 43 Sept. 17 - 23 • Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

374

Week 44 Sept. 24 - 30 • Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

380

Week 45 Oct. 1 - 7 • Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

386

Week 46 Oct. 8 - 14 • Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

392

Week 47 Oct. 15 - 21 • Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

398

Week 48 Oct. 22 - 28 • Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

404

The Season after Pentecost: Kingdomtide Remembering the Saints, Exalting the King

410

Week 49 Oct. 29 - Nov. 4 • Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 417 Oct. 31 • Reformation Day 423 Nov. 1 • All Saints Day 428 Week 50 Nov. 5 - 11 • Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 434 Week 51 Nov. 12 - 18 • Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost 440 Week 52 Nov. 19 - 25 • Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost 446 Nov. 23 • Thanksgiving Day (USA) 452 Week 53 Nov. 26 - Dec. 2 • Reign of Christ the King 457

The Season of A dvent T he C oming of C hrist

November 27 - December 23, 2022

O C ome , O C ome , E mmanuel words: Latin, twelfth century; translated by John M. Neal, 1851 music: “Veni Emmanuel” fifteenth century processional of French Franciscan nuns O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

A dvent is a season of anticipation and repentance which focuses on the First and Second Comings of Christ. The dual focus means that Advent both begins and ends the Christian Year (Isa. 9.1-7, 11.1-16; Mark 1.1-8). The Coming of Christ Advent anticipates the First and Second Comings of our Lord. God’s prophets foretold his Coming, and angels announced his birth to Mary and the shepherds. We affirm God’s promise fulfilled in the arrival of Messiah in Bethlehem. Week 1: Anticipation The Advent wreath reminds us of God’s eternal love, without a beginning, without an end. The candles remind us of Christ’s light coming into the world. We light the first candle looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, Immanuel, God-with-us. Week 2: Annunciation We light the second candle to announce the birth of the Savior King, as the angel Gabriel announced to Mary, and the angels announced to the shepherds. Week 3: Affirmation We light the third candle recognizing the fulfillment of God’s promise of our salvation. Week 4: Arrival We light the fourth candle in celebration of the arrival of the baby, born in a stable at Bethlehem, whose name is Immanuel, God-with-us. Celebrating Advent Advent season is the start of the Church Year calendar. By observing the Church Year, we remind ourselves that we do

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not belong to this world but operate in the earth as a peculiar people whose citizenship is in the New Jerusalem. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival” and the season has a dual focus of remembering the first coming of Christ and looking forward to his second coming. Theologically speaking, the season of Advent signifies a time of both preparation and hope. Therefore, preaching during Advent has traditionally emphasized both repentance and joy. Like other seasons in the Church Year, at Advent we use colors to remind us of theological truths. The primary color of Advent is purple (the color of royalty) which is used to remind us that we are awaiting the coming of a king. The secondary color of Advent is green (the color of life) used to remind us that God is sending the One who will make all things new. The Advent candles consist of five candles: three purple, one pink, and one white candle. The purple candles (lit on the Sundays of week one, two, and four) remind us that we are awaiting royalty, and the sole pink candle (which is lit on the third week), affirms God’s intent to eliminate all fear and restore creation through the coming Messiah. The final white center candle (called the Christ Candle), is lit on Christmas Day, and calls us to rejoice in the incarnation of the Son of God into the world. The greenery around the candle reminds us that we are proclaiming the promise of new life that Messiah brings. The flames of the candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world who shines in the darkness and that the darkness cannot overcome the light. By lighting one new candle each week we remind ourselves that God is doing something in the world and that more is yet to come.

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• The first candle is the Anticipation candle which remembers the prophecies made about the Messiah who was to come. • The second candle is the Annunciation (i.e. announcement) candle which remembers the an nouncement made by Gabriel to Mary and by the angels to the shepherds. • The third candle is the Affirmation candle which recognizes that by sending the Messiah, God has affirmed and fulfilled the promises that he made to humanity. • The center white candle, called the Christ Candle, is lit on Christmas Day – “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus! Let us all with one voice join together with Charles Wesley (1744) and Rowland Hugh Prichard (1855) in singing: Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free. From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, joy of ev’ry longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, born a Child and yet a King. Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne. • The fourth candle is the Arrival candle which celebrates the birth of Christ.

© Public Domain.

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WEEK 1 F irst S unday of A dvent : A nticipation November 27 - December 3, 2022 Advent joyously affirms the First and Second comings of our Lord. Through the prophets, God foretold the Messiah’s appearing to his people, Israel. Through the angels, he announced his birth to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds. Let us reverently ponder the sure promise of God – the Deliverer will come and ransom captive Israel and the world. In anticipation of the Lord’s soon return, believers everywhere are called to “wake from sleep.” Because our salvation is nearer to us today than when we first believed, we affirm that the day of Christ’s glorious coming is close at hand, and the night of sin and sadness is on its way out forever. In light of this certain prospect, we are to cast off the works of darkness, putting on God’s armor of light, and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us make no room for fleshly desire or practice, not gratifying our flesh but seeking to please the Lord in all things. The Lord is coming soon; let us do all we can to live resonant with that belief. The day of our deliverance is near! THIS WEEK’S THEME The Day Is Near, Romans 13.11-14

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D aily D evotional G uide P reparing O ur H earts Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

O LORD Jesus Christ, Who at Thy first coming, didst warn us to prepare for the day when Thou shalt come to be our Judge, mercifully grant that, being awake from the sleep of sin, we may be always watching

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and intent upon the work that Thou has given us to do; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

~ Rev. W. E. Scudamore, A.D. 1850. In Fox, Selina Fitzherbert. A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages: Forty Centuries of Prayer, 2000 B.C.-A.D. 1916 . New York: E. P. Dutton, 1943. p. 211.

Call toWorship Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen. P raising O ur G od Te Deum Laudamus You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (Songs and Prayers)

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T he S eason of A dvent

Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. L istening to H is V oice Chronological Reading for the Day Sunday: Gen. 1-3

Monday: Gen. 4-6; 1 Chron. 1.1-4 Tuesday: Gen. 7-10; 1 Chron. 1.5-23 Wednesday: Gen. 11-14; 1 Chron. 1.24-27 Thursday: Gen. 15-17 Friday: Gen. 18-20 Saturday: Gen. 21-24

Lectionary Readings Psalm: Ps. 122 Gospel: Matt. 24.36-44

OT: Isa. 2.1-5

NT: Rom. 13.11-14

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

R esponding in F aith The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. * In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic). Prayers of Confession Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need. Assurance of Pardon Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen. Petitions and Supplications, Ending with the Lord’s Prayer Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song) Praise God fromwhom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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D eparting to S erve Benediction

O Lord, Who has revealed to us that “the night is far spent, the day is at hand,” grant that we may ever be found watching like servants who wait for the coming of their Lord; that, when He cometh and knocketh, we may open to Him immediately. Save us from all love of this world, that we may wait with patient hope for the day of the Lord, and abide in Him, that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. ~ Adapted from Romans 13.12; Luke 12.36, John 2.28. In Selina Fitzherbert Fox. A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages: Forty Centuries of Prayer, 2000 B.C.-A.D. 1916 . NewYork: E. P. Dutton, 1943. p. 212. Affirmation for the Day Sunday: The night of the curse is far gone, and the day of our salvation is close at hand. Monday: Our salvation is closer today than when we first believed. Tuesday: The day of Christ’s coming is close at hand, and the night of sin and sadness are on its way out forever. Wednesday: We are to cast off the works of darkness and put on God’s armor of light. Thursday: Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Friday: We should make no room for fleshly desire or living, but rather seek to please the Lord in all things. Saturday: With the Lord coming soon, let us walk properly as in the daytime.

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Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day Lord, we will cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, for Jesus is coming soon.

F or Y our W eekly J ourney

Weekly Reflection on It IsWell with My Soul Worship is the supreme and only indispensable activity of the Christian Church. It alone will endure, like the love for God which it expresses, into heaven, when all other activities of the Church will have passed away. It must therefore, evenmore strictly than any of the less essential doings of the Church, come under the criticism and control of the revelation onwhich the Church is founded. Considering the outpouring of books on worship in recent years, it is obviously a subject of great interest and importance for contemporary Christians. Yet, sadly, worship is an issue that continues to divide us, both across the denominations and within particular congregations.

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. p. 15.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus Emmanuel, God with Us , Matthew 1.18-25

Book Reading Peterson, Engaging with God

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WEEK 2 S econd S unday of A dvent : A nnunciation December 4 - 10, 2022 Advent joyously affirms the First and Second comings of our Lord. Through the prophets, God foretold the Messiah’s appearing to his people, Israel. Through the angels, he announced his birth to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds. Let us reverently ponder the sure promise of God – the Deliverer will come and ransom captive Israel and the world. Isaiah proclaimed with joy the prophetic promise to God’s people: from the ancestry and lineage of Jesse would come a branch from his roots, one who would be filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and would delight in God’s fear, and judge with justice and fairness. With righteousness he will judge the poor and pronounce an equitable sentence for the meek and vulnerable. God will transform all creation, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Jesus is this ruler from David’s line who will reign forever as Lord and King over God’s Kingdom. Let us prepare our hearts for the righteous reign of the Branch, the soon coming King and Kingdom of God revealed at the coming of Jesus Christ. D aily D evotional G uide P reparing O ur H earts Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation Stir up, we beseech thee, thy power, O Lord, and come; that by thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins THIS WEEK’S THEME Messiah Shall Reign, Isaiah 11.1-10

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and saved by thy mighty deliverance; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

~ Gregorian Sacramentary [BEC, 196]. In Geffen, Roger. The Handbook of Public Prayer. NewYork, NY: The Macmillan Company, 1963. p. 67.

Call toWorship Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen. P raising O ur G od Te Deum Laudamus You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (Songs and Prayers)

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Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. L istening to H is V oice Chronological Reading for the Day Sunday: Gen. 25; 1 Chron. 1.28-34 Monday: Gen. 26-27 Tuesday: Gen. 28-29 Wednesday: Gen. 30-31 Thursday: Gen. 32.1-35.27 Friday: Gen. 36; 1 Chron. 1.35-2.2 Saturday: Gen. 37-39; 1 Chron. 2.3-6, 8

Lectionary Readings Psalm: Ps. 72.1-7, 18-19 Gospel: Matt. 3.1-12

OT: Isa. 11.1-10 NT: Rom. 15.4-13

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

R esponding in F aith The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. * In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic). Prayers of Confession Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need. Assurance of Pardon Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen. Petitions and Supplications, Ending with the Lord’s Prayer Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song) Praise God fromwhom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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D eparting to S erve Benediction

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come. Gather my saints together unto Me, those that have a covenant with me by sacrifice. Alleluia! Alleluia! The powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Alleluia!

~ Fred H. Lindemann. The Sermon and the Propers: Volume I, Advent and Epiphany . St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1958. p. 42.

Affirmation for the Day Sunday: Let us affirm the soon-and-coming righteous reign of the Branch, the Messiah from Jesse’s lineage, God’s true King. Monday: The prophets foretold that a Messiah would come from the ancestry and lineage of Jesse. Tuesday: The Messiah will be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. Wednesday: The prophets declared that the Messiah to come would delight in God’s fear, and judge with both justice and fairness. Thursday: With righteousness the Messiah to come will judge the poor and pronounce an equitable sentence for the meek and vulnerable. Friday: The Messiah will transform all creation so that the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Saturday: Jesus is the Messiah, the ruler from David’s line who will reign forever as Lord and King over God’s Kingdom.

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Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day Come, O Branch from the stump of Jesse, and bring the knowledge of the Lord to the earth as the waters cover the sea.

F or Y our W eekly J ourney

Weekly Reflection on It IsWell with My Soul The theme of worship is far more central and significant in Scripture than many Christians imagine. It is intimately linked with all the major emphases of biblical theology such as creation, sin, covenant, redemption, the people of God and the future hope. Far from being a peripheral subject, it has to do with the fundamental question of how we can be in a right relationship with God and please him in all that we do. One way or another, most of the books from Genesis to Revelation are concerned with this issue.

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 17-18.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus Emmanuel, God with Us , Matthew 1.18-25

Book Reading Peterson, Engaging with God

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WEEK 3 T hird S unday of A dvent : A ffirmation December 11 - 17, 2022 Advent joyously affirms the First and Second comings of our Lord. Through the prophets, God foretold the Messiah’s appearing to his people, Israel. Through the angels, he announced his birth to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds. Let us reverently ponder the sure promise of God – the Deliverer will come and ransom captive Israel and the world. In her inspired exclamation of praise commonly referred to as the Magnificat, Mary magnifies the Lord for looking on her humble estate, and granting her favor in the hearts and minds of generations to come. She declared that God has shown strength with his arm, scattering the proud while exalting the lowly and humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. God has remembered his covenant with his people Israel, and with Abraham and his offspring. The faithful God has kept his word and will bring deliverance to his people Israel, to his church, and to his creation forevermore. THIS WEEK’S THEME Let Us Magnify the Lord, Luke 1.46b-55

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D aily D evotional G uide P reparing O ur H earts Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Eternal Father, whose coming in Jesus Christ for our salvation was promised beforehand through inspired prophets; we praise and bless thee for the gracious words which thou hast spoken through those thy servants who apprehended thy truth and thy righteousness, and set forth thy glory in unfading scriptures for our guidance and comfort. Forgive us, we beseech thee, if we have neglected thy revelation and

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wandered into folly. Turn us again to thy holy Word; that we may have a lamp for our feet, a light on our path; and that, by remaining steadfast and drawing encouragement from the Scriptures, we may cherish hope both for this life and for the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Earnest Fremont Tittle. A Book of Pastoral Prayers. NewYork, NY: Abington-Cokesbury Press, 1946. p. 51.

Call toWorship Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen. P raising O ur G od Te Deum Laudamus You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (Songs and Prayers)

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Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. L istening to H is V oice Chronological Reading for the Day Sunday: Gen. 35.28-29; Gen. 40-41 Monday: Gen. 42.1-45.15 Tuesday: Gen. 45.16-47.27 Wednesday: Gen. 47.28-50.26 Thursday: Job 1-4 Friday: Job 5-7 Saturday: Job 8-11

Lectionary Readings Psalm: Luke 1.46b-55 Gospel: Matt. 11.2-11

OT: Isa. 35.1-10 NT: James 5.7-10

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

R esponding in F aith The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. * In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic). Prayers of Confession Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need. Assurance of Pardon Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen. Petitions and Supplications, Ending with the Lord’s Prayer Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song) Praise God fromwhom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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D eparting to S erve Benediction

Lord God, heavenly Father, You created Adam in Your image and gave him Eve as his helpmate, and after their fall into sin, You promised them a Savior who would crush the devil’s might. By Your mercy, number us among those who have come out of the great tribulation with the seal of the living God on our foreheads and whose robes have been made white in the blood of the Lamb; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

~ Lutheran Service Book, Treasury of Daily Prayer . In Scott R Murray. A Year with the Church Fathers: Meditations for Each Day of the Church Year . St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2011. p. 393.

Affirmation for the Day Sunday: God the Son was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made human. Monday: All generations will call Mary “blessed.” Tuesday: Mary deserves a place among Scripture’s greatest heroes. Wednesday: Mary’s prayer has been prayed every evening by millions of Christians across the centuries. Thursday: Mary displays the richness of her understanding of the Hebrew Bible. Friday: The Magnificat is a song of great relief, both for Mary personally and for all God’s people. Saturday: Let us magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior!

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Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day I will bless you, O God, and affirm your covenant faithfulness, for you will fulfill your word to your people, and to me, forevermore.

F or Y our W eekly J ourney

Weekly Reflection on It IsWell with My Soul Worship in the New Testament is a comprehensive category describing the Christian’s total existence. It is coextensive with the faith-response wherever and whenever that response is elicited. Consequently, “our traditional understanding of worship as restricted to the cultic gathering of the congregation at a designated time and place for rite and proclamation will no longer do. This is not what the New Testament means by worship.’”

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 18-19.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus Emmanuel, God with Us , Matthew 1.18-25

Book Reading Peterson, Engaging with God

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WEEK 4 F ourth S unday of A dvent : A rrival December 18 - 24, 2022

U

Advent joyously affirms the First and Second comings of our Lord. Through the prophets, God foretold the Messiah’s appearing to his people, Israel. Through the angels, he announced his birth to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds. Let us reverently ponder the sure promise of God – the Deliverer will come and ransom captive Israel and the world.

THIS WEEK’S THEME Emmanuel, God with Us, Matthew 1.18-25

When Joseph determined to quietly break his engagement with Mary (his betrothed wife) because of her pregnancy, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel reassured him that Mary’s pregnancy was caused by the Holy Spirit, and she would bear a son, and they would call him Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins. Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would bear a son and they would call his name Immanuel, meaning God with us. Joseph did as the angel commanded, took Mary as his wife, and when the baby was born, he called his name Jesus.

D aily D evotional G uide P reparing O ur H earts Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Almighty God, we give thee thanks for the mighty yearning of the human heart for the coming of a Saviour, and the constant promise of thy Word that he was to come. In our own souls we repeat the humble aspirations of ancient men and ages, and we acknowledge that our souls are in darkness and infirmity without faith in himwho comes to bring God to man and man to God. Out of our very sense of need our hearts answer from their wilderness, the cry, Prepare ye the way of the

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Lord. In us let the rough places be made smooth, the crooked straight, the mountains of pride be brought low, the valleys of despondency be lifted up. Prepare thou thy way in our hearts, that we may welcome anew thy Holy Child. Hosanna! Blessed be he who cometh in the name of the Lord. Amen. ~ Gelasian Sacramentary. James Ferguson and Charles L. Wallis, eds. Prayers for Public Worship: A Service Book of Morning and Evening Prayers Following the Course of the Christian Year. NewYork: Harper & Brothers, 1958. p. 21-22. Call toWorship Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen. P raising O ur G od Te Deum Laudamus You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

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Praise and Thanksgiving (Songs and Prayers)

Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. L istening to H is V oice Chronological Reading for the Day

Sunday: Job 12-14 Monday: Job 15-18 Tuesday: Job 19-21 Wednesday: Job 22-25 Thursday: Job 26-29 Friday: Job 30-31 Lectionary Readings Psalm: Ps. 80.1-7, 17-19 Gospel: Matt. 1.18-25

OT: Isa. 7.10-16 NT: Rom. 1.1-7

Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

R esponding in F aith The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. * In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic). Prayers of Confession Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need. Assurance of Pardon Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen. Petitions and Supplications, Ending with the Lord’s Prayer Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song) Praise God fromwhom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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D eparting to S erve Benediction

O eternal God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, who carest for thy human children of every race and nation; make haste, we beseech thee, to help us, for our transgressions have overtaken us; we are compassed about with many and great evils, till we know not where to turn. Look upon us in thy compassion, and come speedily to our aid. Bring us to repentance for the sins which we have all committed against thee, that thou mayest forgive us our sins, and form a right spirit within us, and guide our feet into the way of peace. Put to shame those who would make darkness to be light and light to be darkness. Confound those in whom lust for wealth or power is threatening the world with new disasters. Open the eyes of those who are blinded by ignorance, fear, or prejudice. In thy great mercy bring good tidings to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, set at liberty the oppressed, and fill with rejoicing all workers of good. Let the whole earth be filled with thy praise, O Lord, heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God; and unto thee be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. ~ Earnest Fremont Tittle. A Book of Pastoral Prayers. NewYork, NY: Abington-Cokesbury Press, 1946. p. 52-53. Affirmation for the Day Sunday: Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. Monday: Joseph was a just and honorable man who wanted to shield Mary from execution. Tuesday: Jesus’s birth fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy that a virgin will bear a child who will be Immanuel. Wednesday: oseph shows incredible faith by obeying the word of the angel in his dream. Thursday: The name Jesus corresponds to the Hebrew name Joshua, and means “The Lord saves.” Friday: Joseph is a son of David, one in the royal line who could sit on David’s throne.

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Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day We glorify you, O God, for the Virgin-born child of Mary, he who will save his people from their sins. His name is Jesus, and he is our Savior.

F or Y our W eekly J ourney

Weekly Reflection on It IsWell with My Soul More fundamentally, the Bible tells us that God must draw us into relationship with himself before we can respond to him acceptably. The worship provisions of the Old Testament are presented as an expression of the covenant relationship established by God between himself and Israel. Similarly, in the New Testament, worship theology is intimately connected with the establishment and outworking of the new covenant. Acceptable worship under both covenants is a matter of responding to God’s initiative in salvation and revelation, and doing so in the way that he requires.

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. p. 19.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus Emmanuel, God with Us , Matthew 1.18-25

Book Reading Peterson, Engaging with God

Special Church Year Service Christmas Eve: Saturday, December 24, 2022

The Celebration of C hristmas T he B irth of C hrist

December 24, 2022 - January 5, 2023

O H oly N ight words: Placide Cappeau, 1843 | music: Adolphe C. Adam, 1843 A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

C hristmas is a celebration of the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, the Word made flesh in the world. It celebrates the birth of Christ. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. [8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

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[16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. ~ Luke 2.1-20 (ESV) Christmas celebrates the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, the Word made flesh. He enters the world to reveal the Father’s love to humankind, to destroy the devil’s work, and to redeem his people from their sins. Although the highest christological reflection has sought to plumb the depths of this mystery, only faith, awe, and worship can draw near to its richness. In order to redeem humankind from its waywardness, to reconcile creation that was cursed at the Fall, to destroy the enemies of God, and to reveal the Father’s glory to the world, the eternal Word became a human being. The One through whom the Father created trillions of galaxies by his omnipotent, creative Word, was joined to human likeness, and entered the world as a baby boy. And all this for love and grace. This grand celebration and time of remembrance is an invitation to wonder, to meditate upon a truth that can easily be recited in the dry theological language of the schools, but can never be fathomed fully. Who can possibly grasp the total meaning of the Christ-child, the One sent and anointed by God to reign forever after he conquered sin and death through his passion? As Christians, we join the shepherds and the Magi at the foot of the baby boy, and quietly, reverently bow with Mary and Joseph under the gleam of the star that rested above him who would one day become King of kings and Lord of lords. His coming is soon, and we eagerly wait still for that time when the prophets’ foretellings will become true. Yes, the

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kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of this child, and he will reign forever and ever.

At Christmas, believers worldwide celebrate the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus Christ. Together we affirm that Jesus was – and is – God’s only begotten Son, the Word made flesh, and the human son of the Virgin Mary. In him we see the love of God revealed for all humankind. He is God’s mystery that causes broken hearts to marvel and rejoice. This little child would fulfill the prophecy of a Savior who, by dying and rising, would conquer humanity’s mortal enemy, the devil, free us from sin’s bondage and curse, and restore creation under the reign of God. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King!”

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail, the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”