The Closer We Get... MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 The Closer We Get... MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH December 15 & 16, 2018

2 PRELUDE & WELCOME (*) Please stand if able. *CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: We gather in the name that is our hope and our future. We gather in the name of our baptism, which means we gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Let us come before God in confession. P: To you, O God, C: we lift up our souls. You know us through and through; we confess our sins to you. Remember not our sins; remember us with your steadfast love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. P: Children of God, come with joy and draw water from the well of salvation. Remember the gift of baptism: your sin is washed away in the name of Jesus; you belong to Christ; you are anointed to serve. Stand up and raise your heads! The reign of God is near. C: Amen. *GATHERING HYMN Blessed Be the God of Israel Hymn #250 *GREETING P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.

3 *KYRIE

4 *PRAYER OF THE DAY AND LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH (The Prayer of the Day begins the transition toward the reading and the interpretation of the Bible, often telegraphing some of the issues and concerns to be raised by the readings.) P: Let us pray. P: Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy C: Amen. Spirit, one God, now and forever. FIRST READIING Zephaniah 3: Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. 16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 17The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing 18as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. 19I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord. R: The word of the Lord, C: Thanks be to God!

5 SPECIAL MUSIC (SATURDAY) Mary Did You Know (Lyrics provided to increase your enjoyment of the music not to call for singing on your part. But if the Spirit moves, feel free to join in and sing along. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new, This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod, And when you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God? The blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb! Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? And this sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am? CHORAL ANTHEM (SUNDAY) Angel s Advent Carol O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel will come to you, O Israel. Angels sent from God above now proclaim the birth is near. They await the King of Love, singing loud for all to hear! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Angels raise a joyful cheer, come to us on earth to dwell. (In peace and love come down to dwell,) We rejoice, your birth is ear; Come to us Emmanuel! (O holy child, Emmanuel;) Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and shine on us, O Lord of Light! In peace and love come down that night, O Lord of Light!

6 SECOND READING Philippians 4:4-7 4Rejoice 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. R: The word of the Lord, CHILDREN S SERMON (SUNDAY) *GOSPEL ACCLAMATION C: Thanks be to God!

7 *GOSPEL READING Luke 3:7-18 P: The holy gospel according to Luke, C: 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. 7 P: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ! SERMON *HYMN OF THE DAY: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn Hymn #242

8 *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. *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION WA: As we await the coming of Christ, we pray in hope for the church, the world, and all of creation. WA: For choirs, hymn writers, musicians, and off-key singing, we give you thanks, Holy One. Fill us with your song of joy. Open us to proclaim your glory in our singing, speaking, and silence. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. WA: For the hurting places in creation; for seas and lands ravaged by natural disasters; for communities and creatures displaced by floods and droughts. Grant peace through your presence and joy in your healing. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. WA: For peace to ring out in our hearts and in our homes; for mercy and forgiveness to reign in every community; for war to cease and hunger to end. Give us this joy now, Holy One. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer.

9 WA: For those who are oppressed; for soldiers and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and their families; for neighbors who have no access to medical care; for those who are ill and those who mourn (especially). Fill them with your peace. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. WA: For foster families opening their homes; for grandparents raising grandchildren; for single parents struggling to make ends meet; for expectant parents who now grieve. Give strength and comfort, Holy One. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. WA: In thanksgiving for preachers and teachers who have guided us on the way. Bring us with them to rejoice eternally in you. Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. WA: Confident that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, we bring to you these prayers and those unspoken, in the name of Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. *SHARING OF THE PEACE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OFFERING *OFFERTORY SONG Bind Us Together Hymn #748 (WOV) Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, Lord: bind us together with love. There is only one God. There is only one King. There is only one Body; that is why we sing: You are the family of God. You are the promise divine. You are God's chosen desire; you are the glorious new wine.

10 *OFFERTORY PRAYER WA: Let us pray. God of abundance, C: 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. *THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (We prepare for Christ to enter our very bodies with the words The Lord be with you, just as the angel Gabriel once used these same words to announce Jesus conception in the virgin Mary s womb, e.g. Luke 1:26-28.)

11 *PREFACE

12 *HOLY, HOLY, HOLY *EUCHARISTIC PRAYER P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. P: Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. P: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. P: With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.

13 C: Come, Lord Jesus. P: Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth. C: Come, Holy Spirit. P: All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. *LORD S PRAYER P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. C: 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 P: God fills the hungry with good things. Taste and see that the Lord is good. COMMUNION SONG: Lamb of God

14 COMMUNION HYMNS: He Came Down The King Shall Come Come Now, O Prince of Peace Hymn #253 Hymn #260 Hymn #247 *PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION WA: Let us pray. Holy One, C: we give you thanks that in this bread and cup we have feasted again on your endless love. Let that love overflow more and more in our lives, that we may be messengers to prepare your way, harvesters of justice and righteousness, and bearers of your eternal Word, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. *BLESSING P: May God direct your ways in peace, make you abound in love for one another and for all, and strengthen your hearts until the coming of our Lord Jesus. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C: Amen. *SENDING SONG: Canticle of the Turning Hymn #723 *DISMISSAL WA: Go in peace. Christ is with you, C: Thanks be to be God. POSTLUDE Seasonal Resources from Sunday s & Seasons, copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress The readings for next weekend are: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46b-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, and Luke 1:39-45

15 MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH Forget Thee Not Notes: December 15 & 16, 2018 Pastor: Reverend Scott Klimke Cell phone: (570) Director of Music/Organist: Dan Gresh Mission: Inviting every generation on a shared journey to Christian growth. Last Week s Attendance: December 8-91, December Weekly Schedule: Sat: 5:30 pm Worship Tues: 6:30 pm Council Meeting Sun: 9:00 am 10:30 am Worship Christmas Pageant Advent Brunch Volleyball Wed. Thurs: Sat: Sun: 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 5:30 pm 9:00 am Choir Rehearsal Bible Study Worship Worship 7:00 pm

16 December 15 & 16, 2018 Greeters: 5:30 Linda Barnhart Reader: 5:30 Brian Wechtenhiser Worship Assist: 5:30 Cindy Solarczyk Comm. Assist: 5:30 Pam Bittner Acolyte: 5:30 Kaia Selepack Crucifer 5:30 Ushers: 5:30 Missy Brodt & Alan Kiniry Communion Bread: Sat. & Sun. Brent Williams 9:00 Bower Family 9:00 Ray Leverknight 9:00 Lois Sholtis 9:00 Dick Sholtis 9:00 Savannah Foor 9:00 9:00 Bob & Kim McMullen December 22 & 23, 2018 Greeters: 5:30 Katrancha Family Reader: 5:30 Cindy Buday Worship Assist: 5:30 Missy Brodt Comm. Assist: 5:30 Acolyte: 5:30 Crucifer 5:30 Ushers: 5:30 Mark & Deb Rychak Communion Bread: Sat. & Sun. Kathy Ling 9:00 Jim & Deb Ivory 9:00 Mari Grace Lingenfelter 9:00 Patti Sliko 9:00 Laura Bower 9:00 Hayden Lingenfelter 9:00 Kadiya Lingenfelter 9:00 Bob & Kim McMullen Given to the Glory of God! Flowers: In memory of Beverly Ann Kocis by loving husband, children and grandchildren. Remember Jayne Hagins and Deb Zilch who are known to be hospitalized. Remember these individuals for whom prayer was requested: Jack Daily, Jill, Dave, Karen, Lauren, Billy, Jim and Beth Rice, Maggie and Tony, Jeff and Meg, Barbara Kane, Pat Conklin, Lynn, Don, Mary, Dorothy, Midge, Denny, Joe, Dawn Marie, Scott, Josh, Pastor Denise Arpino, Patti, Elisa, Nathan, Bree, and Tom Donaldson.

17 Did you know? There are an average of 1.32 billion people who log onto Facebook everyday! Please visit and like our Facebook page. Each time you share a post it reaches new "friends." Want to share a picture or event with our social media friends? Please send any request to Laura Bower at laurapsu03@gmail.com. Website requests should be sent to the same address, as well. MT. CALVARY PRESS RELEASE You now have an opportunity to sponsor the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church notice in the Saturday issue of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat newspaper! We are asking if any of our members are interested in sponsoring this ad for 1 week. The cost is $ We are also giving you the opportunity to place this as an Honorarium or Memorial, if you wish. Sponsored by In Honor/Memory of How Many Weeks Public Wi-Fi Login: john316guest BLOOD DRIVE The next blood drive will be held on Friday, January 18 between 12:30-6:00 PM. Please take the time to come out and donate. Help save a life! Please Recycle Bulletins If you won t be using it at home, please put your used bulletin in one of the blue bins to be found in the narthex. Handicapped Accessible Bathroom There is a handicapped accessible bathroom at the end of the narthex corridor in which the elevator is found. Electronic Newsletter We are able to send the Hilltopper electronically. If you would like your newsletter ed to you, please Sue Cade at cades@mt-calvarylutheran.org. This way s will be correct. Sending the newsletter through will make us more efficient. If you have any questions, please call Sue Cade at

18 Flower/Bulletin Charts If you would like to sign up for flowers or bulletins for 2019, the charts are available on the bulletin board in the narthex. The price for flowers is $35.00 and the bulletins are $ Audio recordings of the weekly readings, sermons, and special music are now available at Click on the link at the bottom of the web page. The link does not work when accessed through a smart phone. Attention: Parents/Grandparents Is your little one having a bad day? Please feel free to utilize our new lounge, sometimes referred to as the cry room, at any time. It s the room right off the narthex with the sliding glass doors. Besides the big comfy couches, there is a closet with lots of toys to occupy someone s time and attention. You won t be totally isolated from the service because there are speakers which carry the service from the nave. Should you have any questions, contact an usher or greeter. Bulletin Information Submission The bulletin is printed by noon on Thursdays. Please have all of your announcements to April Goss by Tuesday at 5:00 pm. Announcements should be ed to April at aprillynngoss@gmail.com. You should also include Pastor Scott and Sue Cade on any and all announcements that you send to April so they can be aware of them during the editing process. Pastor Scott s address is sklimke6@gmail.com and Sue Cade s is cades@mt-calvarylutheran.org. Prayer List Submission Please help us keep the prayer list organized and up-to-date. Provided they arrive in the church office by 2 PM on Wednesday, new names will be added to the prayer list before the publication of that weekend s bulletin. Once on the prayer list, names will remain there for three weeks unless a longer period has been specifically requested. Names can be submitted to our secretary, Sue Cade, by phone or ed to Sue at cades@mt-calvarylutheran.org Family Kitchen Mount Calvary was asked to donate 90 boxes of tissues for the family Christmas bags.

19 Sunday School Christmas Pageant and Advent Brunch Sunday: December 16th The Christmas Pageant will be presented December 16th during the Sunday School hour. Our Advent Brunch will follow immediately after the pageant in the multi-purpose room. Please bring your favorite breakfast casserole or other covered dish to share. We look forward to seeing you! WELCA Meeting WELCA will not have a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Dec. 17th. Regular meetings will resume beginning Monday, Jan 21st. The Allegheny Synod 40,000 Can Challenge Advent to Super Bowl Sunday December 2 February 3 Your donation of non-perishable food items to the 40,000 Can Challenge will benefit local food banks and service agencies who serve the people in your community. Results will be publicized through the Allegheny Synod Facebook page, the Lutheran Letter, and s to congregations. Thank you for your generous support.

20 Save the Dates Snow Camp at Camp Sequanota Feb 1-3 Sequanota Wacky Bowling March 3 More info to come... Happy Wedding Anniversary Tom and Janet Donaldson 61 Years - 12/14/ Ritter Road, Johnstown, PA Our next craft club is scheduled to meet Saturday afternoon January 19th, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 at Koch Ceramics. We must have a minimum of 10 people attend this painting event. Please jslayton@atlanticbb.net if you will join us. We strongly encourage you to visit Koch Ceramics in advance to select an item to paint. Sometimes people spend the first hour shopping and deciding what to do, allowing only 1 hour to paint. You will pay for your ceramics that day. You may choose a small inexpensive item, or a much larger more expensive project. Of course once you master painting ceramics, you may make many more items for yourself or to donate to our charity project. We will cancel if the weather is horrible. Please the above address before noon that day if you are uncertain about the weather. We will schedule a wreath making time and another ornament making session in case you missed the last one. Watch the bulletin or fellowship board for more information. We hope to see you at one of our craft club meetings!

21 Sunday Morning Winter Building Access Pick the closest door to your parking space these blustery Winter mornings. No need to spend the time outside walking to the parking circle main entrance. The Richland Learning Center door, Sander Hall door, glass goor on other side of Sander Hall, and the main entrance will all be unlocked!! Items Needed Please consider providing Communion Bread for our service on Saturday and/or Sunday. Sign up sheet is in the narthex. Altar Guild is in need of cans or plastic containers that can be used for altar flowers. If you have any extra rags that can be used at the church for cleaning, please drop them off in the office. Thank you. Book Discussion April 30, 2019 at 6:30 pm Title/Author: Garth Stein The Art of Racing in the Rain 2019 Envelopes can be picked up in the narthex Every year the offering envelopes are renumbered so they are in alphabetical order. Your number may have changed from last year. So, beginning Jan. 1, throw away your 2018 offering envelopes and start using your 2019 offering envelopes. If you have received envelopes and choose not to have them, OR if you did not receive envelopes and would like to have offering envelopes, please call the church office. Also, help deliver envelopes to your friends and neighbors. You will find a magnet with a reminder of our 75 Anniversary dinner on it. Thank you! Backyard Ministries As the Christmas season approaches, Backyard Ministries is collecting packs of socks and a small dollar store gift for the children of the local housing projects. Mount Calvary is responsible for the Coopersdale homes. If you would like to donate, please take a bag from the narthex and return to the bin by Thursday, December 20. If you would like to make a cash donation, please put it in an envelope marked Backyard. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Kozak at They greatly appreciate our continued support! Thank you!

22 Runs Through Johnstown

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