MOBILE-FRIENDLY BULLETIN
Prelude Canonic Variations on "Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her" J. S. Bach
(From Heaven Above to Earth I Come), BWV 769
Charles Raasch, organ
Weekly Church News
Welcome Pastor Tim Klinkenberg
Ringing of the Bell
Invocation
Liturgist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.
Advent Candle Lighting
Liturgist: We will sing of God’s steadfast love forever;
People: we will proclaim the faithfulness of the Lord to all generations. (Psalm 89)
Liturgist: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
People: Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143)
Liturgist: Light dawns for the righteous who are clothed in His love.
People: Rejoice in the Lord! Give thanks to God’s holy name. (Psalm 97; Col 3)
Liturgist: Today we light four candles: hope, peace, joy, and love – a sign of the coming light of Christ and the love He has for us.
Opening Hymn “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
verses 1, 2, and 3
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 341.
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!
Behold, the King of glory waits.
The King of kings is drawing near;
The Savior of the world is here.
Life and salvation He doth bring;
Therefore rejoice and gladly sing.
To God the Father raise
Your joyful songs of praise.
A righteous Helper comes to thee;
His chariot is humility,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress.
The end of all our woe He brings;
Therefore the earth is glad and sings.
To Christ the Savior raise
Your grateful hymns of praise.
How blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ the ruler is confessed!
O peaceful hearts and happy homes
To whom this King in triumph comes!
The cloudless sun of joy is He
Who comes to set His people free.
To God the Spirit raise
Your happy shouts of praise.
Confession and Absolution
Liturgist: “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish,
People: but have eternal life.” (John 3:16b)
Liturgist: The love that we have in Christ is the greatest love of all. It brings us together in a shared confession of sins, with the firm knowledge that we will be forgiven of those sins. We confess together:
People: We have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We have been unworthy of Your grace. Savior of the nations, come. Make our hearts your home. Abide with us, our Lord Immanuel.
(silence for reflection)
Liturgist: Christ came to earth to save you. He died for your sins. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Hymn of Praise “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
verse 4
Fling wide the portals of your heart;
Make it a temple set apart
From earthly use for heav’n’s employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy.
So shall your Sov’reign enter in
And new and nobler life begin.
To God alone be praise
For word and deed and grace!
Sacrament of Baptism
Old Testament Reading Malachi 4:5-6 NIV
5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of the Day “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 347.
Choir:
“Comfort, comfort ye My people,
Speak ye peace,” thus saith our God;
“Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning ’neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.”
All sing:
Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many_a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.
Hark, the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Calling sinners to repentance,
Since the Kingdom now is here.
O 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.
Make ye straight what long was crooked;
Make the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o’er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.
Holy Gospel Luke 1:39-56 NIV
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Magnificat Charles Villiers Stanford
Cathedral Singers
Charles Raasch, organ
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on them that fear Him throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with His arm;
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts;
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He hath sent empty away.
He, remembering His mercy, hath holpen His servant Israel,
As He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Message Pastor Paul Elliott
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the Church
Each petition concludes with:
Liturgist: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings
Music at the Offering
“For unto Us a Child Is Born” (from Messiah) G. F. Handel
Cathedral Singers
Charles Raasch, organ
Communion Prayer
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on us, Your children, and have given us Your only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. We give You thanks for the redemption You have prepared for us through Jesus Christ. Send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that He may establish in us a living faith and prepare us joyfully to remember our Redeemer and receive Him who comes to us in His body and blood.
People: Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Liturgist: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People: 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
Words of Institution
Pax Domini
Liturgist: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: Amen.
Advent Communion Hymn
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
verses 1 and 5
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 357.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. refrain
Music During the Distribution
"Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come"
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 350.
Come, Thou precious Ransom, come,
Only hope for sinful mortals!
Come, O Savior of the world!
Open are to Thee all portals.
Come, Thy beauty let us see;
Anxiously we wait for Thee.
Enter now my waiting heart,
Glorious King and Lord most holy.
Dwell in me and ne’er depart,
Though I am but poor and lowly.
Ah, what riches will be mine
When Thou art my guest divine!
My hosannas and my palms
Graciously receive, I pray Thee;
Evermore, as best I can,
Savior, I will homage pay Thee,
And in faith I will embrace,
Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.
Hail! Hosanna, David’s Son!
Jesus, hear our supplication!
Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown,
Bring us blessing and salvation,
That forever we may sing:
Hail! Hosanna to our King.
“And the Glory of the Lord” (from Messiah) G. F. Handel
Cathedral Singers
Charles Raasch, organ
Dismissal
Benediction
Liturgist: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
People: Hosanna in the highest!
Liturgist: 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 you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)
People: Amen.
Closing Hymn “My Soul Rejoices”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 933.
My soul rejoices,
My spirit voices—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
For God my Savior
Has shown me favor—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
With praise and blessing,
Join in confessing
God, who is solely
Mighty and holy—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
His mercy surely
Shall rest securely
On all who fear Him,
Love and revere Him—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
His arm now baring,
His strength declaring—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
The proud He scatters,
Their rule He shatters—
Sing the greatness of the Lord!
Oppression halted;
The meek exalted.
Full are the hungry;
Empty, the wealthy—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
Here is the token
All that was spoken
To Abr’ham’s offspring
God is fulfilling—
O sing the greatness of God the Lord!
Worship Service Participants
Preacher/ Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Paul Elliott
Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg (8:30)
Organ: Charles Raasch
Choir: Cathedral Singers
Choir Director: Alex Guebert
Piano and Drum: Alex Guebert
Audio/Visual: Mark Todd, Hector Cerda, and Katie Todd
Thanks for joining us today!
December 21, 2025
Prayers of the Church
December 21, 2025
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.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord Jesus Christ, all fullness dwells in You, and through Your death on the cross,
You reconcile to Yourself all things and make peace.
Turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents,
that parents may bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord,
and children may listen and obey their parents in the Lord. Lord, in Your mercy,
Help us, O God, that in true faith,
we may securely hold the great and saving treasures You give Your people in Baptism.
Thank You for the Baptisms today of…
Samuel Isaiah Hartman, son of Nathanial & Joanna, grandson of John & Joyce Nelson, Hazley Guirro-O’Sullivan Lawson, daughter of John & Elaine, and
John Roux Van Otterloo, son of Nicholas & Miranda, grandson of Kevin & Lucy Van Otterloo.
Grant Samuel, Hazley, and John lifelong faith that springs from Your command
and nurtured by the nourishment of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy,
God of love, thank You for the gift of marriage,
and the example of unconditional love You give us as a foundation for our marriages.
Thank You for 28 years of marriage for Jesse and Julie Wobrock,
and 38 years of marriage for Aaron and Lola Scalzo.
Continue to bless these couples and all spouses with many more years of life together,
and may Your love abound in us as we abide in You,
and may Your will be done in us and through our marriages. Lord, in Your mercy,
O Lord, You are the giver of every good gift,
and You care for us in all our needs of body, mind, and soul.
Give healing to the sick, relief to the suffering, and peace to the dying,
especially Bob and Kathie Birschbach, Rob Gibson, Hendrik King, Mary Jo Lemon, the Ramirez family, Kathy Rudd, the Voigt family, and those we name before you on our printed prayer lists and our hearts…
Comfort and console those who grieve,
especially the family and friends of Elizabeth “Beth” Hanson, friend of Kim Radding,
and those who prepare to celebrate their first Christmas without their loved one.
According to Your gracious will, sustain them all by the work of Your Holy Spirit,
and give them patience and courage as they await the unfolding of Your healing grace.
Lord, in Your mercy,
O God, our rock, our salvation, and our fortress,
be with our military, active and inactive, who celebrate Christmas away from home.
Graciously strengthen them and their families in faith.
Protect them in their duties, give them rest and renewal,
and may they fulfill their vocation with honor and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the splendor of light everlasting.
Enlighten our hearts with the Gospel,
Illuminate the hearts of those in the darkness of unbelief with the light of saving faith,
Shine Your light on those in the shadow of death with the certain hope of the resurrection,
May we always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day;
through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Families enjoy Games, Crafts, Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Petting Zoo, Rides, Photos with Santa, and a Dazzling Walk through Light Display!...
Every Sunday, 9:45 AM
An in-depth teaching Bible Study between services on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:25 - held in Walker Hall Dining Room. Grab coffee and a donut, grow in God's Word, and connect with your church...
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 6:30 PM
Celebrate the joy of the season with a fun bluegrass Christmas concert
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - Thursday, December 25, 2025
Traditional, Contemporary, Candlelight, WORSHIP. We hope that you will join us at one of our Christmas services as we celebrate the birth of JESUS. Christmas 2025 at St. John's - Located in the...
Sunday, December 28, 2025, 6:30 PM
No 6:30pm Worship Service - holiday schedule
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 7:00 PM
A Special Worship Service as we anticipate the new year.
Every Sunday, from 01/25/2026 to 03/22/2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Our seven-session Membership Class is intended for those that are new to St. John's, either as a new member, transfer member, or anyone who is interested!
Monday, January 26, 2026, 5:30 PM
A Leadership Event Series for Women - With three dynamic and accomplished speakers you’ll be inspired, energized and better equipped to be the leader He wants you to be.
Sunday, February 01, 2026, 11:45 AM
Get equipped to help us share Christ with our homebound congregation members through phone calls and in-person visits.
Welcome Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Invocation
Lighting of the Love Candle
Worship Set
“Love of God”
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Angels We Have Heard On High”
Confession and Absolution
“Love Of God”
Sacrament of Baptism
Scripture Readings
Message Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of the Church
"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
Holy Communion
Communion Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Words of Institution
“You’re Here”
“Behold”
Dismissal
Benediction
Preacher: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Director of Contemporary Worship: Stephan Nosrat
Thanks for joining us today!
December 21, 2025
Prayers of the Church
December 21, 2025
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.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord Jesus Christ, all fullness dwells in You, and through Your death on the cross,
You reconcile to Yourself all things and make peace.
Turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents,
that parents may bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord,
and children may listen and obey their parents in the Lord. Lord, in Your mercy,
Help us, O God, that in true faith,
we may securely hold the great and saving treasures You give Your people in Baptism.
Thank You for the Baptisms today of…
Samuel Isaiah Hartman, son of Nathanial & Joanna, grandson of John & Joyce Nelson, Hazley Guirro-O’Sullivan Lawson, daughter of John & Elaine, and
John Roux Van Otterloo, son of Nicholas & Miranda, grandson of Kevin & Lucy Van Otterloo.
Grant Samuel, Hazley, and John lifelong faith that springs from Your command
and nurtured by the nourishment of Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy,
God of love, thank You for the gift of marriage,
and the example of unconditional love You give us as a foundation for our marriages.
Thank You for 28 years of marriage for Jesse and Julie Wobrock,
and 38 years of marriage for Aaron and Lola Scalzo.
Continue to bless these couples and all spouses with many more years of life together,
and may Your love abound in us as we abide in You,
and may Your will be done in us and through our marriages. Lord, in Your mercy,
O Lord, You are the giver of every good gift,
and You care for us in all our needs of body, mind, and soul.
Give healing to the sick, relief to the suffering, and peace to the dying,
especially Bob and Kathie Birschbach, Rob Gibson, Hendrik King, Mary Jo Lemon, the Ramirez family, Kathy Rudd, the Voigt family, and those we name before you on our printed prayer lists and our hearts…
Comfort and console those who grieve,
especially the family and friends of Elizabeth “Beth” Hanson, friend of Kim Radding,
and those who prepare to celebrate their first Christmas without their loved one.
According to Your gracious will, sustain them all by the work of Your Holy Spirit,
and give them patience and courage as they await the unfolding of Your healing grace.
Lord, in Your mercy,
O God, our rock, our salvation, and our fortress,
be with our military, active and inactive, who celebrate Christmas away from home.
Graciously strengthen them and their families in faith.
Protect them in their duties, give them rest and renewal,
and may they fulfill their vocation with honor and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the splendor of light everlasting.
Enlighten our hearts with the Gospel,
Illuminate the hearts of those in the darkness of unbelief with the light of saving faith,
Shine Your light on those in the shadow of death with the certain hope of the resurrection,
May we always confess Him and remain watchful for His advent in glory at the Last Day;
through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Families enjoy Games, Crafts, Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Petting Zoo, Rides, Photos with Santa, and a Dazzling Walk through Light Display!...
Every Sunday, 9:45 AM
An in-depth teaching Bible Study between services on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:25 - held in Walker Hall Dining Room. Grab coffee and a donut, grow in God's Word, and connect with your church...
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 6:30 PM
Celebrate the joy of the season with a fun bluegrass Christmas concert
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - Thursday, December 25, 2025
Traditional, Contemporary, Candlelight, WORSHIP. We hope that you will join us at one of our Christmas services as we celebrate the birth of JESUS. Christmas 2025 at St. John's - Located in the...
Sunday, December 28, 2025, 6:30 PM
No 6:30pm Worship Service - holiday schedule
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 7:00 PM
A Special Worship Service as we anticipate the new year.
Every Sunday, from 01/25/2026 to 03/22/2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Our seven-session Membership Class is intended for those that are new to St. John's, either as a new member, transfer member, or anyone who is interested!
Monday, January 26, 2026, 5:30 PM
A Leadership Event Series for Women - With three dynamic and accomplished speakers you’ll be inspired, energized and better equipped to be the leader He wants you to be.
Sunday, February 01, 2026, 11:45 AM
Get equipped to help us share Christ with our homebound congregation members through phone calls and in-person visits.