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 # 254 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
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 “PEACE” CANDLE & ADVENT SONG-
ELW# 240 Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 11:1-10
1A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; 4but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 6The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 9They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. 10On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 72:1-7, 18-19(please read responsively)
1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king’s son;
2that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice;
3that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4Let him defend the needy among the people, rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor.
5May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.
6Let him come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth.
7In his time may the righteous flourish; and let there be an abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
18Blessed are you, LORD God, the God of Israel; you alone do wondrous deeds!
19And blessed be your glorious name forever, and may all the earth be filled with your glory. Amen. Amen
SECOND READING: ROMANS 15:4-13
4Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name”; 10and again he says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”; 11and again,“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; 12and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.” 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 3:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 3rd Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
1In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ” 4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. ”The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY #272 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (v. 1, 3 and 4)
(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
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 three times)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is near. Thanks be to God.
Christmas Program practice on Wednesdays at 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm and on Sundays after service.
Church Choir Christmas Cantata and Youth Group Caroling on Dec. 11.
Donations needed for Gunderson Care center Bingo prizes, place in box in the office.
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Thank You to Today’s Assistants: Zwart Family and Morem Family, Linda Snyder for Reader, Ross Kiehne for video, Josh Krage and Tim Ostrom 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, Clayton Bockoven, Sandy & Bernie Hurley, Bruce Morem, Bonnie Bakken, And the family of Diane Bigalk.
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
