P ALM V ALLEY L UTHERAN C HURCH A Place of Grace
A CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE
November 27, 2016 9:00 a.m. First Sunday in Advent
Welcome to Worship As brothers and sisters in Christ we are called to invite people to know Christ, to build a community of faith, and to serve all in love to the glory of God. We celebrate communion on the first, third and fifth Sundays, as well as certain special services. We invite everyone, including our guests to commune with us if you believe the following: Confessing my sin to God, believing in Jesus Christ as my Savior, desiring to live a new life in Christ, and accepting the Real presence of Christ in the Sacrament, I hereby express my desire to partake in the Lord’s Supper. (White grape juice and gluten free wafers are available. Children are welcome to come forward for a blessing.)
Members and guests, please complete a Connection Card and pass to our ushers. If you have any changes in your contact information, you may include it here or call the church office during the week. Our supervised nursery is available for children through age 3. The Narthex (lobby) and the Mayfield Parlor behind our seating area are also available for parents with children. Please remember to silence your phone.
AS WE BEGIN “Christ the Lord” by Robert Feduccia & Sarah Hart Darkness hangs the world is aching, Yearning for the coming light. In His rising hope awaking; Love has come to steal the night. In our hearts true east we're facing, Toward the coming of our Lord. Morning rising, gloom now fleeing; Christ returned, His word is true. As we wait with hope for rescue, Love descends and all is well. Prophets tell, your God is with us, Heaven's gift, Emmanuel. He is here, but hid as lowly, In the poor and mystery, Where the bread and wine are offered. He is here, our God and King. Parting clouds reveal His wonde,r Mighty King in victory. Trembling earth and rolling thunder, Blazing sun and quaking sea. Now He comes, our King in glory; Saints rejoice and darkness flees, Rising rays of light, His chariot. Christ the Lord has made us free. On us now the Son is shining, Lifting us to His embrace. Shame is cursed, no more confounding; Lift your head and know His face. Love incarnate, breath indwelling, Now in truth is truth made known. 1
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We are His and He, forever, Is our God and He alone. We are His and He, forever, Is our God and He alone.
WELCOME AND MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE Temple Talk
Texas Baptist Children’s Home Christmas Decorating & Family Gathering
Carlton Sands Sheila Smith
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH ADVENT SONG
Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (Verse 1)
Light one candle to watch for Messiah; Let the light banish darkness He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise. First Advent Candle is lit.
CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: All:
Leader: All:
The day is coming when God’s mountain will be the mountain, raised up higher than any other place on earth. All people from every nation will be drawn to God’s dwelling place so that we can learn the ways of God and make sense of how we are made. In this place all things will be revealed and understood. In this place and time, all will be filled with peace. Weapons will be turned into gardening tools. There will be no need to fight over anything anymore. Peace will prevail when heaven and earth come together. We are God’s people who yearn for this day of peace as we worship together in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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“Soon and Very Soon” by Andre Crouch Soon and very soon we are goin' to see the King, (3x) Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're goin' to see the King! No more cryin' there, we are goin' to see the King, (3x) Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're goin' to see the King! No more dyin' there, we are goin' to see the King, (3x) Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're goin' to see the King! Soon and very soon, we are goin' to see the King (3x) Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're goin' to see the King! Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Leader: All: Leader:
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. Amen. Let us prepare the way of the Lord by confessing our sin against God and neighbor.
(Silence is kept for reflection) Leader: All:
God of all time, we confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen.
Leader:
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news! Amen.
All:
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PASSING OF THE PEACE CHILDREN’S SERMON First Reading
Isaiah 2:1-5
1The
word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2In 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. 3Many 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. 4He 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. 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk In the light of the LORD! Second Reading
Romans 13:11-14
11Besides
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. 4
Gospel Reading
Matthew 24:36-44
36But
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. 42Keep 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.
MESSAGE
Pastor Mark Gruebmeyer
We “keep the _______________ in Christmas.” Remember “the _____________________ for the season.” Come to Christmas services to ________________ and _______________ God for the greatest gift of all, our ___________________________ ____ ______________. Do speak of _______________ ________________. Do mention “__________________.” Living _______________________ as in the day. Another theme in today’s Scripture readings, a reference to Jesus someday _______________________. You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town!
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He's making a list, And checking it twice, Gonna find out who's naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town! He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake! OH!...You better watch out, You better not cry You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake! Remember that we do need to be “_______________ ________ ____________________ _________________.” Jesus is extremely _________________________________. “_________________________” is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Do our best with God’s help to be ____________________ ___________________. APOSTLE’S 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, and 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, 6
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.
OFFERING “He Brings Peace” by Handt Hanson What can a baby do in this world? It seems so out of control. What can this tiny baby of God bring to a world dark and cold? Chorus: He brings peace, he brings love, he brings hope to a world in need. He brings peace, he brings love, he brings victory, and his hope calms our fear, and his love never ends. He brings peace, love, hope, and victory. Tag: He brings peace, love, hope, and victory. What can this child alone in this world do to correct what is wrong? God in our flesh became one of us; if we believe we will know. (Chorus)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Worship Assistant:
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs:
Worship Assistant:
Lord, in your mercy.
All:
Hear our prayer. 7
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Pastor:
All:
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
“Send Us Out” by James Hersch We have been called by the Lord. We have been saved by the Word. Now let the Word be restored. Now let the Gospel be heard. Chorus: Send us out to teach what God has done. Send us out to reach ev'ry single one. Send us out. Send us out. We who were bound by our shame, ruled by our fears within. Stand and declare by the name, freedom from all of our sin. (Chorus) Teach what God has done. Reach ev'ry single one. Teach what God has done. Reach ev'ry single one. (Chorus) 8
BENEDICTION AND DISMISSAL Pastor:
May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine on you and be gracious unto you. May God look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
All music selections unless noted, are provided through CCLI License #728447 and are copyrighted by their respective copyrights.
Our flowers for worship today are given to the glory of God by Sharon & Randall Revisore in honor of their 23rd Wedding Anniversary.
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OUR MINISTRY TEAM Pastors:
Rev. Dr. David P. Koppel Rev. Dr. Joaquin Figueroa Rev. Art Miller, Visitation Rev. Dr. Mark Gruebmeyer, Visitation
Organist: Choir Director: Rejoice Director: Youth Director: Children’s Director: Interpreter for the Deaf:
Charles DeLisle Marvin Goad Laura Kelly Denise Blomquist Laurie Strawbridge Charleen Cook
SERVING TODAY Reader:
Meg Miller
Greeters:
Bobbi Salisbury, Beth Schroeder
Ushers:
Murray Hansen, Carolyn Koehn, Gerald Wallin
Acolyte/Crucifer:
__________________________
Worship Assistant:
Art Miller
Fellowship Hosts:
Debra Martin, Vicki Milton
Altar Guild: Council Members in Charge: Tellers:
Jill Lampi, Janet Widmer Kathy Hansen (7-10 a.m. ) Tom Dove (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) Rodney Felfe Kimberly Pratt Pat Steger
Opportunity to Serve at 9:00 a.m. Rejoice! Worship Service: We need Fellowship Hosts to serve donuts and coffee on Sunday mornings. Please sign up on the board in the Christian Life Center kitchen.
