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INTRODUCTION
The presence of the Lord in your midst in the wonder of the holy supper
is cause for singing. The nearness of the Lord in prayer, in every
circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one more powerful
than John, even with his winnowing fork in his hand, is good newsand
cause for exultationfor us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for
the third Sunday of Advent.
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 God, by your gracious providence your servant John the Baptist
was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Grant to your people the wisdom to
see your purpose and the openness to do your will, that the light of Christ
may shine through us. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior
and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever. Amen.
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.
Almighty God grant unto us the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit,
reconciliation with God, true repentance, and time for the amendment of
life.
Amen.
Please stand and sing:
GATHERING SONG: People, Look East (ELW 248)
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
CHILDRENS
We praise you, O God, for this victory wreath that marks our days of
preparation for Christs advent. As we light the candles on this wreath,
strengthen our hearts as we await the Lords coming in glory. Enlighten us
with your grace, that we may serve our neighbors in need. Grant this
through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws
near.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, vv. 1, 4,
and 5 (ELW 257)
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the
preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the
fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Please be seated.
Tone:
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call | on Gods
name;
make known the deeds of the LORD among the nations; proclaim that
this name | is exalted.
5
Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done | gloriously;
let this be known in | all the earth.
6
Shout aloud and sing for joy, O | royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy | One of Israel. R
SECOND READING:
4
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness
be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but
in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand for the reading of the gospel.
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, You brood
of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits
worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, We have
Abraham as our ancestor; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to
raise up children to Abraham. 9Even now the ax is lying at the root of the
trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire.
10And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? 11In reply he
said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has
none; and whoever has food must do likewise. 12Even tax collectors came
to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? 13He
said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.
14
Soldiers also asked him, And we, what should we do? He said to them,
Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be
satisfied with your wages.
15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in
HYMN OF THE DAY Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (ELW 272)
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
Emmanuel has come, is here, and is coming soon. Let us join in prayer for
the church, the earth, and those who are in need, that all receive what God
promises to give.
DIALOGUE
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
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 Marys 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.
PREFACE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
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 for all people
for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
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
COMMUNION
Lord Jesus Christ, for whom all creation waits, remember us in your
kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Please stand.
BLESSING
God most high, God with us, God poured out on us, Father, + Son, and
Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
SENDING SONG: The King Shall Come (ELW 260)
DISMISSAL