First time worshiping at St Mark’s? Welcome!!
Lutheran worship is centered on God’s Word, and surrounded by God’s Grace (His unconditional
love and forgiveness for us). We begin with Confession and Forgiveness… this is one way we
receive grace from God. We end with Holy Communion, where Christ comes to us with grace in the
bread and wine. The center of our worship is hearing God’s Word and what it means for us to live as
grace-filled people as we go about our daily lives. The creed, the prayers, and the music enhance our
experience as the community of Christ and as beloved children of God. We hope and pray that your
worship experience today has helped you feel closer to God and to His people.
We invite you to make St Mark’s your church home…
or your church when away from home.
Visitors, College Students, Military Personnel, Guests, Winter Texans…
everyone is invited to come to Worship, receive Holy Communion,
attend Faith Formation classes, and enjoy fellowship and
community service activities with us.
+
Members and Guests: EVERYONE please
complete the Attendance Sheet in the pew
so our attendance and communion records
will be up-to-date. Thanks!
O Come,
O Come,
Emmanuel
(God with us)
+
SEE YOU NEXT SUNDAY… BRING A FRIEND!!
Church office: 361-992-5973 (Dulce Maurer)
(Messages left Thurs eve through Sunday will be answered on Monday).
email: [email protected]
New website: www.stmarks-corpuschristi.org
For Emergencies Only: 361-944-2733
“Like” our page on facebook
The Reverend Patsy Koeneke: 361-446-0413 [email protected]
When the office is closed, Pastor Patsy is available via phone, text message and email. If you are hospitalized and
would like a visit, please have a family member call the pastor.
12
St Mark’s Lutheran Church
4620 S Alameda
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Welcome to Worship at St Mark’s Lutheran Church
December 23, 2012—9:30 a.m.
O Come Emmanuel . . .
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle
The Litany of Advent
Refrain:
The Magnificat
In the Church's Liturgy of the Hours, Evening Prayer, also know
as Vespers, always includes the great prayer of Mary known as
the Magnificat. Each day, the Magnificat is preceded by a short
verse or "O” antiphon that links the prayer to the feast of the
day or the season of the year. In the last seven days of Advent
(December 17-24), the “O” antiphons before the Magnificat are
very special. Each begins with the exclamation "O" and ends
with a plea for the Messiah to come. As Christmas approaches
the cry becomes increasingly urgent.
The Christmas Tree
Re - joice! Re - joice! Em -man—u- el, Shall come to thee, O Is—-ra- el.
One
Narrator: Jesus is our Emmanuel, “GOD WITH US“ promised when our first parents became
exiles from God and captives of sin. Because we desire him among us this night, we pray:
Solo: O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears.
Refrain: Congregation
Two
Narrator: Jesus is the Word of God and Wisdom of the Father for all eternity.
Because we desire his wisdom among us this night, we pray:
Solo: O come, thou wisdom from on high, who ord’rest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain: Congregation
Three
Narrator: The Lord of Might appeared amid flames of the burning bush on Mount Sinai.
Because we too desire to enter the Promised Land, we pray:
Solo: O come, O come thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height,
In ancient time didst give the law, in cloud and majesty and awe.
The Christmas tree is a common custom to most of us. There are many interesting
connections to ancient traditions such as Egyptian and Roman customs, early Christian
practices, and Victorian nostalgia. However, most scholars point to Germany as being the origin
of the Christmas tree.
One legend that has not been proved is that Martin Luther is responsible for the origin of the
Christmas tree. This story says that one Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking
through the snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of the snow glistened trees.
Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moon light. When he got home, he set up a
small fir tree and shared the story with his children. He decorated the Christmas tree with small
candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.
Research into customs of various cultures shows that greenery was often brought into homes at
the time of the winter solstice. It symbolized life in the midst of death in many cultures.
Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia’s Day is named for St. Lucia, a young girl who was killed in 304 AD. In the middle of
the night, St. Lucia, a Christian herself, secretly brought food to feed the Roman Christians who
had been persecuted by their country. In order to carry the food each night, she would wear a
crown of candles on her head. Celebrations for Santa Lucia’s Day began in the late 1700s in
Sweden.
December 13 was adopted as Santa Lucia’s Day based on the archaic Julian calendar. The
day also happens to fall on the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the
year. Because of this, Sweden and other countries often incorporate a Festival of Lights with
their Santa Lucia’s Day celebrations. Since a date near December 21 is the shortest day of the
year in the Gregorian calendar that we use today, we celebrate Santa Lucia on the Sunday
closest to our winter solstice.
Refrain: Congregation
2
11
The Great “O” Antiphons
The Great "O" Antiphons are seven brief prayers that are traditionally chanted or sung
on successive evenings starting on December 17. These moving "O" Antiphons were
composed in the seventh or eighth century when monks put together texts from the Old
Testament which looked forward to the coming of our salvation. They form a rich,
interlocking mosaic of scriptural images.
The Great "O" Antiphons became very popular in the Middle Ages when it became
traditional to ring the great bells of the church each evening as they were being sung.
By the 8th and 9th centuries, the church in Rome and monastic communities
throughout western Europe were using them at evening worship services during the
season of Advent.
These ancient supplications beautifully express the Christian church's profound
yearning for her long expected Savior. They continue to be part of the seasonal
devotions of many churches today. The Great "O" Antiphons form the basis of the
popular Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by English hymnographer John
Neale.
The Great "O" Antiphons are rich in meaning and nuance. Each antiphon
begins with the acclamation "O," and addresses Christ by one of His messianic titles
from the Old Testament, and ends with a heartfelt plea for His coming. The sequence
of the antiphons is theologically precise, progressing from before the creation of the
universe, through the messianic prophecies of Israel, and culminating with the
Incarnation and birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
The initials of each Latin title Sapentia, Adonai, Radix, Clavis, Oriens, Rex, and
Emmanuel -- combine to form SARCORE. When this is arranged backwards, it spells
ERO CRAS, which means "Tomorrow, I will be." This wonderful coincidence has
fascinated Christians since the Middle Ages because Christ seems to answer the pleas
of the Great "O" Antiphons by promising to come to His people on Christmas
Eve (December 24), the day after the singing of the final antiphon.
10
Four
Narrator: Jesus is the Flower of Jesse. No greater flower bloomed on the tree of Jesse, King
David’s father. Jesus would become the tree of life that brings us salvation. Because we too
desire to be grafted to this tree of salvation, we pray:
Solo: O come, thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, from ev’ry foe deliver them.
That trust thy mighty power to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Refrain: Congregation
Five
Narrator: Jesus is the Key of David. He came to unlock the prison of death and release us from
the bonds of sin. Because we are grateful for this gift of freedom, we pray:
Solo: O come, thy Key of David come, and open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way the leads that leads on high, and close the path of misery.
Refrain: Congregation
Six
Narrator: Jesus is the Daystar, the sun that brightens the world’s darkness. We will see him in
splendor when he comes again. Because we hope that Jesus will quickly come again, we pray:
Choir: O come, thou Dayspring from on high and cheer us by thy drawing nigh.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Refrain: Congregation
Seven
Narrator: Jesus is the Desired One of the nations, who unites us into one family.
He was foretold as King and Prince of Peace. Because we wish to be united with each other
and with him, we pray:
Solo: O come, Desire of Nations, bind in one the hearts of all human-kind:
Bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our Prince of Peace.
Refrain: Congregation
Were You There on that Christmas Night?
St Mark’s Choir
Natalie Sleeth
3
The Coming of the Promised Messiah . . .
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AT ST MARK’S
WEEK OF December 23, 2012
Congregation Hymn: What Child is This?
Verse 1: Solo
Sunday December 23—4th Sunday of Advent
Verse 2: Congregation (remain seated)
9:30 a.m. O Come, O Come Emmanuel Festive Worship
What Child is this who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary.
Verse 3: Choir and Soloist
A Baby is Born . . .
The Annunciation
Solo
Monday December 24— Christmas Eve—OFFICE CLOSED
5 p.m. CHRISTMAS WORSHIP WITH CANDLELIGHT AND HOLY COMMUNION
Tuesday December 25—Christmas Day— OFFICE CLOSED
HAVE A VERY BLESSED CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST!
Wednesday December 26— OFFICE CLOSED
Thursday December 27— OFFICE CLOSED
Friday December 28— OFFICE CLOSED
Saturday December 29— OFFICE CLOSED
Sunday December 30—1st Sunday of Christmas
9:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion and Confirmation for Devin Jones
Nursery available.
DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL REPORTS!!
The Magnificat
Verse 1: Choir
Verses 2-3 Congregation and Choir (congregation remains seated)
Monday, December 31—OFFICE CLOSED
HAVE A SAFE NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION!!
Last day to make 2012 Financial Contributions
Tuesday, January 1, 2013—OFFICE CLOSED
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Wednesday, January 2—OFFICE OPEN 8:30 a.m.—4 p.m.
10 a.m. TAKE DOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS—PLEASE COME HELP!
4
9
Thanks to everyone who made today’s worship a glorious tribute to the
blessing God gives to us in the Christ Child.
St Mark’s Choir: Laurie and Troy Cook, Hal Deye, Evelyn Findeisen,
Vangie Kramer, Lori Kroll, Sandra Parker,
Cecilia Rhoades, Tara Schultz,
and the voices of the congregation.
Chimes: Weston Weber, Pastor Patsy Koeneke
Narrator: Jim Bixler
Santa Lucia: Devin Jones
Director of Music: Joan Zimmerman
You are invited to celebrate the Birth of Christ with us,
tomorrow evening,
CHRISTMAS EVE @ 5 p.m.
Traditional Hymns, Candlelight, and Holy Communion
8
5
A Helpless Baby, Rocked by His Mother, Mary . . .
Proclaim the Joy . . .
Congregation Hymn:
Verse 1 Solo
Offering (and Lighting of Christmas Trees)
Silent Night
Congregation Hymn (please stand) Angels We Have Heard on High
Verse 2 Congregation (remain seated)
Silent night, Holy night! All is calm, all is bright.
‘Round you virgin, mother and child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Shepherds, why this jubilee: Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song?
Glo - - -ria. In excelsis Deo. Glo - - -ria. In excelsis Deo.
Verse 3 Choir and Soloist.
Narrator: Luke 2:8-11
Congregation Hymns
Verse 1 Duet
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains.
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Glo - - -ria. In excelsis Deo. Glo - - -ria. In excelsis Deo.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear & The First Noel
Verse 2 Congregation (remain seated)
For lo, the days are hast’ning on, by prophets seen of old,
When with the ever circling years, shall come the time foretold.
When the new heav’n and earth shall own, the Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back, the song which now the angels sing.
Choir Interlude
Congregation (remain seated)
The first Noel, the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields
as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that
was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord sing, praises to our heav’nly Lord,
That hath made heav’n and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind
has bought. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.
Come to Bethlehem and see, him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord the newborn King.
Glo - - -ria. In excelsis Deo. Glo - - -ria. In excelsis Deo. (be seated)
Glory to God . . .
Dona Nobis Pacem
Patrick Liebergen
St Mark’s Choir
Santa Lucia enters bearing her light as she waits to greet the coming Lord.
O Come, Emmanuel . . .
Greetings from our Pastor.
Blessing
P: May the Good News of Christmas be a blessing to you throughout the year.
C: May we share with people everywhere the love and compassion of our
gracious God.
P May the blessing of God—Father, Son +, Holy Spirit—go with you as you
celebrate the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
C. Amen.
Postlude
6
7