First day of Advent December 3, :00 Service Serving us today at Peace Lutheran Church YEAR B - ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING FORMAT!

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1 Peace Lutheran Church Congregation of North American Lutheran Church th Ave Fort St John, BC V1J 2R3 Phone: Website: First day of Advent December 3, :00 Service Serving us today at Peace Lutheran Church Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kebede Dibaba Pianist: Nancy Dyck Lector: Diane Bloor Ushers: Ernst & Margrit Leuenberger Ushers Next Week: Chris & Ester Haab Prayers: Esther Haab Candle Light Reader: Wendy & Doug Davidson Communion Helper: Don & Damaris Demers YEAR B - ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING FORMAT! People often ask about the Advent Candle Wreath itself and what it means. This year s candle lighting includes a short explanation of the wreath and why we do this tradition in our congregation. The wreath is of course a circle, reminding us of the perfection and eternity of God. Many wreaths are decorated with evergreen branches. The evergreen, like the circle, is a symbol of eternity - but also of life. Holly is sometimes used instead of - or together with - the evergreen. The sharp points of the leaves of the Holly remind us of Christ's crown of thorns. The red berries remind us of His Blood. There is a story that holly berries were once white, until Christ's Blood fell on them - causing them to be red ever since. The Advent wreath includes many symbols that help us think about Christ and His gifts. The wreath itself is in the shape of a circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. This reminds us that there is no beginning and no end to God and that God s love and caring will go forever.

2 The light from the candles - which grows stronger each Sunday in Advent, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOPE Every Sunday of Advent the candle lighting is preceded by the Call to Worship, and the Opening Song: Would those lighting the Candles Please come forward during the singing of the Opening Song. After the Reading, Lighting of the Candle and the Minister s Prayer, you may return to your seats as the next song is being played. Opening Song: BB #1 - Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Minister: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Congregation: And also with you. Minister: Let us say together our Advent Introit Prepare the way of the Lord! Prepare the way of the Lord! Make a straight path for Him; make a straight path; prepare the way of the Lord! READER: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from His roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. CONGREGATION: He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears; but with righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth. READER: Our Hope is in the Lord our God - and in the One Whom He has sent to be judge of the living and of the dead - the One Who has come forth from Jesse and Whose return in glory we even now await.

3 CONGREGATION: Our hope may falter - but God never fails. He sends forth light to encourage us and to light our way as we await the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel and to all the earth. The Couple will Light the First Candle MINISTER: Let us pray - Loving God, we thank You for the light that You have sent and are sending into the world, the light that even now lights our path. Come among us and make Your name known to all people. We are the clay, You are the Potter. Form us as You will, so that songs of praise may ascend to You - both now and forevermore. Amen! NOTE: As a Candle hope in December's dark night is burning, and as a flame warm and brighten us, and as we prepare ourselves now for Jesus second coming, the couple will return back to their sits. Worship Medley: Sunday School: All Hail King Jesus BB #97 All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Hosanna (Praise is Rising) BB# Be Still and Know that I am God The Word First Reading: Isa 64:1-9 Second Reading: 1Cor 1:3-9 Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-37 Prayer before the Message: The Message: Isaiah 64:1-9 Come and Shake Our Land?

4 Song after Message: Prayers of Intercession: BB #371 - Have Thine Own Way Lord BB#13 Bless His Holy Name Sharing of the Peace Offering CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Minister: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Congregation: But if we confess our sins, God, Who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KNEEL/STAND Silence for reflection on God s Word and for self-examination. Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Minister: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. Congregation: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your Holy name. Amen. Absolution: Minister: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of the Lord I announce the Grace of God to all of you, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

5 THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Sending Benediction Announcements Sending Song: My Life is in You Lord! Saints, our service ends here, and YOUR service begins! Birthdays for the month of December! Did we miss yours, let the office Know! 9th Nolan Cote 13th Ernst Leuenberger 15th Tom Benzinger 21st Orva Moore 24th Elisha Binu 28th Jan Waldorf

6 Announcements This Week We Are Praying For: In Hospital, Peace Villa & Shut In: Irene Larson, Dwayne Walker, Madlen Wuthrich, Lynne Thompson and Michelle Chatman (If you have names to add to this list, please contact the church office) Church Members & PLC Ministries: Henry Hachmeister Chris & Esther Haab Readings for Next Week: First Reading: Isa 40:1-11 Psalm: 85:1-2, 8-13 Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a Gospel Reading: Mark 1:1-8 Nominating Committee and Deacons Ministerial & Missions: Salvation Army Church Prayer Covenants: Southern Sudan Churches St. Timothy s Anglican Church, Pond Inlet, Nunavut Peace and Christian revival in Jerusalem ASAP We need ONE MORE willing to serve in an interim basis on the Board of Education. Thank you to Marcia Wilson for volunteering. Terms expires in March. Tithes and Offerings Last Sunday s offerings $3,718.50, amount needed to meet our weekly budget is $4, Year to Date: $143, The Week Ahead at Peace Lutheran Monday 6:30 pm Brownies Tuesday 6:30 pm Girl Guides Tuesday 7:00 pm Deacons Meeting Wednesday 3:30 pm Confirmation Classes Thursday 6:00 pm Scouts Thursday 7:00 pm Prayer Gathering Thursday 7:30 pm Men s Group Sunday 9:00 am Adult Bible Study Sunday 10:00 am Worship Service

7 Board of Education are looking for 2 substitute Sunday school teachers for K-2 and Gr 3-6 We would like to thank! Owen Giebelhaus, for building the beautiful, Chalice Holder for the Holy Communion cup. Alleluia Children s Choir Presents Journey to the Manger TODAY Sunday December 3, Peace Lutheran Church Admission by Donation (cash or food items) All Proceeds to the Salvation Army Foodbank All that Jesus asks of the Father, God answers. So whatever He prays for me, whatever He prays for You, we will receive! Jesus never stops praying for us. This means that we can rest assure and relax because Rom 8:34 promises that Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us. Think of it! JESUS IS PRAYING FOR YOU ALWAYS! Kebede

8 Serving at Peace Lutheran Church: Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kebede Dibaba (Home: ) Please call if you would like a visit from the Pastor. Secretary: Pauline Letkeman

9 How do you make Holy Water? A. Get regular water and boil the devil out of it. Q. Who was the greatest female businessperson in the Bible? A. Pharaoh s daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet. (profit) Q. Who is the shortest person in the Bible? A. Bildad the Shuhite (shoe-height). Nehimiah (Knee-high-miah) was a close second. Who was the greatest investor in the Bible? A. Noah: He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation. Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible? A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David s Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord. Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? A. Samson. He brought the house down. Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden? A. Your mother ate us out of house and home. (literally). Q. Which servant of God was the biggest lawbreaker (sinner) in the Bible? A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once. (throwing the stone tablets) Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy? A. The area around Jordan the banks were always overflowing. Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible? A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.. Which Bible character had no earthly parents besides Adam and Eve? A. Joshua, son of Nun. (None)