R e j o i c e Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 16, 2018
Welcome to Worship at St. Andrew s Our mission: Proclaim Jesus Christ, Live in Christ, Serve! Listening devices and LARGE PRINT bulletins are available at the Hospitality Desk. Children are welcome in worship! Childcare (ages birth to 5) is available in the nursery. The service can also be viewed on televisions in the Atrium, Library, and Infant Nursery. For more information visit us at the Hospitality Desk or saintandrews.org. Advent The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning coming, which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. It is traditionally a time of waiting for Christ to come. Christ comes to us as a baby in a manger and Christ will come again in glory and revelation. In a world where it is easy to doubt, the church is called to remember God s faithfulness. Faithful: It s Who God Is. This third week of Advent, we rejoice in what God is doing and how God is faithful. We hear the prayer and song that Mary and Hannah sing to God as they have been blessed. We join in their happiness and are united in their joy. We all are Christ bearers to this dark world. Prelude Advent Liturgy Moment of silence We light the first candle of Advent. We trust that you are faithful to your promise. We light the second candle of Advent. Send your Spirit to fulfill your promise. We light the third candle of Advent. We find joy in your presence. In this world of pain and darkness We rejoice that you do not abandon us. 2
Hymn Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah tif in veldele Soloist: God of Joy, through your Spirit we rejoice in the gifts that you have given us; hope, love, and peace. During this Advent, bless us with your presence as we wait and prepare. Through Christ who was, is, and forever will be. Amen Hymn Comfort, Comfort Now My People freu dich sehr 3
Call to Worship We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Christ, we sit in darkness and you are our light. Our world is shaken by fire, earthquake, and storm. Our security is shattered by violence, fear, and hate. We wait in anticipation, expecting your light to penetrate our darkness and radiate within us. In the midst of our doubts and our insecurities we are reminded that you, Triune God, are steadfast. Your faithfulness reaches to the ends of the earth. We watch and wait, expecting new light to shine as the season of joy approaches. You remember your promise. You send your Spirit. You give us the gift of salvation. We rejoice at your presence in our lives. Walk with us so that we trust in you and shall not be shaken. We wait in hope, attentive to all the signs of Christ s coming. Hymn He Came Down That We May Have Love he came down (cameroon melody) 4
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Prayer of the Day Faithful God, Bind us together through your promise, that your Spirit within might be the song we sing and the melody of our lives. Draw us together so that our praise and worship might echo in these walls and reverberate through our lives. Amen Anthems Carol to the King arr. Mack Wilberg Combined Choirs Lesson from 1 Samuel 2 Hannah prayed and said, There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord s, and on them he has set the world. *** We welcome children to Dock Children s Education at this time.*** Ensure your child is wearing a nametag with name and grade level. See front of yellow bulletin insert for pickup locations. Anthem Jessye s Carol Donald Fraser Combined Choirs Green and silver, red and gold, and a story born of old. Truth and love and hope abide this Christmastide. Holly, ivy, mistletoe, and the gently falling snow Truth and love and hope abide this Christmastide. From a simple ox s stall came the greatest gift of all. Truth and love and hope abide this Christmastide. Children sing of peace and joy at the birth of one small boy. Truth and love and hope abide this Christmastide. Let the bells ring loud and clear, ring out now for all to hear. Truth and love and hope abide this Christmastide. Trumpets sound and voices raise in an endless stream of praise. Truth and love and hope abide this Christmastide. Green and silver, red and gold, and a story born of old. Peace and love and hope abide this Christmastide. 5
Psalm 113:56-9 Read in Unison Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? The Lord raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. The Lord gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord! Hymn Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming es ist ein rose 6
Apostles Creed 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 Holy Gospel Luke 1:46-55 All (sung): Glory to you, O 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. All (sung): Praise to you, O Christ. 7
Sermon Rejoice! Pastor John Straiton Offering Offertory O Come, O Come, Emmanuel O come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel. veni emmanuel Prayers of the Church Words of Institution for the Sacrament of Holy Communion 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 ever. Amen 8 We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine and grants us the gift of God s grace and forgiveness. All are welcome to receive this gift. White grape juice is available upon request. Gluten-free wafers are available at all stations at the front of the Sanctuary.
Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel veni emmanuel 9
Post-Communion Blessing Post-Communion Prayer Benediction The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen Lord Jesus, nourish our souls with this Holy Supper so we may be your Church, serve God s will, and spread your message of love and forgiveness to all people. Amen The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Hymn O Day of Peace jerusalem 10
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Postlude Shepherds Dance arr. Richard Elliott Please let our Hospitality Desk staff know if you would like a pastor to pray with you following worship. Today s Music Combined Choirs; Miriam Sikora, Jennifer Starr, Andy Haase, Jan Gilbertson, directors Bill Chouinard, organist; Kristin Chouinard, pianist Next Sunday in the Sanctuary Sermon: Salvation for All Scripture: Luke 1:68-79; Isaiah 9:2b-4; Psalm 18 Music: Jeremy Johnston, marimba; Kristi Ames, vocalist 11
Mike Carlson Lead Pastor Sarah Breckenridge Executive Pastor John Straiton Teaching Pastor Brian Norsman Pastor of Outreach and Mission Kyle Jackson Pastor of Congregational Care Erin Morris Deacon / Intern Pastor Jenny Sung Mission Developer Caroline Keenan Intern Pastor Worship at St. Andrew s Traditional Worship Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Contemporary Worship Saturday 5 p.m. Great Hall Sunday 8:45 & 10:15 a.m. Great Hall The Depot Church, Hugo Sunday 5:15 p.m. Oneka Elementary Nursery care (ages birth to 5) at all services. 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi MN 55115 www.saintandrews.org 651.426.3261 12 Portions of the liturgy are from 2018 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission under ONE LICENSE #A-703943. All rights reserved.