Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 10:45 AM Worship Service ELW Setting 5 December 23, 2018 Fourth Sunday in Advent Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and the blessed virgin Mary s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ s advent is for the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. It is the kind of tension in which the church always lives as when in the holy communion with high delight we proclaim the Lord's death.
Welcome members and guests to our worship service today. If you are visiting, we encourage you to sign the guest register located in the narthex. Please include your home address, email address and phone number. In each pew, there is a card that you can fill out if you wish to have a consult with the pastor and/or leave us more information about you. A nursery is available for children up to five years of age during the service. The nursery is located off the hallway on the Huntington Avenue side of the church building. There are also quiet bags available for older children to enjoy during the service. Please ask an usher about borrowing one. Parents are invited to bring children from the nursery for Holy Communion to receive a blessing. If children become restless or noisy during worship, parents are encouraged to take them in to and out of the sanctuary as necessary. Trinity offers an induction loop for the benefit of hearing impaired worshippers. To use, please switch your hearing aid to T. If you are unsure if your hearing aid is compatible, please contact your audiologist. Enlarged print sermon copies are available for the benefit of sight or hearing impaired worshippers. They can be found in the bulletin rack just outside the sacristy kitchen, closest to the wheelchair ramp exit door. Enlarged print sermon copies are available for the benefit of sight or hearing impaired worshippers. They can be found in the bulletin rack just outside the sacristy kitchen, closes to the wheelchair ramp exit door. The Reverend Tina Melusky, Pastor Rob Keene, Organist and Director of Music Congregation of Trinity Lutheran, Ministers of the Word 6812 River Road, Newport News, VA 23607 Church office: (757) 245-7861; Pastor's cell: (734) 239-4013 www.trinitylutheran-nn.com Trinity Lutheran is a partner church with Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center. Cover image by JoAnne Rawls.
Prelude Announcements Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Edwards Family Hymn O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (stanza 1) ELW 241 Confession and Forgiveness Gathering The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Lord of 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. Amen. Let us come before God in confession. To you, O God, Silence is kept for reflection. 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. 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. Amen. Gathering Hymn My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness ELW 251 Greeting Kyrie The grace of our Lord Jesus 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 your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a Pew bible Old Testament pages 818 The prophet Micah, having pronounced judgment upon Judah, speaks of a future shepherd-king who, like David, will come from the small town of Bethlehem. (Ephrathah refers to the area around Bethlehem.) This king will restore Israel and bring peace. New Testament writers understood this passage to be referring to Jesus. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55 (read responsively) My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: you, the Almighty, have done great things for me and holy is your name. You have mercy on those who fear you, from generation to generation. You have shown strength with your arm and scattered the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, to remember the promise of mercy, the promise made to our forbears, to Abraham and his children forever. Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 Pew bible New Testament pages 197-198 The author of Hebrews uses the image of religious sacrifice to convey the significance of Christ s coming. Through obedient acceptance of God s will, Christ allows his own body to become the greatest sacrifice of all, one through which we are made a holy people. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia. Here I am, the servant of the Lord;* let it be with me according to your word. (Luke 1:38) Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] We are presented with Elizabeth, John s mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, two women filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. In Elizabeth s inspired greeting and Mary s song of praise we hear of a saving God who remembers, scatters, lifts up, and fulfills all things. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 1st chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for
joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Time with the Children Sermon The assembly is seated. Silence is kept for reflection after the sermon. The assembly stands. Pastor Tina Pastor Tina Hymn of the Day O Come, O Come Emmanuel ELW 257 Apostles' 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 Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Sharing of the Peace The peace, which enables people to live in unity and in the spirit of mutual forgiveness, comes from Christ whose word has been proclaimed. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Receiving of Tithes and Offerings Offertory The assembly is seated. Offertory Hymn Of the Father s Love Begotten (stanza 4) ELW 295 Offertory Prayer God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving Meal Proper Preface It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus Thanksgiving at the Table Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus. Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth. Come, Holy Spirit. All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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. The assembly is seated. Agnus Dei Communion As you receive the bread in your hand, you may commune by intinction )dipping your bread in the wine) using the silver chalice, or you may consume the bread and then drink from the pewter chalice. Glutenfree wafers and grape juice are available at your request. Music During the Distribution Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence ELW 490 Each Winter As the Year Grows Older ELW 252
Post Communion Canticle Post Communion Prayer Holy One, we give you thanks that in this bread and cup we have feasted again on your endless love. Let that love overflow more and more in our lives, that we may be messengers to prepare your way, harvesters of justice and righteousness, and bearers of your eternal Word, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Blessing 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. Amen. Sending Hymn People, Look East ELW 248 Dismissal Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. Postlude
Today s Music Prelude Rorate caeli Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968) Ave Maria Gerald Near (b. 1942) O Come, Emmanuel: Variations on an Advent Hymn Daniel Pinkham (1923-2006) Offertory Salve Regina Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) Salve Regina, mater misericordiæ, Vita dulcedo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exules filii Hevæ, Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes in hac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostende. Hail Queen, Mother of Mercy, Our life, our sweetness and our hope, to you we cry, Poor banished children of Eve, To you we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, Your eyes of mercy toward us; And after this, our exile, Show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. I Sing of a Maiden Patrick Hadley (1899-1973) I sing of a maiden That is makeless, King of all kings To her son she ches. He came all so still Where his mother was, As dew in April That falleth on the grass. He came all so still To his mother's bower, As dew in April That falleth on the flower. He came all so still Where his mother lay, As dew in April That falleth on the spray. Mother and maiden Was never none but she: Well may such a lady God's mother be. Continued on back.
Music During the Distribution From A Gregorian Liturgical Year Gerald Near (b. 1942) Ecce virgo concipiet Postlude Vox clara ecce intonat Gerald Near Guest Musician Mezzosoprano Bonnie Lambert-Baxter Serving the Assembly Crucifer Communion Assistant Acolytes Lector Ushers/Greeters/Presenters Nursery Coordinator Nursery Supervisor Altar Guild Building Lock up John Savage Laura Madler Mackenzie Anderson Samuel Molina Bonnie or Dave Carlson Don Sniady Harry Savage David and Judy Hunt Laura Jay Charlotte Duff Steve and Astrid Quist Karoline Ardis Don Sniady, Cliff Obara