December 13, 2020 ADVENT WEEK 3 - 6:1-8

Daily Readings

Sunday, December 13 Isaiah 29:15-30:14 :1-8 Matthew 14:22-36

Monday, December 14 Isaiah 30:15-26 Matthew 15:1-9

Tuesday, December 15 Isaiah 30:27-31:9 Matthew 15:10-20

Wednesday, December 16 Isaiah 32:1-20 Matthew 15:21-28

Thursday, December 17 Isaiah 33:1-24 Matthew 15:29-31

Friday, December 18 Isaiah 34:1-35:10 Matthew 15:32-39

Saturday, December 19 Isaiah 40:1-17 Matthew 16:1-4

Sunday, December 20 Isaiah 40:18-41:10 Micah 7:18-20 Matthew 16:5-12

*** Our Eastern Heights Lutheran Church COVID Preparedness Plan is available at www.ehlc.org or the church office *** Welcome

Opening Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (357)

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. (Refrain)

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

5 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)

7 O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. (Refrain) Text: Public domain

Invocation

P In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P It shall come to pass, in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the highest of the mountains. C Then many nations will say— P “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of .” C “That he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” P They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. C Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. P God’s fierce judgment— All: Gives way to final grace!

Confession and Absolution P Lord God, merciful Father, pour out your Holy Spirit and deliver us from all evil. Open our eyes so we see our sin and selfishness. Inspire our repentance so we return to you. All: Amen. P Returning to our gracious Lord, let us confess our sins. Silence for reflection and confession. P Merciful Father, All: We confess that we do not live according to your Word and instead, we follow gossip and slander, pride and pretense. We have become smug and self-righteous. Bring us out of our sin and clothe us with the garments of salvation, won for us through Christ. Amen. P Our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love! Out of that love he sent Jesus to shed his blood for us. By faith we stand forgiven, restored and empowered to live new lives. Therefore, we proclaim to each other— All: Christ redeems you and restores you. Christ loves you and forgives you! P God’s fierce judgment— All: Gives way to final grace! P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, we implore you to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by your gracious visitation; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

All: Amen.

Service of the Word First Reading Micah 6:1-8 Listen to what the LORD says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. 2 “Hear, you mountains, the LORD’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdended you? Answer me. 4 I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent to lead you, also and . 5 My people, remember what king of plotted and what son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.” 6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Second Reading :5-11 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Holy Gospel John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Children's Message

Hymn of the Day Angels We Have Heard on High (368)

1 Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains. Refrain

Refrain Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

3 Come to and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain Text: Public domain

Message "WALKING THE LOW ROAD"

Prayers of the Church Lord’s Prayer

C 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 Words of Our Lord

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Benediction P No god is like our God! C The Father, Son and Holy Spirit! P Pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression. C He does not stay angry forever— P Because he delights in steadfast love. C He casts our sin into the depths of the sea. P God’s fierce judgment— All: Gives way to final grace! Announcements Distribution of Communion

Leaders in Worship Pastor Steve Benson, Pastor Chuck Fenton DCE Bradley Asmus, DCE Tim Germain 8:30 Music: Mark Krause 8:30 Reader: Laura Rand 10:30 Music: Josiah Bode and the Band Tech support: Emily Arntzen, Al Arntzen Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the NIV® Bible (The Holy Bible, New International Version®), copyright © 2011 by Zondervan. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Micah 6:1-8 Message 12/13/2020 Walking the LOW Road Our church building has four double doors. Often churches have wide and tall entrances. The door to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is 25 feet tall. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the oldest church in the world. The door to The Church of the Nativity is different from most churches. It is four feet high and two feet wide. In olden times the low door kept people from riding their horses and carriages into the church. You have to get off your high horse and stoop down to get in. In Luke 2:14, the angels sing “Glory to God in the highest.” But to get to Jesus, you have to bend and kneel; go down and get low, walk the LOW road. The church of the Nativity entrance announces, “Glory to God to the lowest.” The unchanging truth is you have to bow down and get low to get to Jesus. The very glory of God in Jesus, the very joy of the Gospel, is for the weak, not the strong. Jesus doesn’t come for the highest and holiest. Jesus comes for sinners, not the righteous. The Gospel is for the humble, not the proud. Jesus comes for the lowest and the least, those walking the LOW road, “Glory to God to the lowest.” But, that’s not what the people in Micah’s day believed. The people of Micah’s day sang, “Glory to God to the highest.” And, they said, “We’re the highest. We’re the holiest! We’re the brightest, and we’re the best!” They asked, “What good thing should I do to get to God?” “With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God?” Maybe burnt offerings - calves a year old? Or how about thousands of rams and thousands of gallons of olive oil? Or something crazy like sacrificing my firstborn child for the sin of my soul? Are we any different from the people in Micah’s day? Do you sometimes think, “I’m the brightest and the best!” Or, “At least, I’m pretty good.” After all, I’m an AmeriCAN; I’m not an AmeriCANT. I’m the nicest guy I know, just ask me, I’ll tell you! I can get to God! “Glory to God to the highest!” But Micah says, “Glory to God to the lowest.” “He has told you what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Let’s unpack these five words, “Walk humbly with your God.” What does it mean to walk the low road? It means to walk. Not sit. Walk. Not stand. Walk with Jesus. Imagine you are walking along with a close friend. You talk. You laugh. You listen. You share your heart. You are focused on your friend; nothing else matters. You’re in harmony. Soul mates. Walk. Not sit. Walk. Not stand. Walk. Move and make progress with Jesus. Walk. Don’t run. I used to love to run - my knees gave out. Now I like to get things done. But Micah says, “walk.” Slow down. Take a deep breath. Stop trying to figure out everything and everyone every time. Walk humbly. “Humble” and “human” comes from the Latin word humus. Humus means dirt or soil, ground. Get it? Humble and human go together. God made us from dirt. He’s God. We’re not. He’s in charge. We’re not. He calls the shots. We don’t. Hear (Genesis 18:27) “I am but dust and ashes.” Hear Moses (Exodus 3:11), “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” Hear Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5), “Woe is me! I’m lost!” Hear John the Baptist (John 3:30), “Christ must increase. I must decrease.” Hear Paul admit (Timothy 1:15), “I am the chief of sinners.” Not I was. I am the chief of sinners. To get to Jesus, you have to bow down and get low. Walk the LOW road. A child wrote to Santa: “Dear Santa, you didn’t bring me anything good last year. You didn’t bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred.” Another child wrote: “Dear Santa, three little boys live at our house. There’s Jeffrey; he’s 2. There’s David; he’s 4. And there’s Norman; he’s 7. Jeffrey is never good. David is sometimes good. Norman is always good. Santa, this is Norman.” I’m not Norman. You’re not Norman. None of us is Norman. We’re not good. We’ve messed up. We have ugliness and sin in our hearts. We know about failure—deep and lasting failure. Walk … humbly … With Your God. Micah doesn’t write, “Walk humbly with God.” Micah writes, “Walk humbly with your God.” The word “your” implies a relationship! He is your God! Be sure of this—no matter what! Have no doubt, nor even a shadow of a doubt! You are baptized! Isaiah 43:1, “I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name. You are mine.” Song of Solomon 6:3, “I am my beloved’s and he is mine!” He is your God! In July of 1994, a massive meteor crashed into Jupiter. The resulting cloud of dust in Jupiter’s atmosphere amazed scientists. They soon made theories about the planet-wide effects of the massive collision. Eventually, someone asked, “What if that had been us?” Hey, everything would change if the heavens converged with the earth! Really! Brace yourself, folks, because it already happened. The heavens converged with the earth. Your God, my God, our God, descended upon planet earth. Where? In an animal feeding trough in the little town of Bethlehem. Jesus’ birth changed everything! How so? Glory to God to the lowest. But also glory to God in the lowest. God’s glory is in the lowest places. Here is your God—in the lowest. God became human— humus. God became a dirt-man. God humbled himself. God walked the LOW road! John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” 2 Cor 8:9, “He who was rich for our sakes became poor.” Phil 2:7, “He emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” Look how low he goes. Glory to God in the lowest! The Bible’s central message isn’t our search for Christ. The Bible’s central message is Christ’s search for us, for you. Christ comes down into our mess, muck, and mire, all of our dirt. Christ walks the LOW road with you. Christ comes down to save us from sin because we’re helpless to save ourselves. Christ doesn’t stand aloof and disconnected. Christ doesn’t come for the highest and holiest, but the lowest and the least. Christ comes for humus people, humble people. He comes for people who are willing to admit that they’re POH—plain ol’ human. On Christmas Day in 1527, Martin Luther preached these words: “Reason and will would ascend and seek above [“Glory to God to the highest”], but if you would have joy, bend yourself down to this place. There you will find that child given for you who is your Creator lying in a manger. I know of no God but this one in the manger and on the cross.” No wonder Micah writes, “Walk humbly with your God.” Glory to God in the lowest. But the absolute lowest place isn’t the manger. The lowest place is the cross. Cicero, a Roman politician who died in 43 BC, famously wrote the cross is the “most cruel and hideous of all tortures.” That’s our God—the God of the manger. The God of the LOW road. The God of the cross. Here’s the God who comes down to our gutter to walk the LOW road with you. “Come to Bethlehem and see, Him whose birth the angels sing. Come, adore on bended knee (bended knee!), Christ the Lord, the newborn King.” Glory to God, in the lowest, to the lowest! AMEN. Pastor Chuck 651-735-4202, [email protected]

“Remembering You in Prayer” Hospitalized Diane Rettinger (Fairview Edina), Ray Larson (VA), Jim Emmons (Woodwinds), Denise Mickelson (United) Requests John Voyda, Jason Pedro, Jim Messick, Danisha Anderson, Monica Adams, William Ewalt, Etta Kollie, James Bueale,

Dylan Peterson, Ame Peterson, Arnie Carlson Requests (Beyond our church family) Rev. Dave (Pastor Steve’s brother), Gary (Uncle of Kathy Patschl), Laura & Joe (Jim Messick’s Daughter and Son-in-law), Keisha (Niece of Donna Ewalt), Tabitha (Don & Kim’s Niece), Donna and MaryKay (Mother and sister of Michelle Hendrickson), Andy (friend of Pizingers)

Our Prayers: For God’s Comfort For the family of Kevin Woelfel who passed away, relative of MaryEllen For the Maly family at the loss of Lonn’s Father For the families of Norma Mickelson and Moses Kollie who were laid to rest this past week. Home-bound and Care Center Residents

Richard Riemenschneider and Diana Rodriguez

Missionary of the Week Dan and Kathy Wunrow

Listen to the service on your telephone You can use your telephone and dial in to hear and follow along with our worship services at 8:30 or 10:30 am each Sunday 1) Dial 612-808-6338 2) When connected, enter in 990-6073-# 3) You may hear music until the service begins. 4) When done, simply hang up. Sunday services will be 8:30 and 10:30 AM Zoom Adult Bible Study – Thursdays at 10:30 AM or 7:00 PM. Email [email protected] to receive the link. Zoom Young Adult Bible Study – Tuesdays, 8PM. Email [email protected] to receive the link. Zoom Women’s Bible Study – Saturday, 9AM. Email [email protected] to receive the link

Worship Schedule • Sunday morning, 8:30 & 10:30 AM, with Holy Communion. • In the parking lot on AM 1700, on-line at www.EHLC.org. • On the telephone at 8:30 & 10:30 AM. • Drive-thru communion available from 9:30 – 10:00 AM o Make your reservation for Christmas Service o On line at www.ehlc.org or call 651-735-4202 • Christmas Eve Schedule: Dec. 24: 1, 4, 7, 11 PM o Drive thru communion 2:00 – 2:30 PM and 5:00 – 5:30 PM • Christmas Day Schedule: Dec 25: 8:30 & 10:30 AM o Drive-thru communion available from 9:30 – 10:00 AM

Open Arms now has a Shutterfly Store Front! If you go to our storefront and place an order with Shutterfly Open Arms will receive 8% of your order with no additional cost to you! The storefront does not work on mobile devices so you will need to access it via a computer. Please check out our storefront when placing any Shutterfly orders. http://openarms.shutterflystorefront.com/

Student Ministry Happenings! Looking forward, our youth will have one last In-Person Youth Event for 2020 on Wednesday December 16, from 6:30-9:30pm. We will be making about 300 PPE kits for the homeless. Once again, we are working with Jim Seeman. What we need are 300 Quart bags, bandanas, and money to help buy some alcohol wipes and disposable mask supplies in bulk. Email [email protected] for the link. Blessings!

Our Advent theme is from the prophet, Micah, and titled, Fierce Judgment: Final Grace. The goal? That we —just like the prophet—will marvel at God’s uniqueness and extravagant mercy in Jesus. December 20: HOPE is Born (Micah 7:18–20) Christmas Eve: O Little Town of Bethlehem (:2–4) Special Thanks to Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing for the series

Support our mission of “Connecting people to God through faith in Jesus.” By mail, electronically, or in the offering boxes as you exit. Eastern Heights Lutheran Church 616 Ruth St., St. Paul, MN 55119 651-735-4202, www.ehlc.org, [email protected]