FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH LORAIN, OHIO

Transcription

1 Welcome to First Lutheran! We re glad you re here. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH LORAIN, OHIO THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 16, :30am A Stephen Ministry Congregation

2 2 A special welcome to guests and visitors! A nursery is available down the hall. Children s bulletins are available for older children. Hearing assist devices are available (ask an usher). May our time together be a blessing to you. GATHERING P RELUDE The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (arr. Raabe / Sadowski) W ELCOME L IGHTING OF THE A DVENT W REATH Before the lighting the following song is sung. This poem promises deliverance from Assyrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal child with a name full of promise. F IRST R EADING Isaiah 9:6-7 (Page 555) 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

3 3 7His Hymn # s are the large numbers in the main part of the hymnal, located under your seat. Words in italics are spoken by the leader. Words in bold are spoken by all. authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. G ATHERING H YMN The assembly stands. People, Look East (Hymn #248) G REETING 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. P RAYER OF THE D AY Amen. The assembly is seated. WORD P SALM Isaiah 12:2-6 The Psalm is sung responsively, the choir singing the parts in regular type and the assembly singing the parts in bold. 2Surely God is my sal- vation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might, and has become my salvation. 3With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

4 4 4And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on God s name; make known the deeds of the LORD among the nations; proclaim that this name is exalted. 5Sing praises to the LORD, who has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Despite being in prison, Paul is remarkably upbeat as he writes this letter. Here, he urges his friends in Philippi to trust God with all their worries and concerns. S ECOND R EADING Philippians 4:4-7 (Page 955) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. C HILDREN S S ERMON G OSPEL A CCLAMATION The assembly stands to welcome the gospel. I am sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you. Repeat alleluias.

5 5 John the Baptist heralds the mighty one who is coming. John teaches that preparation for God s reign is not a matter of identity but of bearing fruits of merciful justice, radical generosity, and vocational integrity. G OSPEL Luke 3:7-18 (Page 834) The holy gospel according to Luke, the 3rd chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin 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. 9Even 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. 10And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? 11In reply he said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. 12Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? 13He said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. 14Soldiers also asked him, And we, what should we do? He said to them, Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages. 15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The assembly is seated. S ERMON Silence for reflection follows the sermon.

6 6 H YMN OF THE D AY The assembly stands to proclaim the word of God in song. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (Hymn #241) A POSTLES C REED Inside front cover of hymnal P RAYERS OF I NTERCESSION The assembly responds to each petition with: Christ, Be Our Light! (Hymn #715, refrain only) P EACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace, and may say Peace be with you. or similar words. Then the assembly is seated. MEAL O FFERING O FFERING M USIC Now Come, O Gracious Savior (Michael Praetorius) Now come, O gracious Savior, in poor manger humbly born. Look with wonder, all on earth: God chose to know such a birth. After the offering is gathered, the assembly stands. R ESPONSE Come Now, O Prince of Peace (Hymn #247) O FFERING P RAYER Amen.

7 7 G REAT T HANKSGIVING D IALOG P REFACE H OLY, H OLY, H OLY L ORD With the whole creation, we join the angels song (see Isaiah 6:3).

8 8 T HANKSGIVING AT THE T ABLE Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We look with hope for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus. Bring the gift of peace on earth. Come, Holy Spirit. one God, now and forever. Amen. Pages are the small numbers in the front part of the hymnal. L ORD S P RAYER Page 163 (sung) The assembly is seated. C OMMUNION All are invited to commune with us. Please come to the altar as directed by the ushers. Receive a piece of bread, and either dip the bread into the first chalice or drink from the second chalice. The bread is gluten-free; the wine has alcohol. If you do not take communion but would like a blessing, please cross your arms across your chest as you come forward. If you need communion brought to you, please alert an usher who will let the servers know. C OMMUNION S ONG We echo John the Baptist s exclamation: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) Lamb of God

9 9 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (Hymn #265) He Comes to Us as One Unknown (Hymn #737) After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands. P OST -C OMMUNION B LESSING Amen. P RAYER AFTER C OMMUNION Amen. SENDING A NNOUNCEMENTS B LESSING Amen. S ENDING H YMN Now, Lord (Hymn #201) D ISMISSAL Thanks be to God. P OSTLUDE The King of Glory/King of Kings (arr. Anne Krentz Organ) Service music is reproduced under Augsburg Fortress license #SB

10 Are you interested in serving during worship? Look for sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or contact the church office for training information. 10 Serving Today Assisting Minister... Mel Kapalin Communion Assistants... Lauren Cyran, Sharon Kopronica Penelope White Greeters... Ellen Lash, Peggy Chamberlain Musicians... First Choir Reader... Sue Perry Ushers... Jensen family Serving Next Week, December 23 Assisting Minister... Mel Kaplain Communion Assistants... Sharon Kopronica Penelope White Greeters... Ellen Lash, Peggy Chamberlain Musicians... First Choir Reader... Chrystal Hendricks Ushers... Brad Hoffman, Steve Brown, Jeff & Jan Myers Flowers this week are given to the glory of God by Larry Apolzon to celebrate the Llewellyn family. Attendance Last Sunday: 126 YTD Average: 114 Ministry Operations $6,313 Amount needed weekly to sustain the current budget $4,119 Amount received last Sunday towards operating budget

11 11 If you have an announcement to share with the congregation, please write it out and it to the church office. ANNOUNCEMENTS VISITING OR FORGOT YOUR ENVELOPE? No worries! Now located in the front of each hymnal is an extra sleeve which contains a giving envelope. Prayerfully consider your gift today! THANK YOU LINDA KEMPKE for filling in as our guest pianist today. CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PLAY, Twas the Night Before Christmas will be presented during worship next week. We will have a birthday party for Jesus in the fellowship hall following the play. PLEASE NOTE that the church office will be closed the week of Christmas and New Years Day. Emergency pastoral care is still available by calling Pastor Rosy s cell number at Front Door will still be operating on Monday, December 24 and Monday, December 31 from 10:00am11:30am. IGLESIA DE DIOS VIVO congregation now has a Go Fund Me page set up. You can take the address info. off the sheet on the bulletin board. If you d like to write their congregation a check, please make it out to Pastor Noemi Colon and place it in their mailbox located in the workroom. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE, Sunday, January 20, 2019 will be our annual meeting. Immediately following worship we will have our meeting followed by a potluck lunch. GO FUND ME PAGE has been created for Iglesia de Dios Vivo. If you d like to support them, please go to and search for Iglesia De Dios Vivo Lorain. Michelle Gilum also has a page. Both links are available on our Facebook page. Checks can also be dropped off at the church office for both. We appreciate your support. COMMUNITY IMPACT for November: Pantry and Front Door served 552 meals; 201 families shopped for food; and 80 guests received emergency assistance. Your contributions help to meet a growing need.

12 Sunday, December 16 9:30am Worship 10:45am Sunday School 12:30pm Iglesia de Dios Vivo Monday, December 17 9:00am Retired Men s Group 7:00pm Congregation Council Tuesday, December 18 10:00am Front Door 5:00pm Stewardship committee This Week at First Lutheran Wednesday, December 19 6:00pm Bible study for youth 6:30pm Confirmation Thursday, December 20 6:00pm Handbell Choir 7:00pm First Choir Friday, December 21 6:30pm Iglesia de Dios Vivo Sunday, December 23 9:30am Worship 10:45am Sunday School 12:30pm Iglesia de Dios Vivo