Hope Lutheran Church 4131 Lehigh Drive, Cherryville, PA 18035-030 (610) 767-7203 hopecherryville.org December 23, 2012 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." CHURCH STAFF Pastor Rev. Jami Possinger ext. #12 Assistant Pastor Rev. Paulette Obrecht ext. #13 Pastor Emeritus Visitation Pastor Rev. Clark W. Kuntz II Rev. Jerry Mraz Parish Secretary Jane Tretiak ext. #10 Director of Music David Ziegler ext. #11 Bell Choir Director Janet Filchner ext. #40 Treasurer Sexton Financial Secretary Trudy Mertz Bonnie Zmyewski Deb Gardner Communications Specialist Steven Shermetta ext. #20 SERVICE PARTICIPANTS 8:00am 10:30am Acolytes Rylee O Donnell Ryan Conway Crucifers Stephen Penchishen Bailey Patterson Greeters Ernie and Kris Linda Derr Doncsecz Lectors Mike Kurinec Marge Zimmermann Nursery Jennifer and Madison Heffelfinger Sonya and Nicole Spohn Ushers Mohrey Team Benninger Team Communion Assistants Brenda Lehr Jerry Mraz Altar Guild for December Jack Wolfe Karen Koplin, Dawn and Julie Wainwright, Denice Budihas, Tyler Medina Service of the Word 8:00 AM Gathered by the Holy Spirit, we hear and proclaim the saving word of God for the entire world. We give thanks for that saving word and all the gifts of God, who then sends us to share the good news and to care for those in need. Gathering The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God Prelude Announcements * Confession and Forgiveness p 211 * Gathering Song My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness # 251 * Greeting/Kyrie p 213 Lighting of the Advent Wreath Light of Hope Trish Ninos, reader Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song First Reading Micha 5:2-5a * Gospel Acclamation Alleluia p 216 * Gospel Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) Anthem Magnificat Children s Message Sermon * Hymn of the Day Canticle of Turning # 723 * Apostles Creed p 105 * Prayers of Intercession p 316 P let us pray to the Lord R (sung) Lord have mercy P through Jesus Christ our Lord R (sung) Amen Cantor: Virginia Smith * Peace Thanksgiving We give thanks for the saving word Offering/Offertory Anthem The Candle of the Lord * Canticle of Thanksgiving p 219 * Thanksgiving for the Word p 220 * The Lord s Prayer p 221 Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world * Blessing * Sending Song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel # 257 * Dismissal Postlude *please stand if you are able Holy Communion 10:30 AM Setting Two Gathering The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God Prelude/Cherub Choir Light One Candle Announcements * Confession and Forgiveness p 116 * Gathering Song My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness # 251 * Greeting /Kyrie p 120 Advent Candle Lighting Light of Hope Linda Mery, reader Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song First Reading Micha 5:2-5a * Gospel Acclamation p 124 * Gospel Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) Sermon * Hymn of the Day Canticle of the Turning # 723 * Apostles Creed p 127 * Prayers of Intercession p 316 P let us pray to the Lord R (sung) Lord have mercy P through Jesus Christ our Lord R (sung) Amen Cantor: Wayne Mery * Peace Meal God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ Offering/Offertory Anthem The Candle of the Lord * Offertory Response Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful # 181 * Great Thanksgiving p 129 * Holy, Holy, Holy p 130 * The Lord s Prayer p 134 Lamb of God p 135 Communion (intinction) (PLEASE NOTE: gluten free wafers are available in the chalice in front of the baptismal font) * Post Communion Canticle Now, Lord p 135 * Prayer Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world * Blessing * Sending Song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel # 257 * Dismissal Postlude *please stand if you are able
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH 610-767-7203 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 23, 2012 hopecherryville.org Welcome! We are happy to have you worship with us! Visitors and members don t forget to sign the Hope Hospitality pads located in each pew. Thank you! TO THE GLORY OF GOD FLOWER SPONSORS: In Celebration of Roxy Marunich s Birthday, Love, her Family. In Celebration of our 15 th Wedding Anniversary, by Dave and Kim Roth. BULLETIN SPONSORS: In Loving Memory of my Father, Ronald Smith, by Sandy Glassic and Family. In Celebration of Jonathan Miller s 15 th Birthday, Love, his Family. In Honor of our Grandsons, Khy Jeffrey and Kane David Lehr - Christmas 2012, by Jeff and Brenda Lehr. IN PRAYER TODAY St. John, Nazareth (Pastor David B. Schaeffer). OUR SYPMATHY to Gina and Jeff Barber and their family on the death of Gina s Mother, Sharon Missimer. Please keep them in your prayers. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION During the season of Advent we will be singing the prayers. A cantor (leader of song) will intone the prayer petition and the congregation will intone the response: Lord have mercy. The music for the prayers can be found on page 316 in the beginning of the ELW. REMINDER no Sunday School on December 30 th. FINISH DECORATING help us finish decorating TODAY, Sunday, December 23 rd immediately following the late worship service. We will hang the wreaths, put the poinsettias in church and put the pew candles in place. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 4:00pm and 6:00pm - A family/young children service of Candlelight, Carols and Communion. This service will feature our Junior Choir. 8:30pm and 11:00pm - The Festival Communion Service with Candlelight and Carols. Special music by our Youth and Senior Choirs and Hope s orchestra.
ALTAR GUILD HELP - Again this year we will be having 4 worship services on Christmas Eve; 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:30pm and 11:00pm. We could use 2 to 3 people to help our altar guild for each service. The volunteers for the altar guild will help fill the candles with liquid wax and straighten up the pews for the following service. Please sign up on the sheet located in the back of the church. SIGN CHANGER NEEDED help is needed to change the information on the sign outside, please call the church office at 610-767-7203 for more information. You would be assigned a month and change the sign as needed for that month. THANK YOU Brownie Troop #8635 who meet here at Hope Church wish to thank everyone who helped with their Operation Backpack project for Christmas. They were able to completely fill 3 backpacks! STATISTICS Last Sunday s attendance; 8:00am service 148; 10:30am service 153. Total offering - $5892.75 (includes $282.00 for the building fund and $215.25 for Sunday School). PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK The Congregational Council is encouraging all our members to grow in their spirituality through a regular Prayer Life. One way of doing this is by lifting up in prayer one family from our church each day of the year. This week s families are: 12/23/12 Barbara Duraso and family 12/24/12 Richard, Susan Demko and family 12/25/12 Happy Birthday Jesus! 12/26/12 Ralph Derhammer and family 12/27/12 Marian Druckenmiller and family 12/28/12 Lisa Deutsch and family 12/29/12 Karen Derr and family 12/30/12 Greg, Tammy, Janelle, Jordan Demko and family COAT DRIVE Ice Cream Lab in Walnutport is once again collecting coats for area residents in need. Any unwanted coat or jacket in clean and good condition would be greatly appreciated. For each coat donated you will receive $1.00 gift certificate for Ice Cream Lab. Please drop them at the Ice Cream Lab anytime until December 31 st. Thank you. WELCA news is available on the bulletin board in the narthex.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED a new lock up schedule for 2013 is being prepared. Volunteers are still needed for May and September. Thank you to Felicia Mullen for taking the month of February. You would choose the month you would like to lock the church and would lock up on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays of the month you choose. If you can help, please call Jane in the church office at 610-767-7203. REMINDER TO WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS Sunday, December 30 8:00am 10:30am Acolytes Katerina Sawickij Kyle McLaughlin Crucifers Curtis Weber Katelyn Lahr Greeters John Zmyewski Earl and Toni Snyder Lectors Katie Biechy Heather Bealer Nursery Kristie and Alison Steuer Michele and Jenele Vadelund Ushers Mohrey Team Amey Team Communion Assistants Altar Guild for December Lock Up for December Sign Changer for Dec. Betty Rock Brian Schell Robin Zamadics Linda Derr Brenda Lehr Jack Wolfe Karen Koplin, Dawn and Julie Wainwright, Denice Budihas, Tyler Medina John and Bonnie Zmyewski Betty Rock Today Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Sunday CALENDAR OF THE WEEK Christmas Eve Skit Practice Senior Choir Processional Orchestra Full Orchestra Church Office Closed Christmas Eve Services Church Office Closed MERRY CHRISTMAS Newsletter Collation Youth Choir and Orchestra Party Junior Choir Bible Study Senior Choir NO Sunday School Lessons, Carols and Communion 12:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 4:00, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:00pm 9:00am 11:00am 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00 & 10:30am