December 2, 9 & 23, 2018 Sundays in Advent Welcome Visitors! We re glad you are with us today. Children age 5 and under will soon find a PrayGround at the front of the Sanctuary. A nursery is currently available. An usher can help you find it. Please sign in on the YES! Sheet and pass it to the center aisle. If you would like to request a prayer to be read during worship, write it on the back. An usher will pick it up during the Hymn of the Day. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Reverend Kathy Nolte 611 Randolph Oak Park, Illinois 60302 708-848-4741 www.goodshepherdlc.org Embracing the diversity of God s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship ELW=red book hymnal Congregation responses are bold Take the Good Shepherd Epistle home to use throughout the week and return the bulletin in the basket for use next week. Good Shepherd is dedicated to giving people the option of inclusive language. These options are indicated in parentheses (). Gathering Prelude Announcements Confession and Forgiveness All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Trusting in the name of God: Creator, Redeemer and +Giver of Life. Amen. Let us approach God with a true heart, in full assurance of God s power to heal and to forgive sins. Silence is kept for reflection. Merciful God, You have loved your people from the beginning of time, desiring that we also love you and our neighbor with fullness of heart. We confess that we often seek wealth or security for ourselves, without acting generously toward others. Forgive us and point us in your ways, that we might reflect your will for us and your creation. Amen. Through Jesus Christ +, God has put away your sin. Approach your God in peace. Amen.
Gathering Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel ELW 257 December 2 verses 1, 3, 5 December 9 verses 1, 4, 6 December 23 verses 1, 2, 7 Greeting From the one who was, who is, and who is to come: Grace and peace be with you all. And also be with you. Advent Candlelighting December 2 The Gospel of Luke speaks about the future Living Christ, give us faith to trust you. We trust you, we love you, we praise you. Amen. December 9 The Gospel of Luke speaks about God s message Living Christ, give us faith to trust you, and hope to follow you. We trust you, we love you, we praise you. Amen. December 23 The Gospel of Luke tells us Living Christ, give us faith to trust you, hope to follow you, love to live for you and wisdom to know you. We trust you, we love you, we praise you. Amen. 3
Advent Candle Song Vine & Fig Prayer of the Day Let us pray Amen. Today s Readings Word First Reading Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Psalm Today s Readings Today s Readings 4 Second Reading Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Today s Readings
Gospel Acclamation Return to the Lord by Carl Heine 5
Gospel The Holy Gospel according to... The Gospel of the Lord. Glory to you, O Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Today s Readings Gathering Song & Mini-Meditation for Children Children are invited to come forward during the song. He came down that we may have love ELW 253 He came down that we may have love He came down that we may have love hallelujah forevermore. Hymn of the Day During the hymn, Yes! Sheets are collected. December 2 Bring Peace Again ELW 700 December 9 Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding! ELW 246 December 23 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came ELW 265 Sermon Silence is kept for reflection. Pastor Kathy Nolte Installation of New Members (Dec. 9) Nicene Creed (Dec. 2 & Dec. 23) We believe in one God, the (Father/Parent), the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. 6 We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only (Son/Child) of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the (Father/Parent); 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. 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/Parent) and the (Son/Child), who with the (Father/Parent) and the (Son/Child) 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 Let us pray. Have mercy, O God Passing of the Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. Meal Offering Gifts are gathered as the table is prepared. A musical offering is shared. 7
Offertory "Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful" by Carl Heine Offering Prayer 8 Assisting Minister: Let us pray, God, our Owner and Creator, we return to you thanks for life and breath and for your gifts of strength and skill, of money, wisdom, hope, and love. Use our tangible gratitude to extend our sharing of the gospel, until you bring to completion the good work you have begun in us, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving by Carl Heine 9
Preface It is indeed right, our duty and our 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 continued on next page 10
Eucharistic Prayer Ingenious God, You donned Your Word-clothes, calling the whirling Spirit to action, and you laid the foundation of creation: stretching a line of mountains across the fields, sinking the seas into the hollows of the earth, teaching harmonies to the morning stars. 11
You shaped humanity in your image, calling us to life with you, but we sulked at your invitation, preferring the shadowy words offered to us by sin and death. You sent the prophets as your messengers, their words of fire, as well as faithfulness, ministering to us, but we ignored them in our hunger for power and recognition. So, you sent Jesus to us, to baptize us in your mercy, to offer us the cup of salvation. He did not glorify himself here on earth, but became Your servant of mercy and grace. He suffered, learning obedience to you he became obedient, so death might be mastered; dying, he discovered the wonder of Your resurrection; rising, we finally grasp the truth of your love and sacrifice for us. 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. Pour out your Spirit upon the gifts of the bread and the cup, and your children gathered in this place that we are transformed into your servants. And when our journey of faith is complete, when we gather around your feast in glory, we will join our hearts and hands in loud cries and tears, singing of your great love, God in Community, Holy in One. Amen. 12
Lord s Prayer Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray according to our language or custom. Invitation to Communion God has prepared a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine. Come and rejoice in God s salvation. Communion Please come forward as the ushers direct. You will be given bread. You may eat the bread and drink; or intinct (dip) in the large cup and eat. The silver cup has wine; the pottery cup has grape juice. Pastor has gluten free wafers if you need, just ask. Those who only wish a blessing may come forward with their arms crossed in front of them. Communion Song Lamb of God by Carl Heine 13
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December 2 Savior of the Nations Come (v 1-4) ELW 263 December 9 Prepare the Royal Highway ELW 264 December 23 Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers ELW 244 All Sundays Come Now, O Prince of Peace ELW 247 The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. Prayer after Communion Assisting Minister: Let us pray At your table, O God, we have been made new. May you shape our dreams. As we put our trust in you, may your hopes and desires be ours, may we be your holy people, one in the body of Christ. We trust you, we love you, we praise you. Amen. 15
Sending Blessing Go now with the peace of God to enrich your hearts and minds, in the battles of the day and the anxieties of the night, when folks are unreasonable, and circumstances challenge you. when those you love misunderstand and fail to appreciate, when the pressure s too great and threatens to overwhelm you, when mountains and mole hills all look alike. Go now with the peace of God, who through the extraordinary compassion of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, enriches your hearts and minds. Go now in the power of the Holy Spirit to live as sisters and brothers of Christ, reflecting his glory, loving as he loved, choosing to serve +God above self. Amen. Sending Hymn December 2 People, Look East ELW 248 December 9 Hark, the glad sound! ELW 239 December 23 Joy to the World ELW 267 Dismissal Assisting Minister: Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Pastor Rev. Kathryn Nolte Council President Robert Hann Council Vice President Troy Koch Dir. Christian Ed Deac. Debbie Rank Speer Organist Carl Heine Communications Jeanne Peppler Office Administrator Catie Withers Sunday Nursery Attendant Elois Gardner Ruth Collins 16