Kurt Steinbrueck, Author at Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck December 22, 2020

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Christmas Prayers

This week is Christmas. Because of this, we are doing a few things differently for our Thursday prayers.

The Time of the Prayers:
Since our time of prayer would normally be right when a lot of people will be attending Christmas Eve worship, we are simply going to post the video of the prayers on Thursday morning instead of having a live-stream in the evening. You can start the video and join the prayers whenever you would like.

Prayer Requests:
We will also still be including your prayer requests. Please submit your prayer requests through our Contact Us form by noon on Wednesday.

Thank you and God bless!

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 22, 2020

Uncategorized salvation

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The Long Game

“[Zechariah said,] ‘Praise be to the Lord, God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he said through his holy prophets long ago.’” – Luke 1:68-70

Do you have a one-month budget?

Do you have a 1-year plan? How about a 5-year plan? 10?

Most people tend to think short-term. The question that goes through our minds, whether we realize it or not, is,

“How will this action affect me now?”

If something will make us feel good, now, we want to do it.

Some people think a little further out. They may plan a week or a month ahead. Maybe even a year. This allows people to consider other consequences to their actions beyond just the immediate effect. They can even start planning a few steps ahead.

Long-Term Thinking
The best generals, financial planners, and chess players think several moves ahead. They consider their resources, the effects of their actions on themselves, what others might do in response, and how those all move them towards (or away from) their ultimate goal. The question that goes through their mind (and they are fully aware of it) is,

“How will this affect my ability to reach my ultimate goal?”

There are many challenges to long-term thinking. It requires insight, self-honesty, and time. It also requires sacrifice.

You may want something immediately, but need to give that up for the sake of your ultimate goal.

For example:
Let’s say your goal is to become completely debt-free in five years. One day you visit a friend’s house to watch a movie and you are amazed by their 80-inch super high-definition TV and surround sound. It makes your 40-inch TV seem pathetic. You may want to go out and by a new TV and sound system, however, if you want to achieve your debt-free goal, you will need to sacrifice the immediate satisfaction of a new TV so you can meet your ultimate goal.

God Thinks Long-Term
In Zechariah’s prophecy, He points out that Jesus’ coming and God’s plan of salvation, had been foretold long ago and throughout history through the prophets. In fact, God knew exactly when to send Jesus.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

People, throughout the ages, wondered when God would send the Messiah, send His salvation. They wondered why God didn’t act in their specific situation and why God would allow sin.

Today, we still wonder.

Why would God allow this?

When is Jesus returning?

God is still playing the long-game. He’s told us why.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

It’s not easy. It requires sacrifice. It requires not giving into the desire for immediate gratification. Yet, we know it’s good. We know it’s all done for our salvation.

Heavenly Father,

There are a lot of things I see around me which causes me to wonder why you would allow them. There are also things in my life which I would prefer you remove or would give. Help me to be patient. Help me to trust in Your plan.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 21, 2020

Blog Blessings, Mary

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You Are Highly Favored…Really?

You Are Highly Favored...Really?

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’” – Luke 1:26-28

Have you ever been blessed in a way that didn’t feel very much like a blessing at first?

We all love to receive blessings from God. We like receiving that unexpected check or promotion or being forgiven when we’ve really messed up. Sometimes, however, God’s blessings can cause a lot of difficulty in the immediate aftermath or, perhaps, for the rest of our lives.

Reluctant Prophets
This isn’t an unprecedented action from God. God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and Moses tried to come up with every excuse in the book to get out of it. Jeremiah didn’t want to preach the message God gave him. Jonah tried to run away from God only to get an anatomy lesson on fish from God. God’s call to be a prophet was a great privilege and blessing, but not one that felt great at the time.

Paul had to leave his rising star life as a pharisee and became one of the hunted. Speaking of being hunted, David was hunted a few times in his life.

You Who Are Highly Favored
I wonder what it must have been like for Mary. She wasn’t wealthy or famous, but she was a devout Jew betrothed to a good guy and probably had a pretty decent life. Then God called on her for possibly the most amazing task in history, give birth to and raise the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Sounds great, but what would it cost her?

It nearly cost her marriage and future. It most likely caused some scandal and snickering. Are people really going to believe the betrothed girl’s story about an angel and a virgin birth? Besides that, how do you raise the Son the God? I felt pretty unqualified when my wife was pregnant and she was just having a regular child.

Great Things Often Require Great Sacrifice
There may be times in our lives when God blesses us in ways that require sacrifice. It may be that we need to walk through something difficult to learn what God is teaching or to be in the position God wants us. It may also be that we are called upon to do something difficult.

Are we going to run from the call, like Jonah? Will we obey reluctantly like Jeremiah? Or will we respond like Isaiah and say, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.” Will we respond like Mary?

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” – Luke 1:38

Heavenly Father,

I like when You bless me, but honestly, I prefer it when it’s without any hardship. Thank You for Your many blessings and help me, when the blessing does include hardship, to respond like Isaiah or Mary.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 20, 2020

Special Posts Order of Service, worship

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Order of Service for December 20

You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, December 20. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:

Before we start, please share the live stream on Facebook and invite your friends.

Worship Service for December 20, 2020 at 11 AM

Welcome

Pray for the Food – People get food

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: As we gather, today, let us cleanse our hearts and our consciences by confessing our sin to God.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you and against our neighbor in our thoughts, words, and actions. We are truly sorry for our sins and sincerely repent of them. We ask for Your mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ’s bitter suffering and death, please forgive us and renew us that we may walk in Your Spirit to the glory of Your holy name.

P: The Lord has heard your confession. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving

Angels From The Realms of Glory (Emmanuel)
Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight o’er all the earth
You who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth
Come and worship Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King

Shepherds in the field abiding Watching o’er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing Yonder shines the infant light
Come and worship, Come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King

O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie
Above the dark and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight

How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.

O holy child of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, their great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, abide with us, our lord, Emanuel.

Epistle Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Sermon Hymn: He Shall Reign Forevermore
In the bleak mid-winter, all creation groans
For a world in darkness, frozen like a stone
Light is breaking, in a stable for a throne

Chorus:
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
Unto us a child is born, The King of kings and Lord of lords
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore

If I were a wise man, I would travel far
And if I were a shepherd, I would do my part
But poor as I am, I will give to Him my heart

Chorus:
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
Unto us a child is born, The King of kings and Lord of lords
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore

Here within a manger lies The One who made the starry skies
This baby born for sacrifice, Christ, the Messiah
Into our hopes, into our fears, The Savior of the world appears
The promise of eternal years, Christ, the Messiah

Chorus 2:
He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore
Unto us a child is born, The King of kings and Lord of lords
And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore

Sermon – The Lord Comes…As King

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house…

…And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

Prayers

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, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Words of Institution

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: Emmanuel (Hollowed Manger Ground)

What hope we hold this starlit night
a King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
that leads to the hallowed manger ground

What fear we felt in the silent age
four hundred years can he be found
But broken by a baby’s cry
rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Chorus:
Emanuel, Emanuel
God incarnate here to dwell
Emanuel, Emanuel
Praise His name Emanuel

The son of God Here, born to bleed
A crown of thorns Would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now, the King of kings
Praise God For the hallowed manger ground

Chorus

Praise His name Emanuel

Offering

Upcoming Events

December 24, 6pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Song and Dance Studio

Connect with us:

Kurt Steinbrueck December 18, 2020

Blog Bethlehem, jesus

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Small But Mighty

“When King Herod had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” – Matthew 2:4-6

Have you ever looked at a situation and felt like you were too insignificant to do anything about it?

Mother Teresa was a nun teaching in Calcutta when, disturbed by the poverty all around her, she decided to help. She left the convent, got some basic medical training, and went to live with the poorest of the poor. She didn’t set out to become famous or start a movement. She simply set out to care for the poor as best she could.

I can’t find the source, but I remember hearing a story about a man visiting Mother Teresa at her mission. At one point, someone brought in a baby girl that had been horribly neglected and was near death. Desperate, he took the child to Teresa and asked what he should do. She told him to hold her in his arms and love her.

He held her and tried to give her some milk, but she died soon after. He told Teresa what had happened and said he wished he could have helped the girl. Teresa told him he had helped her. She died knowing she was loved.

By No Means The Least
Bethlehem was a small town. It wasn’t a seat of power or wealth. There was no reason to expect anything great to come from Bethlehem, but it did. The king and savior of the world was born in Bethlehem.

We may not be the greatest, most powerful, or wealthiest, but God can work amazing things through even the smallest and least among us. It may seem small at the time and we may never even realize the significance of what happens, but we should never underestimate what God can do through our simple and broken obedience and love.

What Can One Person Do?
I’ll finish, today, with this. I used to have a shirt when I was in high school. On the front, it showed a single person asking, “What can one person do?” Then, on the back, it showed a crowd of people, each asking, “What can one person do?”

With God and together as the church, I think the answer may surprise us.

Heavenly Father,

You brought Your Son, our Lord and Savior into the world in the little town of Bethlehem. Remind me that no act of love is insignificant and that You can take my feeble effort and do amazing things. Help me to act. Help us, as Your church, to act, by showing Your love and sharing Your Gospel knowing it can change lives and change the world.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 17, 2020

Blog Eternal Life, righteousness

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Full Rights of Sons

Full Rights Of Sons

“When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.“

Do you know your rights? How important are they to you?

In America, we consider our rights to be very important. These are rights like freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom to defend oneself. We will claim our rights and fight for our rights.

New Rights
In our passage, today, we are told that because of Jesus, we can receive the full rights of sons. This is adoption language. All those who receive faith in Jesus Christ are adopted by the Father and given the full rights as sons.

These are not our natural rights. These are rights of grace. Without Christ and His saving work, we would have no such rights. These are new rights, undeserved and amazing.

What are the rights of sons?

You are a child of God.
You have access to the Father and can come boldly before His throne.
You have received the Spirit of the Son who lives in You.
You will, with Christ, receive the inheritance of Christ, eternal life with God in the new heaven and earth.

Jesus Set Aside His Rights So You Could Have His Rights

These new rights we receive as adopted sons and daughters of God did not come without a cost. Jesus set aside heaven and became man. He didn’t become an earthly king, mighty warrior, or CEO. He was poor and afflicted and He was born under the Law.

He suffered harassment and ridicule. He perfectly fulfilled the Law, yet He was falsely accused and arrested. He was not afforded a fair trial. He set aside His right to defend Himself. Ultimately, He laid down His life, suffering the punishment we, as law-breakers, deserve.

Having taken our punishment, He then gave us His righteousness as though we had perfectly fulfilled the Law.

Jesus did all this so that you could be adopted as a son or daughter of God and receive the rights of sons.

So, now, you can enjoy the rights of sonship along with Christ for all eternity.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for adopting me as Your child, for giving me Your Spirit, for allowing me to boldly come into Your presence in prayer, and for the inheritance I look forward to.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 16, 2020

Blog Emmanuel, jesus

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God With Us

“The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14

Who do you like to spend time with?

It’s a word we hear quite frequently in the church, especially around Christmas time, Emmanuel. It means, “God with us.” As with many names in the Bible, it’s not simply a name, it tells us something. It tells us Jesus is God and God is with us.

The Uniqueness of Jesus as Emmanuel
When we talk about the use of the name/title Emmanuel, we tend to make a big deal over it. Jesus is God made flesh. God dwelled among us! How awesome must it have been to be Mary or Joseph or the shepherds or Peter or James!? They got to be with God.

Where does that leave us, though?

Don’t misunderstand. I think it is amazing that God became man and there’s a lot that it tells us about God, but we weren’t alive 2000+ years ago. I think it would be understandable for those of us who lived after 30 A.D. or so (or those who lived before Christ) to not quite feel so excited that someone 2000 years ago got to be in the presence of God.

What if it wasn’t so unique?

What if the concept of God dwelling with us wasn’t the exception, but the norm?

Think about it. When God created Adam and Eve, what did He do? Did He create them and leave? Did He just sit back and watch from a distance? No. He came and walked and talked with them every day!

That’s not the only time, either.

The Angel of the Lord, who many think may be the pre-incarnate Christ, makes several visits.
God visits with several people called prophets throughout the Old Testament. He even spoke with Moses face to face.
When leading the people through the wilderness, God led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
When God made the Children of Israel His chosen people, He had them set up a Tabernacle and He dwelt among them. He did the same with the Temple, later.
Jesus is God in flesh dwelling among us.
After Jesus, God poured out His Holy Spirit upon His church and says His Spirit lives in us.
After Jesus returns on the last day. He will create a new heaven and new earth and we will dwell with Him forever.

He’s With You, Now
Yes, the way Jesus dwelt with humanity was unique, but the fact that God was dwelling with us wasn’t. In fact, God dwells with all those who have faith in Him every day of our lives, and His plan of redemption was always to return us to a perfect existence of living with Him for all eternity without sin or separation.

Heavenly Father,

You are not a distant God, but one who is near to His people. Thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You for living in me. Bring me to that day when I shall live with You forever without sin or separation.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 15, 2020

Blog jesus, Moses, Prophet

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Moses and the Great Prophet

Moses And The Great Prophet

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [Moses] from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” – Deuteronomy 18:15

What is your favorite parable or analogy from the Bible?

One of the challenges of teaching the Bible to a congregation is the wide range of age, experience, and education. For example, I may read a picture book to children, but have a discussion group with adults, even though I’m teaching on the same topic to both. The challenge is finding the best way to help the people to understand.

It should go without saying that God is a great teacher. He knows His students well. So, he employs many different teaching techniques to help us to understand what He is teaching. One of God’s teaching techniques is examples in history.

In our passage for today, Moses is connected to Jesus. God would be raising up another prophet like Moses.

So, what does the historical figure of Moses teach us about Jesus?

Moses was a unique prophet. What made him special?

Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt.
Moses was the prophet by which God entered into a covenant with Israel.
Moses was able to enter the presence of God.
“The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” – Exodus 33:11
Moses delivered the Word of God to the people, but differently from other prophets. Since he spoke with God face to face, he was able to ask questions and get answers.
Moses led the people to the Promised Land.
Moses performed miracles.

Do you see how connecting Moses to Jesus helps us to better understand Jesus?

Jesus leads us out of the slavery of sin.
It is through Jesus that God entered into a new covenant with us.
Jesus was able to enter the presence of God.
Jesus spoke to the Father and only said to the people what the Father told Him. “The word that you hear is not mine [Jesus’] but the Father’s who sent me.” – John 14:24
Jesus leads us to the Promised Land of Heaven.
Jesus performed many miracles.

The More You Know
There is a common saying, “Scripture interprets Scripture.” The more we read the Bible, the better we understand it. As we read about Moses, we can learn about Jesus. As we read about Israel, we can learn about ourselves.

The more we read the Bible the more we see the richness of God’s plan of salvation which was worked out over thousands of years of history and enters our lives, even now.

Heavenly Father,

Create in me a burning desire to read Your Word. As I do, open my eyes and my mind to understand Your Word, to see the many connections throughout Your Word, and to have my faith strengthened by Your Word.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 14, 2020

Blog jesus, Song of God

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I Am

“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” – John 8:56-59

In your life, do you hide who you are or are you unapologetically you?

Most people hide certain aspects of their lives. It may be certain interests which they think others would laugh at, like the big, muscular guy who secretly likes to knit, or maybe it’s something they are ashamed of. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t. He was who He was. We tend to hide things out of insecurity, but when you are the Son of God, you don’t need to be insecure.

Blasphemy!!
Jesus let us know that He is the Son of God in several places in the Bible and in different ways. One of my favorite ways is today’s passage.

The Jewish religious leaders didn’t like what Jesus taught, so they sought to discredit Him. This wasn’t easy since He was performing miracles. So, they started saying He was performing the miracles by the power of the devil. Matthew chapter 8, this comes to a head and Jesus tells them who He is…and it makes them even angrier!

How did He do it?

He said this:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

For us, today, we may gloss over this and miss the significance of what He said, but the Jews heard it loud and clear, which is why they picked up stones to throw at Him.

Jesus said, “I Am.”

Why is this significant?

When God was telling Moses to go bring Israel out of Egypt, Moses asked God His name, God responded,

“I AM that I AM.”

So, when Jesus said, “I Am.” the Jews knew exactly what He was saying, “I Am God.” They accused Him of blasphemy, which is why they tried to stone Him.

I Am
John 8 isn’t the only time Jesus says this. Over the past week or so our daily devotions looked at several passages where Jesus used the phrase, “I am the …” (I am the gate, I am the Good Shepherd, etc.). Jesus used the phrase over and over again as a not so subtle hint that He is God.

The fact that Jesus is I AM lets us know that we can trust what He says and that He has the power to accomplish all that He promises. No matter what problems we may face, they aren’t greater than the Great I AM.

Dear Jesus,

All authority in heaven and on earth is Yours. Protect me, guide me, save me, and help me to trust You no matter what.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 13, 2020

Special Posts Order of Service, worship

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Order of Service for December 13

You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, December 13. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:

Before we start, please share the live stream on Facebook and invite your friends.

Worship Service for December 13, 2020, at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

Chorus:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
And drive away the shades of night
And pierce the clouds and bring us light

Chorus

O come, Desire of nations, bind
All people in one heart and mind
Bid envy strife and quarrels cease
Fill all the world with heaven’s peace

Chorus

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave

Chorus

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Our Heavenly Father asks us to come into His presence.

C: But we are sinful and unworthy.

P: Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross that
we may be forgiven and washed clean of all our sins by His blood spilled on the cross.

C: Lord, if You wash us, we will certainly be clean and pure.

P: We take a moment to bow before the His cross and silently reflect on our lives and confess our sins.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Let us confess, together, our sins to God our Father.

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners. We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not lived out our faith out in our community. We justly deserve Your punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake, forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I, therefore, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: What A Glorious Night

The shepherds came to, see the baby, stood by his mother’s side
Here laid the Savior, inside a manger
O what a glorious night, O what a glorious night

Chorus:
I hear the angels singing, hallelujah
Let the Earth receive her King
I know that love has come, sing it out
Jesus Christ is born, Jesus Christ is born

The shepherds wonder, they couldn’t hide it,
Told everyone in sight
All were amazed when they heard how God came
Down on this glorious night
God came down on this glorious night

Chorus

Glorious, glorious, What a glorious night!
Glorious, glorious, What a glorious night!

Chorus:
I hear the angels singing, hallelujah
Let the Earth receive her King
I know that love has come, sing it out
Jesus Christ is born, Jesus Christ is born

All is calm now, all is quiet, a star shining in the sky
Below in Bethlehem, the King is sleeping
Oh what a glorious night Oh what a glorious night

Epistle Reading – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Gospel Reading – John 1:6–8, 19–28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light but came to bear witness about the light…

…And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Chorus:
He has come for us, this Jesus
He’s the hope for all mankind
He has come for us, the Messiah
Born to give us life (He is born to give us life)

From God our heavenly Father, a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy

Chorus

Sermon – “The Lord Comes…As Priest”

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
   because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
   he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
   and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
   and the day of vengeance of our God;
   to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
   to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
   the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
   the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
   they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
   the devastations of many generations…

…For I the Lord love justice;
   I hate robbery and wrong;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
   and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their offspring shall be known among the nations,
   and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge them,
   that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
   my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
   to sprout up before all the nations.

Prayers

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, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns That all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy. Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Chorus 1
Joy, unspeakable joy An overflowing well no tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy Rises in my soul, never lets me go
He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love

Chorus 2
Joy, unspeakable joy An overflowing well no tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy Rises in my soul, never lets me go.

Offering

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service – Top Golf

December 18, 6 pm – Christmas in the Park
Wesley Chapel District Park

December 20, 11 am – Dinner Service
Song and Dance Studio

December 24, 6 pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Song and Dance Studio

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About Kurt Steinbrueck

Posts by Kurt Steinbrueck:

Christmas Prayers

Christmas Prayers

The Long Game

The Long Game

You Are Highly Favored…Really?

You Are Highly Favored...Really?

Order of Service for December 20

Order of Service for December 20

Small But Mighty

Small But Mighty

Full Rights of Sons

Full Rights Of Sons

God With Us

God With Us

Moses and the Great Prophet

Moses And The Great Prophet

I Am

I Am

Order of Service for December 13

Order of Service for December 13

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL