Prepare for The Sunday of John’s Testimony (12/22)

Prepare for Worship
Written By Christopher Gillespie

Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Divine Service Setting Three (audio of this liturgy). We will also celebrate the rite of Holy Baptism for Margaret and Shirley Chevrier.

Each week will also begin with a brief catechesis on each part of the liturgy of the Divine Service. The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.

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 (Deut. 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 (Luke 1:39–56). 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 (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 (Phil. 4:4–7).

Collect of the Day: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:

Introit: Ps. 19:1, 4-6; antiphon: Is. 45:8a
Gradual: Ps. 145:18, 21
Old Testament: Deut. 18:15-19
Epistle: Phil. 4:4-7
Proper Verse: Ps.40:17b
Gospel: John 1:19-28 or Luke 1:39-56

Hymns:

933 My soul rejoices, my spirit voices In dir ist Freude

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTSzijTcRF4

601 All who believe and are baptized Es ist das Heil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4wg_sMiy4Y

357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPV8PEBTAQ0

621 Let all mortal flesh keep silence Picardy Hymn Study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j5-KKusPn4

383 A great and mighty wonder Es ist ein Ros Hymn Study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cpfj0LEg3M

352 Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland Hymn Study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JGe3jIxIi8

820 My soul, now praise your Maker Nun lob, mein Seel Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmRp--LRhY0

387 Joy to the world Antioch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOwa0CWVVQ

Christopher Gillespie

The Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 25, A+D 2010. He and his wife, Anne, enjoy raising their family of ten children in the Lord in southwest Wisconsin. He earned a Masters of Divinity in 2009 from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Christopher also is a freelance recording and media producer. His speciality is recording of classical, choral, band and instrumental music and mastering of all genres of music. Services offered include location multi-track audio recording, live concert capture and production, mastering for CD and web, video production for web.

Also he operates a coffee roasting company, Coffee by Gillespie. Great coffee motivates and inspires. Many favorite memories are often shared over a cup. That’s why we take our coffee seriously. Select the best raw coffee. Roast it artfully. Brew it for best flavor. Coffee by Gillespie, the pride and passion of Christopher Gillespie, was founded to share his own experience in delicious coffee with you.

His many hobbies include listening to music, grilling, electronics, photography, computing, studying theology, and Christian apologetics.

https://outerrimterritories.com
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