AWAKEN TO THE PROMISE A New Covenant Sunday, December 17, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent
Welcome to Worship at St. Andrew s Wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, you are welcome at St. Andrew s. Our mission is to Proclaim Jesus Christ, Live in Christ, Serve! To learn more, we invite you to the Hospitality Desk in the Atrium for materials describing activities and events, as well as to the St. Andrew s website (saintandrews.org). Please join us for fellowship after the service. Listening devices and LARGE PRINT bulletins are available at the door. Please ask an usher. Children of all ages are welcome in worship. Childcare is available in the Infant and Toddler Rooms. If you have children who become restless, you may view the service with televisions in the Atrium, Library and Infant Room. We invite you to fill out and put on a name tag which can be found in the pew rack in front of you. ADVENT: Awaken to the Promise In this season of darkness we awaken to the light of God s promises. First Sunday of Advent Promise of a King Second Sunday of Advent Promise of a Servant to the Nations Third Sunday of Advent Promise of the Prince of Peace Fourth Sunday of Advent Promise of a New Heart We will light a candle each week as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, the light of the world. Today we light the candle of the promise of a new covenant within the heart. Prelude Ding! Dong! Merrily on High Hymn Comfort, Comfort Now My People arr. Howard Helvey freu dich sehr Continued on next page 2
We gather in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Proclamation of Praise We come from a world of darkness; Into Christ s world of light. We come from a world of weariness; Into God s strength and hope. We come from a slumbering world. Strengthened by the Spirit, we come to awaken our souls and watch for the coming of Christ. 3
Hymn Canticle of the Turning star of county down 4 Continued on next page
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Prayer of the Day God of promise, we are a people in need of your grace and mercy. Help us cling to your words with believing hearts so that we may put our trust in you. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus our Savior and Lord. Amen Anthem Joy Has Dawned Getty and Townend/arr. Molly ljames Combined Choirs 5
Lesson Jeremiah 31:31-34 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. WE INVITE CHILDREN TO DOCK AT THIS TIME Please make sure your child is wearing a nametag with name and grade level. ************* See FRONT OF INSERT for Pickup Locations ************** Anthem The First Nowell arr. Mack Wilberg Combined Choirs Lesson Ezekiel 36:25-26 Unison Reading A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. 6
Holy Gospel Luke 1:46-55 Glory to you, O Lord. And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Praise to you, O Christ. Sacrament of Holy Baptism 9:00 Ruth James Moses Daughter of Lacey and James Moses 10:30 Isla Brynne Wilding Daughter of Heather and Matthew Wilding Mara Elizabeth Draxton Daughter of Amanda and Michael Draxton Cooper Anthony Johnson Son of Emily and Anthony Johnson Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 7
Hymn Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming es ist ein rose 8 4. O Savior, child of Mary, who felt all human woe; O Savior, king of glory, who triumphed o er our foe: bring us at length, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven and into endless day.
Sermon Promise of a New Heart Offering Sing We Now of Christmas Pastor Michael D. Carlson arr. Kevin McChesney Handbells Offertory Canticle of the Turning Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! star of county down Prayers of the Church Words of Institution for the Sacrament of Holy Communion The 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 We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine and grants us the gift of God s grace and forgiveness. All are welcome to receive this gift. White grape juice is available upon request. Gluten-free wafers are available at all stations at the front of the Sanctuary. 9
Lamb of God Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace. Communion Music Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel veni, emmanuel Men: Women: Post-Communion Blessing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen 10
Post-Communion Prayer Benediction God of the meal, as we leave your holy table and depart from this place may we scatter into your world to serve as your ambassadors of grace. May your Holy Spirit guide us to carry your message of grace and love. Amen The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice in dulci jubilo Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Postlude In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729 Please let our Hospitality Desk staff know if you would like a pastor to pray with you following worship. J. S. Bach 11
Mike Carlson Lead Pastor Sarah Breckenridge Executive Pastor John Straiton Discipleship Pastor Brian Norsman Pastor of Outreach and Mission Kyle Jackson Pastor of Congregational Care Erin Morris Deacon / Intern Pastor Gerry Rafftery Pastor of Generosity Carolyn Staats Intern Pastor Jenny Sung Intern Pastor St. Andrew s Worship Times Traditional Worship Sunday 9 & 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Contemporary Worship Saturday 5 p.m. Great Hall Sunday 8:45 & 10:15 a.m. Great Hall First Wednesday Worship First Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Nursery at all services. Worship at St. Andrew s Village Sunday 1 p.m. 12 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi MN 55115 www.saintandrews.org 651.426.3261