The Third Sunday of Advent December 16, 2018 St. Paul s Lutheran Church 215 N. Warren St. Orwigsburg, PA 570-366-2316 www.stpauls-orwigsburg.org 1
Rev. Kathy Ash-Flashner, Designated Pastor 570-977-4189 St. Paul s, Summer Hill, PA Justin McClure, Organist/Choir Director 570-573-4076 justin@stpauls-orwigsburg.org Hope Clarke, Office Support Staff 570-366-2316 office@stpauls-orwigsburg.org Karen Travor, Treasurer 570-366-8757 Wayne Lutsey, Financial Secretary 570-366-8766 Jessica Swick, Social Media Manager 936-648-6809 jessica@stpauls-orwigsburg.org ******************************************************************* Welcome to Worship. Today we are using Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the red book, found in the pew racks. Friendship Pads. We ask that everyone sign the friendship pads in the pews. We invite visitors to sign the guest book in the narthex. St. Paul s has free WiFi. Click on (SPLC) to connect. Check in on Facebook, and let everyone know that you are worshipping with us today at St. Paul s! Our supply pastor for this weekend is The Reverend Joyce Seip. Welcome, and thank you for leading us in worship! Introduction to the Day. The presence of the Lord in your midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the Lord in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one more powerful than John, even with his winnowing fork in his hand, is good news and cause for exultation for those of us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third Sunday of Advent. 2
GATHERING PRELUDE Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord R. Anderson CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS 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. (Silence is kept for reflection.) To you, O God, 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. PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you GATHERING HYMN Comfort, Comfort Now My People #256 3
GREETING 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. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Third Sunday - The Gift of Love Love is more than a flicker within the human heart. Lord, reveal your love, and make us new. In a hurried world with little time for others, Advent calls us to remember that... Love is patient. In a world where often we become consumed by our own interests, Advent calls us to remember that... Love is kind. In a world where often we are quick to anger and slow to forgive, Advent calls us to remember that... Love is not easily angered, and through love we come to forgive. This Advent let us behold the love of God embodied in our Savior's birth. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them. Today we light the third candle which helps us to remember that God's perfect love made flesh can fill our hearts, ignite our souls, and change our lives. 4
Christ, Be Our Light PRAYER OF THE DAY Gracious God, as we continue our Advent journey, we pray that being rooted and established in love we may have the understanding to grasp how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ. True love was not only born at Christmas, but revealed for all to see. May we come to know this love in our lives and share it with those around us. We pray this in the name of Christ, our Savior. Amen. WORD A Reading from the Book of Zephaniah 14 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. 5
The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing 18 as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. 19 I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD. (Zephaniah 3:14 20) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM: Isaiah 12:2 6 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might, and has become my salvation. 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 6
4 And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on God s name; make known the deeds of the LORD among the nations; proclaim that this name is exalted. 5 Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 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 Jesus. (Philippians 4:4 7) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 7
Gospel The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. 7 John 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 John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John 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. (Luke 3:7 18) The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus #254 8
APOSTLE S CREED P. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. C. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus 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. 9
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION As we await the coming of Christ, we pray in hope for the church, the world, and all of creation. A brief silence. For choirs, hymn writers, musicians, and off-key singing, we give you thanks, Holy One. Fill us with your song of joy. Open us to proclaim your glory in our singing, speaking, and silence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For the hurting places in creation; for seas and lands ravaged by natural disasters; for communities and creatures displaced by floods and droughts. Grant peace through your presence and joy in your healing. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For peace to ring out in our hearts and in our homes; for mercy and forgiveness to reign in every community; for war to cease and hunger to end. Give us this joy now, Holy One. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For those who are oppressed; for soldiers and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and their families; for neighbors who have no access to medical care; for those who are ill and those who mourn (especially...). Fill them with your peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For foster families opening their homes; for grandparents raising grandchildren; for single parents struggling to make ends meet; for expectant parents who now grieve. Give strength and comfort, Holy One. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Here other intercessions may be offered. In thanksgiving for preachers and teachers who have guided us on the way. Bring us with them to rejoice eternally in you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Confident that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, we bring to you these prayers and those unspoken, in the name of Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 10
OFFERING Ushers: Come immediately to the front and wait for the Communion Assistant. Receive the collection along the center aisle, from front to back, then walk behind the last pews and up the side aisles to receive the collection on the outside aisles again from front to back. Return to the back and wait for the Communion Assistant to come forward with the alms basin. ORGAN OFFERTORY (8:00) ANTHEM (10:30) Waiting P. Choplin OFFERTORY HYMN 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. 11
MEAL GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is indeed right, our duty, and joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth, and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: SANCTUS 12
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER 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. 13
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. THE 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 forever. Amen. INVITATION TO COMMUNION God fills the hungry with good things. Taste and see that the Lord is good. DISTRIBUTION The Sacrament will be distributed by Intinction, pulpit side first. Please move into the center aisle, proceed to the Pastor, and receive the bread in your open hand. Then turn to the assistant, where you may dip the host into the wine and partake, returning to your seat by the side aisle. The lectern side will follow, then the choir. Those unable to come forward will receive the Sacrament in their pews. 14
AGNUS DEI COMMUNION HYMN Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness #488 TABLE BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION 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. 15
SENDING 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 The King Shall Come #260 THE DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Christians, Be Joyful J. S. Bach Our Liturgy and Music are used by permission through Augsburg Fortress License #20611. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Altar flowers are presented in memory of Dennis Wolfe on his birthday, December 20, by Joy Wolfe. Chancel flowers are presented in honor of Karen Travor s birthday by Barb Sterner. Today s bulletins are presented in memory of my mother and sister, Cathlene Krammes and Kirsten Vidzicki, by Robin Zimmerman. 16
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SERVING TODAY: 8:00 AM LECTOR: Ron Rozansky; COMMUNION ASSISTANT: Ruth Ann Withers; USHERS: Connie Teter; ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER: Trisha Teter; GREETER: Kay Weidensaul 10:30 AM LECTOR: Deb Bolinsky; COMMUNION ASSISTANT: Scott Butler; USHERS: Carl Heintzelman & Brian Miller; ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER: ; GREETERS: Scott Butler & Richard Shoener; COUNTERS: Joyce O Rourke, Gloria Dierwechter & Dana Jenkins; ALTAR GUILD: Joanne Emerich & Gwen Wehr SERVING NEXT WEEK (12/23/17): 8:00 AM LECTOR: Connie Teter; COMMUNION ASSISTANT: Gail Rarick; USHERS: ; GREETER: Kay Weidensaul 10:30 AM LECTOR: Bob Schuld II; COMMUNION ASSISTANT: Madelyn Knecht; USHERS: Deb Bolinsky & Wayne Lutsey; ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER: ; GREETERS: Scott Butler & Barb Sterner; COUNTERS: Connie Teter, Jean Premich & Barb Sterner; ALTAR GUILD: Barb Lafko & Fern Moyer +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A REMINDER Council would like anyone who requests that an announcement be made by a council member or the supply pastor to make sure that it benefits the entire congregation. Please place your announcement in Hope s mailbox by Thursday of the week in which you want it to be made. 17
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CALENDAR Saturday, Dec. 15 5:30 PM Worship Sunday, Dec. 16 8:00 AM Worship 9:15 AM Adult Forum & Sunday school 10:30 AM Worship 4:00 PM Annual Christmas Concert Monday, Dec. 17 7:00 PM Worship & Music Committee Wednesday, Dec. 19 6:00 PM Bell Choir 7:00 PM Chancel Choir Saturday, Dec. 22 5:30 PM Worship Sunday, Dec. 23 8:00 AM Worship 9:15 AM Adult Forum & Sunday school 10:30 AM Worship Monday, Dec. 24 5:00 PM Christmas Eve service 9:00 PM Christmas Eve service 11:00 PM Christmas Eve service +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE BIG EVENT Calling all St. Paul s Youth in grades 3 thru 12! WE NEED YOU for our next BIG EVENT! The Youth Bell Choir will be presenting a musical offering Christmas Eve at the 5:00 PM service, and we will be preparing during the Advent season. We rehearse Sundays from 9:15 AM 9:45 AM with a snack, fellowship, and discussion time after rehearsal from 9:45 AM 10:15 AM. For the upcoming Advent season, we will be working on a church-wide project featuring Mary s Song, with scripture from Luke 1 and 2. Dec. 16: Joy Dec. 23: Love 18
To the Congregation: We need your help! During the season of Advent, you ll see St. Paul s youth in the gathering room working on a special project from 9:45 10:15 AM. We invite you to JOIN US! Pull up a chair, grab your favorite colored pencil, and join us as we prepare for the coming of the Christ child with this cross-generational project! This project will be set up for the entire month of December, so feel free to work on it anytime you are in the church. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Annual Christmas Concert Today! 4:00 PM St. Paul s Chancel Choir will present a Christmas cantata entitled Night of the Father s Love. Special music will also be offered by St. Paul s Bell Choir. Join us for refreshments and fellowship following the concert. Please see the signup sheet in the gathering room if you are willing to donate refreshments. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Christmas Eve at St. Paul s 5:00 PM - Family Service Traditional Candlelight Service Blessing of the Crèche The Sacrament of Holy Communion 9:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service Carols and the Sacrament of Holy Communion 11:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service The Sacrament of Holy Communion 19
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DAVE RAMSEY S FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS St. Paul s will host the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Class beginning on Monday, January 14, 2019, from 6:30 PM 8:00 PM for 9 consecutive weeks, weather permitting. This biblically based class is open to everyone, and couples and families are encouraged to attend together. Learn how to take control of your finances, create a monthly zero-based budget, and make wise decisions regarding mortgages, insurance, retirement planning, vehicle purchasing, impulse spending, and debt. Each class consists of watching a Dave Ramsey video, group discussions, and homework to prepare for the next week and get started budgeting. The class is free and the materials can be purchased online at www.fpu.com. Please wait until about 3 weeks before the class starts to purchase your materials, as the materials are currently being updated to a new format. To register, go to https://fpu.com/1072160. Any questions, please contact Class Coordinator Mary Timpany at 570-449-9965 or mtimpany@timpanylaw.com. If you want to attend FPU but cannot attend on these dates, check online for other FPU classes in our area. If you want to get started with a budget now, go to the free online budgeting tool, www.everydollar.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DECEMBER SUPPLY PASTORS December 23 The Rev. Robert Reier December 24 The Rev. Lee A. Diefenderfer December 30 The Rev. Brenda Boyer 20