God Gathers Us. Prelude Come Now, O Prince of Peace arr. R. Rowland-Raybold. *Opening Hymn The Advent of Our God # 22 LBW

Transcription

1 Sunday, December 2, 2018 First Sunday in Advent 8:00 Worship *PLEASE STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE God Gathers Us Prelude Come Now, O Prince of Peace arr. R. Rowland-Raybold Words of Welcome/Greeting Our Guests *Invocation and Salutation LBW - LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP WOV WITH ONE VOICE *Opening Hymn The Advent of Our God # 22 LBW *Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness p. 10 WOV *Sharing the Peace of the Lord *Kyrie p. 28 *Hymn of Praise Glory to God p. 29 *Prayer of the Day The Children s Sermon (prayer cards picked up by ushers at this time) Holy Scripture: Jeremiah 33: The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it [a] will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

2 Holy Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3: How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Holy Gospel: Luke 21: There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 29 He told them this parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. Sermon Looking Both Ways Pastor Thomas M. Brodbeck *Apostles Creed p. 33 WOV *Prayer of the Church 2

3 We Respond to God s Grace Our Response in Tithes and Offerings Musical Offering Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Margaret R. Tucker Grace Notes *Prayer of Dedication p. 35 WOV God Feeds Us The Sacrament of Holy Communion *The Great Thanksgiving p. 36 WOV *Holy, holy, holy Lord p. 36 *The Words of Institution p. 37 *The Lord s Prayer Lamb of God p. 39 Distribution of the Meal and Blessing of the Children Musical Offering Come, O Come Emmanuel Lloyd Larson Grace Notes *Post-Communion Blessing p. 40 *Closing Hymn Lo, How a Rose Is Growing # 58 LBW *Benediction *Dismissal P - Gathered by God C - Receiving the Lord P - Sent by the Spirit C- Revealing His Love The Postlude A Celebration of Praise James Denton 3

4 Prayers And Praises Intercessory Prayers 11/11/18 Chanse Coss Evan Crew 11/18/18 Jack McCarthy (cousin of Kerry Rothgeb) Prayers of Support For our Senior Pastor Call Committee For North American Lutheran Church Disaster Relief Ministry For members of the U.S. military For first responders For marriages and families in crisis For all seeking employment For 2018 Grace council and staff For those suffering from addiction For Christian faith-based ministries For our community, country, and our world For family and friends living in care facilities For Bishop John Bradosky, the North American Lutheran Church, and the Southwest Ohio Mission District of the NALC Holy, Holy Lord, there are so many reasons to give You thanks. We thank You for this very day You made. In Psalm 143:8, David says Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Reveal to us the things in life that we can let go of that allow us more time with You. Thank you for placing special people in our lives who call us friends. Thank you for our Grace church family and blessing our pastors/staff with wisdom and empathy to share with others. Our praise and thanksgiving is endless. Endless because of the way our story ends. Because of You, there will be a day of no more pain, suffering, or hatred. Because of You, we will live in the house of the Lord, forever. Amen! Prayerfully submitted by the Grace Prayer Support Team 4

5 This Week Sun., Dec. 2 8:00 a.m. Worship (S) First Sunday 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages in Advent 10:15 a.m. Fellowship (FH) 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship/Receiving New Members (S) 1:00 p.m. Private party (café) 4:00 p.m. Surviving the Holidays (FH) 8:00 p.m. Community group (P) Mon., Dec. 3 6:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry Christmas party (cafe) 6:00 p.m. Girl Scouts (YW104) Tue., Dec. 4 8:00 a.m. Men s Bible Study (P) 11:30 1:30 p.m. Grace office closed for staff meeting 6:15 p.m. 7/8 grade youth group (YW) 7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts (CW105) Wed., Dec. 5 9:30 a.m. Embroiderer s Guild (CW102) 4:30 p.m. Torsell/Kresheck Wedding (S) 5:30 p.m. Grace Notes rehearsal (S) 6:45 p.m grade youth group (CC) 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir rehearsal (MR/S) 7:00 p.m. Disciple Fast Track (N108) Thu., Dec. 6 9:00 a.m. Service Quilter s Guild (N108) 11:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study (P) 7:00 p.m. Advent Worship (S) Fri., Dec. 7 3:15 p.m. Community group (YW104) 8:00 p.m. Community group (CR) Sat., Dec. 8 8:00 a.m. Men's Bible study (P) C Café CC Community Center CR Conference Room CW Children s Wing FH Fellowship Hall K Kitchen L Library MR Music Room N Narthex NY Nursery P Parlor S Sanctuary YW Youth Wing Sun., Dec. 9 8:00 a.m. Worship (S) Second Sunday 9:15 a.m. High School Super Sunday (P) in Advent 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for children & adults 10:15 a.m. Fellowship (FH) 10:45 a.m. Worship (S) 2:30 p.m. Worship & Christmas Party at Springfield Manor 3:00 p.m. Community group (S) 8:00 p.m. Community group (P) 5

6 Announcements ( announcements to by NOON on Tuesdays.) Today we invite you to attend one of these adult Sunday School classes: Letters to the Corinthians taught by Dr. Eugene Swanger meets in N108 Discipleship and the Ten Commandments taught by Pastor Powell meets in the fellowship hall Today our Sunday School offerings will support the work of the NALC Disaster Response team. Learn more about this ministry at Today we welcome into membership Roger Bentz, Carol Crewe, George and Nancy Lazear, and Barbara Romaca. We also acknowledge and welcome Terry and Judy Fredrich as recent additions to the membership roll. Today: Surviving the Holidays: 4-6 p.m. This event is a helpful and encouraging seminar for people facing the holidays after a loved one s death. There is no cost to attend. Please register in Sign-Up Central or in the narthex. Mon, 6 p.m.: Stephen Ministers Christmas gathering in the Grace café. Middle and High School Youth Groups continue to meet on Tuesdays (6:15-7:45) and Wednesdays (6:45-8:45) respectively. Come and bring your friends to burn off some energy and build relationships we meet in the CC! Wednesday night learning opportunity Disciple Fast Track, taught by Leslie McKinney and Sam Poston Thurs, 7 p.m.: Advent Midweek Worship. Our theme, focusing upon the Doxology (concluding statement) of The Lord s Prayer, is These Belong To God. Christmas Food Baskets Food will be collected through Sun., Dec. 16. We are going to begin sorting food and boxing as soon as it arrives with the final boxing done Sun. Dec. 16 and delivery of boxes on Dec. 17. Please sign up on Sign-up Central to help and indicate when you can help with either sorting or boxing. Any questions contact Barbara Maxwell SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, Dec. 9, 2:30 p.m. Third annual Grace Christmas Party at Springfield Manor Giving Tree for Snowhill Elementary: starting Sunday December 2nd you will have the opportunity to share God s love with some of our local families. We are supporting four families from Snowhill by buying them Christmas gifts that they otherwise would not be able to afford. Please select the gift/child of your choice from the tree in the Narthex, then buy, wrap, and return the appropriate gifts to the church by Sunday, December 16. 6

7 Announcements ( announcements to by NOON on Tuesdays.) Altar Care Ministry: We are desperately low in members on this team. Please prayerfully consider joining this very important ministry. You (and your spouse) can sign up as a team and you will still be paired with a person or team from the opposite service that you attend. For more information about Altar Care please contact Elaine Roller (937) or you can check the line for Altar Care in Sign-up Central. RightNow Media Follow-up! Your invitations for the FREE subscription to this outstanding Christian Video Series web site have been sent out. You can also text RIGHTNOW GELC to 41411, or hit the member s tab on the Grace website and follow the link, or Matt Rugh directly if you have any problems getting registered on this site. We are very confident that there is something valuable for EVERYONE at RightNow Media! High School Youth: Approximately 20 of our high school students will be returning for this morning s 10:45 worship, from a retreat held at Wittenberg over the last 24 hours. Matt Rugh presented the 4-part curriculum titled Why Jesus? in between food and fellowship and fun! Thank you for your continued prayers for this group of maturing believers! Scripture Readings Next week - December 9, 2018 Second Sunday of Advent Malachi 3:1-7 Philippians 1:2-11 Luke 3: Are you interested in a sew-a-thon. The Quilters guild wants to know if you are willing to come on a Saturday in January, bring your machines, and sew squares for the Service quilts. Sign up in Sign-Up Central. Questions, contact Susan Truchses. How have you served the Lord this week? As a part of our efforts to provide 10,000 hours of service to area outreach ministries, share how you have served by completing the statement found on Sign-Up Central. Attention Parents of grades 3rd/4th graders, and 5th/6th graders: We re sure you ll be looking for something to keep your kids busy over the upcoming Holiday break, so stay tuned for some extra-curricular Grace activities right after Christmas! Attendance Records Sunday - November 25, :00 a.m. Worship :45 a.m. Worship Adult Sunday School...59 Youth Sunday School...41 Tithes and Offerings...$10,145.50

8 SERVING THIS MORNING Pastor Daniel M. Powell Pastor Thomas M. Brodbeck Acolytes David Leeth Lectors Cathy Zernechel Communion Asst: Andy Schumacher, Harry Zernechel, Mike Thompson Ushers *Steeg and Diane Hertz, John and Janet Rice, Ed Urbanek Altar Care Beth Reynard-Wilson, Elaine Shaftner Sight & Sound Steve Garrett Organist Bev Kaech Choir Director Barbara Blackburn Offering Tellers Bill and Lora Lawson Church Prep Dan Shroyer Fellowship Hosts Jennifer Toney, Ann Clayton, Mary Beth Stelzer Greeters Ray Anderson Parking Assts. Terry Fredrich, Rob Caudill Welcome Ctr. Kathy Whited Safety Stewards *Harry Zernechel, Steve Garrett (7:30-10:00) *John Smoot, John Maxwell (10:00am - 12:30pm) Nursery Attendants: Molly Powell, Ryan Hanford (7:45) Carol Drown (9:00) GRACE STAFF Daniel M. Powell, Senior Pastor Thomas M. Brodbeck, Associate Pastor Barbara Blackburn, Director - Sanctuary, Handbell, and Handchime Choirs Carol Drown, Nursery Attendant Bev Kaech, Coordinator of Worship Music & Arts, Principal Organist Darla Kalifoot, Church Administrator GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Janet Rice, Director of Lay Ministry 1801 St. Paris Pike Matt Rugh, Director of Youth and Children s Ministry Springfield, Ohio Robert Thompson, Caretaker Cindy Witker, Ministry Assistant