ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 1211 S. Main St., Morton, Illinois 61550 Phone: 309-266-5883 adventmorton.org adventmorton@gmail.com January 6, 2019 9:00 AM The Feast of the Epiphany Introduction Epiphany means manifestation. On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.
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PRACTICE PRELUDE - red hymnal # 751, v. 2 O Lord, Hear My Prayer GATHERING HYMN red hymnal #275 Angels, from the Realms of Glory GREETING The assembly stands. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you. And also with you. KYRIE 3
CANTICLE OF PRAISE 4
PRAYER OF THE DAY O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The assembly is seated. READING: Isaiah 60:1-6 5
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. ACCLAMATION AND GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12 The assembly stands 6
The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. 1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage. 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned 7
in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON The assembly is seated. The assembly stands after the sermon. HYMN OF THE DAY red hymnal #302 As with Gladness Men of Old CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 8
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION PEACE The assembly is seated after the Peace. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFERING The assembly stands as the offering is brought forward and sings the offering prayer. OFFERING PRAYER red hymnal # 815 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 9
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Amen. The Eucharistic prayer continues. At the end of the Eucharistic prayer, the assembly acclaims: THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, 10
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 COMMUNION MUSIC Lamb of God Instrumental Music red hymnal # 751, v. 2 O Lord, Hear My Prayer The assembly stands after all have communed. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION God of wonder, in Jesus we behold the light of the world come near. As you have come among us now, 11
send us out in joy, hastening to share the good news of your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, through the Spirit dwelling among us now and forever. Amen. BLESSING SENDING HYMN red hymnal #314 Arise, Your Light Has Come DISMISSAL Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #30371. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 12
WORSHIP NOTES COMMUNION Come forward on the center aisle. The wafer will be handed to you. Dip it in the wine. Return by the side aisles. We offer both wine and GRAPE JUICE for Communion. Those who desire to receive the juice will find pre-filled cups on the baptismal font at the front of the sanctuary. Please take one with you as you receive a wafer. GLUTEN FREE wafers are also available on the baptismal font. PICK UP A Taking Faith Home sheet as you leave worship today. Built around the 4 key faith practeices, it offers a number of ways your family or household can take faith home with you and grow together in grace through the week! WELCOME MATS are in each pew. Please sign the sheet and pass the mat down to the next person in your pew. Once all people haved signed it in your row, return the mat back to the center. Visitors, please include your contact information as well. Thank you!! HEARING ASSIST DEVICES are available in the back of the sanctuary. See one of the ushers, Deacon Ellen, or Chip Carlson. The devices are very helpful! CLEANSING WIPES Cold and flu season is here. If you would like to cleanse your hands during worship, there are individually wrapped wipes in the last three pews on either side. There is also a container of wipes on the table with the bulletins. Stay healthy! 13
STAFF Interim Pastor Director of Faith Formation Church Office Secretary Music Director Organist Custodians Pastor David Russell Deacon Ellen Koester Jolynn Lottman Brenda Henderson Chris & Marty Hanson Family SERVING TODAY Ushers Lectors Communion Nursery Altar Guild The Sandoz Family Judy Stegmaier Johnna Margos/Chip Carlson Sheryl McDonald Larry & Muggs Major ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND Sunday 60 THIS WEEK S CALENDAR 1/6 Sunday 9:00 AM Worship/Communion 10:00 AM Fellowship (FLC) 1/8 Tuesday 9:00 AM Busy Hands Quilters (Library) 12:00 PM Primetimers 6:30 PM Council Meeting 1/9 Wednesday 6:30 PM Praise Team Practice 7:00 PM Adult/HS Choir Practice 1/13 Sunday 9:00 AM Worship/Communion 10:00 AM Fellowship (FLC) 10:20 AM Sunday School- All ages 14
ANNOUNCEMENTS PLEDGES Pledges help the Council plan for the upcoming year. Pledge forms were recently mailed, but additional copies are available on the back table. You can still return your form through the offering or in to the church office. ANNUAL REPORTS are due in the church office by Sun., Jan. 13. If possible, we would prefer them to be submitted to the church email adventmorton@gmail.com. Thank you. WINTER CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held on Sunday January 27 th following the worship service. Come to the Family Life Center, have some refreshments, and we will review financial reports from last year and vote on a spending plan for 2019 and on a bylaw change (you can find it in the announcer.) All confirmed members are eligible and encourage to vote. SUNDAY SCHOOL IS ON WINTER BREAK until Jan. 13. Use the Taking Faith Home sheet to foster conversations with your family or tribe while Sunday school is on a break. Make plans to attend in the new year, and contact Melanie Carpenter or Rebecca Hack if you would like to assist with leading the rotation workshops or Deacon Ellen if you would like to help with the adult forum. LUNCH BUNCH will be traveling to Jack s Café in Tremont on January 16. A carpool will meet at the church a 11:00 AM. If you are interested in joining, sign up at the Kiosk in the Narthex. Prime Timers will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday January 8 th at 12:00 Noon. Don t forget to bring a dish to share for lunch. If you are interest in joining, sign up in at the kiosk in the Narthex. 15
ALTAR FLOWERS. An altar flower signup sheet for the New Year is up. Sign up to provide for the flowers on that special day. Plenty of spots are still open. DISHES, DISHES, DISHES Advent has about 200 sets of china dishes that are no longer being used. They are now in the Family Life Center. Please help yourself take as many as you need. Any dishes not taken will be donated to The Church Mouse. 16