Rorate Coeli – Fourth Sunday in Advent
20 December 2020
John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the Messiah
The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deuteronomy 18.15–19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses—the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord. The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (St. John 1.19–28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4.4–7).
Parish News
2021 Altar Flowers Chart is on the table in the Narthex. Please print clearly to sign up for the dates you would like to donate flowers and, if you wish, a designation “in memory of” or “in honor of” a person or occasion. There are 21 Sundays still available to donate flowers, including four in January. Please sign up today!
Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Join us at 9am each Sunday. Adult Bible Class is studying the Gospel according to St. Luke, currently studying St. Luke 3.1-20, the Ministry of John the Baptist. High School class is studying the differences between Lutheran theology and other denominations with Vicar in the library.
Wabash Valley Right To Life is sponsoring their annual pro-life billboard campaign, where positive life messages will be posted around Terre Haute in January and February 2021. We would like to raise $375 to sponsor a billboard this year. If you would like to contribute, please do so before January 6, marking your donation “Right to Life.” Please call the church office with any questions or e-mail Stacy.Gibbens@ielcth.org.
Please pick up your 2021 Contribution Envelopes in the Narthex. Please e-mail Stacy.Gibbens@ielcth.org with any questions.
Prepare for Next Sunday
Revelation 1.1-6; 1 John 1.1—2.2; St. John 21.20-25
Hymns: TLH 104 – 517 (st. 1, 8, 3) – 375 – 360 – 938 – 897
Order of Daily Prayer
L Make haste, O X God, to deliver me.
R Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
Psalm 19
Scripture Readings:
[S] from Divine Service
[M] St. Matthew 1.18-25; Isaiah 40.1-11
[T] St. Matthew 1.39-45; Malachi 3.1-7
[W] St. John 1.1-14; Titus 2.11-14
[Th] St. Matthew 23.34-39; Acts 6.8-15; 7.54-60
[F] St. John 21.19-24; 1 John 1.1-10
[S] St. Matthew 2.13-18; Revelation 14.1-5
Hymn of the Day or Month O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357)
Catechism (bulletin)
Apostles’ Creed
Kyrie: L Lord, have mercy upon us; R Christ, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father
Collect of the Day (bulletin)
Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer
L Bless we the Lord. R Thanks be to God.
