WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be God’s name forever. Amen.
Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep. Let us confront our sins, and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of new beginnings, we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign. We have strayed from your paths. We prepare for war instead of peace. We dishonor one another and your creation. Purify us with your refining fire and set us again on your way of love, that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance, and welcome your coming among us. Amen.
People of God, a new thing is growing in our midst, a tender branch, a living sign.
By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder. You have put on ☩ Christ,
and your sins have been washed away. Rejoice in the way of the Lord. Amen.
OPENING HYMN #252 Each Winter As the Year Grows Older
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT “HOPE” CANDLE & ADVENT SONG-
ELW# 240 Light One Candle for the Messiah (v. 1 repeat twice)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CHURCH CHOIR SINGS: A THANKSGIVING PRAYER
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 2:1-5
1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 122 (please read responsively)
1I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2Now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself;
4to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, the assembly of Israel, to praise the name of the LORD.
5For there are the thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.
7Peace be within your walls and quietness within your towers.
8For the sake of my kindred and companions, I pray for your prosperity.
9Because of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek to do you good.”
SECOND READING: ROMANS 13:11-14
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 24:36-44
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 24th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. ”The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY (Insert) GIVE THANKS – (Repeat Twice)
(Remain seated while the offering plates are being passed at this time)
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION (please answer “Hear Our Prayer”)
OFFERING PRAYER
(Offering can be placed in the plate at the front or back when you enter or exit)
Let us pray: Eternal God, you make the desert bloom and send springs of water to thirsty ground. Receive these simple gifts of bread, wine, and money, and make us messengers of your mercy and love for all in need of your healing and justice. We ask this through Christ our Savior. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION / LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… and join their unending hymn: (Please sing:)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
In the night he was betrayed…. Do this for the remembrance of me. Our Father who art in heaven….
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, who has come to save you.
(All who hunger for God’s grace are welcome at this meal. White grape juice and gluten free wafers are available for those who need them. Children who have not had first communion training are welcome to come for a blessing.)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray: Faithful God,in this meal you have remembered your mercy, bringing heaven to earth in the body and blood of Christ. As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled, sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery. Guide us toward your promised future, coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
God the eternal Word, who dwells with us in Jesus, and who holds us in the grace of the Holy Spirit, ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN #297 Jesus, What a Wonderful Child (repeat twice)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is near. Thanks be to God.
Donate to the Rachel-Rebecca Circle Mitten Tree. NO Faith Factory on Wednesdays. Church Choir Christmas Cantata Dec. 11. Children’s Christmas Program December 18. Helpers needed for Christmas Eve 6:30pm Service
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Thank You to Today’s Assistants: Hemenway Family and Krage Family, Steve Donney for video, Charlie Todd for Offering Counter.
Please remember our homebound and senior care residents: Merle Roelofs, Carla Erickson, Paula Michel, Joyce Hanlon, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Betty Storlie, Mel Mikkelson, Thelma Applen.
Please keep in prayers: David & Kim Wangen, Diane Bigalk, Clayton Bockoven, Sandy & Bernie Hurley.
Liturgy taken from sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB134626. CCLI Streaming License #20959486
