December 5, 2021 – Second Sunday of Advent

You can follow the order of the service here.

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Gathering and Announcements

Entrance Hymn

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (v. 1 & 4)

ELW #244
1Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear;
the evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The bridegroom is arising
and soon is drawing nigh.
Up, pray and watch and wrestle;
at midnight comes the cry.
4Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
o'er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth's redemption
that sets your people free!

Advent Liturgy

P: Among the poor,
C: Among the proud,
P: Among the persecuted,
C: Among the privileged,
P: Christ is coming,
All: Christ is coming to make all things new.

Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.

P: With a gentle touch,
C: With an angry word,
P: With a clear conscience,
C: With burning love,
P: Christ is coming,
All: Christ is coming to make all things new.

Refrain

P: That the kingdom might come,
C: That the world might believe,
P: That the powerful might stumble,
C: That the humble might be raised,
P: Christ is coming,
All: Christ is coming to make all things new.

Refrain

Candle Lighting and Blessing of the Wreath

P: We praise you, O God, for this circle of light that marks our days of preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the candles on this wreath, kindle within us the fire of your Spirit, that we may be light shining in the darkness. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may welcome others as you have welcomed us. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
C: Amen.

Light two candles.

Prayer of the Day

P: Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

A Reading from the Gospel of St. Luke

El GRECO (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) - Annunciation - Google Art Project

Luke 1:26–38

P: The holy gospel according to St. Luke, the 1st chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. 34Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? 35The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God. 38Then Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Music for Meditation

Nicene 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.

O Antiphons

P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

P: O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things:
C: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

P: O Adonai, Lord of Might and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai:
C: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

P: O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage:
C: Come, quickly to deliver us.

P: O Key of David and Scepter of the house of Israel, who opens the gates to heaven:
C: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

P: O Dayspring, Splendor of light everlasting:
C: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

P: O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the Cornerstone uniting all people:
C: Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

P: O Emmanuel, our King and our Lawgiver, the Anointed of the nations and their Savior:
C: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Words of Institution

P: 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 for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

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 those
who 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.

Communion

P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.

Prayer After Communion

P: Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray.
C: Amen.

Blessing

P: The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait.
C: Amen.

Dismissal

P: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
C: Thanks be to God.

Sending Hymn

Blessed Be the God of Israel (v. 1 & 2)

ELW #250
1Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us;
a Branch from David's tree.
So have the prophets long declared
that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies
and all who wish us harm.
2With promised mercy will God still
the covenant recall,
the oath once swrn to Abraham,
from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear
and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness
to serve God all our days.

Weekly Announcements

We remember in our prayers

Altar Flowers Dedication

The flowers on the altar are given by Wayne & Jennifer Taylor in honor of Lillian and by William & Diane Detmers to the glory of God.

Happy New Year

Happy New Liturgical Year, that is, from the Discipleship Committee. May we suggest that you make your New Year's Resolution be to wear your name tag to all functions in the building?

Safe Harbor Donations

The Mission Committee will be collecting items for Safe Harbor today, December 5. They are in need of pillows and socks (new), and new or gently used coats at this time. Due to covid, they have had to turn people away now. This way they can give them items to help them stay warm.

Angel Tree

The Mission Committee is excited to see that all gift tags were taken from the Giving Tree for Fairview Elemntary School children. The gifts need to be turned in this week. Contact Pam Schwartzkopf for more details.

2022 Daily Texts

The church office still has a few copies of the 2022 edition of Daily Texts that are available until the last one is claimed. Leave a check for $10 with the notation Daily Texts in the collection plate and Megan will work out the best way to get it to you.

Devotional Materials

There are many devotional materials on the blue bookshelf in the narthex. They are free for the taking. As you browse through them, take any that appeal to you for yourself or for sharing with someone else. If you have devotional materials that you would like to share, feel free to add them to the collection.

Christmas Poinsettias

Poinsettias will decorate the santuary for Christmas. If you would like to purchase one in honor or memory of someone, please fill out the green flower card in the pew and put it into the offering plate or let the church office know before Monday, December 20. The price of the poinsettias are $10 each. Poinsettia sponsors will be listed in the Christmas Eve service bulletin.

Altar Flowers Sign-Up – Now into 2022

The Flower Chart is located on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Cost is $25 a vase. New charts for the first 6 months of 2022 have been added. This is your chance to grab a special date for your special someone or special occasion.

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