CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH 1 FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 2, 2018 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! -Psalm 98:1a AS WE GATHER (prepared by Jim Gann) Have you ever wondered why we have Advent Wreaths? According to several Internet sites, it is believed that the origins of the Advent wreath can be traced to the folk practices of the pre-christian Germanic peoples who used evergreens and fires in cold, dark Decembers as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. CALL TO WORSHIP and PASSING OF THE PEACE RINGING OF THE BELLS (Please stand and face the Cross) OPENING HYMN #334, vs. 1-4 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
+ DIVINE SERVICE SETTING TWO + (Hymnal, p. 167) INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2 CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION (Silence for reflection on God s Word and for self-examination.) Pastor: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. People: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. Pastor: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen.
(Please remain standing) 3 GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
4 PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Let us pray together. ALL: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Please be seated) OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 33:14 16 (A righteous Branch will spring up for David.) Reader: The Old Testament reading is from Jeremiah, chapter 33. (After the reading ) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. EPISTLE READING 1 Thessalonians 3:9 13 ( May the Lord make you increase and abound in love. ) Reader: The Epistle reading is from 1 Thessalonians, chapter three. (After the reading )
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! 5 (Please stand for the Alleluia Verse and the reading of the Gospel Lesson) ALLELUIA AND VERSE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 19:28 40 (Jesus triumphal entry) Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 19th chapter. (The Gospel is read.) Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
APOSTLE'S CREED All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. 6 And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come 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. (Please be seated) We invite the children forward as we sing: HYMN # 740 I am Jesus little lamb. Ever glad at heart I am. For my shepherd gently guides me. Knows me need and well provides me. Loves me every day the same. Even calls me by my name. Day by day, at home away. Jesus is my staff and stay. When I hunger, Jesus feeds me. Into pleasant pastures leads me. When I thirst, He bids me go where the quiet waters flow. CHILDREN S TALK SERMON HYMN #762 O Day of Peace (see insert)
SERMON Promise Made, Promise Kept 7 TITHES, PLEDGES, AND OFFERINGS [Please take a moment and sign the attendance book at the end of the pew] (Please stand for the prayers) PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who do not know You, those who have rejected You, and those who are straying from You. Unite them to Your glorious throne and dwell in their hearts. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who are lonely and in need of Your presence. Come to the homeless, the unemployed, the underemployed, the homebound, the mentally ill, those who are in transition, and anyone else who experiences the pain of loneliness. Remind them of Your incarnation and lead them to Your Church, where we bear one another s burdens. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who are oppressed and at the mercy of others. Rescue those who are suffering, abused, neglected, and hated. Comfort them with Your tender presence and love. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who are sick, injured, and recovering, [especially...]. Strengthen them with Your healing hand and with Your unwavering presence. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who grieve and mourn the death of loved ones. Comfort them with the hope of resurrection life that is ours in Christ Jesus. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, come to Your broken Church with the gifts of reconciliation and restoration. Unite Your people once again so that we enjoy fellowship rather than fractured division. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Pastor: Into Your hands, Lord Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your ever present mercy. People: Amen. + SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + PREFACE Pastor: The Lord be with you. 8 Pastor: Lift up your hearts. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
PROPER PREFACE 9 SANCTUS THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Pastor: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My ( ) body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying: Drink of it all of you; This cup is the new covenant in My ( ) blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST Pastor: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 THE LORD S PRAYER Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: ALL: 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. PAX DOMINI Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: Amen. AGNUS DEI 10
11 (Please be seated for the Distribution) Visitors, please review our Communion announcement found on the inside back cover of this bulletin DISTRIBUTION HYMNS #845 Where Charity and Love Prevail #706 Love in Christ Is Strong and Living #332 Savior of the Nations, Come (At the conclusion of the Distribution, we stand) POST COMMUNION COLLECT Pastor: Let us pray together. ALL: Almighty God, heavenly Father, we give thanks that You have refreshed us with the body and blood of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that this heavenly food which we have received will strengthen our faith that we may bear all crosses, sickness, and trials with patience and trust until You grant us deliverance, peace, and health; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BENEDICTION Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. 12 (Congregation turns to follow the cross to the rear of the Church) CLOSING HYMN #341 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates ANNOUNCEMENTS (p. 13-15) VERSE OF THE WEEK Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all as we do for you. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12) MISSION HYMN (sung together) Lift high the Cross, the Love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. POSTLUDE
IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD TODAY: Officiant Rev. Mark Moretz Organist Cindy Golem Assisting Ministers Mr. Dan Vermilya, Mr. Frank Waldron Mr. Jim Gann, Mr. Fred Tichnell Usher Ed Asper/TBD Acolyte, 8;00 Sydney Hector, Aubrey Davidson Acolyte, 11:00 Sam Moretz, Zachary Miller Lector, 8:00 Marian Foster Lector, 11:00 Mike Jorgensen Greeters, 8:00 Mr. & Mrs. Dan Vermilya Greeters, 11:00 Mr. & Mrs. John Mullican Nursery TBD Altar flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Roland Foster. ANNOUNCEMENTS [Please check the newsletter for additional announcements] Email addresses: Church: concordia.hagerstown@gmail.com Open Arms: openarms.hagerstown1@gmail.com This week: - Wednesday Soup & Sandwich, 5:45 p.m. Midweek Advent Worship, 7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class Choir Rehearsal, 8:00 p.m. Thursday Ladies Christmas Dinner, 6:00 p.m. Saturday Greenery Workshop, 9:00 3:00 DECEMBER 9 Presentation of a short video (5 minute video, plus 5 minutes for questions) for use of the Automatic AED Defibrillator after 1 st service (which would include attendees of the second service) and after the late service in the Fellowship Hall. 13
14 Gluten-free Communion wafers are now available. Please let Pastor Mark know at the Communion Rail if you prefer these. TODAY Chicken & Dumpling Dinner after the 11:00 service. Fund raiser for the Salvation Army Stockings - Return stockings to the church today. Open Arms is participating in the Charlie Brown Christmas at Springfield Farm in Williamsport. Dates to see the display are Dec. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9. The event is free, donations are encouraged when you enter. Church Envelopes: It is that time of year! If you do not already have church offering envelopes and would like to have them, please let Mitzie Bowman know. You can place a note in her mailbox or give her a call 301-733-3234. Mission of the Month for December is Cristo Senor de la Vida. The CLC Praise Team is seeking a bass guitar player to play at the 9:30 am service. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, please contact Tom O Farrell at tjofarrell7@gmail.com. Micah s Backpack Keep us in mind when you re out getting groceries. Pick up one or two (or more) items from the list of needed foods. Every donation helps feed one of the 15 children we make backpacks for at Lincolnshire Elementary school. You bless those in need by supporting Micah s Backpack Ministry. Thanks, Brenda Horsch. Mailboxes Our most utilized form of communication at Concordia! If you are a member of Concordia or an active visitor there is a mailbox with your name on it. For additional information about the mailboxes located in the Narthex or the Outreach Center, please contact Rosella Rogers or Jean Tichnell. Thank you.
ChurchTrac: If there is a change in any of your personal information especially phone number or email address please contact Jean Tichnell @304-274-0025 or jeantich@comcast so the info can be changed in ChurchTrac. Thank you! Prayer Shawl Ministry Request forms to have a prayer shawl made for you or a loved one are on the bulletin board to the left of the mailboxes. Please complete the form and put it in Jane O Farrell s mailbox. If anyone would like to share their talent of knitting or crocheting for this ministry please contact one of the members: Jane O Farrell or Cheryl Dawson. Group meets the 2 nd Wednesday of every month. Church Library News: The Church library has a link on Concordia's Church Website (Our Library) and now under that link has the main library catalogue divided under four headings; PreK-Kindergarten, Children/Youth, Adult Fiction and Adult Non Fiction. FOOD FOR THE POOR LUTHERAN COALITION: Don t forget! We continue to collect funds to help serve the poorest of the poor. $2 per week from all our member families would mean $10,000 to help alleviate their tremendous suffering. 15
Worship with us! Sunday in the Sanctuary: Traditional (Liturgical) Service, 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday in the Outreach Center Praise Service, 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion celebrated at all Sunday Services 16 Sunday School meets in the Education Wing, 9:30 a.m. Together With Jesus: Parents, two s & three s Noah s Ark (Parents) Early Childhood Ages 4-6 Promised Land or Lion s Den (Chip Brown) Elementary Grades 2-5 Promised Land (Becky Brown & Maggie Brown) Middle School/Upper Grades Grades 6-8 (plus high school) Luther Room (Sylvia Shives, Bob Keane) High School, Young Adults Class/Leader plans pending Adult Bible Study, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall (Pastor William Pekari) Open Arms Preschool Registration required for 2, 3, or 4 day AM program Contact Karla Baker: 301-824-7464 (cell: 240-672-5554)