Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Order of Worship - Evening Prayer for Advent IV - 7:00 pm

 The livestream may be found here. You need not have a Facebook account to view the livestream.


EVENING PRAYER

for Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Advent

Vespers

(Lutheran Book of Worship, page 142)

 

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Monday, December 14, 2020

Sermon December 13, 2020 - The Third Sunday of Advent

 I will never have the means to acquire an antique sports car, so I suppose someone could ask me how I know whether obtaining such a choice vehicle could give me comfort and joy. But perhaps I could ask it this way. Can such a thing give comfort and joy on the COVID ward? Can it solve a national or international crisis? Can it enlighten a mind darkened by prejudice, fear and fantasy? Can it bring healing? Can it give light even in the shadow of death? 

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Sunday Worship - December 13, 2020, 10:30 am: The Third Sunday of Advent

The livestream may be found here.

December 13, 2020, 10:30 a.m.

The Third Sunday in Advent


‘…to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners…’

Isaiah 61:1

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Evening Prayer - December 9, 2020, 7 p.m.

 EVENING PRAYER

for Wednesday in the Second Week of Advent

Vespers

(Lutheran Book of Worship, page 142)

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Sermon - November 15, 2020 - Pentecost 24

What did the first two have that the third lacked?

It’s not really about how much money they were given.

It’s not really about how much money they made.

It’s not really about their work ethic,

whether they were busy bees or lazy bums.

It’s about faith, it’s about hope,

and it’s about love.


Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Service of the Word, Sunday, October 18, 2020

 The livestream from St. Stephen Lutheran Church is not available today. 

If you cannot attend worship, you may worship using this Service of the Word, which includes hymns, Scripture readings, a homily, and prayers. 

The order of service is below.

The livestreams will resume next Sunday, October 25, Reformation Sunday.

May God bless and keep you this Lord's Day!


SERVICE OF THE WORD – St. Stephen Lutheran Church

October 18, 2020, the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

                                   

HYMN                                                                                                         Come, Thou Almighty King

                                                                                               

1              Come, thou almighty King,

                help us thy name to sing;

                help us to praise;

                Father all-glorious,

                o’er all victorious,

                come and reign over us,

                Ancient of Days.

 

2              Come, thou incarnate Word,

                gird on thy mighty sword;

                our prayer attend.

                Come and thy people bless,

                and give thy word success,

                and let thy righteousness

                on us descend.

 

3              Come, holy Comforter,

                thy sacred witness bear

                in this glad hour!

                Thou, who almighty art,

                now rule in ev’ry heart,

                and ne’er from us depart,

                Spirit of pow’r.

 

4             To thee, great One in Three,

                eternal praises be

                hence evermore!

                Thy sov’reign majesty

                may we in glory see,

                and to eternity

                love and adore.

 

Text: source unknown, c. 1757, alt.

DIALOG

 

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe,

            for in your wisdom you have formed us.

You feed the hungry and clothe the naked.

            We bless you and praise your name forever.

You set free those who are bound.

            We bless you and praise your name forever.

You raise up those whose courage falters.

            We bless you and praise your name forever.

You provide for our every need.

            Accept our grateful praises.

You have called us from all peoples.

            We rejoice and bless your name forever.

You bless your people with peace.

            We bless you and praise your loving grace.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe,

                for in your wisdom you have formed us.

 

APOSTLES’ CREED

God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

 

                I believe in God, the Father almighty,

                        creator of heaven and earth.

           

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

                        He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

                                    and born of the virgin Mary.

                        He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

                                    was crucified, died, and was buried.

                        He descended into hell.

                        On the third day he rose again.

                        He ascended into heaven,

                        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                        He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

           

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

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

Let us pray.

 

O God, whose image we bear and whose name we carry,

yours is the world and all it contains.

  Recall us to our true allegiance,

  so that above the powers and rulers of this world

  you alone may claim our fullest loyalty and love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit;

one God, now and forever.

  Amen

 

First READING                                                                             Isaiah 45:1-7

 

1Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
  whose right hand I have grasped
 to subdue nations before him
  and strip kings of their robes,
 to open doors before him—
  and the gates shall not be closed:
2I will go before you
  and level the mountains,
 I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
  and cut through the bars of iron,
3I will give you the treasures of darkness
  and riches hidden in secret places,
 so that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
  the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
4For the sake of my servant Jacob,
  and Israel my chosen,
 I call you by your name,
  I surname you, though you do not know me.
5I am the Lord, and there is no other;
  besides me there is no god.
  I arm you, though you do not know me,

6so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
  and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
  I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7I form light and create darkness,
  I make weal and create woe;
  I the Lord do all these things.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                                                                  

  Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel                                                                                    Matthew 22:15-22

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

  Glory to you, O Lord.

 

15Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [Jesus] in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.                                

  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

HOMILY

 

HYMN OF THE DAY                                   Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

 

1              Sing praise to God, the highest good,

                the author of creation,

                the God of love who understood

                our need for his salvation.

                With healing balm our souls he fills

                and ev’ry faithless murmur stills:

                to God all praise and glory!

 

 

2              What God’s almighty pow’r has made,

                in mercy he is keeping;

                by morning glow or evening shade,

                his eye is never sleeping;

                within the kingdom of his might

                all things are just and good and right:

                to God all praise and glory!

 

3              We sought the Lord in our distress;

                O God, in mercy hear us.

                Our Savior saw our helplessness

                and came with peace to cheer us.

                For this we thank and praise the Lord

                who is by one and all adored:

                to God all praise and glory!

 

 

4             Let all who name Christ’s holy name

                give God the praise and glory.

                Let all who know his pow’r proclaim

                aloud the wondrous story.

                Cast ev’ry idol from its throne,

                for God is God, and he alone:

                to God all praise and glory!

 

Text: Johann J. Schütz, 1640-1690; tr. Frances E. Cox, 1812-1897, adapt.



PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

 

Father, we pray for the Church. In the midst of a fallen and idolatrous world, may your people worship and proclaim you alone as Lord of all creation and serve you with gladness. Lord, in your mercy,
  hear our prayer.

 

We pray for our congregation; in the midst of a world that does not know you, let us be a people of hope, imitating your Son and becoming examples for each other. Lord, in your mercy,
  hear our prayer.

 

We pray for the world; let leaders look to you to accomplish your purposes, and make them mindful that they do not rule for themselves but instead they must serve you. Remember with favor our President, and his administration, the Congress, the Courts, and all who serve in government. Lord, in your mercy,
  hear our prayer.

 

 

We pray for the oppressed, the sick, the dying, the grieving, those in any need of body, mind, or spirit, especially those we name before you:

 

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We give you thanks for the marriage of Robert Dawe and Kaitlyn Colhouer; give them your blessing, and strengthen their union always. Lord, in your mercy,
  hear our prayer.

 

We pray in thanksgiving for those who have died, especially those dear to us who rest in you. Help us to walk in faith, that we may join them on the great day when all rulers, authorities and powers bow to you and praise your name. Lord, in your mercy,
  hear our prayer.

 

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

 

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

 

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

 

BENEDICTION

      The Lord bless you and keep you.

                The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

                The Lord look upon you with favor and give us peace.

Amen

 

Be at peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

 

 




Sunday, October 11, 2020

Service of the Word, Sunday, October 11, 2020

The livestream from St. Stephen Lutheran Church is not available today. 

If you cannot attend worship, you may worship using this Service of the Word, which includes hymns, Scripture readings, a homily, and prayers. 

The order of service is below.

The livestreams will resume on Sunday, October 25, Reformation Sunday.

May God bless and keep you this Lord's Day!


SERVICE OF THE WORD – St. Stephen Lutheran Church

October 11, 2020, the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

                                   

HYMN                                                                         Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

                                                                                               

1      Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;

        to his feet your tribute bring.

        Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

        evermore his praises sing.

        Alleluia! Alleluia!

        Praise the everlasting King!

 

2     Praise him for his grace and favor

        to our forebears in distress.

        Praise him, still the same forever,

        slow to chide and swift to bless.

        Alleluia! Alleluia!

        Glorious in his faithfulness!

 

3      Tenderly he shields and spares us;

        well our feeble frame he knows.

        In his hands he gently bears us,

        rescues us from all our foes.

        Alleluia! Alleluia!

        Widely as his mercy flows.

 

4     Angels help us to adore him,

        who behold him face to face.

        Sun and moon bow down before him;

        all who dwell in time and space.

        Alleluia! Alleluia!

        Praise with us the God of grace.

 

Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847

 

 DIALOG

 

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe,

            for in your wisdom you have formed us.

You feed the hungry and clothe the naked.

            We bless you and praise your name forever.

You set free those who are bound.

            We bless you and praise your name forever.

You raise up those whose courage falters.

            We bless you and praise your name forever.

You provide for our every need.

            Accept our grateful praises.

You have called us from all peoples.

            We rejoice and bless your name forever.

You bless your people with peace.

            We bless you and praise your loving grace.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe,

                for in your wisdom you have formed us.

 

APOSTLES’ CREED

God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.

 

                I believe in God, the Father almighty,

                        creator of heaven and earth.

           

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

                        He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

                                    and born of the virgin Mary.

                        He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

                                    was crucified, died, and was buried.

                        He descended into hell.

                        On the third day he rose again.

                        He ascended into heaven,

                        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                        He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

           

 

 

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

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

Let us pray.

 

God of goodness and kindness,

you invite all peoples to the banquet

and offer them a feast beyond compare.

  Give us your saving grace

  to keep unstained the robe of our baptism

  until that day when you welcome us to heaven’s joyful table.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit;

one God, now and forever.

  Amen

 

First READING                                                           Isaiah 25:1-9

 

1Lord, you are my God;
  I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
 for you have done wonderful things,
  plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
2For you have made the city a heap,
  the fortified city a ruin;
 the palace of aliens is a city no more,
  it will never be rebuilt.
3Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
  cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
4For you have been a refuge to the poor,
  a refuge to the needy in their distress,
  a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
 When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
  5the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
 you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
  the song of the ruthless was stilled.
6On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
  a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
  of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
7And he will destroy on this mountain
  the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
  the sheet that is spread over all nations;
  8he will swallow up death forever.
 Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
  and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
  for the Lord has spoken.
9It will be said on that day,
  Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him,

       so that he might save us.
  This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
  let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                                                  

  Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM 23

The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.

 

1 The Lord | is my shepherd;*

                I shall not | be in want.

2 He makes me lie down | in green pastures*

            and leads me be- | side still waters.

3 He re- | vives my soul*

                and guides me along right pathways | for his name's sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall | fear no evil;*

            for you are with me; your rod and your staff,

they | comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me

in the presence of those who | trouble me;*

                you have anointed my head with oil,

and my cup is | running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days | of my life,*

            and I will dwell in the house of the | Lord forever.

 

Gospel                                                                       Matthew 22:1-14

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

  Glory to you, O Lord.

 

1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.                                            

  Praise to you, O Christ.

HOMILY

 

HYMN OF THE DAY                                                           Now We Join in Celebration

 

1      Now we join in celebration

        at our Savior's invitation,

        dressed no more in spirit somber,

        clothed instead in joy and wonder;

        for the Lord of all existence,

        putting off divine transcendence,

        stoops again in love to meet us,

        with his very life to feed us.

 

2     Lord, as round this feast we gather,

        fill our hearts with holy rapture!

        For this bread and cup of blessing

        are for us the sure possessing

        of your loving deed on Calv'ry,

        of your living self, our vict'ry,

        pledge of your unfailing presence,

        foretaste here of heav'nly gladness.

 

3      Lord, we share in this communion

        as one fam'ly of God's children,

        reconciled through you, our brother,

        one in you with God our Father.

        Give us grace to live for others,

        serving all, both friends and strangers,

        seeking justice, love, and mercy

        till you come in final glory.

 

Text © Joel W. Lundeen, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

 

Made one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.          

Father, we thank you that we have been invited to participate in the banquet which you prepare for your Son and his people. Clothe us in the innocence of righteousness, and send us to gather others to participate in the meal of the Kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We give thanks for your whole Church, for the faith family of St Stephen, for the holy ministry of Word and Sacrament, for all who praise God with their lips and serve him with their lives. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We thank you for the good earth that you have given us, for the fruits of the field and the harvest. Use us as your hands to offer your gifts to those who have been deprived of them. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

A            We thank you for the leaders of the nations and of our communities, for first responders, for all who keep the peace at home and abroad. Bless them in their work, and keep them safe. Lord, in your mercy,

C         hear our prayer.

 

A            We thank you for all those who work to relieve the suffering of those who are affected by disaster and those who are traumatized by violence. We pray that you would bless and direct the work of Lutheran World Relief, Operation Safety Net, and Water Mission. Lord, in your mercy,

C         hear our prayer.

 

A            We thank you for your Holy Spirit, which you give to all who call upon you. Grant the peace of God which passes all understanding to those who are oppressed, those who hunger and thirst, and all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit.

 

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We thank you for those who have gone before us, who now share with the saints in the feast of your Son’s victory over death. We thank you that we are one with them as we share our Lord’s meal. Give us strength as we walk the way of discipleship, until we join them in the fullness of your kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

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

 

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

 

BENEDICTION

      The Lord bless you and keep you.

                The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

                The Lord look upon you with favor and give us peace.

Amen

 

Be at peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!