Advent Lutheran Church Pastor Anita R. Warner Pastor Karen Perkins, Interim Pastor Lee Tyler, Parish Associate 16870 Murphy Avenue, Morgan Hill (408) 779-3551 - Office www.advent-lutheran.org WELCOME Thank you for worshiping with us today. If you are visiting, please fill out a guest card and place it in the offering plate or in the basket in the entry area to help us welcome you. Please introduce yourself to others near you and to the pastor. We hope you can join us again soon. NURSERY CARE Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available in Berkland Fellowship Hall directly behind the entry area. Children are welcome and included at worship; feel free to walk with them in the back of the worship area if they become noisy or restless. COMMUNION Baptized persons who believe that through the bread and wine we receive Christ's body and blood for our forgiveness are invited to communion. The center ring of glasses contains white grape juice. Gluten free bread is available. PRAYER MINISTER Prayer ministers are available for individual prayer during communion and after the service at the front right corner area of the sanctuary. PRAYER CHAIN If you would like some of Advent s people to join you in prayer you may contact Jane Osumi at janeybugo@yahoo.com. You may also write a prayer request on the guest card and leave it in the offering plate or in the basket on welcome table in the gathering area. HEARING ASSISTANCE UNITS Hearing enhancement equipment is available in the sound booth in the back corner of the sanctuary.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost August 28, 2016 We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever you are and wherever you are in your journey of faith, you are welcome in this community celebrating God s Spirit in the world. God s grace meets us in the water and Word, and in the bread and wine. We are here to know the touch of God s forgiveness and love and to hear God s calling in our lives. Please introduce yourself to others here and to the pastor. We invite you to complete the Guest card in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate as a reminder of your presence with us in worship today. Prelude and Welcome GATHERING Invited and inviting that is the nature of the church. By God s grace in holy baptism we have a place at the banquet table of the Lord. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still. Thanksgiving for Baptism In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2
Thanksgiving for Baptism (continued) Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism. We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all. We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. Hymn Gather Us In Gather 744 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. Kyrie In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen, amen. 4
Canticle of Praise Alabare Verses 2 and 3 5
Prayer of the Day O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. WORD Reading Proverbs 25:6-7 printed on back The book of Proverbs is part of a collection of writings known as wisdom literature. Wisdom literature gave directions to Israel s leaders and people for the conduct of daily life. Today s reading is about humility. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 6
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Reading Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16 printed on back The conclusion of the letter to the Hebrews contains suggestions for the conduct of a holy life, all of which are shaped by God s love toward us in Jesus Christ. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Please stand Alleluia Verse Gather 198 Gospel Announcement The holy gospel according to Luke, the thirteenth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. Gospel Luke 14: 1, 7-14 printed on back Jesus observes guests jockeying for position at the table. He uses the opportunity to teach his hearers to choose humility rather than self-exaltation. Jesus also makes an appeal for hosts to mimic God s gracious hospitality to the poor and the broken. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Please Be Seated Children s Message Sermon Pastor Karen Rev. Karen Perkins Silence for reflection; stand when the music begins. Hymn We Are Called Gather 718 8
Apostles Creed We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. We 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 to the dead. 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. We 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 the Church Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Repeat Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (see above) 10
MEAL Peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. You are invited to share a sign of God s peace with others. You may use these or similar words: Peace be with you. You may use the sign of a handshake, a hug, or a bow with palms together. Please allow those who prefer less contact to choose the level of touch. Offering Welcome! If you are visiting, please fill out a Guest card this morning on the welcome table in the entry/ gathering area and leave it in the basket, as a way to help us welcome you further and another way of offering yourself to God on this day. Please stand Offering Response What is This Place Gather 748 Celebration of Ministry Today we celebrate the ministry of Rick Siverson and Andoni Bundros. Offering Prayer Let us pray. God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord. Amen. 11
The Great Thanksgiving Preface Dialog 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. Preface It is indeed right we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Sanctus Gather 201 Eucharistic Prayer Lord s Prayer 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. Amen. Invitation to Communion Christ invites you to a place of honor at this banquet. Welcome to the feast. 12
Agnus Dei Gather 207 Communion We believe that in the bread and wine of communion we receive Christ s body and blood for our forgiveness, life, and salvation. Come forward as the ushers direct. To receive the bread, hold out your hands together. If you need gluten-free bread, please tell the person serving you. As the communion assistant offers the tray to you, you may take a small cup of wine, or if you prefer, grape juice (white grape juice is in the center cup and center ring of cups only). After receiving the bread and the wine you may return the empty cup and return to your seat. We invite those who do not yet receive communion to come forward for a blessing please cross your arms over your chest as a sign. Songs During Communion: Jesu, Jesu Gather 748 Where Charity and Love Prevail Gather 625 Blessing SENDING Prayer after Communion Let us pray. O God, as a mother comforts her child, so you comfort your people, carrying us in your arms and satisfying us with this food and drink, the body and blood of Christ. Send us now as your disciples, announcing peace and proclaiming that the reign of God has come near; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Pastor Anita takes up her stole Farewell and Godspeed The Lord be with you. And also with you. 13
Pastor Karen as you leave our Advent family, we wish to bid you farewell. A reading from John: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12) In holy baptism our Lord Jesus Christ received you and made you a member of the church. When you came to this community we rejoiced to welcome you into the mission we share as the people of God. In this community you have come to know and to share in God s loving purpose for you and for all creation. God has blessed you in this community, and God has blessed us through you. Let us pray. Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servant, Pastor Karen, who has enriched this community and shared her gifts with us. Now bless and preserve her at this time of transition. Day by day, guide her and give her what is needed, to cheer her on her way, and a clear vision of that to which you are now calling her. By your Holy Spirit be present in her pilgrimage, that she may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God bless us, and direct our days and our deeds in peace. Amen. Announcements Benediction The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord s face shine upon you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. Amen. 14
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Dismissal Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. Bixby Creek Big Sur - John Comer Jacopo Tintoretto - Marriage at Cana, 1561 The Hospitality of Abraham (Old Testament Trinity). From Saints Peter and Paul Church in Ustyuzhna. "The Life of Jesus Mafa" is a set of 63 pictures from the life and teaching of Jesus, viewed by the artist as if the events had taken place in a village in Cameroon. Millions of these images have been printed and distributed around the world since their creation in the 1970s. Diversity Hands by Oswaldo Guayasamín (July 6, 1919 March 10, 1999) Soichi Watanabe, We are One in Jesus Our Lord 16
Worship Assistants Our Musicians Pianist/Accompanist: Ruth Winter/ Andoni Bundros Troy Gunter/ Melissa Gunter Choir Director: Phil Robb Gather Musicians: Bruce Naylor, Erik Siverson, Catherine Holmes, Kathy Hopkins, John Hopkins, Ed Merrell, Valerie Sacks, and Cameron Whiteside. Acolyte: Communion: Assistant: Lector: Ushers: Cantor: Greeters: Healing Prayer: 9:30 AM Megan Gill Peter Walker Valerie Chambliss Ken Carlson Sherry Kalma Arne Kalma Gretchen Leff Carr Family Ed Merrell Flowers for the altar today are given by the Zappe Family in celebration of Jesseka s birthday. SALT - Sound and Light Team: Gayle Carlile, Gunnar Marcheschi, Dave Paulsen and Terry Pratt. Altar Guild for August: Dottie Ellsworth, Doris Staehr; Communion Bread: Virginia McQueen Nursery Attendant: Ernestina Atanacio. 17