Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018 Area Churches Together ACT Parish DeGraff/Murdock Area Pennock Area Sunburg Area Bethesda Lutheran Mamrelund Lutheran Hope Lutheran Buffalo Lake Lutheran St. ohn s Lutheran Monson Lake Lutheran
Order of Service Lighting the Advent Wreath Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. Your prophets spoke of a day when the desert would blossom and waters would break forth in the wilderness. Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath. Strengthen our hearts as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. May he give water to all who thirst, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God forever. Amen. Gathering Hymn ELW 249 On ordan s Bank the Baptist s Cry Greeting The grace of our Lord esus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Prayer of the Day Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of ohn, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through esus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. First Reading Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ esus. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Luke 3:7-18 7 ohn said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our ancestor ; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
10 And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? 11 In reply he said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? 13 He said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. 14 Soldiers also asked him, And we, what should we do? He said to them, Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages. 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning ohn, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 ohn answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ. Sermon Hymn of the Day ELW 256 Comfort, Comfort, Now, My People Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in esus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.* On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 Offering
Offertory Let the vineyards be fruitful Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing. Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the bread of life. Gather the hopes and the dreams of all; unite them with the prayers we offer now. Grace our table with your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come. Words of Institution In the night in which he was betrayed Holy Communion 269, 295 Lord s Prayer 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. Benediction Announcements Sending Hymn ELW 239 Hark, the Glad Sound! Dismissal Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Pastoral Staff Contact Information Pastor Daniel Croonquist Pastor Michelle Kleene Email: croondw7@gmail.com Email: mkleene89@gmail.com Cell Phone: 220-3055 Cell Phone: 226-3535 If you would like a pastoral visit please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Michelle Remember in Prayer Lisa Carlson, Elaine Sjelstad, Al Lesteberg, Roland Froehlich, Kelly Rodenberg, Kris Baker, Allen Barrett, Mary ane Stredde, Shelia Stredde, Alice Randt, The Family of Mary Rood, The Family of Sandy Gjerde & The Family of The Family of Roger Fragodt Today, Sunday, December 16 5:30pm St. ohn s Soup & Sandwich and at 6:30pm will be their Christmas Story Thru Song Tuesday, December 18 9:30am Coffee & Conversation at Bethesda 1pm - Coffee & Conversation at Hope Wednesday, December 19 10:00am Miriam Manor worship service 7pm Hope s choir Thursday, December 20 5-7pm - W.O.W. Women of Worship (formerly MOPS) at Bethesda Saturday, December 22 7pm Willmar s Calvary Lutheran Church, Annual Norwegian Language Lillejulaften Service (Little Christmas Eve). The service will include Norwegian scripture reading, prayers, songs, and sermon. The service folder will be in Norwegian with full English translation. After the service in the sanctuary, there will be a fellowship time in Bethany Hall with coffee and treats. Men, Women & Children are encouraged to wear their Bunads (Norwegian Festive Garb) if they have them. Monday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Services 2:30pm and 4pm - Old Mamre 4pm - Hope 5:30pm - Monson Lake & Bethesda Tuesday, December 25 9am Buffalo Lake Christmas Day Service Sunday, December 30 9:30am Hope s coffee 10:45am Hope s Lessons & Carols Service