Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church Sunday, December 10, 2017 Second Sunday of Advent 9:30 am

Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church Sunday, December 10, 2017 Second Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church brother ken, OLF : Pastor 1450 Plum Point Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639 410 257 LOVE (5683) office@saintnicholaslutheran.org www.saintnicholaslutheran.org Welcome to Saint Nicholas! We re glad you re worshipping with us today. May our time together be a blessing to you. If you are visiting with us this morning, please sign the guest register in the Narthex on the podium. Child care is available during worship for infants and toddlers in our staffed nursery room down the hall. All children ages 5 10 are invited to attend Time for Children in the North Wing where they will hear a bible lesson presented through story, song and prayer. Children are dismissed with the adult leaders following the Children s Sermon and return to worship for Holy Communion. Our worship always includes the sacrament of Holy Communion and all people are welcome to receive. Children are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing from the pastor.

Introduction John called people to repent, to clear the decks, to completely reorder their lives so that nothing would get in the way of the Lord s coming. The reading from Isaiah gives the context for this radical call: the assurance of forgiveness that encourages us to repent; the promise that the coming one will be gentle with the little ones. Isaiah calls us all to be heralds with John, to lift up our voices fearlessly and say, See, your God is coming! We say it to one another in worship, in order to say it with our lives in a world in need of justice and peace. Prelude: Away in a Manger Welcome GATHERING Congregation reads bold print Stand Confession And Forgiveness Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. Amen. Let us prepare the way of the Lord by confessing our sin against God and neighbor. God of all time, we confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen. Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news! Amen. 2

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. Prayer Of The Day Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lighting Of The Second Advent Candle (Devon and Andrea Atcheson) As the 1 st and 2 nd candle is lit, the congregation sings Come Now, O Prince of Peace (ELW 247) Verses 1 & 2 All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A 725597 4

Let us pray. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. John the Baptist calls all people to prepare the Lord s way for the kingdom of heaven is near. Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath. Baptize us with the fire of your Spirit, that we may be a light shining in the darkness welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God forever. Amen. WORD Sit Children s Sermon Time For Children (All children ages 5 10 are invited to hear a bible lesson presented through story, song and prayer in the North Wing) First Reading: Isaiah 40:1 11 A reading from Isaiah. In grand, flowing, poetic lines, the prophet announces that the exile of God s people in Babylon is over. The Lord will deliver Israel and will care for her as a shepherd cares for his sheep. This word can be trusted, because the only enduring reality in life is the word of the Lord. 1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 6 A voice says, Cry out! And I said, What shall I cry? All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, 5

O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God! 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm: 85:1 2, 8 13 (Please read responsively) 1 You have been gracious to your land, O LORD; you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people and blotted out all their sins. 8 I will listen to what the LORD God is saying; for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you. 9 Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, that your glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before the LORD and shall prepare for God a pathway. Psalm Prayer Let us pray. God of grace, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son to be our Savior. Help us to rejoice in your redeeming grace by showing mercy and following in the way of justice and peace, for the sake of Jesus Christ, redeemer of the world. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and forever shall be, world without end. Amen. 6

Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8 15a A reading from 2 Peter. This short letter deals with pressing concerns regarding the final advent of Jesus, especially concerns that could arise over its apparent delay. The author of the letter calls on Christians to anticipate the promised coming of the Lord through conduct dedicated to God. 8 Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15a and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 7

Gospel: Mark 1:1 8 The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a story of Jesus birth but with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord. 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 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. 6 Now John was clothed with camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 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. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sit Sermon 9

Stand Hymn Of The Day: Comfort, Comfort Now My People (ELW 256) Public Domain 10

Prayers Of Intercession Guided by the light of Christ, let us pray for the coming dawn of joy, healing, and comfort for all God s people. (A brief silence) We long to see your glory. Prepare our hearts for your arrival by healing divisions in your church and blessing those who work for reconciliation within it. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We pray for your creation. Bring renewal to open spaces, parks, forests, mountains, and grasslands. Restore the creatures and lands that are damaged or destroyed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We long for your peace. Make places of welcome for people fleeing violence. For nations facing conflict or crisis, deliver relief. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We seek healing for all people who long for justice, freedom, and comfort. Sustain them in their time of need. Be with all who wait for you, who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. We pray especially for.. and for those we name before you now. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We give thanks for those who are ready to help in times of crisis. Give courage to disaster and emergency response teams, police officers, nurses, doctors, surgeons, chaplains, and all who work for the sake of others. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We are your beloved flock and you are our shepherd, O God. Along with the saints already at rest in you, bring us together as your people under your holy rule. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We raise our prayers to you, O God, in the name of the one who is, who was, and who is to come, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. 11

MEAL Sit Gathering Of Gifts/Setting The Table An offering is gathered for the mission of the church. If you would like to give electronically here is our QR code and Wi Fi password: SaintNicholas. Offering Music Stand Offering Prayer Let us pray. Savior of the nations, come. Make your home here in us. Feed us with your love, that our faith shine ever new and our lives reveal your light. Amen. Dialogue 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. 12

Thanksgiving At The Table Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty. When we brought on chaos, cruelty and despair, you sent the prophets to proclaim your justice and mercy. At this end of the ages your Son Jesus came to bring us your love and to heal all the suffering world. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his life, death, and resurrection, we await his coming again in righteousness and peace. Send your Spirit on us and on this bread and wine we share: strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and bring to birth the justice and joy of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen. Lord s Prayer 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. 13

Invitation to Communion Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you. Share in the feast of salvation. All are welcome to receive the sacrament. Today we commune by intinction. With intinction, the communion participant comes forward, receives a wafer and then dips it into the chalice of wine or grape juice before eating it. We also offer gluten free wafers at communion. Children not yet prepared for Holy Communion are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing from the pastor. Sit Communion Songs 14

Wait for the Lord (ELW 262) All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A 725597 Remain seated Post Communion Blessing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen us and keep us in God s grace. Amen. Prayer After Communion Let us pray. God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share. Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world, announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 15

SENDING Community Life Stand Blessing May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. 16

Sending Song: On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand (ELW 437) Public Domain 17

Dismissal Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SAINT NICHOLAS ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS December 10, 2017 The altar flowers are given to the glory of God by the Kekesi Family in memory of Helena Kekesi. Prayer Concerns Health: George Barkley, Virginia Ann Brown, Charles Jost, James Redd, Louise West, Joanne Dickinson, Karlin Anderson Long term concerns: Susan Vilcheck, Heidi Gault, Avay Jaynes, The Smith/Biello Families, Wanda Morat, Karen Murray, Deann Chism, Lenny Buck, Garrett Krohnert, Cynthia Bishop Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church has a special Prayer Team committed to intercessory prayer. Your request will always be treated with immediacy, care, and confidentiality. Contact Carol Blatt at tlblatt@comcast.net with prayer requests. If you want your name or someone else s name added to the Prayer Concerns List, please contact the church office. Prayer concerns will be carried for 1 month unless notified otherwise. Birthday Blessings Sunday Lara Roseto Monday Maggie Holmes Saturday Michael Hyland, Timothy Keith, Georgia Smith Attendance ~ Dec. 3 10:00 am Worship 97 Staff & Leadership The Rev. Kenneth D. Taylor ~ pastor@saintnicholaslutheran.org Franklyn Johnson Williams, Music Director ~ bonniejazzmusic@yahoo.com Erika Demme, Office Adm./Bookkeeper ~ office@saintnicholaslutheran.org Jim Felbinger, Custodian ~ jlfelbinger@gmail.com Bryan Mullins, Council President ~ mullinsb@calvertnet.k12.md.us 18

SAINT NICHOLAS CALENDAR Sunday, Dec. 10 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am Sunday School 12:00 pm Worship 1:00 pm Hanging of the Greens 1:00 pm Youth Group 7:30 pm Another Chance Monday Thursday ~ 9:00 am 3:30 pm Office Hours Monday, Dec. 11 ~ 6:00 pm Finance Meeting 7:00 pm Council Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 12 ~ 7:00 pm Boy & Cub Scouts Thursday, Dec. 14 ~ 12:00 pm Lunch Bunch 5:00 pm Christmas Program Rehearsal 6:30 pm Choir Practice 7:00 pm Steps to Serenity Friday, Dec. 15 ~ 6:00 pm Girl Scouts Saturday, Dec. 16 ~Adam Hogenson s Eagle Scout Ceremony Sunday, Dec. 17 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am Sunday School 12:00 pm Worship 1:00 pm Youth Group 4:00 pm Christmas Program 7:30 pm Another Chance Sunday School Join us for Sunday School at 11:00 AM in the North Wing. Children through grade 5 and middle school meet next door on the lower level. Adult Bible Study Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for the adult bible study to discuss the Sunday readings & sermon and delve into them for their meanings for our lives. 19

VOLUNTEERING Worship Participants Needed for Christmas Eve Services Lectors and Ushers are needed for Christmas Eve Services. If you will be attending Christmas Eve services at 4 pm or 7:30 pm at Saint Nicholas, would you consider reading the lessons or ushering? We are in need of one lector and 2 ushers for each service. Please contact Erika Demme at office@saintnicholaslutheran.org. Thank you! Local Family in Need There is a local family who is in need of some financial assistance. They are attempting to secure housing in our community, but are struggling to pay for a deposit for their home. If you are able to provide assistance, please make a check payable to SNLC with "Family Help" on the memo line. Thank you for your consideration. Tree of Angels Thank you to everybody who volunteered to purchase a gift for the Tree of Angels program. Please bring your unwrapped gifts back to church by this Sunday, Dec. 10. If you have questions concerning Tree of Angels, please contact Carol Blatt. Holiday Food Baskets For $50, Calvert County Churches Food Pantry can assemble a complete Christmas dinner for a family in need in Calvert County. You can contribute to a portion of a basket, or a whole basket. Please place a check in the offering plate made out to Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church, with Holiday Baskets on the memo line. Thank you. Project ECHO Many thanks to Erika Demme, Carol Blatt, Sarah Bowen, Kris Wood, Tom Phelps, Ali Banholzer, Jackie Stein, and Sue Brockman for preparing the November meal for Project Echo. If you would like to help prepare a portion of the December meal, please look for the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex, or contact Kathy Dangin (kdangin@live.com). The December meal will be served on Sunday, December 24th! 20

T.P. for P.E Thank you to everyone who contributed to our T.P. for P.E. drive. In the 3rd quarter, we collected 338 rolls of toilet paper for a grand total of 1,004 rolls for the year. Our last collection of the year will be delivered to Project Echo following worship on December 31. Keep the generosity rolling in! Offering Counters Needed Between the need for covering two weekly services and the loss of a couple of current offering counters, we have lots of openings for offering counters for 2018. If you are interested or simply want to know more about what counting the offering involves, please contact Tom Blatt tlblatt@comcast.net). Arrangements can be made for you to see the current offering counters in action to get a good idea of what counting the offering is really like. Thank you for your consideration in volunteering for this important church ministry. ANNOUNCEMENTS A message from Bonnie If you have any musical instruments that might be hiding in your closet or sleeping in your basement, please talk to Bonnie. There are people who use to play instruments but no longer have access to any. Thank you! Adam Hogenson s Eagle Scout Ceremony On December 16th at 2pm, Adam Hogenson will have his Eagle Scout Ceremony in the North Wing. Any church members who would like to attend are welcome. There will be food and refreshments after the Ceremony. Please let the Hogenson s: Home (410) 495 7698 or Erika at church know if you would like to attend by 13 December. Thank you. 21

Altar Flowers for 2018 Help beautify our worship space with altar flowers and have your loved one or special event noted in the worship bulletin. Order a beautiful bouquet of flowers in Honor or Memory of a loved one or special event in your life! The cost is $20 per bouquet and the sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Contact the office if you have questions. Thank you! Recognition of Staff With humble hearts, we would like to recognize our pastor and staff for their dedication and sacrifices made this year in support of our mission at Saint Nicholas. We are truly blessed! If you would like to donate a gift to give thanks, please make a notation on your check and place it in the offering plate. ~ Thank you, The Congregational Council Hanging of the Greens HANGING OF THE GREENS is a wonderful time to help decorate our church for Christmas and enjoy some fellowship together! Please bring the whole family and join us TODAY after the 12:00 worship service. We will make and hang the 2 wreaths for the front doors, set up and decorate Jessica s tree, and the nave tree. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Pam Werner for more information or questions. Christmas Poinsettias A sign up sheet for Christmas poinsettias is available on the bulletin board. The cost is $16 to purchase a white poinsettia. All orders and payments are due TODAY. Please place your check in the offering plate, indicating in the note section poinsettia". Lunch Bunch Please join Lunch Bunch on Thursday, December 14, at noon at Brick in Prince Frederick. If you can be there for lunch please let Debbie Bang know so that she can make reservations. 301 908 7689 or email dbang20736@yahoo.com. 22

Christmas Concert All are welcome to attend the Christmas Concert featuring the Chancel Choir and a Youth Performance on Sunday, December 17 at 4:00pm. Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share for the reception that follows the concert. Gifts of Hope Help those in need while you shop for Christmas! Today you can purchase a Gift of Hope for a friend or relative while making a contribution to someone who is in need. You will receive a beautiful Christmas card and an explanation of your purchase, while the actual gift will be forwarded to the organization which helps those in need. Visit the Gifts of Hope table after worship to make your purchases. The cost of gifts ranges from $10 to $250. For more information, contact Erika Demme at ed38@comcast.net. Christmas Eve Worship 4:00 p.m. Family Service 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service Now is the best time to share your church. Invite your family and your friends to Saint Nicholas! 2018 Offering Envelopes Offering envelopes for 2018 are available for pick up on the table in the narthex. If you are using one of the electronic giving options or have made some other arrangement for your financial contributions, you currently will not find a box of offering envelopes for you on the table. If you want a box of 2018 offering envelopes and cannot find one on the table, please let Tom Blatt know. I have plenty of extra boxes!!! 23

9:30 AM Worship Worship Leaders December 10 December 17 Assisting Minster Glenn Wolfgang Andre Dangin Bread Communion Wafers Communion Wafers Altar Care Kathy Dangin Carol Blatt Anna Kitzmiller *Altar Flowers Deanna Kekesi Pam Werner Lector Joe Sharar Vicki Williams Ushers/Communion Assistant Dawn & John Hogenson Kris & Jerry Wood Offering Counters Colleen Hyland Walt Merz Vicki Williams Ann Wolfgang Coffee Set up Volunteer Needed Anna Kitzmiller Coffee Clean up Williams Family Volunteer Needed Nursery Anne King Kate Banholzer Erin McClelland Volunteer Needed Fellowship Dawn Hogenson Gina Johnson Time for Children Andre Dangin McKenna Taylor Kathy Dangin Breanna Kekesi * Each week our altar displays a flower arrangement. They are available for dedication and the cost is $20. Use this opportunity to remember a loved one, honor a special occasion, give glory to God, or just celebrate life! The sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board. Begin Anew! Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church Enjoying God by worshipping joyfully, engaging youth, experiencing community. Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS011585. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI License # 815603. 24