Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19Two lectors read responsively by whole...

St. John Lutheran Church (ELCA)Mineola, IA

Pastor Luke Kuenzli

Order of Service and Worship TextsFor Virtual and In-Person Worship

Adapted from Evangelical Lutheran WorshipService of the Word and Holy Communion Setting 8

November 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic

THIS SUNDAY: November 29, 2020 – First Sunday of Advent10:30 – Virtual-only Worship with YouTube Live stream

TUES – 1:00 Quilting ??M/W/F – Preschool ??

NEXT SUNDAY: December 6, 2020 – Second Sunday of Advent10:30 – Virtual-only OR In-Person Worship with YouTube Live stream

IF IN-PERSON, after worship we will have a time of prayer and listening regarding the topic of the American Flag’s place in the sanctuary. IF VIRTUAL ONLY, we will reschedule for a later date.

* If you would like to put a Newspaper article clipping up of one of our church family, you are welcome to do so on the bulletin board. We would love to read it!

ACCOMPANIST: Gretchen Jopp ACOLYTE: noneUSHERS: GREETERS: none

READER:ALTAR COM: Sylvia Lilly Dec. 6 Leslie Speck

Covid-19 Precautions for in-person worship

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St. John Lutheran ChurchMineola, Iowa Phone (712) 526-2268Website: stjohnluthchurchmineola.orgPastor Luke Kuenzli

November 29, 2020 10:30amFirst Sunday of Advent

We are called to glorify God, grow in faith,

and build community.Mission Statement

SERVICE OF THE WORD – COVID-19 In-Person + Virtual

We will require masks be worn while you are in the building. Refusal to wear a mask will result in your being asked to leave.

We will be practicing social distancing of 6 feet. Open pews are marked, and closed pews are cordoned off and labelled.

Please don’t gather in the hallway or enter any closed spaces. Restrooms will be limited to single-person/family use at any given time. Those who do not comply with social distancing policies will be asked to leave.

There will not be singing, prolonged unison speaking, communion, or fellowship time. Communion is planned to resume December 6, with safety precautions.

We continue to advise (not require) that persons in the vulnerable population groups of 65+ years of age and anyone with underlying medical conditions remain home.

We ask that anyone with any respiratory symptoms (cough, sniffles, sneezing, sore throat) or fever please remain home. You will be asked to leave if you are displaying such symptoms.

We ask that if you are traveling to areas of high virus activity, you remain home for the Sunday following your travels.

Hand sanitizers are located throughout the open areas. Feel free to use them!

Food DriveThe Women of St. John are having a food drive and collecting

for Mills County Ministerial food pantry all through the month of November.

Kid-friendly cereals, canned tuna, chicken, pears, peaches and mixed fruits. Dry pastas, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products ALWAYS welcome and needed.

Items will be collected in the shopping cart. Only food items

The Mills County Ministerial Association will not be hosting Soup and Song this

year due to pandemic concerns.Please designate gifts to the

MCMA Energy Assistance Fund to support Mills County residents in need.The church office can collect these gifts

and send them all together!

Christmas PoinsettiasPurchase for $10 each.

These are used in the Poinsettia Tree, and can be taken home with you after the Christmas Eve Worship service.

Sign up for one or more on the list in the hallway,

or let Michelle know.

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Setting 8) (*Stand)

Prelude Welcome/Announcements

GATHERINGLighting of the Advent Candles

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. Bless us 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 our salvation Blessed be God forever. Amen.

The first candle is lit, signifying the Hope of God’s promised Messiah, as we sing:

public domain

*Confession and Forgiveness (from sundaysandseasons.com)Blessed be God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,whose forgiveness is sure and whose steadfast love endures forever. Amen.

Together let us honestly and humbly confess that we have not lived as God desires. Silence is kept for reflection.

Loving and forgiving God, we confess that we are held captive by sin. In spite of our best efforts, we have gone astray. We have not welcomed the stranger; we have not loved our neighbor; we have not been Christ to one another.Restore us, O God. Wake us up and turn us from our sin. Renew us each day in the light of Christ. Amen.

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People of God, hear this glad news: by God’s endless grace your sins are forgiven, and you are free— free from all that holds you back and free to live in the peaceable realm of God. May you be strengthened in God’s love, ☩ comforted by Christ’s peace, and accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gathering Hymn “Christ, Be Our Light” #715

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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 congregation sings the refrain. p. 184

L: For peace in the world, for the health of the church, for the unity of all;for this holy house, for all who worship and praise,let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord. Refrain

L: That we may live out your impassioned response to the hungry and the poor;That we may live out truth and justice and grace,let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord. Refrain

L: For peace in our hearts, for peace in our homes, for friends and family;for life and for love, for our work and our play,let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord. Refrain

L: For your Spirit to guide; that you center our lives in the water and the Word;that your nourish our souls with your body and blood,let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord. Refrain

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*Glory to God p.185

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Salutation The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Prayer of the DayStir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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WORDFirst Reading: A reading from Isaiah 64:1-9.

1O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

3When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

4From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.

5You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.

6We have all become like one who is unclean,and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

7There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you;for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

8Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

9Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever.Now consider, we are all your people.

...Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Two lectors read responsively by whole verse.1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,

stir up your strength and come to help us.3Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.4O LORD God of hosts,

how long will your anger fume when your people pray?5You have fed them with the bread of tears;

you have given them bowls of tears to drink.6You have made us the derision of our neighbors,

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.17Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,

the one you have made so strong for yourself.

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18And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name.

19Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

Second Reading: A reading from 1 Corinthians 1:3-9.3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. …Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God!

*Gospel AcclamationAlleluia! Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Alleluia!

*Announcement of the Gospel The holy gospel according to Mark 13:24-37. Glory to You, O Lord!

*The Gospel is proclaimed [Jesus said:] 24“In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and

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puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” …the gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ!

Sermon CeCe Mickells, Spiritual Care Coordinator for Bethany Lutheran Health Services

“HAVE HOPE AND KEEP WATCH”

IN TODAY’S GOSPEL READING, PART OF THE MESSAGE FOCUSES ON THE APOCALYTIC CHAPTER, WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED THE LITTLE

APOCOLYPSE, THAT WAS WRITTEN IN A DIFFICULT TIME. APOCOLYTIC LITERATURE TYPICALLY PROCLAMS THE MESSAGE OF HOPE. AT THE END OF THE PASSAGE WE HEAR THE SON OF MAN SAY

TO ALL: HAVE HOPE KEEP AWAKE

WE WILL NOT BE FOCUSING OUR ATTENTION TODAY ON THE APOCOLYPE BUT JUST REMEMBER THAT THE REVELATION OF HOPE IS

IN THE RESURRECTION.

I THINK WE HAVE ALL BEEN TRYING OUR HARDEST THIS YEAR TO KEEP AWAKE AND HAVE HOPE.

I MADE THIS ACRONYM UP ONE NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AS I LAY THERE RESTLESS.

HOPE HOPE IS

H- HAVINGO- OPPORTUNITIES

P- PRESENTEDE- EVERYDAY

IS YOUR HEART FILLED WITH HOPE? THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR. MY HEART COMES ALIVE WITH ALL THE WONDERFUL WAYS TO GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS.

TODAY WE ARE IN THE SEASON OF ADVENT WHICH MEANS COMING. WE BUILD UP TO CELEBRATING THE MOST WONDERFUL GIFT OUR

WORLD HAS EVER RECEIVED.

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JESUS- OUR SAVIOR, WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE, LORD OF LORDS

LET US CELEBRATE THE HOPE THAT JESUS HAS BROUGHT INTO THE WORLD. SO LET US REFLECT ON THE OPPRORTUNITIES PRESENTED

TO US EVERYDAY.

THERE ARE THOSE TIMES IN LIFE THAT DO NOT MAKE SENSE AT ALL. WHEN PEOPLE GET SICK, WHEN PEOPLE PASS AWAY, WHEN

DEPRESSION HITS FAMILY MEMBERS, UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUES, WHEN RELATIONSHIPS CRUMBLE, WHEN WE FAIL AT SOMETHING.

THERE IS NO WAY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.

THESE EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNTIES- YES I SAID OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY TEACH US SOMETHING. AND I WOULD NAME THEM AS THE

OPPORTUNTIES OF CHALLENGE THERE IS STILL HOPE.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A RUT?HAVE YOU BEEN DISCOURAGED?

BEEN IN DESPAIR OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES?SUFFERED FROM DEPRESSION?

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONES?

THINGS THAT LEAVE US FEELING POWERLESS AND HOPELESS COME IN MANY FORMS.

THESE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE AND TO WALK IN HOPE.

HOW, MAY YOU ASK? HOW CAN A PERSON FIND HOPE?

THROUGH THE GOSPELS OF JESUS CHRIST WHERE WE HAVE BIBLICAL HOPE.

IN THE BIBLE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF VERSES ABOUT HOPE.AS DAVIS OWENS SAID IN HIS PAPER ON HOPE- “THE GOSPEL OF

JESUS DOES NOT PROMISE A CHARMED LIFE FILLED WITH MATERIAL BLESSINGS, BUT IT DOES GIVE SOLID ASSURANCE THAT LIFE IS WORTH LIVING AND THAT PROBLEMS ARE WORTH ENDURING”.

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NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT OUR CIRCUMSTANCE IN THIS LIFE BE, ARE NOT ALONE. JESUS IS THERE FOR US EVERYDAY, EVERY MINUTE

OF THE DAY. ANYONE CAN TELL US THIS BUT ONLY WE ARE THE ONES WHO CAN BELIEVE

WHAT CALLS US TO BELIEVE

WE CAN GO ON AND ON ABOUT OPTIMISM BUT LET’S TALK ABOUT OPTIMISM. OPTIMISM AT TIMES CAN BE SUGARCOATING

SOMETHING. DON’T LET OPTIMISM STOP YOU FROM RECOGNIZING THE PAINFUL ASPECTS OF LIFE. WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH THE

REAL.

OPTIMISM IS GOOD BUT BIBLE HOPE IS MUCH MORE.

HOPE IS MORE THAN JUST WISHFUL THINKING. IT IS THAT EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIFE IS HELD IN OUR SAVIOR’S HANDS.

JESUS WILL NEVER FAIL US OR GIVE UP ON US AND NEVER LETS US HANDLE DIFFICULTIES ALONE.

WE ARE DEEPLY TRANSFORMED INTO PEOPLE OF HOPE THROUGH CHRIST WHO IS OUR HOPE.

THERE IS MORE TO LIFE BEYOND WHAT WE CAN SEE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOTHING,

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO BE COMPARED TO GOD’S POWER. (AS BECKY LEHMAN OFFERS IN HER

ADVENT ARTICLE-- A SEASON OF HOPE)-------“IT IS NOT A WAVERING HOPE IN THINGS THAT MAY COME TO BE. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE

CERTAINTY THAT, EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T SEE IT, JESUS IS WORKING FOR OUR GOOD IN ALL THINGS.”

WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE OPPORTUNITIES OF CHALLENGE NOW LET US HEAR ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITES THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED

WITH:

GOOD HEALTH, A GREAT JOB, OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND SCHOOL, UNBREAKABLE REELATIONSHIPS AND BONDS, FRIENDSHIPS, LOVE,

FOOD TO EAT, A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS, THE BIRTH OF A NEW CHILD, A NEW PUPPY…. THE LIST IS ENDLESS….

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IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE THANKS, LET’S LOOK AT HOPE A BIT DIFFERENTLY IN CONTEXT TO BLESSED OPPORTUNITIES.

DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENT EXPECTATIONS OF TOMORROW?

IN TODAY’S GOPEL READING WE HEAR THAT THE SON OF MAN COMONG IN CLOUDS WILL SEND OUT THE ANGELS. WE HAVE

GUARDIAN ANGELS THAT SURROUND US AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT OTHER PEOPLE SERVE AS ANGELS

MY HUSBAND WHO PRIOR TO LIVING IN A NURSING HOME, WAS GOING TO GET THE MAIL AND SLIPPED ON THE ICE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BLACKED OUT. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK I SAW THAT MY

HUSBAND WAS BUMPED AND BRUISED, WHEN I ASKED HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED HE TOLD ME THAT HE FELL OUTSIDE AND AN ANGEL

HELPED HIM INSIDE TO THE HOUSE.

THIS CERTAINLY WAS A BLESSED OPPORTUNITY.

SO WHEN WE ARE BLESSED WITH OPPORTUNTIES, WE ALL SHOULD WANT TO CELEBRATE WHERE GOD HAS BEEN AT WORK IN OUR LIVES.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A BLESSED OPPORTUNITY?WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR 2020 DO WE SEE GRACE AND

GROWTH?DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENT EXPECTATIONS OF OUR TOMORROWS?

DOES OUR HEART COME ALIVE IN THANKSGIVING FOR A CONTENT LIFE?

ARE WE THANKFUL FOR OUR JOB, HOUSING AND BEING ABLE TO PAY THE BILLS?

THAT SURE IS A BLESSED OPPORTUNTIYDO WE HAVE FAMILY ANF FRIENDS IN WHOM WE TRUST?

HOW DO WE MOVE ON WITH HOPE WITH BOTH THE

OPPORTUNTIES OF CHALLENGEAND

BLESSED OPPORTUNTIES

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WE EXPERIENCE BOTH DURING OUR LIFETIME.

I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND WHO IS QUITE THE WRITER. AS WE LOOK AT HOPE IN THIS SEASON OF ADVENT LET US LISTEN TO KENT LITTLE’S

WORDS.

HOPE IS A STATE OF MIND.HOPE IS A CONDITION OF THE HEART

HOPE IS KNOWING THE PRESENT REALITY IS NOT THE FINAL DESTINATION

HOPE IS A MANNER IS WHICH WE APPROACH THE WORLD.HOPE IS THE WAY WE MAKE JUSTICE HAPPEN.

HOPE IS RESISITING EVIL NO MATTER HOW IT PRESENTS ITSELF.HOPE IS THE COMPASSIONATE PRESENCE IN WHICH WE STAND IN

SOLADAITY.HOPE IS WHAT BIDS US REST.

HOPE IS WHAT BIDS US TO RISE.

IN CONCLUSION: RISE UP AND BE HOPE-- IN THIS WORLD AS WE HAVE MANY OPPORTUNTIES PRESENTED TO US DAILY.

JESUS MAKES IMPOSSIBLE THINGS POSSIBLE, SHINES LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS AND BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVEN THE MOST DIFFICUT

AND HEART-WRETCHING DIFFICULTIES. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO READ THIS BEATIFUL DEVOTION WRITTEN

BY FRIEND ANNE FOR ALL OF YOU.

“Our Lonely Exile” Anne C. McGuire Advent marks a season of preparation and anticipation. This year, 2020, it feels as if we are still in Lent, a Lent which has been never-ending! The Advent song which marks the final anticipation of Christ coming into our midst at Christmas, is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. The Church has been singing it since the 9th century. The first verse, which is actually the antiphon from the Liturgy of the Hours, Evening Prayer, on December 23rd, says “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel; that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.” It is the one verse many of us know

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by heart. And here we are, each in our own “lonely exile,” waiting and hoping for Christ to come and deliver us from our pandemic captivity. Advent may begin the liturgical year, but this year it is a weary beginning. We need to support each other in Hope. We need to find ways of Rejoicing. We will find Comfort in the coming of Christ as we approach December 25. Each verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel leads to the refrain: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!” Find ways to do just that – Rejoice with your family, your friends, and in serving neighbors and strangers. Let us together work to connect with others throughout the season, and sing our songs of hope, of joyful anticipation, and of promise. We move through our exile, as did Israel, as a community looking forward to welcoming Christ in our midst.

Nicene CreedWe 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 Maryand 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.

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Prayers of Intercession God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary

world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need. A brief silence.

We pray for the ministry we share in Christ’s name. Open our hearts to your call for justice, peace, and healing. Attune us to the needs of the world as you draw near. We pray especially for Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenwood and Pastor Seth Kaiser; for Underwood Lutheran Church in Underwood and Pastor Scott Dalen; and for Bethany Lutheran Health Services and Spiritual Care Coordinator CeCe Mickells. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for this planet in need of restoration: for devastated habitats, polluted waters, thawing ice, blazing fires, swelling floods, and long-lasting droughts. Renew the face of the earth and our relationship to it. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for all people who care for others in our community and around the world. Fill them with compassion and the power to respond with justice for those who are oppressed, with welcome for those who are excluded, and with relief for those who suffer. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for people who are in crisis as the seasons change: for those without homes facing severe weather, for those who are unemployed or underemployed, and for those in poverty or facing food insecurity. Relieve their burdens, sustain their bodies, and ease their minds. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for the people in our families and congregation who live with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, addiction, and other invisible illnesses, especially: Cindy McCollester, Jim Matheson, Flo Tompkins, Jeremy and Jillian Kahl, Katie Hannasch, Clarence Reinig, Kathy Deitchler, Matt Rutledge, Greg Kruse, Paul Heinecke, Sandra Schoening-Woods, the family of Glen on his death, the family of Bub on his death, Pam and Jim and their children, sick with COVID, the family of Glenn Krabbenhoft on his death, the family of Angel Dykes on her death, . Ease their suffering and support them when they struggle. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We give thanks for the lives and witness of those who died while waiting for justice, peace, or healing, those whose names we know and those whose

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names are known only to you. Sustain all who still yearn for the completion of your redeeming work. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.Remaining where you are, turn to face those near you to speak words or make a gesture of peace.

THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORDHoly God, the Beginning and the Ending, our Hope as we wait, we praise you for joining us to your people of old. We bless you for your prophets who call us to righteousness and promise a new earth with peace for all. For the Word of your covenant, we thank you, O God. We thank you, O God. We praise you for the coming of Jesus our Lord, who lifts up the lowly, heals the suffering world, and proclaims your way of mercy and truth. For your Word who is Christ, we magnify you, O God. We magnify you, O God. Send your Spirit on all who receive your Word. Nurture our faith with your grace, accompany us with your might, and empower our zeal for your justice and joy. For your Word through the church, we praise you, O God. We praise you, O God. All praise to you, holy God, today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (whisper these words in unison)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.

SendingBLESSING

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The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting,the long-expected Savior fill you with love,the unexpected Spirit guide your journey, ☩ now and forever. Amen.

Sending Hymn “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” #242

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Dismissal Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord! Thanks be to God!From Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright © 2006. All rights reserved.

And/or from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46263.

“Christ, Be Our Light” Text and music © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP Publications. All rights reserved.

Used by permission with ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

“Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” Text and music © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc.All rights reserved. Used by permission with ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A.

Permission to stream music in this service obtainedfrom ONE LICENSE, License #731513-A. All rights reserved.

UPCOMING:December – Virtual Communion begins:

During Sunday worship (starting the 6th) if virtual only ORWednesdays/Thursday (staring the 2nd) if worship is in-person and livestreamed.OR by other arrangement with Pastor Luke.

Wednesdays, 11am: meet.google.com/ixe-mnpg-eejThursdays, 6:30pm: meet.google.com/uwh-pewk-hms Sundays, during 10:30 Worship, via YouTube Livestream

Pick up a prepackaged communion cup/wafer (or use your own bread and wine/grape juice) at church at any of the following Communion Pick-Up Times: Sunday – before/after 10:30 worshipMonday/Wednesday/Thursday – 9:30am-Noon, or 1:30pm-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Tuesday – 2:00-5:00pm, or evening as arranged. Friday/Saturday – by arrangement only.

December 24th, Christmas Eve Worship 3:30pm and 7:00pm(IF in-person ) – RSVP ONLY, so that we can plan for proper social distancing. Contact Pastor Luke or Church Secretary Michelle Woodrum to reserve your spot in-person. Both services will be livestreamed. No communion.(IF Virtual only ), no RSVP required; same times, with virtual communion.

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January 17th – Annual Congregational Meeting after Sunday WorshipVirtual Meeting Option: meet.google.com/pwo-bcny-rip

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Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19Two lectors read responsively by whole...

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