November 30th and December 1st, 2013 First Sunday of Advent Holy Communion (ELW 5)

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP PRELUDE Chorale Prelude on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Please 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. J. S. Bach

INTRODUCTION 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. 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.

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 mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore 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. Amen.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart; that the barriers dividing us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please stand and sing: GATHERING SONG: 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. KYRIE The King Shall Come (ELW 260)

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH AND CHILDRENS MESSAGE Blessed are you, O Lord our god, ruler of the universe. 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. 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 salvation. Blessed be God forever. Amen. CONGREGATIONAL SONG: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (ELW 240), vv. 1 PRAYER OF THE DAY 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. Please be seated.

PSALM: Psalm 122 FIRST READING: Isaiah 2:15 Refrain: The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3 Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Tone:

I was glad when they | said to me, "Let us go to the house | of the LORD." 2 Now our | feet are standing within your gates, | O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built | as a city that is at unity | with itself; 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the LORD, the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the LORD.
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For there are the | thrones of judgment, the thrones of the | house of David. 6 Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem: "May they pros- | per who love you. 7 Peace be with- | in your walls and quietness with- | in your towers. 8 For the sake of my kindred | and companions, I pray for | your prosperity. 9 Because of the house of the | LORD our God, I will seek to | do you good." R SECOND READING: Romans 13:1114
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Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in

the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Please stand for the reading of the gospel GOSPEL ACCLAMATION AND VERSE

SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson Please stand and sing: HYMN OF THE DAY: CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION In hope and anticipation, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation. Please sit or kneel as you are able: My Lord, What a Morning (ELW 438)

Show us your steadfast | love, O LORD,* and grant us | your salvation. (Ps. 85:7) GOSPEL: Matthew 26:36-44 The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But 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. 44Therefore 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. Please be seated
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Each petition ends with: Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Almighty God, we entrust to you all for whom we pray, confident that you fulfill your promises through Christ our Savior and Lord Amen. PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. Please be seated OFFERTORY Chorale Prelude on Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme J. S. Bach Please stand and sing: OFFERTORY HYMN: Create in Me a Clean Heart (ELW 188) OFFERING PRAYER 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. DIALOGUE

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

LORD'S PRAYER

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beautyThrough him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION God fills the hungry with good things. Come with joy to the feast. Please be seated COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

SONG AFTER COMMUNION: Now, Lord (ELW 201) Lutherans believe the true body and blood of Christ are really present in the Supper of our Lord under the form of bread and wine and are there distributed and received. All baptized persons are welcomed to Communion when they are visiting this congregation. If you wish to commune, please come forward to receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ with your hands cupped. If you cannot or do not wish to commune you may come forward with your hands crossed over your chest for a blessing. LAMB OF GOD

HYMN DURING DISTRIBUTION:

Wait for the Lord (ELW 262)

Please stand PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION God of wonder, we give thanks that you have fed us once again with this foretaste of the feast to come. Strengthen us through this gift to serve our neighbor with joy, that all may come to see your glory reflected in the lives of your people; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

SENDING OF COMMUNION Gracious God, whose mercy endures from generation to generation: As Mary set out to visit Elizabeth before she gave birth to her son, bless those who go forth to share your word and sacrament with our sisters and brothers who are sick/homebound/imprisoned. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those to whom we bring this communion, that through the body and blood of your Son we may all know the hope of your promised coming in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BLESSING May God direct your ways in peace, make you abound in love for one another and for all, and strengthen your hearts until the coming of our Lord Jesus. Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. SENDING SONG: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (ELW 257) vv. 1-4 DISMISSAL Go in peace. Bring good news to the poor. Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Offertoire Jean-Franois Dandrieu

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, died 1552 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 the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Wednesday, December 4 John of Damascus, theologian and hymnwriter, died around 749 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. Friday, December 6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, died around 342 Little is known about Nicholas, except that he was a bishop in present-day Turkey. According to legend, he was famous for his giving to the poor, and so has become a symbol of anonymous gift-giving. Saturday, December 7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, died around 397 While a governor of northern Italy, Ambrose was elected bishop of Milan on the same day he was baptized. He was a famous preacher, a writer of hymns we still sing today, and helped lead St. Augustine to faith.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26794.

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in honor of Trinity Lutheran Church and our congregation. Presented by Dwight Garner

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH? We receive members throughout the year by Baptism, Affirmation of Faith, Confirmation, Letter of Transfer, and New Member Instruction. Please contact the church office with any questions. 224-6818.

The roses on the altar are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Rhys Philip Thomas and in memory of Calvin Lewis Thomas.

Please feel free to take your bulletin and happenings with you. If you wish to discard your bulletin, a recycling box is located at the exit. Thank you.