December 11, rd Sunday in Advent

Transcription

1 December 11, rd Sunday in Advent Ferris Avenue, Los Gatos, CA (408) Office Hours: Tues./Thurs. by appointment Church phone answered 9 AM 7 PM For Emergencies: Pastor Anne (408) or Pastor Carol (831)

2 GOSPEL MESSAGE December 11, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent What You Hear and See Messengers of John the Baptist ask Jesus, Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? (Matt. 11:3). John, who thrived outdoors, is confined to a prison cell, awaiting violent death. Perhaps he wonders: Was I wrong about Jesus? Has my own life s calling been in vain, or can it bear fruit? John s question is the sort we ask when we are hemmed in and it s hardest to see, hear, or move. In our darkest hours of pain, injustice, and loss, we too may wonder: does it make sense to trust, to hope? Jesus asks the crowds who had followed John, What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? (Matt. 11:7). The wilderness is empty and rough, yet it can also be a wide open space for gaining perspective and connecting or reconnecting with God. As we continue through the wilderness season of Advent, what do we ourselves long to discover and see? A desert is a vast reach of rock and sand. When rare and welcome rain soaks into its thirsty ground, color and life spring forth; the very earth rejoices! Neither Solomon in all his glory nor Herod s soft-robed courtiers were clothed like this. Our Advent readings from Isaiah present visions of the whole creation blossoming flowering flourishing not elsewhere, but on the climatestressed, war-torn planet where we live. Today, images of healing and wholeness intensify promises of gladness and singing even in a hostile desert environment. Jesus responds to the messengers and to us, Go and tell... what you hear and see (Matt. 11:4). Evil would confine us in cynicism and fear, and hope is no small virtue. We strengthen one another s hearts by sharing where we have sensed God s presence: in beauty, in acts of healing and liberation, in people of integrity who have held to the truth. As we tell, we answer both questions. Yes, this is the one for whom we have waited whose coming is certain, and whose day draws near. Copyright 2016 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. 2 P a g e

3 Prelude GATHERING The Invitation of the Bell (light altar candles & not wreath) (please stand as you are able) Gathering song: Maranatha vs 2&4 Greeting: P: From the one who is and who was and who is to come, grace, light, and peace be with you all. C: and also with you. P: Let us pray 3 P a g e

4 C: Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (please be seated) Welcome & Praise Reports ADVENT III: Advent Candle Lighting & Time with Kids of the Kingdom (kids with the lighter come up front by wreath) Blessing of the Gifts of Christmas P: On the 3 rd Sunday of Advent we tell the story of St Nicholas and his gifts. We bless our baby blankets as gifts to the families who come to the LP for help & the Jesse Tree gifts to LP. A long time ago a religious man named Nicholas left gifts of food and money on the doorstep of the poor in his city, so that everyone might know the joy of Jesus in their hearts. He is the symbol of Christmas joyful generosity, and the saint of gift giving. Reader 1: Today we light the first candle, which reminds us to bring Jesus Hope to our world. (Person 1 lights 1 st candle) Reader 2: The second candle reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he shall bring peace to all the world. (person 1 lights the second candle) Reader 3: Today we light this pink candle to remind us that we are part of bringing gifts of JOY to all those in need. Let us bless the gifts we give for the poor and homeless from our Jesse Tree, and all other gifts we give throughout the year. (person 1 lights the pink candle) Pastor: Let us all bless these gifts. (everyone hold out your hand toward the gifts) C: Loving God we bless the gifts we share. Gracious God, so many people need your healing and help at this time. May our gifts be given with joy. May our gift giving increase in us a spirit of generosity and fill our hearts with gratitude for the many gifts you have given us, most especially the gift of Jesus. Amen. 4 P a g e

5 Praise Song: I ve got Peace like a River vs 1&2 (youth may return to seats) Time with God s Kids WORD Pastor Anne First Reading: Luke 1: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. [a] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his 5 P a g e

6 kingdom there will be no end. 34 Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? [b] 35 The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born [c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God. 38 Then Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her. AM: Word of God, Word of Life C: Thanks be to God! Psalm Reading: Psalm 146: 5-10 (read responsively) AM: 5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, C: 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; AM: 7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; C: 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. AM: 9 The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. C: 10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD! 6 P a g e

7 (please stand as you are able) Gospel Acclamation Come Now O Prince of Peace v.1,3,4#247 (red book) P: The Good News of Jesus according to: Luke 1: 46b-55 C: Glory to You, O Lord 46 And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 7 P a g e

8 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. P: The good news of Jesus C: Thanks be to you, O Christ (please be seated) Message Pastor Anne (Usher will come by and pick up your Prayer cards) (please stand as you are able) Song of the Day: My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness #251 red book 8 P a g e

9 Apostles Creed P: With the whole Church, let us affirm our faith: C: 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 power of 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 the People (please be seated) AM: As we anticipate the fullness of the presence of Christ, we join with the church throughout the world, praying for all who are in need. A brief silence. AM: For the church and all messengers of the gospel, for all who call upon the name of the Lord, and for congregations throughout the world; that God work through us to bring harmony and reconciliation, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. AM: For rain forests and deserts, for wilderness and developed land, and for plants blossoming and dormant; that the splendor and diversity of creation proclaim the glory of the Lord, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. AM: For our government, for the military and international relief workers, and for those who care for the stranger, widow, and orphan; that God raise up leaders who work for the protection of all, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. 9 P a g e

10 AM: We pray for the world. This week from the Cycle of World Prayer we especially lift up Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. May they live in your peace and protection, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. AM: For the hungry and homeless, for those in captivity, for the fearful and sorrowful, for those living with HIV/AIDS, and for the sick (especially those we name now, silently or aloud ); that those who help others serve with patience and grace, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. AM: Bless the ministry of Immanual Lutheran Church, Saratoga, our sister congregation in our El Camino Real Conference as we lift them up in prayer, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. AM: For all who call this community home, for those visiting from near and far, and for those preparing for the holiday season, that the advent of Christ make our hearts and minds rejoice, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. AM: In thanksgiving for the departed who were faithful to God s word; that their words and actions direct us to the one who prepares a way for us, let us pray. C: Have mercy, O God. Pastor: Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, those spoken aloud and those known only to you, and grant us peace through Jesus Christ, our coming Savior. C: Amen. Reconciliation & Peace P: The peace of Christ be with you. C: and also with you. 10 P a g e

11 MEAL P: God be with you C: And also with you P: Lift up your hearts! C: We lift them to the Lord P: Let us give thanks to God. C: It is right to give God thanks and praise. P: It is indeed right, our duty and joy that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise. Come, here is a place where all are welcome. Here is a place where you will find hope with Christ. Come all who are longing and seeking light and peace in your life. We prepare now for Emmanuel, God with us. We remember how this child, born in a stable, lived a life of healing, mercy, and wisdom. We remember his last meal shared with friends. When He gathered them together, and in the blessing of the bread, asked them to share the bread of life. Then in the blessing of the cup, he asked them to share the cup of forgiveness and promise. So too, Jesus asks us always to re-member him as we share this bread and cup. As we share this bread and cup, may God strengthen our hope in the promises of this season, and give us courage to walk in light offering kindness and blessings to others. All: Holy God, we pray for your Spirit to come. Enliven this bread. Awaken this body of Christ. Pour us out for each other. Ignite your church. Come Holy Spirit in this place. Amen 11 P a g e

12 P: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus, a prayer of hope for a new creation. The Lord s Prayer 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 P: All are invited and welcome at this table. We come together and kneel or not as we desire. There is gluten-free unleavened bread, red wine or white grape juice in the individual cups. If you chose not to receive the bread and wine you are invited to come for a blessing, or stay in your seat in silent prayer. (For those who cannot come to the table, we will come to you.) Invitation to the table P: Come to the banquet, for nothing and no one can take your place. This is God s table, and Jesus is the host of this meal. It is a table of grace and it is all we will ever need. Communion Music: Ian Langga Post-Communion Blessing & Prayer P: O God, for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our heart. Send us out to be your witnesses in the world announcing your coming among us through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen 12 P a g e

13 SENDING The Offering is Received Offering Song: Now Thank We All Our God #840 (red book) (please sing during the gathering of the offering) Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our god With hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, In whom this world rejoices; Who, from our mothers arms, Has blest us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. Time of Testimony & Invitation Blessing: (please stand as you are able) P: May the God of love bless you, May Christ the Lamb of God live among you, May the Spirit of justice & reconciliation bring hope to your hearts and live with-in you. C: Amen. 13 P a g e

14 Sending Song: Joy to the World ELW# 267 Dismissal P: Go in hope and light. Remember the needy. C: Thanks be to God. We will! 14 P a g e

15 YOUR HELP IS NEEDED WITH REFRESHMENTS, LECTOR, AND FLOWERS. PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE ENTRANCE AREA Those in Service today Pastor: Organist: Ushers: Acolytes: Reader/Lector: Altar Care: Refreshments: Pastor Anne Carlson Ian Langga Bob Balcomb/Les Grundy Tristen Fabris/ Damian Hernandez/Donovan Plummer Eva Woodall Linda Perez Nazanine Bain Prayer List Anna Lisa Holte Thelma Spaziani Elizabeth Krc Mario Chissesi Shirley Brothers Les Grundy s brother/ Marie Hughes Eva Woodall James Grundy **Please let us know the names of those you would like included on the prayer list. By request, names may be returned to the prayer list. 15 P a g e

16 FOR YOUR INFORMATION The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle This week December 11, 2016 Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal Give thanks for: Community and religious organizations that work together to improve food security in rural households, to educate and end illiteracy, to support refugees from neighboring countries, and to provide care for people living with HIV and AIDS. Christians in these predominantly Muslim countries who continue to witness to their faith and live their lives in accordance with the gospel. Rural populations, subsistence farmers and livestock herders, who endure the season of want that precedes the harvest every year. Stilt dancers in Guinea. Financials/Attendance for Dec. 4: Attendance: 28 Offering: $ Social Concern of the Month: $ Social Concern(s) of the Month December TOYS FOR TOTS The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, or purchases them through your monetary donations. They distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the local Santa Clara County Community. 16

17 ANNOUNCEMENTS THANK YOU - Ian Langga for your musical talents today. Smorgasbord 4:00 today in the Fireside Room Christmas Services December 24 Christmas Eve Service 10:00 pm December 25 Christmas Day Service of Christmas Carols 9:30 am Singing 17

18 PLEASE REMEMBER GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE HOMELESS CAMPS WHO ARE SERVICED BY THE LORD S PANTRY. THE TAGS ARE ON THE JESSE TREE IN THE NARTHEX. GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE ACCEPTED. 18