Advent Lutheran Church Pastor Anita R. Warner 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.
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost September 11, 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. GATHERING Prelude and Welcome The grumbling of the Pharisees and the scribes in today s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God wills to seek and to save the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As Paul s first letter to Timothy reminds us, The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Thanks be to God. Song Come to Us Gather 743 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. 2
Kyrie God of the dirtied hands, the wandering feet, you seek out the lost before they ever turn to you: Lord, have mercy. Take us with you into the abandoned places to find a new community inside and outside these walls. Christ, have mercy. Help, save, comfort and defend us, through Jesus Christ, the Searching One. Lord, have mercy. Hymn of Praise Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Gather 506 Prayer of the Day O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion, you lead back to yourself all those who go astray. Preserve your people in your loving care, that we may reject whatever is contrary to you and may follow all things that sustain our life in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. You may be seated. WORD Children s Message The Golden Calf Pastor Anita Reading Exodus 32: 7-14 printed on back While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the people grow restless and make a golden calf to worship. Today s reading shows Moses as the mediator between an angry God and a sinful people. Moses reminds God that the Israelites are God s own people and boldly asks mercy for them. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 3
Psalm 51 Create in Me Gather 57 The cantor sings Refrain I alone the first time, then the congregation repeats Refrain I with the cantor; the cantor sings the verses. Reading 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 printed on back The letters to Timothy are called the Pastoral Epistles because they contain advice especially intended for leaders in the church. Here the mercy shown to Paul, who once persecuted the church, is cited as evidence that even the most unworthy may become witnesses to the grace of God. 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 fifteenth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. Gospel Luke 15: 1-10 printed on back Jesus tells two stories that suggest a curious connection between the lost being found and sinners repenting. God takes the initiative to find sinners, each of whom is so precious to God that his or her recovery brings joy in heaven. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Please Be Seated Sermon Lost and Found Rev. Anita Warner Silence for reflection; stand when the music begins. 4
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Apostles Creed Gather 162 Prayers of the Church Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 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 The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing next page The cantor sings the first verse and Refrain, then the congregation joins in the rest of the song. Celebration of Ministry Today we celebrate the ministry of those who work in and for public safety. Offering Prayer Let us pray. Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen. 6
Offering Response The Trumpets Sound, The Angels Sing The cantor sings the first verse and Refrain, then the congregation joins in the rest of the song. Text and Music: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950@1989 Make Way Music All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under onelicense.net #A-706530 7
The Great Thanksgiving Preface Dialog Gather 199 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 Take hold of the life that really is life. Come, take your place at the table. 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. 8
Songs During Communion: Amazing Grace Gather 612 You Satisfy the Hungry Heart 9
Blessing SENDING Prayer after Communion Let us pray. We come again to you, O God, giving you thanks that in this feast of mercy you have embraced us and healed us, making us one in the body of Christ. Go with us on our way. Equip us for every good work, that we may continue to give you thanks by embracing others with mercy and healing; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Announcements Benediction God Almighty send you light and truth to keep you all the days of your life. The hand of God protect you; the holy angels accompany you; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever. Amen. Song God Has Smiled on Me turn page Dismissal Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God. 10
Song God Has Smiled on Me Text and Music: Isaiah Jones, Jr. b. 1958 @ 1973 Davike Music Co. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted under onelicense.net #A-706530 11
Communion by Freydoon Rassouli The Hebrews adore the golden calf - Marc Chagall Parable Of The Lost Sheep Painting by Marsha Elliott Icon from Skopje, Macedonia The Lost Sheep by Larry Dyke 12
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. 8:00 AM 10:45 AM Acolyte: Gunnar Marcheschi Caden Carslson Communion Assistant: Darlene Day Kathy Panzica Lector: Arne Kalma Carrie Merrell Ushers: Daryl Zappe Ed Carr Robert Beasley Peter Walker Steve Barr Cantor: Jennifer Hamilton Jennifer Hamilton Greeters: Boettcher Family Bannister Family Healing Prayer: Sherry Quick Daniel Carlile SALT - Sound and Light Team: Gayle Carlile, Gunnar Marcheschi, Dave Paulsen and Terry Pratt. Altar Guild for September: Virginia Haberkamp, Susan Gaetano Nursery Attendant: Ernestina Atanacio. 13