Bring it Home The History of the MONDAY: A Light Shining until the Day Dawns - - Read Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 15:4; 2 Corinthians I grew up listening to my grandmother’s church’s cantata, which my grandmother really enjoyed 1:20; and 2 Peter 1:19-21. What do these passages tell us about prophecy? Are all promises fulfilled in a mo- being a part of every year at Christmastime. ment? Consider: many prophecies have layers of fulfillment. We may see great fulfillment in ’ birth, death, and resurrection, and yet there might be still more. Read Isaiah 61:1-11. How does Jesus apply part of this But what is the history of the cantata – which we are about to share with you at our services Isaiah passage to Himself (Luke 4:16-21)? Pray about it. this weekend? Well, the word cantata comes from the word cantare, the Italian verb “to sing.” It is the past participle of that verb, so “cantata” literally means “sung.” And all are indeed sung. Tuesday: Nouns and Verbs; Verbs and Nouns - - Do you remember at school when you learn nouns and verbs? Read Isaiah 60:1-11, paying close attention to the nouns and verbs; consider underlining all verbs But not all cantatas are sung alike. In the beginning cantatas were often showcases for solo that describe God’s actions and, with a different stroke, each noun identifying those whom God blesses. What singing, with different people taking turns singing. do the verbs teach us about God’s heart? Ever discover promises that give you new hope for your future? Pray you will really want to share this hope with others. If any of you have heard or seen Handel’s , you know something about the next stage in the development of the cantata – both group and solo singing. The Messiah is an “,” Wednesday: Oaks of Righteousness...for God’s Glory - - The Lord doesn’t just improve us; the Lord which, as near as I can tell, was considered the long form of a long cantata. makes us new; read John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17, 21; Hebrews 10:14; and 1 John 3:2-3. Notice what God’s people are called in Isaiah 61:3b; and what are these “oaks of righteousness” to display? So, it’s the Lord who The great Lutheran organist and composer wrote hundreds of can- makes us new, and we are to reflect all glory back to the Lord. Thank God for His faithfulness; pray you will tatas for his church – sometimes several cantatas a week! Over 200 of his cantatas survive. display His glory. We shouldn’t be surprised that Bach wrote so many cantatas, since, according to my research, church cantata singing was especially prominent in Lutheran churches. Thursday: Today this Scripture Is Fulfilled” - - Notice that God’s covenant name, LORD (Yahweh/ YHWH), is used in Isaiah 61. The almighty God of all creation is the same Lord who hears the cries of His There are also, to this day, two kinds of cantatas – spiritual and secular. people’s hearts and cares for them intimately and personally. Read Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 4:16-21; John 1:14; and Hebrews 1:3a. In what ways did Jesus fulfill the Isaiah passage during His earthly ministry? Read the rest of the We have done cantatas at King of Glory for several years now. This year’s cantata is a very fine story in Revelation 21:1-7, and pray for wisdom. piece of music. The author of this cantata – “Night of Father’s Love: The Awe and Myster of God with Us” – is Pepper Choplin. Friday: A Closer Look - - The Isaiah 61 passage, which Jesus quotes in Nazareth, is rich with promises. Julie Shadinger has met Pepper and he is really easy, she says, to talk to and interact with. We Read it again and notice the words of comfort and hope. Who are the poor (61:1)? Might they be those expe- have sung many of Pepper Choplin’s pieces in the King’s over the year, and I have riencing physical poverty and the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)? Consider that captives and prisoners might be enjoyed singing every one of them. those in physical exile and those who are spiritually blind and enslaved by sin (John 12:44-46; Romans 3:23; 6:22-23). Pray Ephe¬sians 1:18. A new wrinkle has been going to YouTube to practice the cantata during off hours. Pepper writes, in the intro, that this recording was done here at Indianapolis, at “Aire Born Studios.” Saturday: God Is at Work in Ways We Cannot Always See - - The Exile was a dark time for Israel, but Pepper wrote: “I was so flattered to have them lend their considerable skill and musicianship God promised everlasting joy (Isaiah 61); when Paul wrote 1st Thessalonians, the church was being persecuted, to my work.” yet Paul told the people to “rejoice always” (5:16). How is joy possible? Those that returned from captivity in Babylon did not see fulfillment of all the promises; today we live in tumultuous times. Is our joy in circum- Several of the pieces I find particularly insightful and different: “Waiting” “Angels are Making December 16-17, 2017 stances or in God’s faithfulness? Read 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24. Pray. Their Rounds” (which, no pun intended, is sung as a round at one point!) “Seeking the King” and especially “Fall on Your Knees,” the next to last piece. That piece just send chills down : Rejoice! - - We sing “Joy to the World” but are we experiencing the joy that Scripture promises my spine when we in the choir sing it! Here’s hoping you both enjoy it and strengthen your is our heritage as God’s people? Read Isaiah 61:10 aloud several times. Now sing, “Joy to the World” and/or faith by it. “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” We are rich and we are blessed, and all of God’s promises are true (1 Kings --DLH-- 8:56; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:24). Also read 1 Corinthians 2:9, and pray in wonder for all God does in your life. 2201 E 106th Street, Carmel IN 46032, 317-846-1555 www.kogcarmel.org Calendar Announcements Announcements Prayers • Sunday, December17 Members THANKS TO ALL - - who - filled the Sanctuary for our Christ- Rebecca DeWit recovering from elbow Special Worship Schedule replacement surgery 9:00 am Cantata mas Traditions worship service; were participants in the worship eVE DAY 9:00 am Gloryland service; shepherded our youngest singers through many rehears- Marilyn Hartman recovering from leg 11:00 am Cantata (The Saturday 5:01 Worship remains unchanged) surgery 1:30 pm Swedish School als; helped decorate, serve and clean-up; contributed to such a • 5:00Monday, pm St. December Lucia 18 December 24 - Christmas Eve (it’s on a Sunday) fine meal, and hosted tables and shared your Christmas traditions. Jane Pettibone lung cancer recurrance One Service Only at 10:00 a.m. (the 4th Sunday of ) It is our hope that you found the service and fellowship uplifting. Betty Saucunas recovering from shoulder sugery 9:00 am Craft Group 4:00 p.m. - Children’s Christmas Eve Service It was our pleasure to plan it and make it happen. • 6:30Tuesday, pm Yoga December 19 7:00 p.m. - Contemporary Candlelight Julie Shadinger and Susan Kraabel (representing the Fellowship Team) Connie Schmohe alzheimer’s disease

10:00 p.m.- Christ Mass Family & Friends 2:00 pm Prayers of Grace 2:30 pm Chair Yoga - - The office will Caroling - - Meet us at Manor Care at Summer Trace (12999 N OFFICE HOURS 5:30 pm Pilates/Sculpt close at noon on December 22 and we will Andy Dietz Braden Inskeep • 7:00Wednesday, pm Boy Scouts December 20 Pennsylvania) on Sunday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. We will bring Tom Inskeep Zoey Saffen Christmas cheer to the residents of that community. Sign up on the return on Tuesday morning, December 26. Pam Sandusky Ray Strohminger Bill Wehrman John Wynn blue snowman bulletin board. Questions? See Pastor David. Christmas blessings to you all! 12:00 pm Preschool Program Nancy & Leslie Our Military Our Nation 5:30 pm CHOW 6:00 pm Women’s Group YEAR END GIVING - - At the end of every year many of our • 7:00Thursday, pm Friendship December Bible 21 Study members find themselves in need of “catching up” on their General Fund Pledges. There are others who desire to make specials gifts 2:00 pm Prayers of Grace above and beyond their pledge before the end of the year. While this 3:30 pm Cardio Dance Altar Poinsettias 5:30 pm Pilates/Sculpt is a real boost to the church, it’s also a tax advantage for many indi- Would you like to help decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas 6:30 pm Girl Scouts viduals. Stock contributions and IRA Charitable rollover gifts may Eve by purchasing a poinsettia? The cost is $9.00 per plant. • 7:30Friday, pm DecemberSOG Rehearsal 22 also be made. Contact Nancy for details on these giving options. In Complete the form below and drop it off in the office (or in order to accommodate this year-end giving, you can place your con- the offering plate) with your check make payable to King of Glory (with Poinsettia in the memo line). You may take • OfficeSaturday, Closes December at Noon 23 tribution in the offering plate Dec 30 or 31; or, if you need to come to the office you will need to stop in before 12:00 noon on Friday, your plant home any time after the 10:00 p.m. Christ-Mass December 29, 2017. All gifts dated January 2018 will be recorded on service. 5:01 pm Casual Worship the 2018 statements. If you have questions about where you stand In Honor of ______Council with your General or Freedom Fund pledges, please don’t hesitate to Team Leads contact Nancy in the office, 317-846-1555. In Memory of ______Evangelism Fellowship Elders , Jeff Boldt FREE LIBRARY - - Our ministry opportunities at Nora Elementa- Your Name ______Finance Dick DeLor (317-816-2230) , Susan Kraabel Donna Frazier (371-896-5378) ry are starting to pick up AND our Grant has been approved! KOG is Lifelong Learning , David Baugh Paul Retzlaff (317-843-9068) providing a Free Library to children in Preschool through 5th Grade. Amount Enclosed ______Ministry Development Kevin Wachtel (317-727-9583) , Julie Hayden Mission Support, Deann Wimer (317-846-6822) If you have books at home to donate, please drop them off in the , Brad Johnson Preschool Pastor Hewitt (317-846-1555) small white bin located under the coat rack near the nursery. Carole Rahn Property , Sherri Hunt Risk Management Deacons , Bob Tipsword Jeff Boldt Jeff Dewitt Stewardship Julie Hayden Brad Johnson , Marty Culver Worship & Music Susan Kraabel Carole Rahn , Jeff DeWitt Ann Sullivan Bob Tipsword Making the CONNE TIONS that make the difference , Ann Sullivan