CHRISTMAS IN JULY Preston Meadow Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 CHRISTMAS IN JULY Preston Meadow Lutheran Church Plano, Texas July 22, :30am & 10am

2 SPIRIT CHECK Merry Christmas y all! Yes, we know it feels awkward and strange to sing Christmas songs and hear the Christmas reading when we re in the middle of a hot summer. It seems so out of place. Yet, we remember that Jesus was probably not born on December 25. That date was set by the church hundreds of years ago as a way to celebrate the Incarnation, the doctrine of God with us in human flesh. His own birth to Mary and Joseph in a stable was out of place. It was unexpected. The birth of God was a strange idea for his parents to get used to, for shepherds to celebrate, and for magi to commemorate. During Christmas time, we remember that not only was Jesus born to Mary but that his Spirit is born in each of us so that we can serve as his body on this planet. At Christmas, we remember the great generosity of God to send the Son into the world, and we celebrate this generosity with our own small acts of kindness. Our hope in worship today is that Christ is born into each of us, again. Merry Christmas! Please notify an usher if you would like a hearing assistance device. Prelude GOD GATHERS US O Holy Night Craig Ongley Confession and Forgiveness All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. P Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. C Amen. P Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen. P Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Please kneel as you are able. Silence for reflection.

3 P Gracious God, C have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. P God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. C Amen.

4 Gathering Hymn Apostolic 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.

5 Hymn of Praise Prayer of the Day P Let us pray. Almighty God, you made this day shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesusʹ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.

6 INTO THE WORD Scripture Reading Ephesians 4:17 32 Pew Bible p. 978 Gospel Acclamation After the Reading, the People say, Thanks Be to God.

7 A The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 1st chapter: C Glory to you, O Lord. Gospel Reading Luke 1:26 38 Pew Bible p. 855 A The Gospel of our Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ. Gospel Acclamation Kids Word Time (10:00) Children ages 3 through 2nd grade are invited to follow the cross for children s chapel time. Sermon Dan Lund, Church of the Damascus Road

8 Hymn of the Day

9 Profession of Faith P Grounded in our trust of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we profess our faith: We are not alone, we live in God s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Prayers of Intercession Please kneel. After each petition: A Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. The Peace P C The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The people greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace.

10 Commissioning of Mission DFW Youth Serve Trip (10:00) Worship, Connect, Grow Serve Opportunities To all of our guests: One of the many ways we live out our faith is through JOYFUL GENEROSITY. We d like to celebrate that God has brought you here today by making a $25 contribution in your name to a charity of your choice. After worship, please stop by our Welcome Center in the Atrium so you can designate the charity and provide us with your information. Thank you for joining us today. Offering Anthem Süsser die Glocken nie klingen by Carsten arr. Gerlitz Carrie Kelly, Soloist Translation: The bells never ring as sweetly as at Christmas time It s as if angels are singing again of peace and joy As they sang in the holy night As they sang in the holy night Bells with a sacred ring sound throughout the earth And when the bells ring she hears the Christ child Then swings from the sky, hastening down to the earth Bless the father, the mother, the child Bless the father, the mother, the child Bells with a sacred ring sound throughout the earth They ring with lovely sounds far across the seas So that everyone enjoys a blessed Christmas time All exult with one song All exult with one song Bells with a sacred ring sound throughout the earth Offering Prayer A Let us pray. God of mercy and grace, C the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

11 AT THE TABLE The Great Thanksgiving P The Lord 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 the Lord our God. C It is right to give our thanks and praise. P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy...and join their unending hymn: P C Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life,...now and forever. Amen. P Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, we pray the prayer Jesus gave us: Lord s Prayer C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

12 Communion At Preston Meadow Lutheran, our communion table is open. That means that you don t have to be a member of PMLC to commune, or even a Lutheran. We welcome children of all ages to this favorite meal of the church because we know that we come at Jesus invitation to receive his free gift of grace. Parents, if your children are not yet communing, encourage them to fold their arms over their chests to receive a blessing. If you are communing, simply open your hands and bread will be given to you. Cups with white grape juice are located in the center of the trays; gluten-free wafers are available on request. Come and enjoy the free gifts of God! Communion Hymns

13

14 Please stand. Sending Prayer A Let us pray. God of grace, INTO THE WORLD C you have fed us at your table of grace and grounded us in your love. Give us strength to comprehend with all the saints the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of Christ as you send us to do the good works you have prepared beforehand for us. In Christ s name, we pray. Amen.

15 Blessing P May God, who has brought you from death to life, grow you in every way into Christ who is the head. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C Amen. Closing Hymn Dismissal A Go in peace. Christ is with you! Be kind to one another, and serve the Lord! C Thanks be to God! Postlude

16 Serving in Worship 8:30 10:00 Preacher: Dan Lund Dan Lund Presider: Pastor Jackie Linden Schade Pastor Jackie Linden Schade Acolytes: Eli de Oliveira Grace Barrett Assisting Minister: Michelle Honeck Craig Ongley Lector: Heather Powell Sue Weiland Organ: Anne Abercrombie Anne Abercrombie Pianist: Hannah Abercrombie Hannah Abercrombie Ushers: Dave Thompson Mark Benedict Ed Miculka Dennis Hahn Bob & Karen Redding Lou Williams Gene & Kathy Menze Joyce Baumbach Todd Bradshaw Asst. Head Ushers: Garrett Young Allen Gray Atrium Greeters: Debbie Dietz & Gail Falco Judy Haven & Krista Porst Altar Care: Becky Shuman & Lynn Thompson Bread Baker: Diane Evidente Diane Evidente Coffee: Gene Menze Rebecca Chase July 15, 2018 Church Attendance: 298 Online Attendance: 46 Communion Attendance: 269 Total Attendance: 344 Offering: $10, Used by permission under copyrights: GIA Publishing, Inc., license no. 8077; Augsburg Fortress license no S; CCLI license no & OneLicense.net license# A Pastors: Rev. Paul Mussachio, Lead Pastor Rev. Kate Knutson, Pastor for Family Ministries Rev. Dr. Jackie Linden Schade, Pastor for Congregational Care 6801 Coit Road, Plano, Texas