WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose home is heaven and earth, whose salvation is sure. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
(Silence for reflection)
Long-expected God, we confess that we look to ourselves for the peace and security only you can provide. We reach for swords and spears, reluctant to release our grip on the ways of war. We become impatient while waiting and weary of keeping awake. Free us from self-reliance, and teach us to live in harmony with our neighbors. Increase our trust in God’s timing, and awaken us to your advent among us, that we may abound in the hope you have promised. Amen
God judges us not as we deserve, but according to God’s own righteousness. ☩ You are freed and forgiven, saved by grace, and ready to welcome the Savior. Amen.
OPENING HYMN: #239 HARK, THE GLAD SOUND!
BAPTISM: LAURA EVELYN OLSON
LIGHTING THE ADVENT “PEACE” CANDLE & ADVENT SONG
ADVENT SONG: THE CANDLE OF HOPE (Insert, v.1-2)
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
1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The 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. 3 His 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, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor and decide with equity for the oppressed 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. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 6 The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 9 They 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. 10 On 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: PSALM 72:1-7, 18-19 (please read responsively)
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the king’s son;
2 that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice;
3 that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 Let him defend the needy among the people, rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.
6 Let him come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his time may the righteous flourish; and let there be an abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
18 Blessed are you, Lord God, the God of Israel; you alone do wondrous deeds!
19 And blessed be your glorious name forever, and may all the earth be filled with your glory. Amen. Amen.
SECOND READING: ROMANS 15:4-13
4 Whatever 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. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For 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 ancestors 9 and 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”; 10 and again he says, “Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”; 11 and again, “Praise the Lord, all you gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; 12 and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.” 13 May 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.
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This 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.’ ” 4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, 9 and do 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. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His 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 Pastor Kurt Bockoven
HYMN OF THE DAY: #260 THE KING SHALL COME (v.1-4)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION (please answer “Hear Our Prayer”)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
OFFERATORY
Please be seated Offering plates will be passed during this time.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: Nourishing God, you are water in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Through this meal, satisfy our parched places, that we may rejoice and be for the world signs of your kingdom come. 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:153)
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
Here is life. God is with us. Come, receive what God has promised.
(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: God our host, at this table you have fed us with joy and gladness. Send us forth, eager to share the feast, welcome the stranger, and bear good fruit in the name of Jesus. Amen.
BLESSING
May God who comes among us, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, grant you patience in waiting, peace in the darkness, and good news to share today and always. Amen
CLOSING HYMN: #264 PREPARE THE ROYAL HIGHWAY (v. 1-3)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Keep awake. Thanks be to God.
Welcome guests! We’re so glad you’re here!
~ Poinsettias are welcome, please bring no sooner than the second week of December ~
Christmas Eve Service will be at 4:30 pm. (Please note: There is NO 6:30 pm Service this year)
EARLY DEADLINE for the Jan 2026 Newsletter. Please send information to the office by Dec. 22.
Miriam Circle is meeting December 10 at 10 am in the church historical room. Please bring your own beverage. Please see the insert for more information about upcoming events.
Our Christmas Eve service is coming together harmoniously!! We’re looking for instrumentalists that would like to help lead and play on any of the congregational carols. See Pastor Kurt or Reagan for further details
Thank You to Our Assistants: Michel Family as Ushers/Helpers with Reid as Acolyte, Carter Bockoven as Acolyte, David Keihne as Scripture Reader and Usher/Helper, Cliff Johannessen as Advent Reader, Charlie Todd as Video/Sound, Mindy Kingsley for Offering Counter. Reagan Rose Piano. Kandace Johnson for Altar Guild.
Please Remember Our Homebound and Senior Care Residents: Merle Roelofs, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Mel Mikkelson.
Please Keep in Prayers: Carole Engen, Lu Ommen, Amy Timmerman, Jim Harstad, Linda Snyder, Carrie Donney.
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
GREENFIELD LUTHERAN CHURCH ~ 507-886-3272 office@greenfieldlutheran.com
—Coming up in DECEMBER—Children’s Program practice below
- Sunday, Dec 7—Worship at 9 am. 2nd Sunday in Advent.
- Wednesday, Dec 10– Bible study at Gabby Lou’s 8:15 am.
- Wednesday, Dec 10– Miriam Circle at 10 am, Heritage room. Bring your own drink.
- Wednesday, Dec 10– Confirmation 6 PM Meal, 6:30 PM Class.
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- Sunday, Dec 14—Worship & CHURCH CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT at 9 am. 3rd Sunday in Advent.
- Wednesday, Dec 17– Bible study at Gabby Lou’s 8:15 am.
- Wednesday, Dec 17– YOUTH GROUP 6 PM Meal, then youth group activities.
- Saturday, Dec 20– Children’s Final Practice for Christmas Program 1-3 pm.
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- Sunday, Dec 21—Worship & CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM at 9 am. 4th Sunday in Advent. – Church Council Meets at 11 today.
- Wednesday, Dec 24– NO BIBLE STUDY OR CONFIRMATION
- Wednesday, Dec 24— CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AT 4:30 PM (No 6:30 pm Service)
- Thursday, Dec 25 – MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Office closed today.
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- Sunday, Dec 28—Worship at 9 am. Lessons & Carols –
- Wednesday, Dec 31– NO BIBLE STUDY OR CONFIRMATION—NEW YEAR’S EVE · Thursday, January 1 – Happy New Year!! Office closed today.
December 24, 4:30 pm – CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE with Special Music!
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSAL DATES ARE:
- Wednesday / Dec 3rd – 6:00 to 7:15 PM
- Sunday / Dec 7th – 10:00 to 11:15 A.M.
- Wednesday / Dec 10th – 6:00 to 7:15 PM
- Sunday / Dec 14th – 10:00 to 11:15 A.M.
- Wednesday / Dec 17th – 6:00 to 7:15 PM
- Saturday / Dec 20th – 1:00 to 3:00 PM – FINAL REHEARSAL
- SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 – CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT 9 AM
Please see insert in link below
