OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH December 3, 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 3 10 am Worship with Holy Communion Sunday School Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9.15 10.30am Seniors' Exercise Class (in Hall) Monday December 4 10 am Mellow Monday (in Pastor s office) Tuesday, December 5 9 12 pm office open Wednesday, December 6 12 2pm Bible Study (in Board Room) Thursday, December 7 9 12 pm office open 7 pm Choir practice (in Sanctuary) Sunday, December 10 10 am Worship with Holy Communion Sunday School 5.30 pm Yuletide Feast
1 st Sunday of Advent Abbreviations used in the order of service: LBW: The green Lutheran Book of Worship. NTFB: The Now the Feast Booklets found on the inside of the front cover of the LBW WOV: The blue With One Voice books. P: Presiding Minister or Presider C: Congregation (congregational parts are in bold.) At various points in the service the Presiding Minister will ask you to stand or sit. If standing is too difficult please feel free to remain seated. WE GATHER TO WORSHIP (Quiet reflection to prepare for worship) 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! An Advent Order for Confession and Forgiveness P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son(+), and of the Holy Spirit. P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the aid of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that, attentive to your Word, we may confess our sins, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fulness of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. P: Let us confess our sin before God. (Silence for reflexion and self-examination)
P: Gracious God, C: Have mercy on us. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone. Uphold us by your Spirit so that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for the sake of Christ, God forgives us all our sins. With joy I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit. Hymn for Advent: Oh Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel LBW 34 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. Kyrie (the music for this can be found in NTFB p. 3) Cantor: In peace, in peace, let us pray to the... C: Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Cantor: For the Reign of God, and for Peace throughout the world, for the unity of all, let us pray to the C: Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Cantor: For your people here, who have come to give you praise, for the strength to live your Word, let us pray to the C: Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Cantor: Help, save and defend us, O God. The Prayer of the Day P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray (the Presider offers the Prayer of the Day) Choir: O Come to Us, Emmanuel words and music by Joseph M. Martin Children Time Children's Song: "Go Now in Peace" Words & Music by Natalie Sleeth; Source: Songs for a Gospel People Go now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you Everywhere, everywhere you may go. (Repeat) WE HEAR THE WORD
Isaiah 64:1-9 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence-- as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. R: Holy word, holy wisdom C: Thanks be to God Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. R: Holy word, holy wisdom C: Thanks be to God Gospel Verse (music for this can be found in NTFB p. 6): Alleluia, Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia!
Mark 13:24-37 P: The Gospel according to Mark, the 13 th Chapter C: Glory to you, O Lord [Jesus said] "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." P: The Gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ Sermon - (Silence for reflection follows) Hymn of the Day: "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name" LBW 328 Prayers of Intercession (responsive form) Let us pray to the Lord, Lord, reveal your mercy. Sharing the Peace of God WE SHARE THE MEAL The gifts of the people are gathered up. As the gifts are brought forward all stand and sing the Offertory (music for this can be found on NTFB p. 9): Refrain: As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill were gathered into one to become our bread; so may all your people from all the ends of earth be gathered into one in you. 1. As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst, may we share the presence of your love. (Refrain) 2. Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come when all creation shares this feast with you. (Refrain) Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Merciful God,
All: Everything in heaven and earth belongs to you. We joyfully release what you have entrusted to us. May these gifts be signs of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen The Great Thanksgiving (spoken) P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift then to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give God thanks and praise. P: It is our duty and delight that we should everywhere and always offer thanks and praise to you, O God, through Jesus Christ whose coming the prophets and John the Baptist announced with great joy; and so with the church on earth, all creation, and the host of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Holy Holy Holy WOV 617a The presider proclaims the Good News in the Words of Institution ( In the night in which he was betrayed, etc. ). The Lord s Prayer C: 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. A note on Sharing in the Holy Communion Meal You are welcome to participate in the Holy Communion meal. We are all part of the Body of Christ gathered around Christ s table: it is Jesus who invites. Wine and grape juice are available in the small glasses. Please indicate your preference to the Assistant. The common cup has wine. Indicate your preference for the common cup by raising an index finger. When you receive the bread, please cup your hands one in the other, palms up, so the Presider can place the bread in your palm. For Lamb of God please turn to NTFB pp. 16-17 Communion Hymns: LBW 315, 30, 36 After all have communed:
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Post-Communion Canticle Thanks Be to You (music for this can be found on NTFB p. 18) 1. Praise to you, O God of mercy: Thanks be to you for ever! Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever! 2. From of old you loved and sought us: Thanks be to you for ever! Truth and justice you have taught us: Thanks be to you forever! Bridge: Strong is your faithfulness, strong is your love, rememb ring your covenant of life with us. 3. Praise to you O God of mercy: Thanks be to you for ever! Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you for ever. Thanks be to you forever! The Assisting Minister offers the Post-Communion Prayer WE ARE SENT TO SERVE Blessing for December Birthdays & Anniversaries Many, many blessings; many, many blessings; God grant you abundant blessings! (repeat) Father, Son, Holy Ghost bless you now and ever; Grant eternal blessings! Benediction P (chants): 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 (sings): Amen. Thank you to all those who served today to make this Sunday morning a positive and uplifting experience: Presiding/Preaching: Pastor Curtis Aguirre Organist Roswitha Masson Violinist Fred von Heyking Choir Shayla Sipila Willmot (director), Gail Dodds (accompanist) Greeters Nola Reid Ushers Ruthie Stewart Cantor Fred von Heyking Lector Ruthie Stewart Assistant Shelley Eberle 2 nd Assistant Cathy Sterna Counters Lynne Marand & Claude Bergman
Coffee Hosts Sunday Goodies Altar Guild Flowers Klaus Neumann Klaus Neumann Juliana Semenoff & helper A reminder to those who will be serving next week: Presiding/Preaching: Pastor Curtis Aguirre Organist Roswitha Masson Violinist Fred von Heyking Choir Shayla Sipila Willmot (director), Gail Dodds (accompanist) Greeters Gladys Olson & Evelyn Ryll Ushers Jean Grad Cantor Bernie Burger Lector Cathy Sterna Assistant Lynne Marand 2 nd Assistant Nola Reid Counters Lynne Marand & Klaus Neumann Coffee Hosts Jill & Charlie Gillingham Sunday Goodies Altar Guild Phyllis Merth & Sheila Bravo Flowers Thank you to all who contributed baked goods, time and talent for our Christmas Gift Café! Thank you to the coordinators Keri Wehlander and Kim Hoath! ORLC Family and Friends 2017 Yuletide Feast Our annual Yuletide Feast returns on the Second Sunday in Advent, December 10. As in years before, the doors will open at 5:30 pm and we will begin feasting at 6:00. Following the feast there will be a time of singing Christmas carols together. To make this all happen we will need people to help with setup and clean-up, with making the main courses (in the past one or two turkeys and a ham have been on the menu), and of course with bringing potluck dishes. A signup sheet will be in the narthex inviting you to help make the Yuletide a reality again!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ORLC Choral Christmas Program with our choir will be during the service on December 17 at 10:00 a.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Songs for Yuletide: Christmas with Tracy Fehr This concert is on Friday, December 15 here at ORLC. More information is posted on the bulletin board. Please support our guest musicians and enjoy their life performances! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Please feel welcome to take home the new CLWR brochure Gifts from the Heart in the narthex! You also find the Advent Reflections from On Eagle s Wings in the narthex. Please take a copy!