Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 East Hampden Avenue Cherry Hills Village, CO

Transcription

1 Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 East Hampden Avenue Cherry Hills Village, CO HOLD ON: John Appears from the Wilderness ADVENT 2 8:15 A.M. DECEMBER 10, 2017 BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH Isaiah 61:10a I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God. Gathering PRELUDE Wachet auf, ruf uns die Stimme J.S. Bach Please use the prelude as a quiet time to prepare yourself for worship. WELCOME You are invited to stand. ADVENT DIALOGUE The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. God knows those times when we bring darkness upon others. Forgive us, O Lord, when we fail to be beacons of your light. In these days we prepare for your breaking into the world and into our lives anew. Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Refresh our hearts that long for you. Please face the processional cross. GATHERING HYMN Prepare the Royal Highway Hymn #264 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.

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3 HYMN OF PRAISE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (vs. 1) Hymn #288 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today! ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Savior of the nations, come. Make your home here in us. Feed us with your love, That our faith shine ever new and our lives reveal your light. PRAYER OF THE DAY Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Word LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11 In grand, flowing, poetic lines, the prophet announces that the exile of God s people in Babylon is over. The Lord will deliver Israel and will care for her as a shepherd cares for his sheep. This word can be trusted, because the only enduring reality in life is the word of the Lord. LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11 Holy Bible pg. 740 (OT) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. You are invited to stand. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 3

4 The Holy Gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8 The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a story of Jesus birth but with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord. GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8 Holy Bible pg (NT) The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY Comfort, Comfort Now My People Hymn #256 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. PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. After sharing the Peace, please be seated. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Offering Sunday School, Wreaths, Food Breakdown, Lenten Retreat OFFERING Gentle Mary, Tender Mary Jay Althouse PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Response: Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer. 4

5 WELCOME TO THE LORD S TABLE Meal THE GREAT THANKSGIVING PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy......we praise your name and join their unending hymn: SANCTUS 5

6 WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE LORD S PRAYER is the prayer that Jesus taught the disciples to pray found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Please be seated. THE DISTRIBUTION Bethany welcomes all to receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion. An usher will direct you forward for communion. There are several stations across the front of the seating sections. Groups are welcome to visit a communion station together. You will receive a piece of bread in your hand, please dip the bread into the cup of wine. Those who are not receiving communion are invited to receive a blessing. Note that the communion station at the center has gluten-free bread and alcohol-free wine. LAMB OF GOD COMMUNION MUSIC Comfort, Comfort Now My People Paul Manz 6 COMMUNION HYMN Away in a Manger Hymn #278

7 You are invited to stand. BLESSING Sending BENEDICTION SENDING HYMN Hark, the Glad Sound! Hymn #239 DISMISSAL Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Paul Manz Liturgical Text and Worship Notes: From Sundays and Seasons.com 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS

8 WORSHIP LEADERS PASTORS ORGANIST ASSISTING MINISTER LECTOR (Coordinator: Ron Gusé) MUSICIANS Pastor Gary Sandberg, Pastor Russ Britton, Pastor Brigette Weier Rick Seaton Vicky Daub Gretchen Hack Juliana Willson ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTERS Michael, Susan, and Marina Miller ACOLYTES Hannah Resley COMMUNION SERVERS (Coordinators: Karen Tennien, 8:15 a.m. Alison Betts, 10:15 a.m.) SACRISTAN (Coordinator: Dave Malucky) USHERS (Coordinators: Dave Okes, 8:15 a.m. Andy Gift, 10:15 a.m.) SOUND TECHNICIANS (Coordinators: Forrest Guittar, Laura Romig) ALTAR GUILD (Coordinator: Linda Sather) NURSERY ATTENDANTS Peggy Furgason, Jeanette Manos, Eliza Neff, Karen Tennien, Bev Van Kirk Laura Weber-Myers Steve Esterline, Bill Herrmann, Dave Kirchner, Gary Miller, Scott Scholbe, David Scott, Bud Setzer, Will Richard Sawyer Benson, Erik Boss Gwen Grace, Gail Hipke, Jean Lindsey, Carol Rankin, Karol Seltzer Kathy Shearer 8

9 Worship Schedule Sundays: 8:15 & 10:15 a.m. ~ Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m. Also available: Watch live streaming and archived services at We welcome our new worshipers today! Please fill out the green welcome sheet in your bulletin, and join in fellowship in the Fellowship Hall. To learn more about Bethany s Bible studies and various ministries, pick up a Life Together at Bethany booklet at the Welcome Center or download it from our website - Bethany hosts New Worshiper Information Sessions quarterly and then receives new members. Schedule a home visit with a pastor to discuss how Bethany s ministries might connect with your faith journey. Contact Sarah at sarah@bethany-denver.org for more information about becoming a member. TODAY S EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES: 9:20-9:55 A.M. Adult Faith Formation: Today s Text (Library) Second Grade: Lord s Prayer Milestone (rm. 301) Confirmation: (rm. 412) Senior High: (rms. 415/416) Sunday School: Grades 1-5 (meet in rm. 303) Sunday School: Pre-K & K (meet in rm. 104) 11:15-11:45 A.M. Celebration Youth Choir: (rm. 314) All Faith Formation will be on Christmas hiatus December 20-January 3. We will resume with a Cross Generational Epiphany Celebration in the Fellowship Hall on January 7! TODAY AT BETHANY Bach s Christmas Oratorio, Part 1 will be performed by the Bethany Chancel Choir under the direction of James Kim today at the 10:15 a.m. service. NOTE THE CHANGE FOR SECOND GRADE MILESTONE, THE LORD S PRAYER: Second graders will now lead the Lord s Prayer on December 17 at the 10:15 a.m. worship service. This is also the children s Christmas choir concert and the Sunday School children will be leading a song as well. We will still meet today at 9:20 in the Great Hall. Thank you! Thank you for your BECC gift card order! Your gift card orders are available for pick up today from the BECC table. Bethany s Christmas Wreath Sale: All remaining wreaths are for sale in the Fellowship Hall today! Wreaths cost $20 and benefit the Children s and Youth Music Program. Pancake Breakfast for Urban Servant Corps: Join us for pancakes today in the Fellowship Hall, and hear more about this ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod at 9:20 a.m. in room 209. Refuge Worship takes place today from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel for our Christmas Edition Refuge! Poinsettias: Would you like to help decorate the Sanctuary by contributing towards the cost of a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one? Look for the red envelopes in the pew racks or at the Welcome Center. $25.00 donation. Deadline is Sunday, December 17. Angel Tree for Lutheran Family Services: Don t forget to return your unwrapped gifts to the Welcome Center today! Contact Sarah at sarah@bethanydenver.org with any questions. ELCA World Hunger Christmas Ornaments: Have you ever selected a gift for someone in need from a Christmas tree in a store or shopping mall? Now you can do the same thing at Bethany to support ELCA World Hunger. Pick up and pay for an ornament at the 9

10 10 tree by the Welcome Center. You can then give the ornament to your loved ones. Reverse Advent Calendar Food Drive: Instead of getting a gift or chocolate every day in Advent, put a non-perishable food item in a box each day. Pick up a list in the Fellowship Hall or at the Welcome Center. Bring your full box to Bethany, and we will get it to Metro Caring. THIS WEEK Join Pastor Russ at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park for a February 23-25, 2018 Lenten Retreat, where we will take a survey of the four Gospels, particularly noting their distinctions using "The Four Witnesses" by Robin Griffith-Jones as our basis. You would not have to read the book to participate in the event. Deposit and registration are due Friday, December 15. Visit the Welcome Center for more information. NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 Hold On: John appears from the wilderness Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, Sunday School families: All Sunday School age children are invited to sing Go Tell It on the Mountain at the 10:15 a.m. worship next Sunday, December 17. Please be in the Sanctuary by 10:05 a.m. and find Gayle or Pastor Brigette. Thank you! Metro Caring Food Breakdown #4: On December 17 in the Fellowship Hall between services, the congregation is invited to breakdown bags of rice and beans into quart sized with sponsor-donated funds from the Stephen Ministry and the Benevolence Ministry Team. If you would like to donate funds to purchase rice and beans, make your check out to Bethany Lutheran Church, and put Food Breakdown on the memo line. LOOKING AHEAD Do you have an eye for Poinsettia arranging? Come help decorate the Sanctuary for our early Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, December 20. We will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, but come when you can! Services start at 7:00 pm. We will also be arranging poinsettias in the Sanctuary, Great Hall, and Chapel on December 23 at 10:00 a.m. Questions? Contact Laura Romig at laura@bethany-denver.org. Handel's Messiah: Colorado Bach Ensemble, under the direction of James Kim, will be presenting the full Messiah in the Bethany Sanctuary on Sunday, December 17 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, please visit Theater & Theology: The next play on the schedule is Zoey s Perfect Wedding on Tuesday, January 30. Disaster after disaster follow one unfortunate bride down the aisle, from brutally honest boozy speeches to a totally incompetent wedding planner. Watch in awe as this wildly funny fiasco destroys her expectations with the realities of commitment, fidelity and growing up. Pay $35 each for your tickets by Sunday, January 7 at the Welcome Center IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS Advent 4 Wednesday Worship: On Wednesday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m., we will hold a worship to complete the Advent Wreath, Share Communion, and Hear Mary s Song proclaimed. All are welcome to this 35 minute worship celebration in the Sanctuary. Bethany Early Childhood Center is seeking a part-time cook (20-25 hours a week) to serve nutritious and delicious meals to our young students. Contact the BECC director, Keith, at keith@bethanydenver.org for more information and to submit a resume. Beginning January 7, the education time will start at 9:25 a.m. and end at 10:05 a.m. This allows for more flexibility! Bethany s Nursery is hiring Sunday morning childcare attendants age 16 and up. Please contact Pastor Brigette at brigette@bethany-denver.org for more information or to apply. Flowers Donations: Beginning January 1, flowers will cost $50. Sign up to donate flowers in 2018 at the Welcome Center. Pause for Advent: This Advent season, Bethany s Health and Wellness team is challenging Bethany s community to support the Offline October movement with their own Pause for Advent campaign. Join the team by pausing your social media use for Advent 2017 (December 3 December 24). Questions? Contact Vicky at church or at lvdaub2@gmail.com.

11 Help wanted Hospitality: We need a small team of people to help be a hospitality point of contact for the church during the evenings. This is a paid position. Contact Laura Romig at laura@bethany-denver.org or for more information. Help wanted Volunteer Receptionist: We are accepting applications for persons to volunteer as a receptionist in the main office 1-2 days per week. Hours are flexible. You will greet those who enter the office, answer phones, and potentially do light office work. During less busy times you can read, check , or use your phone. Applications are available in the office or at the Welcome Center. GENEROSITY UPDATE Bethany Fund: Expected Actual November $169,516 $119,188 Fiscal TD $684,037 $653,285 December 3, 2017 $55,957 Renewal For Growth: As of December 5, we have received 204 commitments for a total of $1,460,570 towards our goal of 500 commitments and $1.6M. ACCESSIBILITY AT BETHANY Hearing Assistance: Please see the Sound Tech in the sound booth if you need a hearing assistant device. Please see the ushers for a large print bulletin. 11

12 ADVENT 4 CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS worship schedule WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Join us for a full Christmas Eve service with Chancel Choir and Carillons, Communion, and Candlelight. If you are traveling over the Christmas weekend, or if family coming in becomes stressful, allow this worship to give you Christmas at Bethany. Invite friends and neighbors who may be in the same situation. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 9:15 A.M. Advent 4 Bethany will observe Advent 4 at one service on Christmas Eve morning. Join us in the Sanctuary for worship featuring a classical guitar duet. (The Nursery will not be staffed at this service.) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1:00 P.M. Christmas Eve (Live Nativity) Join us for a unique outdoor service in the courtyard. Children can participate by donning a costume of an angel, shepherd or other character. Just show up a little early and take part. We will have live animals as a part of this family-friendly service. (The Nursery will not be staffed at this service.) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 P.M. Christmas Eve These 4 traditional worship services include Communion and Candlelight, and special music from the below Bethany and guest ensembles: 3:00 P.M. Bethany s Children s and Youth Choirs, Celebration, Inspiration, and Jubilation 5:00 P.M. Denver Brass and Bethany s Bell Choir, Carillons 7:00 P.M. Denver Brass and Vocal Soloists 9:00 P.M. Denver Brass and Bethany s Chancel Choir (The Nursery will not be staffed at this service.) *** Please note that the 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. worship services will include seating in both the Sanctuary and Great Hall. Please come early to find a seat, or consider worshiping at one of our later services. We anticipate that for the 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. services, congregants will be seated in the Sanctuary. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 11:00 P.M. Christmas Eve This service will feature a softer worship style, with Harp and soloists. It will also include Candlelight and Communion. (The Nursery will not be staffed at this service.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 10:15 A.M. Christmas Day We will hold one worship service at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary on Christmas morning. (The Nursery will not be staffed at this service.)