Third Sunday in Advent December 12, 2010 St. John Lutheran Church and School The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Senior Pastor: Mark Elliott Associate Pastor: Jeff Caithamer School Principal: Ralph Leffler 8:00 Divine Service II Page Prelude Veni, Emmanuel Near Hymn Hark the Glad Sound 349 *Invocation, Confession 167 *Introit *Advent Kyrie insert *Salutation & Collect 172 First Reading Gradual Epistle Reading *Alleluia and Verse 173 *Gospel Reading Children s Devotion Hymn O Lord, How Shall I Meet You 334 Sermon *Apostles Creed 175 Prayer of the Church 175 Gathering of Tithes and Offering Veni Emmanuel Mixed Choir & Alleluia Ringers *Offertory 176 *Lord s Prayer, Collect and Benediction 183 Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 338 10:45 Holy Communion Page Prelude Veni, Emmanuel Near Hymn Hark the Glad Sound 349 *Invocation, Confession 167 *Introit *Advent Kyrie insert *Salutation & Collect 172 First Reading Gradual Epistle Reading *Alleluia and Verse 173 *Gospel Reading Hymn O Lord, How Shall I Meet You 334 Sermon *Nicene Creed 174 *Prayers 175 Gathering of Tithes and Offering *Offertory 176 *Communion Liturgy 177 Communion Hymns 348, 398, 338 *Post Communion Canticle (Thank the Lord) 181 *Collect and Benediction 183
stand as you are able Preaching: Rev. Mark Elliott Liturgist: Rev. Jeff Caithamer WELCOME TO ST. JOHN! We ask members and guests to fill out an attendance card located by the hymnals; indicate your attendance at Holy Communion. Cards may be placed in the offering plate. Note that there are two glasses in the center of each tray with diluted wine. Hearing assistance units are available from ushers. ABOUT THE LORD S SUPPER: Our congregation is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a family of congregations who pledge themselves to teach and to believe the same doctrines. We invite those persons who are members in good standing of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or of a church in fellowship with the LCMS to receive the sacrament. We want to express our sincere welcome to guests and to assure them that it is in their spiritual interest that we practice closed communion. Guests desiring to learn more about our beliefs are asked to make an appointment to speak with one of our pastors. SERVING TODAY Organist & Choir Director: Keith Willams. Elders: 8:00 John & Todd; 10:45 John, Dan & Jim. Greeters: 8:00 Steve & Pam; 10:45 - Dan & Rita. Acolytes: 8:00 Cole & David; 10:45 Shelby & Sydney. OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY The altar flowers are given by Bob, Wendy and Megan in honor of Nellie s birthday on December 16 th. We also remember the following people in our prayers: for peace and comfort: Roger and family at the death of wife Nelda; for healing and recovery: Gladys, Merv, Warren; during treatments: Gene, Juleigh, Barbara, Anita; for comfort and peace: Alice Vest; for strength, healing and hope: Carolyn; for missions: Pastor David Rakotonirina and the Madagascar Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Magnus Bengston and Lielsalaca Lutheran Church in Latvia, Pastor Obot Ite and the Lutheran Mission in Kingston, Jamaica; for those in the military: Dustin, Taylor, John, Jimm, Christopher, Brandon, Keidi; for our homebound: Eric, Jean, Lewis, Mel.
Call Committee Update The Call Committee is seeking names of synodically trained individuals for consideration to fill the position vacated by Deaconess Kim. This individual could be a Deaconess, Director of Christian Education, or a Pastor. The position would include youth and family ministry, and musical capability is a plus. Please submit names of candidates to the church office. The December Budget Voters Meeting will be today at 1:00pm in the fellowship hall.
EDUCATION HOUR TODAY Adult Bible Class It s All About Jesus led by Pastor Elliott, fellowship hall Adult Bible Class God s Word for Today led by Pastor Caithamer, school library Sunday School 3 year olds through high school will meet in the Sanctuary for opening. Children can be picked up at 10:30 in the following rooms: Parents & 2 s Room 4A 3 & 4 yr. olds 4C Kindergarten 1A 1 st grade 3A 2 nd grade 2A 3 rd & 4 th grade 1C 5 th grade 6B 6 th grade 4B 7 th & 8 th grade 2B High School Youth Room The Board of Parish Education invites you to enjoy Advent materials this holiday season. "Home for the Holidays," an Advent devotional, is available on the narthex table. All youth will receive Advent materials at Sunday School. Extras will be placed on the narthex table. Advent Dinners Please join us for dinner following the 3:30 Wednesday Advent Service. Dec. 15 th the Jr. High girls will serve tacos, hotdogs and delicious desserts. Thanks to everyone who helped by donating food for the dinners. Altar Flowers The 2011 calendar for altar flowers is now hanging in the overflow for those who would like to reserve a date. Door Hangers Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to come worship with you on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Door hanger invitations are available on the table in the entry area of the sanctuary. Please take some and pass them out, especially to those you know who do not have a home church. You just might make an eternal difference in their lives. Media Rack - The church services and Bible classes are recorded each week in video and audio formats, and are on the rack by Monday morning. If you know of someone who is ill or shut in, this is a great way to bring church to them. St John delivers and sends the disks each week to shut ins. If you can share, or know of someone in need of a weekly delivery please let the church office know.
Casting Christ s Net on the Internet - Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio. Topics include: Baptism, The Sacrament of the Altar, Confession, The Advent Hymn "Creator of the Stars of Night" and more. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org. OUR WEEK AHEAD Today Third Sunday in Advent; 8:00 Divine Service II; 9:30 Sunday School, Adult Bible Classes; 10:30 LYF Leader Mtg; 10:45 Holy Communion; 1:00 Voters Meeting; 4:00 Sunday School Christmas Program Monday 8:45 MOPS; 1:00 1 st Grade Reading Buddies; 2:15 Mom s Prayer Group; 6:00 Finance Board; Ram Rebate orders due Tuesday 6:30 Day School Christmas Program; 8:00 Youth Board Wednesday 8:25 Chapel; 3:00 Market Day Sale; 3:30 Holy Communion; 4:30 Advent Dinner; 5:45 Midweek School; 6:00 Handbells; 7:15 Holy Communion Thursday 6:00 High School Youth Friday Ram Rebate pick-up Sunday Fourth Sunday in Advent; 8:00 Holy Communion; 9:30 Sunday School, Adult Bible Classes; 10:45 Matins; 4:00 LYF Fest First Grade reading buddies will meet on Monday, December 13, at 1:00 in the first grade room. Sunday School Christmas Program will be today at 4pm. St. John Christmas Caroling - We'd like to invite everyone to shine the light of Jesus and join us for Christmas caroling to our homebound members. We'll meet at 6:15 pm at the Fellowship Hall and car pool to members' homes. We'll have hot cocoa and Christmas cookies and Christmas trivia back at the church afterwards. You're welcome to bring a batch of cookies to share. LYFest Next Sunday beginning at 4:00 we will go Christmas caroling and return to church for a Christmas Party. Please bring a $5.00 gift for the gift exchange. Sign up is on the youth bulletin board. Ram Rebate orders are due tomorrow by 3pm in the school office or you may place your on-line order until 8pm at www.shopwithscrip.com. Contact Leah if you have questions. Forms are on the Narthex table.
Market Day pick up is this Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall from 3-4pm. Contact Diane to make other arrangements. Organ Concerts Wednesdays, December 15 & 22 at Noon The First United Methodist Church in Champaign presents a series of half-hour Christmas organ concerts. Free lunch is available afterwards by advance reservation only. The final concert will be performed by Keith Williams. LEARN BY HEART THE FAMILY ALTAR The families of St. John are encouraged to learn these words from the Small Catechism by heart this week: Lord s Prayer The Third Petition Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is God s will done? God s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God s name or let his kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will. Bible Passage: God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 Hymn 343 Prepare the Royal Highway stanzas 3 & 4 Psalm 146 Bible Readings for the Week: Abraham Sends for a Bride for Isaac Genesis 24:1-24 Rebecca Genesis 24:29, (30-31), 32-38, (39-41), 42-49, (50-57), 58-67 Jacob and Esau Esau Sells His Birthright Genesis 25:19-34 Isaac Blesses Jacob Genesis 27:1-29