1 0 : 30 AM De F nd, Welcome to our parish community! We are thrilled to have you with us. Your presence at Messiah Church is a true treasure and we open our hearts to you with a deep sense of hospitality. We hope that you will make yourself at home. Please get involved in whatever catches your attention and imagination. Even more so, please share with us whatever gift and talent that you bring to Messiah. Please fill out the Welcome Card found in the pew pocket if you would like to be contacted by me or by the office. May you and your loved ones know the rich blessings of our loving God. Past Jef V n H S U N D AY S C H O O L C H O O L 3 Y E A R S - 4 T H Y E A R S Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2016 T H G R A D E Sundays between services from 9:30-10:20 Y O U T H E D U C AT I O N D U C AT I O N G R A D ES 5-9 Youth are encouraged to join us in weekend worship, and in weekly activities on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 F E L LOW S H I P Please stay after the Worship Service for conversation and treats.
O PEN I N G H Y M N Out in the Wilderness W&P Purple Book #115 G R E E T I N G B R I E F O R D E R O F C O N F E S S I O N Pastor: Faithful God Congregation: We confess that we have been unfaithful to you. Like dry leaves and withered grass, our lives are blown about by our brokenness and the darkness that so often surrounds us. Restore us, O God; let the light of your face shine on us, and we shall be saved. Amen. O A N T I PH O N S M M, R L M, C L I G H T I N G O F T H E T H I R D C A N D L E Light One Candle P R AY E R O F T H E D AY Pastor: Let us pray... Congregation: Amen. F I R S T R E A D I N G Isaiah 35:1-10 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the L, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible 2 continues on page 3
recompense. He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the L shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Reader: The Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God. P S A L M S A L M 1 1 7 Holy Is God S E C O N D R E A D I N G James 5:7-10 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. 3 continues on page 4
Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Reader: The Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God. G OSPEL O S L A CC LAMATIONA M AT I O N H O LY G O S PEL Matthew 11:2-11 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? Jesus answered them, Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me. As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? 4
A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord. Congregation: Praise to you, O Christ. T H E H O M I LY P J V H P R AY E R S OF O F I NTERCESSIT E R C E S S I ONN All Respond after each prayer: Leader: All: S I G N O F P E A C E Greet one another with: Peace be with you. T H E O F F E R I N G A Story For All People W&P Purple Book #2 An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. Children are welcome to come forward and place an offering in the urn next to the pulpit. 5
Pastor: Let us pray. Merciful God Congregation: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. T H E G R E AT T H A N K S G I V I N G Pastor: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. Congregation: We lift them to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Pastor: It is indeed right that we should at all times T H E L O R D O R D S P R AY E R R AY E R Sung by All 6
H O LY C O M M U N I O N All are welcome to the Lord s Table Grape juice is available on the trays in the central cups. Gluten-free wafers are available in the gold container on the stand between the bread distributors. C O M M U N I O N H Y M N Taste and See ELW Red Book #493 C O M M U N I O N H Y M N I Believe I ll Testify 7
C O M M U N I O N M E D I TAT I O N Wait For the Lord ELW Red Book #262 B L E S S I N G Congregation: Amen. R E C E S S I O N A L W&P Purple Book #85 Let Justice Roll Like a River D I S M I S S A L Pastor: Go in peace, serve the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God! Worship Assistants Greeters... Karen & Ed Bosold Host... Diane Sersland Reader... Mary Marshall Communion... Barb & Tom Martin, Mary Marshall Ushers B Team... Norene & Andy Shultis,... Matt Tully, Walt Herrod Musician... Melissa Vanden Heuvel Vocalists... Clyde Nyhus, Brynn Schulte,... Celebrate Group Flowers Given by Connie Rosemeyer and family in memory of Tom Rosemeyer. 8
Taking Faith Home CARING CONVERSATIONS Discuss in your home or small group: Tell about a me you have been filled with joy. In what way does Jesus ministry stated in Ma hew 11:5 describe what joy is like? How does Jesus ministry bring joy to the world? DEVOTIONS In the third week of Advent light the first, second, and third Advent candles and say these words. Say: This is the third week of Advent. We light our third candle, the candle of joy. Jesus birth and earthly ministry gives us reason to be joyful. He came to save us from our sins and bring us back to God. The candles are lit. Read: Isaiah 35: 1-10. Pray: God, as we draw nearer to the celebra on of Jesus birth, fill us with joy and gladness. Help us to share the good news of Jesus birth with others. Amen. SERVICE As you plan to give gi s to others, prepare a Christmas gi of non-perishable food items to donate to a local charity for an individual or household in your community. THESE READINGS ARE RELATED TO THE LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY Sunday Ma hew 11:2-11 Jesus and John the Bap st Monday Malachi 3:1-4 A messenger is promised Tuesday Isaiah 61:1-7 The Lord s anointed one Wednesday Ma hew 9:27-31 The blind receive sight Thursday Ma hew 9:2-8 The lame walk Friday Luke 1:5-25 The birth of John announced Saturday Psalm 146:5-10 God li s up those bowed down Sunday Ma hew 1:18-25 Immanuel God with us 9
Weekly Announcements Dec 12-18, 2016 2017 Offering Envelopes Are available for pick-up in the Gathering Space as of Dec. 10. If you do not see a box of envelopes with your name on them and would like to use envelopes please contact the church office at 222-3833 or email: timc@messiahchurch.com. We encourage the use of envelopes as it facilitates the counting and recording of your donations to the mission of Messiah Lutheran Church. Families who participate in electronic giving will not have envelopes. - - Tim Coulthart C F M 3 years-4 th Grade Elizabeth Crummy, Children s and Family Ministry Coordinator Cell # 608-235-6910 Email: familyministry@messiahchurch.com Christmas Program Dec. 11 at 2:00, Reception to Follow. Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade arrive at 1:30 pm. All other kids arrive at 1:45 pm. Come downstairs, and bring your food to the Social Hall when you bring your children. Christmas Program DVD s Order a copy for $5 at the Reception. Birthday Party for Baby Jesus Collecting for St. Stephen s Food Pantry: diapers, formula, wipes, bottles. Lori, 837-1917. Due Dec. 11. Cold & Flu Care Bags Teaming up with Social Ministry, collecting for residents in the Triangle community. Please donate a paper grocery bag and homemade get well card. Collection items for each age group are listed on the Kiosk, and in a flyer sent home with your child. Bring by Dec. 11. Christmas Break Dec. 18, 25 and Jan. 1. Classes resume January 8. Y F M 5 th -12 th Grade Teresa Palumbo, Youth Ministry Coordinator Text to: 608-279-7460, Email: youth@messiahchurch.com Ornament Sale $10 for 2016, $5 for previous years. Christmas Break December 21 and 28. Classes resume January 4. 10 Christmas Worship Services C E : 4:00, 7:00, 9:00 C D : 9:00 January Movie Night Friday, January 13, Children s and Youth Ministry - -save the date! Monona Senior Chorus Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:00 pm in the Community Room. Poinsettias at Christmas Envelopes are in the pew racks and on the Host Table. Deadline Dec. 11.
Weekly Announcements Dec 12-18, 2016 Social Ministry Collections Mitten Tree Hats, Mittens, Scarves for men, women & children. These will be given to the Salvation Army. Collection ends Dec. 18. Coordinator: Darilee Nelson, 222-4929. Pudding Boxes Large boxes of instant pudding will be collected in a box underneath the Mitten Tree. These will be used for the East Side Community Center at Truax Christmas food boxes. Collection ends Dec. 18. Coordinator: Darilee Nelson, 222-4929 The Road Home We are adopting four families. A parent using their services has on their list a clothing item and a toy/personal request for each of their children. We adopt the family, and to protect confidentiality, assign each a code number. Sign up on poster in the Gathering Space. Bring unwrapped gifts to Messiah collection by Dec. 11. Coordinator: Diane Iverson, 242-0462. Domestic Abuse Intervention Services D.A.I.S. Gift needs are listed on a poster in the Gathering Space. The gifts will be for people that come into the shelter after the wish lists 11 have gone out to churches and donating families. Write in the item you are purchasing for the family, and bring to Messiah by Sunday, Dec. 11. Please do not wrap. Coordinator: Diane Iverson, 242-0462. YWCA Residents Messiah is the only gift provider for the women residents at the YWCA. Poster in the Gathering Space lists names, along with their wishes. Please attach the name and room number of each person you are helping to each gift. Bring unwrapped gifts to Messiah by Sunday, Dec. 11. Bernie Hartwig, 222-7350. Triangle Ministry Cold & Flu Care Bags Social Ministry will provide the decaf tea, small packs of tissues, lip balm and a box of cough drops. Please bring items and place in designated bag in the Community Room collection area. Due Dec. 11 Naoma Michaelis 298-7788 Volunteers Needed Christmas Eve 7:00 pm worship service. Children and adults. Sign-up on Kiosk. Adults needed to Usher at 4:00 and 9:00. Homeless Meal at Grace Wednesday, Dec. 14, Help needed with food prep. Sign-up on our Kiosk. Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, Jan. 22.
T W Dec 12-18, 2016 Monday, December 12 Pastor's Day Off Preschool Meets... 9:00-11:30 Boy Scouts Troop #132... 6:30 Tuesday, December 13 Pastor's Day Off EMMCA Senior Meal... 12:00 Divine Yoga... 5:30 Church Council Meeting... 6:45 Wednesday, December 14 Preschool Meets... 9:00-11:30 YOW Youth on Wednesdays... 6:30 ENA Anniversary Planning... 7:00 Thursday, December 15 Pew Keepers... 10:00 EMMCA Senior Meal... 12:00 GS Troop #1174... 4:30 GS Brownies # 2749... 5:45 GS Troop #2906... 6:00 Choir Rehearsal... 7:30 Column Articles Due-January... 10:00 Friday, December 16 Preschool Meets... 9:00 Saturday, December 17 MLC Staff Meeting... 8:00 Line Dancing Class... 9:30 Worship Service... 5:00 Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18 Worship Service... 8:15 NO Sunday School Worship Service... 10:30 Monona Senior Chorus... 2:00 Venture Crew #132... 6:15 Office and Contact Information P... 608-222-3833 O E... ourchurch@messiahchurch.com O C D B...outside the main front entrance W... messiahchurch.com O H... Monday - Friday... 9:00-12:00 P... Jeff Vanden Heuvel... pastorjeff@messiahchurch.com B M...Tim Coulthart... timc@messiahchurch.com C W M... Clyde Nyhus... music@messiahchurch.com C C F M... Elizabeth Crummy... familyministry@messiahchurch.com C Y F M... Teresa Palumbo... youth@messiahchurch.com C E, O C... Annette Durkin... evangelism@messiahchurch.com C S A M... Keith Schlesinger... adultministry@messiahchurch.com D P... Bobbie Rogers... preschool@messiahchurch.com V S... Steve Cheramy...video@messiahchurch.com F M...Tim Martinson...building@messiahchurch.com W D A... Wendy Bailey... wendy@messiahchurch.com J S... Larry Kaltenberg LUTHERAN CHURCH - ELCA 5202 Cottage Grove Rd. Madison, WI 53716