CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Wantagh, New York Church Office 221-3286 The Rev. Martin R. Nale, Pastor Residence 826-4692 Web site: www.clcwantagh.org Email: PastorMartin@CLCWantagh.org The Second Sunday in Advent December 9, 2018 THE HOLY EUCHARIST, 9:00 AM The Second Sunday in Advent rd 3 Grade Bible Presentation December 9, 2018 CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 3384 Island Road Wantagh, New York The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Lord of P: Israel who comes to set us free, the mighty Savior who comes to show mercy, the Dawn from on high who guides us into peace. Let us come before God in confession. P: P: C: To you, O God, Silence for reflection and self-examination we lift up our souls. You know us through and through; we confess our sins to you. Remember not our sins; remember us with your steadfast love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. P: Children of God, come with joy and draw water from the well of salvation. Remember the gift of baptism: your sin is washed away in the name of Jesus; you belong to Christ; you are anointed to serve. Stand up and raise your heads! The reign of God is near. GATHERING SONG Prepare the Royal Highway Hymn #264 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. 1
KYRIE (Lord) HYMN OF PRAISE 2 3
PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray. A brief silence is kept before the prayer. Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. The assembly is seated. THE BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH THE ADVENT HYMN #257 vs. 1&2 O Come, O Come Emmanuel FIRST READING: Malachi 3:1 4 The Lord announces a covenant with Israel. A messenger like Malachi (his name means "my messenger") shall prepare the way for the coming of the Lord by purifying and refining God's people, as silver and gold are refined. A reading from Malachi A: See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the LORD whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight indeed, he is 2 coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? 3 For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the 4 LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. The word of God, word of life. C: Thanks be to God. RD 3 GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION Luke 1:68 79 Read Responsively by whole verse (bold type) 68Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, you have come to your people and set them free. 69You have raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of your servant David. 70Through your holy prophets, you promised of old to save us from our enemies, 71from the hands of all who hate us, 72to show mercy to our forebears, 4 and to remember your holy covenant. 73This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: 74to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship you without fear, 75holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life. 76And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way, 77to give God's people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. 78In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, 79to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. SECOND READING: Philippians 1:3 11 The apostle Paul was the pastor of many new churches. He writes in this letter about his joy to be in partnership with the Christians of Philippi. Listen to how tender-hearted Paul, sometimes a stern preacher, is with his friends as he encourages them to grow in love and knowledge. A: A reading from Philippians 3 4 I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying 5 with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your 6 sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to 7 completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the 8 defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how 9 I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with 10 knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so 11 that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. The word of God, word of life. C: Thanks be to God. The assembly stands to welcome the gospel. 5
P:The holy gospel according to Luke C: Glory to you, O Lord GOSPEL: Luke 3:1 6 John the Baptist is a herald of the saving Lord, whose way is prepared by "repentance for the forgiveness of sins." As we hear the careful record of human leaders, we sense the spectrum of political and religious authority that will be challenged by this coming Lord. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and 2 Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the 3 wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming 4 a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 5 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. The assembly is seated. SERMON Silence for reflection follows the sermon. The assembly stands to proclaim the word of God in song. HYMN OF THE DAY Hymn#244 Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers CREED 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 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 INTERCESSION (Petition Response to Hear us, O God: Your mercy is great.) PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the Lord. P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of the Lord's peace, and may say, "Peace be with you," or similar words. The assembly is seated. OFFERING An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. Offertory Song OFFERING PRAYER 6 7
GREAT THANKSGIVING INVITATION TO COMMUNION Please be seated All who believe in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament are invited to come forward to receive. Follow the instructions of the ushers. Children who have not yet received first communion instruction are invited to come forward for a blessing. Communion Song The thanksgiving continues with the preface for the day; the assembly responds: POST COMMUNION BLESSING please stand SONG AFTER COMMUNION EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (Pastor) 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 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Response after the Prayer C: AMEN 8 9
BLESSING P: May God direct your ways in peace, make you abound in love for one another and for all, and strengthen your hearts until the coming of our Lord Jesus. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. SENDING SONG Comfort, Comfort Now My People Hymn #256 DISMISSAL P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE The Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 We Welcome all visitors to our services this morning. Please introduce yourself and sign our guest book on the desk in the Sanctuary. Parents with Restless Children may wish to move to the Library where a loudspeaker has been installed so that they may continue to follow the service in more comfortable surroundings. The Altar Flowers this morning are given by Eileen Colton in loving memory of her Dad, Frank C. Meier; by the Hasteadt & Scibelli Families in memory of Carol Veltri; by Janet & Gene Veltri and Family in memory of Carol Veltri; by Norma Mantay and Family in loving memory of Al and by Barbara & Roy and Family in loving memory of Otto P. Roepke, Jr. The Bread and Wine for Holy Communion today is a gift from The Franz Family in honor of Roger Ohlander s birthday (#1 Papa) Serving Today Deacon: Lector: Barbara Stone Comm.Assists: 9:00 - Ruth Kollar, Hans Vogel Acolytes: 9:00 - Ashley Rice Crucifer: 9:00 - Kevin Glenn Greeter: 9:00 - Ralph Pollock Ushers: Roger Ohlander, Bill Carman, Michael Soethout Altar Guild: Doris Ohlander, Joan Drake, Norma Mantay, Regina Coons, Edwina Henderson Counters: Roger Ohlander, Doris Ohlander, Eileen Colton, Jerry Fitzgerald, Frank Tetro Flower Delivery: Ruth Kollar Coffee Hour Hosts: Joan Drake, Sandy, Scarlet, Regina Coons and helpers for the Advent Continental Breakfast Announcements for the Week of December 9, 2018 rd We welcome our 3 Grade Sunday School class and their families to rd the worship service this morning. Pastor Martin and the 3 grade teacher, Sarah Baker, will present the children with their own copy of the Bible. (See insert) Many thanks to Joan Drake, Sandy, Scarlet, Regina Coons and all those who are helping out at the Advent Continental Breakfast this morning in Room 2000. The Advent/Christmas Communion Assistants sign-up sheet is on the desk in the back of the Sanctuary. If you can help out on any of the Sundays listed, please sign up next to that date. Also, if you would like to donate the Communion Elements during Advent, there is a sign up sheet on the desk in the back of the Church. 2018 Christmas Flower Memorials - if you wish to place a memorial for Christmas, please see bulletin insert for additional information. The deadline is tomorrow, December 10. REMINDER - Next Sunday, December 16, after the 9:00 am service, we will be decorating the Church for Christmas. If you are available, we need volunteers to help us. Also, please join us for the Sunday School Christmas Pageant which will begin at 4:00 pm on Dec. 16. 10 11
Please take note - this year we will have only two Christmas Eve Services at 5:30 pm & 9:00 pm. The Christmas Day service is at 10:00 am. The Annual Congregational Christmas Card holder will be on the wall of the Church for your Christmas card greetings to fellow members in the congregation you might ordinarily send a card to. Money received through the Christmas card donations will go to Grace Lutheran Church - New Life Center - Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry in Uniondale. Your donation and greeting card should be sent to the Church office - 3384 Island Rd., Wantagh, NY 11793. Thank You! Please take note of the What s on Your Mind bulletin insert. We d like to hear your thoughts! The Nursery School is sponsoring a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 15. See bulletin insert for additional information and signup sheet. St. Peter s Lutheran Church in Baldwin extended an invitation to our congregation to attend A Living Nativity with actors, dancers and live animals on Sunday, Dec. 16. The flyer is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Nursery School has a continuous registration for all open classes 2's, 3's and 4's. Spaces are still available for all ages. If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in enrolling their child(ren), please contact the Nursery School Office at 679-8425. The following people are on our Prayer List. We remember them in our prayers ~ Jose Alves, Tom Anderson, Ellen Bacotti, Carole Brodman, James Cathcart, Donna Chillemi, Michael Florio, Barbara Grieser, Helen Gscheidle, Edwina Henderson, Robert Knox, Jean Leib, Kathy McKinnon, Janet McShea, William McShea, James Pallas, George & Marylou Steele, Natalie Stone We ask that you please keep us updated and let us know of any changes. If you would like to add someone to the list who is in need of prayers, please let Pastor know or call Elaine at 221-3286. Thrift Shop Hours: Friday ~ 9am - 3pm st 1 Saturday of month ~ 10am - 2pm St. John s Food Pantry is in need of: Canned peas, canned green beans, canned corn, hash, salad dressing Mayonnaise, chili, canned beef stew, chicken broth, egg noodles, Hamburger Helper, chicken gravy, miscellaneous canned vegetables, pork and beans, facial tissues, bar soap, laundry soap There is a box in the hallway across from the Library for donations. Please check the expiration dates on the packaged foods before you donate the item! Your donations are appreciated. Thank you! Weekly Calendar Sun. 9:00am rd Second Sunday of Advent - Worship and 3 Grade Bible Presentation 10:00am Advent Continental Breakfast - Rm. 2000 10:15am Sunday School & Confirmation Classes Mon. 7:00pm Worship & Music 8:00pm Council Thurs. 1:45pm Belair Nursing Home 5:30pm Youth Choir 7:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal 8:00pm Senior Choir Fri. 9:00am-3pm Thrift Shop Sun. 9:00am Third Sunday of Advent - Worship 10:00am Coffee Hour 10:00am Decorate Church 10:15am Sunday School & Confirmation Classes 4:00pm Christmas Pageant 12 13
Financial Overview Where we stand as of November 30, 2018 Budgeted for Budget Prorate Actual Balance Year Year to Date Receipts + or - Member Giving 99,800 91,483 77,668-13,815 Revenue from Other Sources 78,758 Total Income 156,426 Current Expenses -194,827 Net Loss -38,401 14