Pastor Wesley Menke
Accompanist: Tatiana Thibodeaux
Producer: Chris Geach
Director : Sergio Porto
Editor: Teruni Evans
[ * Denotes Standing as you are able]
Prelude –
Apostolic 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.
Gathering Hymn Angels, from the Realms of Glory ELW 275
Prayer of the Day*
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Children Sermon
Advent Wreath
1. Light one candle for Peace
One bright candle for Peace
Christ brings Peace to every heart
He comes, He comes
2. Light one candle for Hope
One bright candle for Hope
Christ brings Hope to every heart
He comes, He comes
3. Light one candle for Joy
One bright candle for Joy
Christ brings Joy to every heart
He comes, He comes
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;
2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
3to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55
46bMy soul proclaims the greatness | of the Lord,
47my spirit rejoices in | God my Savior,
48for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your | lowly servant.
From this day all generations will | call me blessed:
49you, the Almighty, have done great | things for me and holy | is your name.
50You have mercy on | those who fear you,from generation to | generation. R
51You have shown strength | with your arm and scattered the proud in | their conceit,
52casting down the mighty | from their thrones and lifting | up the lowly.
53You have filled the hungry | with good things and sent the rich | away empty.
54You have come to the aid of your | servant Israel, to remember the prom- | ise of mercy,
55the promise made | to our forbears, to Abraham and his chil- | dren forever. R
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.
23May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
The word of the Lord.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation* Go Tell It on the Mountain ELW 290 v 1
Refrain
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev’rywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Refrain
Gospel: Saint John 1:6-8, 19-28*
Glory to you Oh Lord.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
19This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
The Gospel of the Lord ,Praise to you Oh Christ.
Sermon – Wesley Menke
Hymn of the Day: On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry ELW 249
Apostle’s 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*
With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
God of preachers and messengers, you have entrusted your church with the work of proclaiming good news. Strengthen the witness of bishops, pastors, deacons, church musicians, lay leaders, and all people who contribute their prayers and talents to public worship. Embed your word in their hearts. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of every living creature, you announce the year of your favor for all of creation. Extend your kindness and relief to endangered animals and plants. Strengthen the human beings who rely on the rhythms of nature to make their living. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of all peoples and nations, you plant us as your oaks of righteousness and ask us to care for one another. Be present with the leaders of every nation as they govern. Give them a spirit of righteousness, that your goodness and mercy is revealed through their actions. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
Barbara Dinger Paul Zimmer, Mary Ann Messick, Ines, Cora Casillas, Terry Dearth , Sally Martinez and Henry
For healing, strength, and successful cancer treatment: Sally Carlson, Andrew Collard, Karen Diffenbacher, Allen Hoke, Jackie DeVogler, Rene Paulson, and John Hendon
For continued strength & healing: Ron Martinez, Alicia Roberts,
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Passing of the Peace* Pastor
The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Offertory:
**You may make your offering or donation through our website HERE.
Offering Hymn Come Now, O Prince of Peace v1 & 4 (twice) ELW 247
Offering Prayer*
Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, we pray.
Amen.
Great Thanksgiving Pastor
♫ The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
♫ Holy, holy, holy are you, God of power and might; Heaven and earth are filled with you glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes in your name. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest!
Eucharistic prayer.
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 thosewho 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.
Invitation to Communion
Taste and see that the Lord is good! The body and blood of Christ given for you.
Blessing*
May God bless us and keep us. May God’s face shine on us and be gracious to us. May God look on us with favor and + give us peace. Amen
Announcements
- Blanket Christmas Outreach
- Youth and Family Advent Devotions
- Please Check Friday Email
- Comments please leave them
- Digital Bulletin Available online
Sending Song Joy to the World ELW 267 v1, 2, 4
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
4 He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
Dismissal
Go in peace to serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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