St. Paul Lutheran Church In Jesus name, Do justice, Love kindness, Walk humbly with God. St. Paul is an open, affirming, and inclusive church, welcoming all who seek God. 515 South Wheaton Avenue - Wheaton, Illinois - 630-668-5953 First Sunday of Christmas December 27, 2015 Beginning of Good News
Welcome to St. Paul Visiting today? We are glad you are here! Stop by the Welcome Center and receive a sweet gift. Interim Pastor Bill hopes you can help him learn names more easily by wearing your name tags for worship. He likes to use people s names at the communion rail when serving the bread, and the name tags make that so much easier. Thank you! Rainbow bags for toddlers are on the wooden rack up front on the right. A staffed nursery for infants to three-year-olds is on the lower level during worship services. Assisted listening headphones are available for those having difficulty hearing. Large-print bulletins are available. See an usher for assistance. Please write your name and other information on the welcome pad as it gets passed along. About our Worship We follow an ancient pattern through the liturgy (which literally means the work of the people ). Some parts of the service may change each week, but there is a consistent flow: praising God, hearing God s word, offering our prayers and gifts, celebrating communion, and being sent into the world for service. The format remains fairly constant, but the style will vary widely. Sometimes we sing with the pipe organ, and the ministers chant. Sometimes we worship accompanied by piano, guitars, drums, violins, flutes or whatever our folk play. We range from Bach to blues, because we know that different styles connect to different people. So we all worship together, and change the style every few weeks. It s one of the ways we minister to and with each other and build community. Thank you for being part of our worship and community today! *At the asterisk, stand as you are able. P: Presiding Minister A: Assisting Minister L: Lector C: Congregation ELW Page Numbers are printed in the lower corners in the front portion of the hymnal. Hymn Numbers are large numbers printed beside hymn titles in the rest of the book. Serving Today Assisting Minister Calvin Yurko Lector 8:30 Marianne Avery 11:00 Demetrios Pappageorge Communion Deacons 8:30 Pat Vicha 11:00 Carolyn Lukens Bread Hosts 8:30 Chuck & Lorraine Taylor 11:00 Bryon & Pat Noeske Crucifer/Acolytes 8:30 Diane, Grace & Anne Campbell 11:00 Richard, Mary Beth & Faith Burgis Greeters 8:30 Don & Mary Lou Winthers, Nancy Carlson 11:00 Tom & Jane Toftey, Pat Pape Ushers 8:30 Paul Johnson, Ken Keith, Warren Ludvigsen 11:00 Bill Bergman, Hilary Duff, Dean Jackson, Ed Berndt Altar Care Carolyn Lukens, Beth Baumgardner Welcome Center 8:30 Nancy Carlson 11:00 Pat Pape Counters Carlo D Agostino, Chuck Taylor, Nancy Wilen
Prelude Preparing to Worship Gathering Together in Worship *Entrance Hymn #275 Angels, from the Realms of Glory
*Repeat Entrance Hymn, v. 3 *The Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. *Prayer of the Day P: Voice of heaven, speak in us this day. Stir our hearts with your Word. Let us find both our happiness and our power in you. C: Amen. Hymn of Praise: #292 (vv. 1,3) Love Has Come Continued on next page
Continued from previous page Responding to the Word of God Gospel Acclamation: #291 (vv. 1,2) Let Our Gladness Have No End
*The Gospel Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. P: Glory to you, O Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ *Gospel Response #291 (vv. 3,4) (See previous page for music) Let Our Gladness Have No End Sermon Pr. Bill Hutchison
*Hymn of the Day: #249 On Jordan s Bank the Baptist s Cry
*Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I 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 *Prayers of the People After each petition of the prayers: A: Lord, in your mercy, C: Hear our prayer. *Passing the Peace P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. P: Let us share the peace. Offering
*Offertory Response #296 (vv. 1,3) What Child Is This?
*Offertory Prayer A: Holy one, when our hearts are truly changed, our lives change. Our priorities change. The financial commitments we make change. We consider how God calls us to turn faith to action. Receive today s offering with gratefulness, as we are grateful for the opportunity to be generous stewards of your gifts. C: Amen *The Great Thanksgiving Sharing the Eucharistic Meal P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise... we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
*Sanctus #295 (vv. 1,4) Of the Father s Love Begotten
*Eucharistic Prayer P: For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. *The 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 The Distribution of Communion The body and blood of Christ are present in this sacrament, for the forgiveness of sin and the strengthening of faith. All people are welcome to share in this meal with us. Parents, if you have a young child who receives communion, please indicate that when the minister comes to you. Those who do not receive communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing; simply keep your hands folded. Come forward and receive the bread from the minister. Gluten-free bread is available. The gold chalice contains wine; you may drink directly from the cup or dip your bread into the wine. The pottery chalice contains non-alcoholic grape juice, which you may receive by dipping your bread into the juice. Return to your seat by the side aisles. If you would like communion brought to you, simply let an usher know.
Agnus Dei #278 Away in a Manger
Music During Communion Hymn: #283 O Come, All Ye Faithful Continued on next page
Continued from previous page *Post-Communion Blessing P: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gifts of Christ s body and blood strengthen, keep, and unite us, now and forever. C: Amen *Post-Communion Prayer A: Lord God, we give you thanks that you have fed us even now with the banquet that is yet to come. Keep us alert for signs of your presence in the world around us. Send us as healing oil and sheltering comfort to those in need, and make us bold in testifying to the light of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen Going Out into the World Sent by God *Benediction P: God most high, God with us, God poured out on us, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C: Amen
*Sending Hymn: #299 Cold December Flies Away *Dismissal A: Go in peace. Remember the poor. C: Thanks be to God. Postlude