December 14th and 15th 2013 Third Sunday of Advent Childrens Christmas Program Holy Communion (ELW 5)

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP PRELUDE Chorale Prelude on Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Brahms

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 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.

INTRODUCTION A note of joyful expectation marks today's worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom. Jesus points to signs of God's reign: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, in church and in our homes, in silent reflection and in works of justice and love. We pray that God would open our eyes and ears to the wonders of Christ's advent among us.
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 Almighty and most merciful God, we call to mind before you all whom it is easy to forget: those who are homeless, destitute, sick, isolated, and all who have no one to care for them. May we bring help and healing to those who are broken in body or spirit, that they may have comfort in sorrow, company in loneliness, and a place of safety and warmth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please stand and sing: GATHERING SONG: Hark, the Glad Sound! (ELW 239) 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

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH O faithful and loving God, we praise you for your tender compassion and give you thanks for your steadfast love for us and all creation. Bless us who see the light of this wreath, that we may be strengthened by the hope of your advent among us, and live toward the completion of all things in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. CONGREGATIONAL SONG: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (ELW 240), vv. 1-3 PRAYER OF THE DAY Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Please be seated. FIRST READING: Isaiah 35:110 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you." 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM: Luke 1:46b55 Refrain:

Tone:

46b

"My soul proclaims the greatness | of the Lord, 47 my spirit rejoices in | God my Savior, 48 for you, Lord, have looked with favor on your | lowly servant. From this day all generations will | call me blessed: 49 you, the Almighty, have done great | things for me and holy | is your name. 50 You have mercy on | those who fear you, from generation to | generation. R
51

You have shown strength | with your arm and scattered the proud in | their conceit, 52 casting down the mighty | from their thrones and lifting | up the lowly. 53 You have filled the hungry | with good things and sent the rich | away empty. 54 You have come to the aid of your | servant Israel, to remember the prom- | ise of mercy, 55 the promise made | to our forbears, to Abraham and his chil- | dren forever." R SECOND READING: James 5:710
7

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen

your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please stand for the reading of the gospel GOSPEL ACCLAMATION AND VERSE

than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 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: CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. Prepare the Royal Highway (ELW 264)

I am sending my messen- | ger before you,* who will prepare your | way before you. (Matt. 11:10) GOSPEL: Matthew 11:2-11 The holy gospel according to Matthew Glory to you, O Lord.
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When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater

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. 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 MUSIC AT THE OFFERING Puer Nobis Nascitur Dandrieu 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

Please stand and sing: OFFERTORY HYMN: Create in Me a Clean Heart (ELW 188)

LORD'S PRAYER

PREFACE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

INVITATION TO COMMUNION God fills the hungry with good things. Come with joy to the feast. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Please be seated Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen.

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

SONG AFTER COMMUNION: Now, Lord (ELW 201)

ANTHEM DURING DISTRIBUTION: Evergreen

Daniel Pinkham

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.

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: DISMISSAL Go in peace. Bring good news to the poor. Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE Noel Daquin Joy to the World (ELW 267)

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK Monday, December 16, 2013 Las Posadas (LLC) This celebration, long popular in Mexico, takes its name from the "posadas," or lodgings, sought by Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Their search is reenacted in a neighborhood, unsuccessfully, until finally they are welcomed in, and a party commences. Friday, December 20 Katharina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, died 1552 Born to an impoverished nobleman, Katie eventually took vows as a nun, but around age twenty-four she and several other nuns who were influenced by the writings of Martin Luther left the convent. Six children were born to Katie and Martin.
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The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in honor of our church, Trinity Lutheran Church. Presented by Dwight and Rodney

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. 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.

Altar flowers are administered by the worship committee. The 2014 Altar Flower chart is posted on the bulletin board in the lower lobby and there is attached to it a tear-off sheet for donors to complete and hand into the office or place in the offering plate for proper publication in the bulletin. If you would like to purchase flowers for worship in memory of or in honor of someone, please sign up. The cost is $35 per arrangement, and checks should be made out to Trinity Lutheran Church. Please contact the church office regarding purchase and acknowledgements at 614.224.6818 or by email at office@oldtrinity.com