John 1: 6-8,19-28
New International Version (NIV)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Call to Worship
The Service of the Word
Opening Hymn: Red Hymnal 15 "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding"
Invocation
Confession of Sins
Prayer and Praise
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good."
Prayer of the Day
First Lesson: Isaiah 61: 1-3,10-11
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 71
Refrain Tune: Robert J. Thompson. Copyright 1986 GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago, IL, https://www.giamusic.com All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
Verse of the Day
Gospel Lesson (sermon text): John 1: 6-8,19-28
Sermon Hymn: Red Hymnal 14 "Arise, O Christian People"
Sermon Text: John 1: 6-8,19-28
Sermon Theme: Listen to the Voice in the Wilderness
Apostles' Creed
Offering
Prayer of the Church
LORD's Prayer
Final Hymn: Red Hymnal 12 "Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes"
Closing Prayer
Blessing

Red Hymnal - Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal Authorized by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Copyright 1993 Northwestern Publishing House

Blue Hymnal - Christian Worship Supplement Authorized by the Commission on Worship of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Copyright 2008 Northwestern Publishing House

Pianist/Organist/Hymnsoft: Aiden Berg
Guest Pastor: Pastor Werner
See worship folder for announcements.
Vacancy Pastor Joel Schwartz: 727-938-6321 Email: pastorofpeace@hotmail.com

Christmas Worship Schedule: It is time to once again be thinking about our Christmas worship of our Lord and King. What joyous days of celebration these are for God’s people as we ponder God’s love in the miracle of Jesus becoming flesh. We invite you and any guests you might want to invite and/or bring to join us for each of these special opportunities to gather before God and worship him for his goodness in sending Jesus to be our Savior.
Our Christmas Worship is as follows:
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Thursday, December 24, 6:30 PM
Christmas Day Festival Service: Friday, December 25 10:00 AM


Northdale Christian Academy (NCA) Christmas Programs:

Our Northdale Christian Academy students will be sharing the joy of Christmas with two events this year.
Grades 3-8 will have a children’s Christmas service on Thursday, December 17 at 6:30 PM.
VPK through grade 2 will have a Christmas program on Friday, December 18 at 10:30 AM.


Both events are capacity limited (two visitors per student) and will be live streamed on our YouTube channel. Please join us online as our NCA students share what they have learned.


Pastor Matthew Guse: It was announced last week that Pastor Matthew Guse has accepted our call to serve as our next shepherd. He and his wife, Elizabeth, will be transitioning from Fond du Lac, WI to Northdale next month. We look forward to welcoming them into our Northdale family. More details will be shared regarding arrival and installation as they become available.

Thanksgiving Food Drive
Our annual Fall Food Drive has started and will continue through December 18. Every year at this time, we gather food to donate to Metropolitan Ministries to help feed those less fortunate than us. This is a great way for us to put our faith into action and to use what God has given us to his glory and to serve others. While we are not big enough here to host our own pantry, we collect food so that we can direct those who are needy to Metropolitan ministries to receive the physical help that they need. Please purchase and bring in non-perishable food items.