Friends In Christ Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 December 8, 2013 Friends In Christ Lutheran Church This Week in Our Parish Today 3:00 Northern Lights Chorale-FE Tuesday, 12/10 9:15:Bible Study-FE Wednesday, 12/11 9:30 Men s Coffee- FE 3:45 Confirmation 7:00 Board Meeting Thursday, 12/12 9:00 Coffee & Goodies at Hub 71 Sunday, 12/15 9:30 Worship Service Sunday School Fellowship Bible Discussion Group Ministers: Every Disciple Pastor: Steven A. Bruer Parish Website: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Today marks the Second Sunday of Advent. For the next three weeks we will seek to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the coming of the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus. Each week we will light a candle, each representing a basic element of our waiting. The second candle we light this morning signifies PEACE. It is a gentle peace which Christ the Lord brings when he comes to us. May you receive that peace today so that you can come on Christmas Eve and be filled with more love and peace from God and so that you can go out and share it with others. The liturgical color of Advent is blue which stands for hope and expectation! Warm greetings every worshiper. If you are visiting today, special welcome. We pray this service is inspiring for you and that you will join us again when you are in the area. Remember; you are always welcome here!!! Worship Assistants Reader: Cameron Graba Advent Candle Lighters: Curt Oakland family Mission Statement Friends In Christ Lutheran Church is a caring inclusive Christian Community, Dedicated to Word and Sacrament ministry; Growing in Christ; Sharing the faith; Serving neighbors; and Supporting each

2 ENTERING CHURCH: Heavenly Father, as we continue this Advent Season, grant that I might prepare my heart for Christ s coming again, that I might gladly hear your Word and that all my worship be acceptable to You; through Jesus Christ my Lord. AMEN PRELUDE WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS/ SHARING OF THE PEACE OPENING WORDS Pastor: Today we are reminded that the journey of faith is a continual and daily walk marked by repentance and faith every step of the way. The journey began at our baptism when we were first clothed with Christ and God gave us faith. As we continue our Advent preparation, the preaching of John the Baptist reminds us that the life of faith is a journey that requires faithful and continued use of God s means of grace, His holy Word and Sacraments, to keep us alive, steady, and ready. Today we light the second Advent candle as we continue our journey of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This second candle stands for the Peace. Peace which the Promised Messiah brings to all. Let us go from here today in His light, so those in darkness may also experience His love and peace. ADVENT PRAYER Pastor: Shake us up, Lord of Glory. Get us ready to receive the Christ who comes to us. Keep us strong through all trials and tribulations that we might be ready to greet the One who comes to bring us new life. And together we respond as one saying: All: AMEN. SONG We Light the Advent Candles stanza 1 (insert) LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE SONG We Light the Advent Candles stanza 2 (insert) CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: In the name of our God, who was, who is, and ever shall be: People: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Pastor: John the Baptist came crying in the wilderness: People: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight; bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

3 Pastor: He called all people to be baptized and to wash away their sins. People: We were baptized into Christ and have put on Christ. Pastor: May you begin to focus on the One who comes to love and save us! People: We now prepare a place in our homes and in our hearts! Pastor: Prepare! The way is fast approaching! Servants of the Almighty God, keep watch! For soon we shall see the salvation of God! All: Let us now join the pilgrimage to Zion that there together with the redeemed of all ages and places, that we all may drink of the living water and never thirst again! Oh come, let us worship Him. INVOCATION O God, we hear the voice of your messenger crying out in our wilderness, saying, Prepare the way of the Lord! We will not be afraid, for you have promised that every valley shall be filled; every mountain brought low; the crooked made straight; the rough made smooth. This promise peals across the land, that the wilderness shall become your kingdom, that all flesh shall live to see your salvation. Hearken to our shouts of joy, and wrap your children in robes of glory. We pray this in Jesus name. And together we respond as one saying: Amen. OPENING HYMN LBW # 34 Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel AN ADVENT LITANY Pastor: In the dark, wild, desolate wilderness of this world, we stand as messengers of our Savior s approaching birth. People: Like John the Baptist, we call all people to the cleansing, renewing waters of God s blessings. Pastor: To those who are hurting or suffering, People: We proclaim Christ s comfort and healing. Pastor: To those who are filled with disappointment and frustration, People: We proclaim Christ s forgiveness and compassion. Pastor: When hate and anger seek to stop us from spreading the Gospel message. When confusion and doubt tend to chip away at our beliefs,

4 People: God enlightens our souls with knowledge and full insight. Pastor: When sin and guilt would hold us back, People: God reminds us that he makes us pure and blameless through the blood of Christ. Pastor: We thank our gracious God, every time we remember those who continue to share the gospel. Pastor: We thank our gracious God every time we pray for those who wait to receive the message. Pastor: We thank our gracious God... People: Every time we proclaim the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Pastor: And we thank our gracious God... All: Every time we prepare our hearts for the great harvest of righteousness, when all flesh shall see the salvation of God. HYMN LBW # 54 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear PRAYER OF THE DAY (unison) Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By His coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. FIRST LESSON Isaiah 11:1-10 SECOND LESSON Romans 15:4-13 * GOSPEL Matthew 24:36-44 SERMON SERIES -- Wake Up! Today s Sermon Title: Hope From A Stump SERMON HYMN We Three Kings insert

5 * APOSTLES CREED I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; he was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. OFFERING * PRAYERS/LORD S PRAYER * BENEDICTION We have heard the prophet s words of consolation for the humble and we ve heard the prophet s words of judgment for the proud. As we continue to anticipate the Coming One, let us prepare for Christ s table-turning presence as he comes to redeem the shame of the lowly. As you go forth from this, God s house today, be resolved to prepare yourself beginning with your hearts that you might go out and share God s promises to all you encounter. And may God our Creator, Jesus the Christ, and the love of the Holy Spirit be with you always. Go with His blessing, with His peace in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. * THREEFOLD AMEN * CLOSING HYMN Jesus Loves Even Me insert * DISMISSAL LEAVE THIS SERVICE FILLED WITH ADVENT HOPE & PROMISE! GO PREPARE FOR THE MESSIAH S RETURN! * Please stand for these portions of the service if able.

6 Today s Announcements Next Sunday we continue the season of Advent where we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the coming of the Lord Jesus. The liturgical color of Advent is blue which stands for hope and expectation. Bible Discussion Group continues today following worship studying Revelation. Everyone is welcome to join. We meet at 10:45 am on Sundays after church and fellowship. Bible Discussion Schedule: Isaiah: The Propecy of the Messiah Isaiah 52:13-15 The Northern Lights Chorale will be performing at First English today at 3:00 PM. Please join us!!! The Sunday School Christmas Program will be next Sunday, December 15 th. You won t want to miss out. Please invite your family and neighbors to come and join us!!!! Parents of Youth 7th thru 12th grade. On Sunday, December 15th the youth will be serving coffee and goodies following the 9:30 Christmas Program. We are asking each family of the youth to bring either a pan of bars, cookies, or cheese and crackers. We also need the youth to help with serving and cleanup afterward. Thank you for your help. If you have any questions, give me a call. Tracey Olson Remember in Prayer Terry Burkman Family of Jan Newlander (Kris Spadgenske s Aunt) Marty Braaten Family of Dave Etter Family of Sharon Tate Phillip Kern Allison Borgen Millie Hendrickson David Nevala Mike Maurer Sharon Howe Mike Albert Betty Samuelson Valdean Warmbold Gladwin Walker Clayton Ellingson Ken Augst Clarita Dodge Katie Wilkowski Irene Dempsey Amy Schulte Ramona Olson Arlene Antilla Maryann Lusti Carol Alm Kathy Yliniemi Mary Ann Yliniemi Marvin & Shirley Anderson Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff Due to the Holidays, the Epistle deadline has been changed to December 19th. Please call or febeth@wcta.net with any items you would like included.