Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church ELW Setting 5 November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent 8:15 am Worship Service The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.
Welcome members and guests to our worship service today. If you are visiting, we encourage you to sign the guest register located in the narthex. Please include your home address, email address and phone number. Each pew contains cards that you may fill out if you wish to consult with the pastor or provide additional information about yourself. A nursery is available for children up to five years of age during the service. The nursery is located off the hallway on the Huntington Avenue side of the church building. There are also quiet bags available for older children to enjoy during the service. Please ask an usher about borrowing one. Parents are invited to bring children from the nursery for Holy Communion to receive a blessing. If children become restless or noisy during worship, parents are encouraged to take them in to and out of the sanctuary as necessary. Trinity offers an induction loop for the benefit of hearing impaired worshippers. To use, please switch your hearing aid to T. If you are unsure if your hearing aid is compatible, please contact your audiologist. The Reverend Doctor James G. Cobb, Interim Pastor Rob Keene, Organist and Director of Music Congregation of Trinity Lutheran, Ministers of the Word 6812 River Road, Newport News, VA 23607 Church office: (757) 245-7861 Pastor's cell: (443) 632-4420 www.trinitylutheran-nn.com Trinity Lutheran is a partner church with Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center. Cover image by JoAnne Rawls.
Welcome Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Carpenter Family Hymn Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (stanza 1) ELW 240 Gathering The assembly stands and faces the processional cross. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Confession and Forgiveness Both our confession of sin and God s promise of mercy are rooted in our baptism. We come before God recalling our brokenness, but even more God s great grace poured out upon us because of Christ Jesus death, crucifi xion, resurrection, and ascension. Pastor: People: Pastor: 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. Silence is kept for refl ection. 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. Gathering Hymn O Lord, How Shall I Meet You ELW 241 The Greeting We sing as the Holy Spirit gathers us for worship. This hymn sets the tone for the day. 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 This prayer collects the themes from today s Scripture readings. Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The assembly is seated. Word First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 Pew Bible Old Testament Page 591 Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 122 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord. Now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city that is at unity with itself; to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, the assembly of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. For there are the thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls and quietness within your towers. For the sake of my kindred and companions, I pray for your prosperity. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do you good. Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14 Pew Bible New Testament Page 142 Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24:36-44 The assembly stands. Gospel means good news and refers to the message about God s gracious work in Jesus Christ. The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 24th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus describes his second coming as a sudden, unexpected event that will bring salvation or judgment upon people caught up in the usual affairs of daily life. He urges people to be alert and expectant. Jesus said to the disciples, About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Time with the Children The assembly is seated. Sermon End Times: to Dread or to Hope? Pastor Jim Cobb "Come to Jesus" is Advent's Word Silence is kept for refl ection after the sermon. The assembly stands.
Hymn of the Day Hark, the Glad Sound! ELW 239 This hymn complements the day s Scripture readings and often underscores the message of the sermon. The 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 Intercession Let us pray. Have mercy, O God. Sharing of the Peace The peace, which enables people to live in unity and in the spirit of mutual forgiveness, comes from Christ whose word has been proclaimed. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Announcements Receiving of Tithes and Offerings Offertory The assembly is seated. Offertory Hymn As with Gladness Men of Old (stanza 3) ELW 302 Offertory Prayer This hymn becomes our prayer as our gifts are collected and dedicated to our Lord s service. Our offerings support the ministries of Christ s church in this congregation, our community, our Virginia Synod, and our E.L.C.A. 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.
The Great Thanksgiving Meal Proper Preface 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 "Holy, Holy, Holy" echoes the heavenly chorus in Isaiah 6:3 and the crowds of Mark 11:9 as Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. This reminds us that we are in the presence of a God identifi ed both by holiness and humility. Thanksgiving at the Table The Eucharistic (Thanksgiving) Prayer unites God s creative and redeeming acts throughout history to the work of Jesus Christ. Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.
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. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus. Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth. Come, Holy Spirit. All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lord s Prayer When we pray for our daily bread, we are acknowledging that God provides for our needs each day. 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. At the breaking of the bread, the Presider says, Come to the table. Feast on God s abundant life for you. Agnus Dei The assembly is seated.
This canticle echoes John the Baptist's pronouncement in John 1:29 that Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God's people and the Savior of the world. Communion As you receive the bread in your hand, you may commune by intinction using the silver chalice, or you may consume the bread and then drink from the pewter chalice. Music During the Distribution Wait for the Lord ELW 262 Table Blessing The assembly stands. Sending The blessings and body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. Post Communion Prayer 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. 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. Sending Hymn Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending ELW 435 Postlude Please be seated for a brief congregational meeting. There will be one worship service next Sunday, December 4th, at 10:00 am. Trinity Troupers will rehearse at 9:15 am.
Serving Today Acolytes Garrett Mynoymany Matthew Mynoymany Communion Assistant Sounthone Mynoymany Lector Kathy Stevens Presenters Rock and Sue Moeslin Usher Captain Steve Quist Usher Astrid Quist Nursery Coordinator Charlotte Duff Nursery Supervisor Laura Jay Nursery Attendant Melissa Quist Altar Guild Astrid Quist Building Lockup Dick Davis
Offertory Today s Music From Partita über "O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf" Josef Friedrich Doppelbauer (1918-1989) Introduktion Choral Music During the Distribution Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, Op. 67, No. 29 Max Reger (1873-1916) Postlude Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 545 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Notes on the Music O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf dates from the early 17th century; most recently it appeared in our green hymnal, the Lutheran Book of Worship. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland is far older, translated by Luther himself from a 4th-century text attributed to Saint Ambrose of Milan.