December 13, 2020

3rd Sunday of Advent

GATHERING

Welcome and Announcements Rev. Doug Gebhard Centering Music for Quiet Meditation Amy Kapp *Confession

P: In the name of the Triune God + who creates, redeems and sustains: Let us pray. C: Your love is good news for the oppressed, O God, and you bind up the brokenhearted. Forgive us, O God, when we think that your good news is only for us. Forgive us, O God, when we twist your gospel into something that fits comfortably into our lives. By your light, let us see you leading us beyond ourselves and into the world you love. By your grace, forgive us, and free us to try again. (Silent confession) P: Lord, in your mercy. C: Hear our prayer. *Forgiveness Concludes with: P: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God! *Gathering Song “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” (vs. 1 & 4) #275

1. Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth; once you sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.

4. All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king

*Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. Advent Wreath L: Blessed are you, God of might and majesty, for you promise to make the desert rejoice and blossom, to watch over the strangers, and to set the prisoners free. As we light these candles, satisfy our hunger with your good gifts, open our eyes to the great things you have done for us, and fill us with patience until the coming of the Lord Jesus. O ransomed people of the Lord, come. C: Let us travel on God’s holy way and enter into Zion with singing. Response “Candle Light, Sacred Light” To the tune of “Silent Night”

Candle light, sacred light. Mystery flames, burning bright

We are waiting for Jesus ’new birth. Shine his hope over all of the earth.

Thanks for the gift of joy, thanks for the gift of joy.

WORD

First Reading Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 Amy Kapp The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devasta-tions; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peo-ples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly re-joice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salva-tion, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the na-tions. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Gospel John 1:6–8, 19–28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither

the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. P: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Time with the Children Christmas Around the World: Sweden Use the flyer at the end of the liturgy to follow along as Pastor Doug explains this week’s craft. Sermon “Again?” Pastor Doug Gebhard Musical Meditation A time to reflect and meditate on the Word. *Apostles’ Creed (Unison) AM: Let us confess our faith, the faith in which we were baptized. C: 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 the People Each section ends with: AM: Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. The prayers conclude: AM: Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. Peace P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you. Extend signs of peace without physical contact.

MEAL

Offering Dedicate your spiritual gifts to God’ mission. Financial offerings may be made using our online tool on the church website, by sending to the church vial mail or by dropping by the church. Musical Meditation Offering Song “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel”

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel

Offering Prayer AM: God Most High, receive the gifts of our lives as an offering of gratitude for your grace. Overshadow us with your Holy Spirit and let it be with us according to your word, for nothing is impossible with you. C: Amen. Great Thanksgiving P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Holy, Holy, Holy (Unison) Holy, holy, holy Lord Lord God of power and might Heaven and earth are full of your glory Hosanna in the highest Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest. Thanksgiving at the Table Words of Institution and Acclamation 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 co-venant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.

P: Great is the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Lord’s Prayer (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. Lamb of God (Unison) O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, have mercy on us. O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Grant us peace, grant us peace. Communion of the People of God Please partake of each element when invited to do so by the Pastor. P: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry…” The body of Christ given for you. C: Amen. All partake of the bread. P: Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the branches. Cut off from me, you can do nothing.” The blood of Christ shed for you. C: Amen. All partake of the cup. Prayer after Communion

SENDING

Blessing

*Sending Song “Arise, Your Light Has Come!” (vs. 1 & 2 ) #314

*Dismissal AM: Prepare the way of the

1. Arise, your light has come! The Spirit's call obey; show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.

2. Arise, your light has come! Fling wide the prison door; proclaim the captive's liberty, good tidings to the poor.

© Catherine MacDonald 2006, Pastor in United Church of Canada. Halifax, Nova Scotia. Used with permission.

*Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. from Comfort and Joy, World Library Publications, 2012

Copywrite permissions granted under License #s: 884651., SAS009327 & A-71889

Christmas Eve Update / Candle Lighting Video—This year’s Christmas Eve service will be celebrated via a pre-recorded worship service that will begin to be available on our church website Christmas Eve day for your viewing convenience. It will remain on the church website through Christmastide. This unique service will feature multiple Trinity members in lector roles and others sharing their musical gifts in addition leader-ship given my Amy Kapp, Music Director, and Pastor Doug, Interim Pastor. To make the video personal, we invite you and your family to be included in this advance recording. How? Using your own device, simply pre-record your family (or just you) lighting candles at home to capture your own reverent candle lighting observance. Share the recording with the church no later than December 20th. Our video team will integrate your videos into our special Christmas Eve “Silent Night” virtual candle light-ing service. Contact the church office for details on recording and uploading your files.

Oh What Fun it is to Sing...Join Tuesday, December 15th @ 7 pm via Zoom, for a r emote opportunity to sing favorite Christmas carols during Trinity’s weekly Hymn Sing. This special evening has been dedicat-ed to singing some of our most beloved Christmas Hymns together. Contact Amy Kapp or the church office for Zoom credentials.

Trinity Merchandise Christmas Gifts—If you are looking for a gift idea for that Trinity family member or friend, search no more. You can still purchase 16 oz Insulated Travel Mugs @ $10 each with the 175th An-niversary log and church mission statement imprinted. Also available for purchase are Trinity History Photo Books (first published in 2015) @ $30 each. Contact the church office to purchase. Available while supplies last.

Upper Room Devotionals—January-February 2021 copies of this devotional are available for drive-by pick-up in the Parish Hall lobby during normal church office hours, M-TH 9-3 pm. If you require a copy mailed to you, please contact the church office to have a copy sent. We want to make sure you are connected with your church family and equipped in your prayer time despite these unique times.

THIS WEEK AT TRINITY

Sunday, December 13 ......... 10:00 am .... REMOTE WORSHIP ......... 11:00 am .... Adult SS Class / Zoom Monday, December 14 ........... 7:00 pm ...... Congregational Council Mtg / Zoom Tuesday, December 15 ............ 7:00 pm ...... Christmas Hymn Sing-a-Long / Zoom Wednesday, December 16 ...... 1:00 pm ...... 3Ds Virtual Christmas Party / Zoom Thursday, December 17 ......... Friday, December 18 .............. Saturday, December 19 .......... Sunday, December 20 ......... 10:00 am .... REMOTE WORSHIP ......... 11:00 am ..... Adult SS Class / Zoom [E] = When applicable, denotes facility usage by an external group.

LEADERSHIP / STAFF

Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton ........ ................................... ELCA Bishop

Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow .......... ................................... SWPA Synod Bishop

Rev. Doug Gebhard (doug.gebhard@mac.com) ....... Interim Pastor

Amy Kapp (amymkapp@yahoo.com)....................... Minister of Music

Linda Slatt (office@trinitywexford.org) ................... Communications Administrator

Ron Montelaro ....................... ................................... Council President

Shannon Corcoran ................. ................................... Council Vice President

Jane Hein ............................... ................................... Council Secretary

Bonnie Kriberney .................. ................................... Treasurer

CONTACT US / OFFICE HOURS

TRINITY EV ANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 2500 BRANDT SCHOOL ROAD / / WEXFORD, PA 15090

P H O N E : ( 7 2 4 ) 9 3 5 - 2 7 4 6 / / E - M A I L : O F F I C E @ T R I N I T Y W E X F O R D . O R G W E B : T R I N I T Y W E X F O R D . O R G / / F A C E B O O K : F A C E B O O K . C O M / T E L C W E X F O R D

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O F F I C E H O U R S : M O N D A Y - T H U R S D A Y 9 : 0 0 a . m . - 3 : 0 0 p . m .

General & Designated Giving: e-Giving is available for one-time or recurring gifts through your smartphone (scan QR code to left) or from the Giving section of our church website. Offerings can also be mailed to the church office.