St. Matthew s Ev. Lutheran hurch 1615 Wauwatosa ve., Wauwatosa, WI 53213 November 29 th, 2015 First Sunday in dvent Theme: The Gift of HOE 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Service relude Welcome to Worship Gathering Invocation voices cries in the wilderness, repare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. s we worship today, let us prepare to welcome God s dramatic work in our midst, in our hearts, in our community, and in all of creation. Let us worship God. dvent roclamation dvent is a time of waiting. (Take a moment of silence) all to Worship Wait for the Lord n Order of onfession and Forgiveness Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. The Sun of righteousness shall rise with shining beams of healing and hope. Let us gather under the wings of God s mercy. We are people of faith who wait in the darkness of sin and the light of hope. We wait for hrist. hrist has come! hrist is coming! hrist will come again! dvent is a time of waiting...
(Silence for 2 reflection and self-examination) Gathering Song lmighty God, we confess that we have sinned against you, and against our sisters and brothers. Our words and deeds have not proclaimed your reign of justice and truth. We have failed to watch and pray for the signs of your advent among us. Forgive our sin, and come quickly to save us. In the advent of hrist, the dawn from on high breaks upon us with light and healing and hope. Remember the gift of baptism: your sin is washed away in the name of Jesus; you belong to hrist; you are anointed to serve. Stand up and raise your heads! The reign of God is near. #239 Hark, the Glad Sound! dvent Greeting May the love and light of this season embrace you with God s grace. nd also with you. rayer of the Day for the dvent Season Let us pray. O Lord our God, you break into our world with messages of hope, peace, joy and love. Renew our strength as we wait for your coming. Shine your light for those who live in darkness. Establish your love throughout the earth. repare our hearts for the birth of your Son, Jesus hrist, the Savior of all. (lease be seated) dvent andle Lighting The Gift of HOE We begin the season of dvent with expectant and believing hearts. We wait upon the Lord and place our hope in God s word. During dvent we confront the darkness that so often exists around us. We wait upon the Lord and place our hope in God s word. During dvent we confront the doubt that so often resides within us. We wait upon the Lord and place our hope in God s word. During dvent we confront the division that so often occurs between us. We wait upon the Lord and place our hope in God s word. This morning we light the first candle which reminds us of the ultimate hope that comes through our Savior s birth. In a world where we often get overwhelmed by our circumstances, dvent comes as a gentle whisper offering us hope to heal the broken, befriend the lonely, and share the good news of the Gospel. This morning let us begin this dvent season with expectant and believing hearts. Blessed be God forever. (The First dvent candle is lit)
dvent andle Lighting #257 O ome, O ome, Emmanuel (Stanzas 1-2) 3 Word Blessing of the Reader The Spirit and the church cry out, come, Lord Jesus. Everyone who waits his appearance cries out, come, Lord Jesus. The whole creation cries, come, Lord Jesus. Let us pray. ome to us, Lord Jesus, as this morning s reader reads for us your Holy Word. Keep us attentive to the truth of the scriptures; turn us away from myths; and turn us in faith to you, our strength and our redeemer. First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16 In the Old Testament, righteousness often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today s reading, Jerusalem s future name- The Lord is our Righteousness proclaims that the Lord is even now working salvation for Israel. salm salm 25:1-10 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness sake, O LORD! Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. ll paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
4 Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Upon Timothy s report from the congregation at Thessalonia, aul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, aul voices overflowing thanks, joy and blessings for the people of this growing church. Gospel cclamation We Raise a Song of dvent raise Gospel In the beginning was the Word. nd the Word was with God, and the Word was God. reading from the book of Luke. Gospel Luke 21:25-36 God will fulfill God s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God s promised redemption. Gospel Response The Word of God is scripture, among us, The Word of God is within us. Thanks be to God. (lease be seated) Sermon Hymn of the Day astor Matthew Kruse #244 Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers [rayer cards will be collected during the Hymn of the Day] (8:30) (lease be seated) (8:30) Baptism page 227 Eliza MacKean Jensen
(8:30) (8:30) postles reed page 229 5 (8:30) [lease be seated] (8:30) ongregation s Welcome to the Baptized Eliza, we receive you as our own, and as God s own child. We promise to pray for you, care for you and speak God s Word to you. We promise to support your parents as they set about the holy task of raising you up in hrist. Welcome to God s Family! (11:00) The Nicene reed Inside back cover of the Hymnal rayers of Intercession Waiting and watching for our sure and certain hope, let us pray for the world redeemed, the church reformed, and for all people restored in the coming one. We pray to the Lord... Lord, hear our prayer. Show us your light, O God, and bring us to see the day of our redemption, through Jesus hrist our Lord. Sharing the eace of hrist Thanksgiving (lease be seated) Musical Offering (8:30) (11:00) Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming arr. by Howard Helvey Senior hoir Offertory With Joy, O Lord, Our Gifts We Bring
6 Offering rayer God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. From all that you have given us, receive these gifts, signs of our thanksgiving and praise. Fill us with good things at your table that we may come to the help of all in need; through Jesus hrist, our redeemer. The Lord s rayer page 221 [ontemporary Version] Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Sending (lease be seated) Today s Highlights For more information on the church s activities, please pick up the bulletin announcements from the Welcome enter, ask an usher or go to our website, www.stmattslutheran.org. Three-Fold Benediction Believe that God came to us in Jesus hrist, and look for him to come again. May the advent of his coming bring your confort, hope and joy. Jesus is the Word made flesh in our midst. May his incarnation fill your hearts
Sending Song 7 with love and peace. Light and peace are yours through Jesus hrist. May your light so shine before others, that they see your works and glorify your Father in heaven. lmighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. #253 He ame Down Dismissal ostlude The coming of the Lord is near. Go in peace, prepare the way. Thanks be to God. Your presence has blessed our worship service. May you be strengthened by the strong word of God expressed through music and worship today. The peace of the Lord be with you as you go.