West St. Olaf Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 West St. Olaf Lutheran Church th Avenue - Hayfield, MN First Sunday of Advent First Holy Communion Sunday, December 2, 2018 Pastor Paul Thompson Organist: Pat Nelson INTRODUCTION Advent is about the coming days. God s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a righteous Branch to spring up for David. The Thessalonians awaited the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints. Our Lord s contemporaries hoped for the time to stand before the Son of Man. With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of our Lord in word and supper. ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Trusting in the word of life given in baptism, we are gathered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 1 As we await the fullness of Christ s coming, let us acknowledge our sins and failures before God. Silence for personal reflection Our indifference to your coming, Our desire to control time and seasons, Our failure to be alert to signs of your presence in our midst, Our lack of concern for those who come after us, Our injustices toward people you came to save, In the mercy of Almighty God, I declare to you that God has forgiven your sins, and gives you the grace to know joy in the Savior s coming. Amen. GATHERING SONG Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying (LBW 31) 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. BLESSING OF THE WREATH Our help is in the name of the Lord. Who made heaven and earth. Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: We await, with hope, for his coming He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, We await, with hope, for his coming He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, We await, with hope, for his coming He is the Savior of every nation. We await, with hope, for his coming. Amen. Let us pray Verse 1 of Light One Candle (WOV #630) Light one candle to watch for Messiah, Let the light banish darkness. 2

2 He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Stir up your power, O Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. FIRST READING: Jeremiah 33:14-16 A reading from Jeremiah. In the Old Testament, righteousness often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today s reading, Jerusalem s future name The Lord is our righteousness proclaims that the Lord is even now working salvation for Israel. 14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: The Lord is our righteousness. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. PSALM: Psalm 25:1-10 1To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3Let none who look to you be put to shame; rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous. 4Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. 6Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. 7Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. 8You are gracious and upright, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners in your way. 9You lead the lowly in justice and teach the lowly your way. 10All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies. SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 A reading from 1 Thessalonians. Upon Timothy s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the people of this growing church. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (LBW p. 62) GOSPEL: Luke 21:25-36 The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus said:] 25 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man 3 4

3 coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 29Then he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LBW 34) 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 Each petition of the prayer will end: Lord in your mercy, Please respond with: Hear our prayer. [At ending: Amen.] 5 PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING (LBW p. 66) OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen. DIALOGUE (LBW p. 68) PREFACE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (LBW p. 69) THANKSGIVING LORD S PRAYER Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. 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. INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to the banquet, for all is now ready. COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen. COMMUNION SONG (LBW p. 72) DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Angels, from the Realms of Glory (LBW #50) What Child Is This (LBW #40) 6

4 POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE (LBW P ) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray. God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen. SENDING SONG Joy to the World (LBW 39) DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. WELCOME TO THOSE VISITING If you re visiting, we re glad you chose to worship with us. Please sign our guestbook in the narthex. Times for services rotate monthly between East & West churches. DECEMBER WORSHIP SCHEDULE EAST: has early service at 9:00 am BOTH: 10:00 am West JAM / East SS & TLC WEST: has late service at 11:00 am **Christmas programs will be Dec. 16 at BOTH churches** **Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: East-4pm & West-6pm** THANK YOU TO THOSE SERVING US WELCA Chairperson(s): Carma Bjornson & Aloma Eastlee (Dec.) Altar Guild: Wilma Kyllo & Cindy Senjem (Dec.) 7 8 Acolytes: Ushers cover until schedule developed Reader: Carma Bjornson (Dec. 2) Ushers: Steve Arett, Scott Iverson, Philip Senjem, and Will Laxen (Dec.) Deacon: Carma Bjornson (Dec.) Stewardship: Wilma Kyllo (Dec.) WEATHER-RELATED CANCELATIONS To verify if there is a cancelation for a church service or church activity, please check: KTTC TV (channel 10), or online at and click on the tab for WEATHER - then click on Closings and Delays or check parsonage answering machine Decisions made by council presidents/pastor. TODAY S HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS RITE OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION TODAY Congratulations and God s blessing to these students who are receiving their First Holy Communion today, Dec. 2, 2018, at West St. Olaf: Kendyl Beyer (daughter of Brian & Leah Beyer) Avaya Bjornson (daughter of Aaron & Ashely Bjornson) Austin Dahle (son of Jacob & Rebecca Dahle) Westyn Peterson (son of Cassaundra Roe and Jared Peterson) Carlon Thompson (son of Chad & Jill Thompson) West Women: Advent by Candlelight TONIGHT Advent by Candlelight is tonight at 5:00 pm. We look forward seeing those of you joining us this evening! BENEFITS BEING HELD: Vicki Lawrence & Kelly Keckhafer TODAY (at NEW LOCATION!) there will be a benefit for Vicki Lawrence from noon to 3:00 pm at the EAGLES CLUB th Ave., Rochester, MN- Sloppy Joe basket ($6 half donated to the beneftit) also a silent auction & bake sale. There will be a benefit for Kelly Keckhafer NEXT Sun., December 9 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Kasson American Legion. Serving Chili or Soup, cornbread, salads, and desserts (Free-will offering will be thankfully accepted for the meal). Also a silent auction during meal & an open auction after the meal.

5 We re Looking for 2018 Class Photo of Confirmands It Was in a Large Gold Envelope with Church Copy on Front If you may have tucked this 2018 class photo away in a church drawer/closet for safe-keeping or if anyone inadvertently picked it up along with the photo for their confirmand, please let Sheryl Wohlers or an usher know. Thanks! Thank You for Response to Our Christmas Mission Thank you for the compassion and generosity you have shown for the two families from Crisis Nursery that we adopted for Christmas. You are part of making their Christmas much brighter this year. Please have your wrapped gifts under the tree in the chapel by Sun., Dec. 9 th. Thank you. Thank You for Your Generosity to Food Shelf Thank you to all who contributed to the Food Shelf Drive. 273# of food/supplies $40.00 cash 3 quilts and 2 fleece blankets were delivered this past week. With much gratitude, this was received at the Dodge County Food Shelf. Blessings to you for making this part of your giving for those in need. West WELCA Christmas Program & Potluck Luncheon West WELCA Christmas program & potluck luncheon will be on Sat., December 10 at 10:30 am. Men are welcome to attend too. Beautifying Our Sanctuary for Advent & Christmas Everyone loves to see our church beautified with many Poinsettias during Advent and Christmas! If you d like to donate a plant, we will recognize it in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Please inform one of the following people by December 12 (also specify if given in-memory-of a lost loved one OR in-honor-of someone special): EAST: Peggy Andreason ( ) WEST: Sandy Iverson ( ) or Cindy Senjem ( ) OR Gina at the church office ( ). You may also Gina at east.west@kmtel.com and certainty@kmtel.com 9 Christmas Program on December 16 Save the Date! We hope you can join us for our Sunday school program to celebrate the story of Jesus birth as portrayed by our children. BOTH churches will have their programs during the church service on Sun., December 16. WEST program is at 11:00 am with birthday cake for Jesus being served in the chapel following the program. Attendance and Contributions (11/25) Attendance: 38. Current $544. Next Week s Readings: Dec. 9: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm: Luke 1:68-79, Philippians 1:3-11, and Luke 3: HAPPENING TODAY & THIS WEEK 12/02 9:00 am East worship & communion 10:00 am BOTH: JAM/East Sunday school & TLC East coffee hour (Sarah Circle) NO West coffee hour chapel decorated for tonight s Advent by Candlelight event 11:00 am West worship & First Holy Communion 5:00 pm ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT at West Mon. 9:00-noon Pastor Paul at office Tue. 10:00 am East quilting/sack lunch JOINT COUNCIL meeting at EAST with 6:00 pm meeting for each council, then at 7:00 pm joint meeting begins Wed. 7:00 pm BOTH: Advent service at East all confirmation students should attend Thu. 9:00-noon Pastor Paul at office 2:00 pm Pastor Paul: worship-prairie Meadows Fri Pastor Paul s day off-work Sat. 10:30 am West WELCA Christmas program and potluck luncheon men are welcome! 12/09 9:00 am East worship 10:00 am BOTH: JAM/East Sunday school & TLC East coffee hour (Quilter Group) 11:00 am West worship

6 COMING UP AT EAST & WEST DECEMBER: >>> Gina will be off-work Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 st so please all info for the January newsletter by Mon., Dec 17 th Dec. 11 (Tue.): 10:00 am East quilting/sack lunch Dec. 12 (Wed.): 7:00 pm BOTH Advent service at East all confirmation students should attend Dec. 13 (Thur.): 10:00 am Pastor Paul at K-M pastor s meeting Dec. 15 (Sat.): DEADLINE to submit newsletter info/reports Dec. 16 (Sun.): BOTH HAVE CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS!!! East supplies cookies to Season s Hospice No communion at East (due to program) 8:00 am East kids practice before their program 9:00 am East Christmas program followed by brunch 11:00 am West Christmas program followed by birthday cake for Jesus at the chapel Dec. 18 (Tue.): 10:00 am East Circle 4 meeting AND Christmas Potluck (read Christmas story from the Bible) Dec. 19 (Wed.): 7:00 pm BOTH Advent service at East all confirmation students should attend Dec. 20 (Thur.): NEWSLETTER VOLUNTEER DAY at office (9:10 am-printing, 9:30 am-folding, 10:00 am-collate & tape) Dec. 23 (Sun.): No communion at West (will be on Christmas Eve instead) No JAM/SS or TLC (Christmas break) Dec. 24 (Mon.): BOTH: CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLIGHT SERVICES All are welcome to attend either church 4:00 pm East Candlelight Service with communion 6:00 pm West Candlelight Service with communion Dec. 24 Jan 1: Gina will be off-work Dec. 25 (Tues.): OFFICE CLOSED- MERRY CHRISTMAS! Dec. 26 (Wed.): No class for confirmation (Christmas break) Dec. 30 (Sun.): No JAM at West/No SS or TLC at East (Christmas break) Pulpit supply pastor at both churches LIST OF LOCAL & SYNOD EVENTS **See bulletin boards for any posters about these events** Dec. 2 (Sun.): Norwegian Lutefisk & Meatball Buffet at Christ Lutheran Church of Preston, MN. TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER West Prayers: Ardean Bjornson, Boyd Pew, Vicki Lawrence, Bill Tietje (brother of Carma Bjornson), Joanne Larsen (mother of Dan Larsen), Joann Tiegen, Gene Hyland, Robert Beaver, Danny Linbo, Veronica Riniker (mother of Donna Larsen), Philip Senjem, and Matt Miller (nephew of Carma Bjornson and Julie Boyum). East Prayers: Dean Andreason, Paula Ferdinandt-Rud, Emily Nagel (girlfriend of Schultz s grandson), Braxton Raymond (nephew of Shannon Meier), Brenda Exe, Maryann Schultz, Les Severson (son of Carol Severson), Vicki Lawrence, Viola Olson, Steve Jensen, Julie Andreason, Heidi Guenius (cousin of Becky Brakke), Sharon Boelter, Dale Boelter, Bill Fritts, David Distad, Patricia Lee, Sally Iverson, Roland Rivera, Carol Severson, and John Heydt (Pat Nelson s brother). CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION PASTOR Paul Thompson: (Please call before driving to the office.) Cell Phone: pthomp821@gmail.com Office hours: Monday and Thursday 9:00 am Noon OR by appointment (Day off-work is Friday) SECRETARY Gina Moser: (Please call before driving to the office.) Office Phone: Cell Phone: s: eastwest@kmtel.com AND certainty@kmtel.com Please send all s for Gina to both of her addresses. Office Hours: Tues. & Thursdays 10:00 am-noon OUR WEBSITES: eaststolaf.org OR weststolaf.org OUR JANITORIAL SERVICE: Becky Wilbourne COUNCIL CONTACT INFORMATION: President: Debbie Schuck - Primary: , House: Vice President: Will Laxen - Cell: Head Deacon: Sheryl Wohlers - House: , Cell: