OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH December 17, 2017 We love, because God first loved us 1 John 4:19 1370 Church Street, Penticton, BC, V2A 4R8 (see the calendar for office hours) Contact us at: 250.492.6861 or orlc@shaw.ca or visit www.orlc.shawbiz.ca Pastor Curtis Aguirre after-hours contact: 250.490.9330 or orlcpastor@shaw.ca Council Chair: Maureen Downey Office Administration: Anette Engel Welcome to Worship! Thank you for choosing to spend your morning with us. Whoever you are and wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome in this place. Consider participating in one of our weekly offerings: Sunday, December 17 10 am Advent / Christmas Choral Service Monday & Wednesday only 9.15 10.30am Seniors' Exercise Class (in Hall) Monday December 18 10 am Mellow Monday (in Pastor s office) 3 pm Council Tuesday, December 19 9 12 pm office open 4 pm Carolling at Village-by-the-Stn. Thursday, December 21 9 12 pm office open Friday, December 22 3 -- 6 pm A Quiet Christmas (in Sanctuary) Sunday, December 24 10 am Worship with Christmas Carols 4 pm Children s Candlelight Service 7 pm Traditional Candlelight Service Monday, December 25 10 am Worship with Holy Communion
Choral Service For the 3rd Sunday of Advent Featuring the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Choir WE GATHER TO WORSHIP Processional Hymn: Prepare the Royal Highway LBW 26 Choir: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Words, Latin 12th century; Music by Hal Hopson, arranged by Emily Lund "Surely, the Time is Near" Words by Jan McGuire; Music by Lloyd Larson
Hymn for Lighting the Advent Wreath: The Time of Advent Comes Once More Words by Curtis Aguirre sung to the tune of LBW 62 The Bells of Christmas 1. The time of Advent comes once more, The heav nly guest stands at the door, Let Advent candles lead the way To guide our hearts to Christmas Day. 2. The hope of ages sought so long, The yearning of the prophets song: As this first candle sheds its light, Our hope in Christ dispels the night! 3. Love comes to dwell among us here; Love casts out judgment and our fear. Two candles burning bring to mind God s love in Christ for humankind. 4. No joy is there like that which grows When God's true light within us glows. Three candles burning help us to see That God abides in you and me. Prayer of the Day Choir: "Advent Prayer" Words by Patrick M. Liebergen; Music based on Panis Angelicus and Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, arranged by Patrick M. Liebergen "Advent Celebration" Words and Music by Jon Paige WE HEAR THE WORD Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil
of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. R: Holy word, holy wisdom C: Thanks be to God Luke 1:46b-55 "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour 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." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. R: Holy word, holy wisdom C: Thanks be to God Gospel Hymn: On Jordan s Banks the Baptist s Cry LBW 36
John 1:6-8, 19-28 P: The Gospel according to John, the 1 st Chapter C: Glory to you, O Lord There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. P: The Gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ Sermon Advent Series, Part 3: Joy (Silence for reflection follows) Hymn of the Day: Hark the Glad Sound LBW 35 Choir: Can this Be the Child? Words by Nancy Besig and Don Besig; Music by Don Besig That First Nowell Words by Nancy Besig and Don Besig; Music by Don Besig WE RESPOND TO THE WORD The Offering is gathered. As the offering is brought forward, all sing the Offertory Hymn: What Child Is This? LBW 40 Prayers of Intercession (responsive form) Let us pray Fill us with your joy, O God The prayers conclude with The Lord's Prayer: C: 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us form evil, For thine is the kingdom, and power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Choir: How Quietly Words and Music by Joel Raney Ring Christmas Bells Words and Music by Mykola Leontovich WE ARE SENT TO SERVE Benediction (spoken, not chanted) P: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord s face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look upon you with favour and grant you peace (+). C: Amen. Recessional: Joy to the World LBW 39 Sending: P: Go in hope, love, joy, and peace. Serve the Lord! C: Thanks be to God! Thank you to all those who served today to make this Sunday morning a positive and uplifting experience: Presiding/Preaching: Violinist Lector Prayer Reader Coffee Hosts Sunday Goodies Flowers Pastor Curtis Aguirre Gail Dodds Fred von Heyking Klaus Neumann Christine Lister Kim Hoath Jill Gillingham Linda Wilson & Klaus Neumann Jill & Charlie Gillingham Jill & Charlie Gillingham Shelley Eberle
A reminder to those who will be serving on December 24 at 10 am: Presiding/Preaching: Violinist Lector Prayer reader Coffee Host Flowers Pastor Curtis Aguirre Dorothy Odegard-Larson Fred von Heyking Bernie Burger Linda Wilson Jill Gillingham Jill Gillingham Linda Wilson & designated helper Lynne Marand Shelley Eberle A reminder to those who will be serving on December 24 at 4 pm: Presiding/Preaching: Assisting Pastor Curtis Aguirre Dorothy Odegard-Larson Penelope McPhail, Eli McPhail Debbie & Darryl Jones Maureen Downey, Keri Wehlander, Penelope McPhail, Eli McPhail, Aidan Aguirre Linda Wilson & designated helper A reminder to those who will be serving on December 24 at 7 pm: Presiding/Preaching: Violinist Lector Pastor Curtis Aguirre Roswitha Masson Fred von Heyking needed Jill & Charlie Gillingham Cathy Sterna Linda Wilson & designated helper A reminder to those who will be serving on December 25 at 10 am: Presiding/Preaching: Pastor Curtis Aguirre Dorothy Odegard-Larson Violinist Fred von Heyking needed needed Lector Lynne Marand Assistant needed 2 nd Assistant needed Linda Wilson & designated helper Coffee Hosts no coffee Altar Guild Nadia Wish & Margaret Munro
Thank you to all who contributed to the success of our Yuletide Feast! Thank you to all volunteers and for the food donations! Thank you Louise Quandt for managing the kitchen, Kim Hoath and Daryl Jones for the turkey, and to Gail Dodds for playing the piano! Christmas Carolling Wassailing at Village-by-the-Station Tune your voices! On Tuesday, December 19 at 4 pm We will meet at Village-by-the-Station a little before 4:00 p.m. to join the staff as they go from room to room with mulled apple cider wassailing! The activity director says specifically suggested we join them in this annual event to enliven it for all! All are welcome!