Sunday, December 6, 2020

Sunday Worship - December 6, 2020, Second Sunday in Advent (10:30 a.m.)

The livestream may be found here. 

December 6, 2020, 10:30 a.m.

The Second Sunday in Advent

John the Baptist

THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

                                                                 

The color blue, used for the vestments and paraments of Advent, is redolent of the deep blue of the early morning just before dawn, symbolic of the Christian hope for the coming of the Light of the World.

                                                         

OLD TESTAMENT: The prophet Isaiah, after proclaiming judgment against the people of Judah, now tells of God’s coming to save his people. In its original context, the message is delivered to the exiles in Babylon. It is the beginning of the invitation to God’s people to return to Jerusalem by the decree of Cyrus, the King of Persia. After conquering Babylon, Cyrus decreed that the Jews should return to Jerusalem and that the temple should be rebuilt (see Ezra 1). Isaiah chapters 40-55 depicts this as Cyrus accomplishing the will of God, and urges the people to accept this message and take up the journey through the wilderness, for God will speed their way.

 

This section of Isaiah may be most well-known from Part I of Handel’s Messiah; several arias and choruses use texts from chapter 40 to bracket the telling of the Christmas narrative.

 

NEW TESTAMENT: Peter explains to his hearers the reason for the delay of Christ’s coming in glory; the Lord is patiently waiting for all who are to come to repentance. In response, the people are to wait patiently, by their lives of peace ‘hastening the coming of the day of God.’ The delay, often experienced as God’s absence, can be actually in this sense a reason for rejoicing.

 

GOSPEL: Every inch the prophet in his words, appearance, and actions, John the Baptist announces the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God. He uses the words of Isaiah to urge the people to renew the covenant in their lives. This time, however, the people are not to set out on a journey, but to prepare the way of the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

 



OPENING MUSIC                                            Prepare the Royal Highway

                                                                                                                                                    David Cherwien

 

 

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

 

1      Prepare the royal highway;

        the King of kings is near!

        Let ev'ry hill and valley

        a level road appear!

        Then greet the King of glory,

        foretold in sacred story:

 

Refrain

        Hosanna to the Lord,

        for he fulfills God's word!

 

2      God's people, see him coming:

        your own eternal king!

        Palm branches strew before him!

        Spread garments! Shout and sing!

        God's promise will not fail you!

        No more shall doubt assail you!  Refrain

 

3      Then fling the gates wide open

        to greet your promised king!

        Your king, yet ev'ry nation

        its tribute too may bring.

        All lands will bow before him;

        their voices join your singing:  Refrain

 

4     His is no earthly kingdom;

        it comes from heav'n above.

        His rule is peace and freedom

        and justice, truth, and love.

        So let your praise be sounding

        for kindness so abounding:  Refrain

 

Text: Frans Mikael Franzén, 1772-1847; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship

Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ORDER FOR CONFESSION

 

In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

 

I shall listen to what the LORD God is saying,

for he is speaking peace to his faithful people

and to all who turn their hearts to him.                                                 Psalm 85:8

 

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

 

God for whom we wait,

  we confess to you our sin in thought, word, and deed,

  in what we have done and in what we have left undone.

  We have not loved you with our whole heart;

  we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

  Forgive the iniquity of your people,

  and blot out all our sins,

  for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Hear the words of the apostle Peter:

‘The Lord is patient with you,

not wanting any to perish,

but for all to come to repentance.’                                                          2 Peter 3:9b

As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ,

and by his authority,

I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins,

in the name of the Father, and of the + Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HOLY COMMUNION

                                                      

APOSTOLIC GREETING

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

  And also with you.

 

KYRIE ELEISON

 

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.                                 Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.       Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.    Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.                                                   Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.                       Amen

 

' ' Blessing OF THE ADVENT WREATH 

Second Sunday of Advent

 

We praise you, Father, for this circle of light

that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent.

  Kindle within us the fire of your Spirit,

  that we may be light shining in the darkness.

  Enlighten us with your grace,

  that we may welcome others as you have welcomed us.

Grant this through Christ our Lord,

whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.

  Amen

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

 

The Lord be with you.                                    And also with you.

 

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son.

  By his coming give us strength in our conflicts

  and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

  Amen

 

CALL TO THE WORD
The grass withers, the flower fades;

but the word of our God will stand forever.                                        Isaiah 40:8

  Let us hear the Word of the Lord.                    

 

Sit

First READING                                                                              Isaiah 40:1-11

 

1Comfort, O comfort my people,
  says your God.
2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
  and cry to her
 that she has served her term,
  that her penalty is paid,
 that she has received from the Lord’s hand
  double for all her sins.
3A voice cries out:
 “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
  make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up,
  and every mountain and hill be made low;
 the uneven ground shall become level,
  and the rough places a plain.

5Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
  and all people shall see it together,
  for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6A voice says, “Cry out!”
  And I said, “What shall I cry?”
 All people are grass,
  their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7The grass withers, the flower fades,
  when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
  surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers, the flower fades;
  but the word of our God will stand forever.
9Get you up to a high mountain,
  O Zion, herald of good tidings;
 lift up your voice with strength,
  O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
  lift it up, do not fear;
 say to the cities of Judah,
  “Here is your God!”
10See, the Lord God comes with might,
  and his arm rules for him;
 his reward is with him,
  and his recompense before him.
11He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
  he will gather the lambs in his arms,
 and carry them in his bosom,
  and gently lead the mother sheep.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                                                                    

  Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM 85:1-2, 8-13

 

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

 

1 You have been gracious to your | land, O Lord;*

                you have restored the good for- | tune of Jacob.

2 You have forgiven the iniquity | of your people*

                and blotted out | all their sins.

8 I will listen to what the Lord | God is saying,*

                for he is speaking peace to his faithful people

                and to those who turn their | hearts to him.

9 Truly, his salvation is very near to | those who fear him,*

                that his glory may dwell | in our land.

10 Mercy and truth have | met together;*

                righteousness and peace have | kissed each other.

11 Truth shall spring up | from the earth,*

                and righteousness shall look | down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed | grant prosperity,*

                and our land will | yield its increase.

13 Righteousness shall | go before him,*

                and peace shall be a pathway | for his feet.

 

SECOND READING                                                                2 Peter 3:8-15a

 

8Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
11Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
14Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15aand regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                  

  Thanks be to God.

 

Stand                       

VERSE                 

Alleluia. Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight his paths;

  all nations shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia.

                                                               Isaiah 40:3

 

Gospel                                                                                                   Mark 1:1-8

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

  Glory to you, O Lord.

 

1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, 
 “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
  who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
  make his paths straight,’

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.                                

  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sit

SERMON                                                          

                                                                       

HYMN OF THE DAY                                     Comfort, Comfort Now My People

 

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

 

 

1              “Comfort, comfort now my people;

                tell of peace!” So says our God.

                Comfort those who sit in darkness

                mourning under sorrow’s load.

                To God’s people now proclaim

                that God’s pardon waits for them!

                Tell them that their war is over;

                God will reign in peace forever.

 

2              For the herald’s voice is crying

                in the desert far and near,

                calling us to true repentance,

                since the kingdom now is here.

                Oh, that warning cry obey!

                Now prepare for God a way!

                Let the valleys rise to meet him,

                and the hills bow down to greet him!

 

3              Straight shall be what long was crooked,

                and the rougher places plain!

                Let your hearts be true and humble,

                as befits his holy reign!

                For the glory of the Lord

                now on earth is shed abroad,

                and all flesh shall see the token

                that God’s word is never broken.

 

Text: Johann G. Olearius, 1611-1684; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878, alt.

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

 

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Nicene Creed.

 

We believe in one God,

                the Father, the Almighty,            

                maker of heaven and earth,

                of all that is, seen and unseen. 

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

                the only Son of God,

                eternally begotten of the Father,

                God from God, Light from Light,

                true God from true God,

                begotten, not made,

                of one Being with the Father.

                Through him all things were made.

                For us and for our salvation

                                he came down from heaven;

                                by the power of the Holy Spirit

                                                he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,                                                       and was made man.

                For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

                                he suffered death and was buried.

                On the third day he rose again

                                in accordance with the Scriptures;

                he ascended into heaven

                                and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

                                and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

                who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

                With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

                He has spoken through the prophets.

                We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

                We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

                We look for the resurrection of the dead,

                and the life of the world to come. Amen

 

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

 

A brief silence is kept.

                       

Let your Church proclaim the message of your salvation, and stir up all the baptized to lead lives of holiness and godliness. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Let our bishop, Dan; our Dean, Nila; our pastors, Maurice and Harvey, and all ministers lift up their voices with strength to announce your coming among us. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Let our congregation be renewed and strengthened for witness and service, and let every heart be opened to prepare your way. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Bless our President, Donald; our President-elect, Joseph, the Congress, the courts, and all who hold authority and responsibility in our land. Awaken them to your call to do justice. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Let the peoples of the world be guided into the way of peace, and grant that many for whom you have waited with patience will come to faith. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Let the sick know your healing touch and the grieving be comforted by your promises. Speedily relieve all who are in need, and grant them your peace.

 

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We give thanks for those who have gone before us. Continue to keep us at one with them until we meet together where righteousness is at home. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

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

  Amen

 

PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

  And also with you.

 

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

 

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

 

Stand

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

 

As the grain once scattered in the fields

and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside

are reunited on this table in bread and wine,

so, Lord, may your whole Church soon be gathered together

from the corners of the earth into your kingdom.

  Amen

 

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading into the Sanctus:

 

The Lord be with you.                                   

  And also with you.                     

Lift up your hearts.                                         

  We lift them to the Lord.                        

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.                                  

  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through your Son, Jesus Christ:

  You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes again to judge the world in righteousness.

  And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

 

 

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory;

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest!                                                    (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

 

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

 

 Blessed are you, O Adonai, Most High and Holy God,

                for the wonder of your goodness

which creates, establishes, and permeates

                the heavens and the earth.

 

We praise you for the promises you made to the Patriarchs,

                as you led your chosen people out of slavery

into the land of promise,

                giving them your Law on Sinai’s heights.               

 

You promised, through the prophets,

                that the Messiah would come,

                the very branch of Jesse –

                before whom all nations would keep silent.

 

Then, at the appointed time,

                you sent your beloved Son, Jesus our Emmanuel,

                the key of David born of Mary by the power of the Spirit. 

 

He came to rescue the uprooted,               

                to bring life to the lifeless

and voice to those who were without hope;

                on Calvary’s heights gave His life

                to draw all people to Himself

and to your promise of mercy.

 

In the night in which He was betrayed

our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks,

broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my Body, given for you. 

                Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Again, after supper, He took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my Blood,

                shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. 

                Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

 

Together, let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

                O Christ, you are the splendor of life everlasting:

We laud your death and resurrection,

and await your return in glory.

 

Blessed are you, O Adonai, Lord of might. 

                You fulfilled your promises

in the death, resurrection and ascension of your Son,

                the King of all nations. 

We praise you for embracing us

                as the people who now dwell in the brightness of His glory.

 

Send now your holy and life-giving Spirit

                upon this Bread of Life and this Cup of Salvation,

                that we, in this holy communion,

                may be united to Him who is our cornerstone,

                the One who gives us His very body and blood

                to sustain us in His forgiving love.

 

With all the people of your promises,

                we await our Lord’s final coming

                when we will share in that feast which shall never end.

                Amen.  Come, O precious Ransom, come!

 

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

 

Christ is in our midst.

                By the power of the Spirit,

                we pray to his Father, saying:

 

 

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                               (Matthew 6:9-15)

 

 

 

 

See, the LORD God comes with might,

and he feeds his flock like a shepherd.

  Thanks be to God.

                 from Isaiah 40:10-11

 

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

 

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;           

   have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

  have mercy on us.        

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

  Grant us peace.                                                            (John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)

 

 

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

 

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

 

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated,  and please do not remove your mask until you have reached the table with the elements on it.

 

 When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine.  Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated. Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

The Advent of Our God

 

1              The advent of our God

                shall be our theme for prayer;

                come, let us meet him on the road

                and place for him prepare.

 

2              The everlasting Son

                incarnate stoops to be,

                himself the servant’s form puts on

                to set his people free.

 

3              Come, Zion’s daughter, rise

                to meet your lowly king,

                nor let your faithless heart despise

                the peace he comes to bring.

 

4             As judge, on clouds of light,

                he soon will come again,

                and all his scattered saints unite

                with him on high to reign.

 

5              Before the dawning day

                let sin be put to flight;

                no longer let the law hold sway,

                but walk in freedom’s light.

 

6              All glory to the Son,

                who comes to set us free,

                with Father, Spirit, ever one

                through all eternity.

 

Text: Charles Coffin, 1676-1749; tr. John Chandler, 1806-1876, alt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

 

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.      Amen

 

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory 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                                       Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

 

O God, in this meal

we have been given a foretaste

of the feast that is to come.

Help us always to be alert

to your gifts in our midst;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen                      

 

BENEDICTION

Strive to be found by God at peace,

without spot or blemish,

and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

  Amen

Almighty God, Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

  Amen

 

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.          

Thanks be to God!

 

CLOSING MUSIC                                                       O Come, O Come Emmanuel

 

Please maintain social distance and remain masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving the building.

 

OUR STEWARDSHIP of GOD’S GIFTS

                                                

Last Weekend’s Attendance:   10 + 18 = 28

                                                                       

Offering: 11/29/2020

                Towards Budget:                                 $             1,810.00

Itemized Non Budget:

                            Flowers:                                 $        28.00

 

                                  Total:                        $          1,838.00

 

The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God

by Joan Derrick in honor of her granddaughter, Hayden.

 

 

V IN YOUR PRAYERS 

Linda Armento, at home

Matthew Armento, at home

Mary Jo Bondi, at home

Ruth Duessel, at Concordia, Rebecca

The Rev. Carl Hendrickson, at home

Elsie Kemmler and Bill Roth at Concordia, South Hills

David Noel, at Kane Rehab, Scott Township

Geneva Schrag, at Consulate Health Care, Canonsburg

William Wetzel at Concordia, Cabot

 

 

REMINDERS FOR THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND WORSHIP SERVICES

 

·         If you wish to attend worship, you will need to pre-register every week by either calling the office or sending an email.

·         Registration ends Saturday at 12 noon.

·         Masks are required to be worn while in the building.

·         Upon entering and leaving the church, you must sanitize your hands or wash them with soap and water.

·         Everyone must sign in when entering the church. This way we can keep track of who was in the church and when.

 

WORSHIP SERVICES are held every Saturday evening at 6:30 PM and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Pastor Frontz also livestreams Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. These can be accessed on the church’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ststephenpittsburgh).

 

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES: Please register by calling the church office or emailing office@ststephenpittsburgh.org. Please let us know the number who will be attending and which service you prefer; also, whether you are able and willing to attend the other service if necessary. If more register than there are slots available, we will hold another service earlier on Christmas Eve. Please note that we will also be streaming the services on Facebook Live.

 

THERE WILL BE NO in-person mid-week Advent Vespers this year; however, please join in with Evening Prayer every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/ststephenpittsburgh

 

FOOD BANK SUNDAY is TODAY. Thank you for bringing

non-perishable food items to church to be donated to the food pantry of St Andrew Lutheran Church in East Carnegie. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please make your check payable to “St. Stephen Lutheran Church” with a notation of ‘Food Bank’ in the memo line. Thank you.

 

ALTAR POINSETTIAS  A sign-up sheet is available in the Narthex for Christmas Poinsettias (white, pink, and red) to be placed on the altar and throughout the church Christmas Eve.  The cost is $7/pot. The deadline for placing your order is MONDAY, Decenber 7.  You may take your flowers home after Christmas Day worship.

 

KINDLY REMEMBER TO PAY FOR THE FLOWERS you ordered for the weekend Altar and for the special occasions.  Altar flowers are $20/vase. Checks can be made out to St. Stephen Lutheran Church with a notation “flowers” and placed in the offering plate.

 

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2021: Please see the sign-up sheet available in the Narthex for altar flowers. If you are unable to sign-up in person, you may call or email the office to make a request for a date(s). We will assign date(s) in the order in which the requests are received. The process will repeat until the slots are filled. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. The cost per arrangement will be $20.

 

 

 

 

GIFTS FROM AFAR: Each year we remember the Magi’s gift-giving to the Christ-child by making offerings to the anonymous in need. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to purchase gifts of children’s clothing and toys for families in need. The list is in the narthex. Please also make a monetary donation so that St. Andrew Lutheran Church in East Carnegie may administer it for those in crisis throughout next year. All gifts should be brought in by Sunday, Dec. 20.

 

DAILY DEVOTIONS, including THE WORD IN SEASON, PORTALS OF PRAYER AND CHRIST IN OUR HOME (October, November, and December 2020) are available on the table in the Narthex. Take one or more to share with family and friends. If you are able, a donation would be welcomed to help defray the cost to the congregation for these resources. Thank you!

 

2020 ‘DAILY TEXTS’ are available in the Narthex. A donation of

$10 per book would be appreciated to help cover the cost of the books. Thank you.

 

ST STEPHEN COUNSELING CENTER: A site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute/PPI). For marriage, family, teen and individual counseling – for first appointment call PPI at 412-661-1239. St. Stephen Center is

412-279-5452. Counseling opens doors to hope. Counselor: Caroline Graham-McGuire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing.

Eucharistic Prayer reprinted by permission from A Little Book of Canons by Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, 1997 and 2010.

John the Baptist, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56326 [retrieved November 30, 2020]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/7430552174/.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHURCH STAFF

 

Pastor 

The Rev. Maurice C. Frontz, III 

(412) 279-5868 Office

(570) 447-8758 Cell

pastor@ststephenpittsburgh.org

 

Pastor Emeritus

The Rev. Harvey S. Mozolak

 

Organist/Choir Director           

Joyce Moon Strobel, AAGO

(412) 366-0074  Home

joycemoonstrobel@gmail.com   

 

Office Manager

Carrie Hoffman

(412) 279-5868 Office

office@ststephenpittsburgh.org

 

ELDERS

Mr. Robert Dawe

412-417-7015

 

Mr. Robert Shekerko

412-400-6976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


St Stephen Lutheran Church

55 Forsythe Road

Pittsburgh PA 15220

(412) 279-5868

office@ststephenpittsburgh.org

www.ststephenpittsburgh.org

 

Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am