December 2nd, 2018
First Sunday of Advent
Holy Communion (ELW 5)
INTRODUCTION
Advent is a season of hope. The ancients expected a “righteous Branch to
spring up for David.” With them we eagerly await the coming days:
another Christmas celebration, the Lord’s final coming, and the continual
advent of our Lord in word and supper.
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and
a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An
usher will gladly provide you with assistance.
As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all
cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.
We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so
that we may record your presence with us.
PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation,
and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for
all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
PRELUDE Chorale Prelude on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland J. S. Bach
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may stand and make the sign of the cross, the sign with which we are
marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from
whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily
magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Please kneel, silence is kept for reflection.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We
have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have
done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our
whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the
sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us,
and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high has shined
upon us. Jesus Christ has come to be born among us and to die for us, all to
reconcile us to God. In Christ’s name and for his sake I declare to you: God
forgives you all your sins. Almighty God grant unto us the grace and
comfort of the Holy Spirit, true repentance, and time for the amendment of
life.
Amen.
 The congregation stands to face the cross as it processes in.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN: Fling Wide the Door (ELW 259)

GREETING

Behold, now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. 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.

KYRIE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection
alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of
justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Please be seated.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE AND LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe, and our great hope.
You call all nations to walk in your light and to seek your ways of justice
and peace, for the night is past, and the dawn of your coming is near. Bless
us as we light the first candle of this wreath. Rouse us from sleep, that we
may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes and welcome him into our
hearts and homes, for he is our light and our salvation. Blessed be God
forever.
Amen.
ADVENT HYMN Come Now, O Prince of Peace (ELW 247, v. 1) Psalm 25:1-10

Refrain:

Tone:

1
To | you, O LORD,
I lift | up my soul.
2
My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph | over me.
3
Let none who look to you be | put to shame;
rather let those be put to shame | who are treacherous.
4
Show me your | ways, O LORD,
and teach | me your paths. R
5
Lead me in your | truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted
all | the day long.
6
Remember, O LORD, your compas- | sion and love,
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 33:14-16 for they are from | everlasting. R

In the Old Testament, “righteousness” often has to do with being faithful in 7

relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in
having mercy. In today’s reading, Jerusalem’s future name—“The Lord is
our righteousness”—proclaims that the Lord is even now working salvation 8
for Israel.
9
14
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the
promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those
10
days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David;
and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days
Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name
by which it will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.”
Remember not the sins of my youth and | my transgressions;
remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake
of your good- | ness, O LORD.
You are gracious and up- | right, O LORD;
therefore you teach sinners | in your way.
You lead the low- | ly in justice
and teach the low- | ly your way.
All your paths, O LORD, are steadfast | love and faithfulness
to those who keep your covenant and your | testimonies. R

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Upon Timothy’s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is
exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul
voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the people of this growing
church.
9
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel
before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly
that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your
faith.
11
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our
way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for
one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And may he so
strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our
God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Please stand for the reading of the gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION AND VERSE
Verse: Stand up and | raise your heads—*
your redemption is | drawing near. (Luke 21:28)
GOSPEL: Luke 21:25-36
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
my lips, and in my heart.”
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke
Glory to you, O Lord!
God will fulfill God’s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that
fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity,
confusion, and terror, but God’s people shall be given strength to stand
boldly and receive God’s promised redemption.
[Jesus said:] 25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and
on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and
the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming
upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they
will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great
glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your
heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29
Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as
soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that
summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place,
you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this
generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34
“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with
dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does
not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live
on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may
have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand
before the Son of Man.”
The gospel of the Lord!
Praise to you, O Christ!
Please be seated.
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
Please stand and sing:
HYMN OF THE DAY Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying (ELW 436)
CREED
As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
words “born of the virgin Mary,” until the words “he descended to the
dead.”
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. OFFERTORY HYMN: Create in Me a Clean Heart (ELW 188)
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

As we anticipate the fullness of the presence of Christ, we join with the

church throughout the world, praying for all who are in need.

Please sit or kneel as you are able.

Each petition ends with:

let us pray.
Have mercy, O God.

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, those spoken aloud and
those known only to you, and grant us peace through Jesus Christ, our
coming Savior.
Amen.

Please stand and greet one another in the peace of the risen Christ.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Please be seated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANTHEM AT THE OFFERING

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme J. S. Bach
(Awake! a Voice is Calling Us)

Please stand and sing:

OFFERING PRAYER

God of abundance, you have entrusted us with the precious fruits of your
creation. We return a portion of them to you in thanksgiving, a sign that all
we have, and all we are, and all that there is belongs to you. Give us
patience, hope, and joy in being as good to all people and to your world as
you have been to us, until the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior
and Lord.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Amen.
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s body
and blood, each time the words “Do this for the remembrance of me,” are
DIALOGUE
spoken.

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
PREFACE for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY 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 God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Holy One of Israel, the Word of God incarnate, the Power of the Most
High. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all
honor and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, for whom all creation waits, remember us in your
kingdom, and teach us to pray:
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The coming of the Lord Jesus is a consuming fire.
All who desire their old life to pass away and to live a new life in Christ,
come with joy to the feast.
Lutherans believe, teach and confess that we receive the true Body and
Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If you desire to pick up the cross and
live in Christ, we hope you will receive with us. Even if you do not feel
prepared to receive the sacrament today we hope you will join us at the
table. Simply hold your hands over your heart and the pastor will give you
a blessing. Pastor will be glad to discuss Holy Communion and Holy
Baptism with you!

Please be seated.

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you.

The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Amen.

LAMB OF GOD
HYMN DURING DISTRIBUTION: BLESSING
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (ELW 257, vv. 1-4)
The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony
with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.
Amen.

The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you
may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The God of all grace: Father, ☩Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and
forever.
Amen.

SENDING SONG: The King Shall Come (ELW 260)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Bring good news to the poor.

Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE Chorale Partita on The King Shall Come Wells

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in honor of
Pastor Charles Peterson the 15th pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (1847-
Please stand.
2018).
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Presented by Dwight Garner and Rodney Davidson
Lord God, we give you thanks that you have fed us even now with the
banquet that is yet to come. Keep us alert for signs of your presence in the UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
world around us. Send us as healing oil and sheltering comfort to those in
need, and make us bold in testifying to the light of Jesus Christ, our Savior Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, died 1552
and Lord. Monday, December 3, 2018
Amen. A native of the Basque region of Spain, Xavier became a missionary to
India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Philippines. He also helped to found
SENDING OF HOLY COMMUNION the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

O God of tender compassion, as you healed the sick and welcomed the
stranger, bless those who leave this assembly to share the gifts of this table
with our sisters and brothers who are sick/homebound/imprisoned. May
they be sustained by the love and prayers of this community, and by the
Bread of Life that satisfies all hunger, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
John of Damascus, theologian and hymnwriter, died around 749
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
A monk in an abbey near Jerusalem, John wrote many hymns as well as
theological works. One of his works, The Fount of Wisdom, remained
influential for centuries.