lessons & carols fourth sunday of advent december 18,...
TRANSCRIPT
LESSONS & CAROLS
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 18, 2016
Christ’s Lutheran Church exists to welcome people to faith in Christ Jesus;
to equip persons with a faith that works in real life;
and to send us in service into the world in Jesus’ name.
Christ’s Lutheran church
700 East Pennsylvania Avenue
Oreland, Pennsylvania
The Rev. Bill Vanderslice, Pastor
The rev. Paul Jann, Assistant to the Pastor
Welcome to Christ’s Lutheran Church! May you experience the joy of God’s presence as we worship together this morning. We are blessed by your presence! Enjoy our gracious lobby to greet friends, guests, and visitors before the service. Please sign the guest book in the lobby if you are visiting with us today, and include your address and zip code. Please allow others to enjoy quiet space and time in the pews as they prepare for worship. Our musical prelude begins our worship experience. We encourage you to use this time to silently prepare to receive God’s Word. WHEN YOU LEAVE…..Introduce yourself to someone you do not know.
The Poinsettias decorating the altar and sanctuary are dedicated by those listed on the
insert
The Flowers on the altar are presented by Carol Gehlhaus in memory of Marty Gehlhaus
You may download an electronic copy of the worship program and pew news to your electronic device by scanning the QR code on the lobby bulletin board. Cell Phones - Please silence your electronic devices before entering the worship area. We request that you put your cell phone on “airplane” mode to avoid any interference with the sound system. An AED is located in the office hallway. There is an automated external defibrillator (AED) in case of an emergency. Large Print Bulletins are available in the lobby, or ask an usher. Activity Bags for young children are also available in the lobby. A lobby speaker and windows make it possible to see/hear the service from the Lobby in case you need to step out for your comfort or for attending to young children's needs.
The Service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006. All rights reserved
Service music and hymns are used by permission of Augsburg Fortress license #14002-LIT,
CCLI License # 1589737 or One License # A 70825.
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The Service
[Congregational responses are printed in bold-faced type.] ELW: the hard covered service book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship
The Prelude “in Dulci Julilo” 14th Cent. German Carol, arr. Wood
Welcome and Announcements
Please stand in body or spirit
GATHERING The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
The Gathering Song Once in Royal David’s City
Hard Covered Hymn Book – ELW #269 Reprinted by ownership of sufficient copies or license #, see page 2.
See next page for the hymn.
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Once in Royal David’s City
The 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.
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Bidding Prayer
Dear people of God, we come to this service with joy and anticipation to hear the message of angels and to again return in heart and mind to Bethlehem to experience the loving kindness of our God in the form of a baby lying in a manger. In our worship, the Word of God as well as music old and new will draw us again to the heart of the Christian message – a message filled with eternal hope and joy.
Let us pray:
O Lord our God, you break into our world with messages of comfort, peace, and joy. Renew our strength as we wait for your coming. Shine your light for those who live in darkness. Establish your peace throughout the earth. Prepare our hearts for the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of us all.
Amen.
The Lighting of the Advent Wreath
10:30 am | Joe, Eva & Tori Tulino
The fourth candle commemorates the town of Bethlehem where Mary gave birth to God’s promised Messiah.
Leader: Today we light the fourth candle, and as we do, we think of angels. In Luke’s gospel, angels are sent as messengers from God, to proclaim the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, and point the way to the manger. We remember the angels in our lives today, bringing messages from our God. These angels may not have wings and halos, but we can recognize them by the gifts they bring us: love and peace and joy. We pray that God will use us to be angels, to each other and the world ALL: Amen
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Carol All Earth is Hopeful - vs. 1 ELW #266
Please be seated.
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“EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US” A Contemporary Lessons & Carols
Arranged & Composed by Lloyd Larson
Lesson: Isaiah 11: 1-4a, 6 George Vermeire I. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” with “Come, Messiah King” “Come, O come, Messiah King, Promised Son, sent to redeem us one by one, so we may tell, the wonders of your matchless love, Emmanuel.” Lesson: Isaiah 40: 1, 3-5, 7:14 Bob Bortz II. “Prepare the Way of the Lord” Soloist: Don Gutekunst “A voice cries out, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Ev’ry valley shall be lifted up and ev’ry mountain made low.” Lesson: Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7, 7:14 Kathy Suloff III. “Emmanuel, God with Us” “O Emmanuel, God with us, spirit revealed in us,
that we may be your hope to the world! Be God in us.”
Lesson: Matthew 1: 18-21, Luke 1: 35-38a Tim Keller IV. “Breath of Heaven” (Mary’s Song) Soloist: Debbie Melnick “I am waiting in a silent prayer; I am frightened by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.”
Lesson: Matthew 2:1, 3-7 Kathy Steen V. “Mary, Did You Know?” Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water? That your baby boy has come to make you new?
And did you know when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God?”
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Lesson: Luke 2: 8-14 Jen Melnick VI. “Christmastime” with Sunday School Children
“Ring Christmas bells, ring them loud with a message bringing peace on the earth, tidings of good cheer! Children, gather around and listen. You’ll hear the sound of angels filling the sky, telling everyone Christmastime is here!”
Lesson: Luke 2: 15-20 Jim Brenneman VII. “No Eye Had Seen” “No eye had seen, no eye had heard till heav’nly hosts on high
proclaimed the holy birth. And heav’n brought down its only Child; the Son of Man, the world reconciled.”
Lesson: Matthew 2: 1-11 Elaine Reimet VIII. “One Small Child” “One small Child in a land of a thousand,
one small dream of a Savior tonight. One small hand reaching out to the starlight,
one small city of life.” Lesson: John 1: 1-5, 14 Paul Engstrom IX. “O Holy Child of Bethlehem” “O Emmanuel, God with us, spirit revealed in us,
that we may find your hope in the world, God with us still, Emmanuel.”
Offering
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Offertory Hymn: ELW #248 People, Look East (vs. 4)
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The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The presiding minister continues with the words of institution.
Pastor: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory; In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor and who, on the cross opened his arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed….
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, now and forever.
All: Amen The Lord’s Prayer
United in Christ let us join hands as we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
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The Distribution
Communion will be distributed on the congregational level.
We are strengthened and renewed by the real presence of Christ at his table.
Come forward by the center aisle as directed by an usher.
The pastor will place a wafer in your hand. (Gluten and rice free wafers
are available on the table as you come forward).
Please dip your wafer into the first chalice (wine) or the second (juice). Return to your seat by the side aisle.
All are welcome to the Lord’s table!
Communion Music Lamb of God | Jesus Lamb of God W&P 76
Communion Hymns: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” vs. 1 ELW #282 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” vs. 1 ELW #279
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Cares Chorus
Please stand as you are able.
The Post Communion Blessing
The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen. The Post Communion Prayer
We give you thanks, shepherding God, that you have gathered your scattered flock again this day, feeding us richly with the food of Paradise. Accompany us as we serve you all the days of our lives, and gather us with the saints in the day of our death; through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen. The Benediction
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Sending Song Carols of the Angels Angels, from the Realms of Glory:
Angels, from the realms of glory, Shepherds, in the fields abiding Wing your flight o’er all the earth: Watching o’er your flocks by night, Ye who sang creation’s story, God with man is now residing, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Yonder shines the infant Light: Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Angels We Have Heard on High: Angels we have heard on high Come to Bethlehem, and see Sweetly singing o’er the plains, Him whose birth the angels sing; And the mountains in reply Come, adore on bended knee Echo back their joyous strains. Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain: Glo-ri-a, in excelsis Deo, Glo-ri-a, in excelsis Deo. Hark! The Heralds Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, Christ, by highest heav’n a-dored; Glory to the newborn King; Christ, the everlasting Lord! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, Late in time behold Him come, God and sinners reconciled! Offspring of the Virgin’s womb; Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Join the triumph of the skies; Hail th’ incarnate Deity, With th’ angelic host proclaim, Pleased as man with men to dwell, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Jesus, our Emmanuel. Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
Dismissal Go in peace. Prepare the Way. Thanks be to God!
LESSONS & CAROLS: The service of Lessons and Carols dates back to 1918 when the first such service was held at King’s College in Cambridge, England. But the origin actually goes back to 1880 when a service of carols and related scriptures was developed by the Bishop of Truro Cathedral (England) for Christmas Eve. Over the years, the basic format has been adapted and utilized by churches around the world. Our “Emmanuel-God with Us” is another in a long succession of Christmas works to combine word and song. This piece blends several historic carols with newer, more contemporary compositions along with selected scripture to tell us the ageless story of Christmas.
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A special thanks to our Chancel Choir for their presentation of our Lessons and Carols this morning. Today, our choir also welcomed several additional voices to sing with them. They began working on the piece back in October and attended extra weekday evening rehearsals. We’re grateful for their leadership in our worship week to week especially at Christmastime.
Special thanks also to our instrumentalists today – Danny Melnick, Trumpet; William Durham,
Trombone; Ben Durham, Clarinet.
PRAYER LIST FOR THE WEEK
To add a name to the prayer list contact the office, a Pastor, or a staff member.
Please keep us updated on further needs or changes for the loved ones you place on the list. After 6 weeks names will be moved to the long term prayer list if we have no
further updates
Dave Geiger (Gail Polis' nephew) and family after loss of his Dad on 12/11. George Franz (Elsie Gimbel's brother) - bone cancer Edna Boyer - bronchitis and related issues. Randy & Laura Serrin (friends of Karen Bennion) Duck Edwards - health issues Carol Bricker (cousin of the Zweizig Family) - recurrence of cancer Joe Armas (Judy's husband) - spinal surgery scheduled for Dec 14) Bob Moyer (former member and friend of Carol Gehlhaus) Karen Naghski - recovering from shoulder surgery John Schmidt - (friend of Mary Ellen Myers) - Cancer Pastor Vanderslice Joan Zeberlein (Chris & Joan Reynolds' daughter-in-law's mother) Brian Buckman (Dick & Elaine Reimet's son-in-law) recovering from bypass surgery Pat McCool (friend of Chris & Joan Reynolds) Jim Heidler - recovering from foot surgery Marie Shafer - rehab at home Walt Wilks - stomach cancer Chris Johnson (Dean & Sue Heller's brother-in-law)
Family and Friends of Bobby Hawley (son of a friend of John & Marty Frantz)- grieving his sudden death Family and Friends of Rich Gabel (family friend of Amy and Dennis Jacoby) - grieving his death
OUR LONG TERM PRAYER LIST
MAY BE FOUND IN THE MONTHLY “LINK” NEWSLETTER
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING– to elect new council members
will be held on January 8th following the 10:30am worship service.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
Please mark your calendar for Sunday, January 22, 2017. We will have the Annual Congregational Meeting following the 10:30 am worship service. A light lunch will be served in the Parish Hall at 11:30 am, prior to the meeting which will start promptly at 12 noon. (snowdate – Jan 29th) Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to Christ’s Lutheran Church. **Church Leaders!!! Annual Reports are due January 2nd
Christmas Worship Schedule
Christmas Eve, December 24 4:00 PM + Family Service
8:00 PM + Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 25 10:30 AM Combined Worship Hour
There will be no SCS or Education Hour or nursery care
Sunday, January 1 10:30 AM Combined Worship Hour
There will be no SCS or Education Hour or nursery care
Sunday, January 8 - regular Sunday schedule resumes
INSTANT DAILY ADVENT DEVOTIONS
Families! Are you looking for a super Advent resource to share with your kids? Look no further! Sign up to receive daily emails with cartoon videos and meaningful activities! To sign up go to: http://blog.sparkhouse.org/ instant-advent-sparkhouse- family-advent-activities/ RIDES NEEDED! We have a few members that would like to attend church on Sundays and would just need a ride. If you are able to help with transportation please let the church office know. 215-886-4612 or [email protected]
CLC CAFE
Stop by for a little snack or coffee in the kitchen anytime between 9 and 10:15 am.
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INTENT CARDS
The Stewardship and Finance Committee would like to thank all those who completed their 2017 intent card in support of our congregational mission as we move forward together in the new year. If you have not completed an intent card, please consider returning an intent card to the church office. Extra cards are in the lobby. Thank you!
PEACE, EVERYONE! (MEALS, THAT IS)
We could always use more Peace Meal makers, so if you'd like to be added to the list please contact us! Making a meal for someone in a time of need is a very important part of our life as a faith community!! Contact Erinn Durham [email protected] 215-402-0247 or Janet Grove [email protected] 215-997-6233. SUNDAY SCHOOL CHARITABLE EFFORTS FOR 2016/17
This year we are supporting two amazing causes--ending polio worldwide and ending hunger locally! We are asking for donations of condiments, coffee, tea and healthy school snacks for the Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard in Ambler. We are also asking for monetary donations which will go to the Gates Foundation's campaign END POLIO NOW. Sadly, there are still three nations with polio, and the goal is to totally irradiate this terrible disease. There will be a bin in the lobby for Cupboard donations, and a jar on the lobby table for END POLIO NOW donations. Thank you as always for helping our little ones help others!!
BIBLE STUDIES Sunday Bible Study 9:45 am in Room 200 – Led by Erinn Durham This is a topical study of the Bible that does not follow the lectionary readings. Our course of study moves with the interests of the group attending. All are welcome to attend. **Please note that this Bible study follows the schedule for the Sunday School so there are times during holidays when we will not meet.
Tuesday Bible Study 9:45am - Copies of Bible Study text are on the table in the narthex. Congratulations to William Durham who completed District Band Auditions. Will is the only student from the Springfield School District to be selected for this honor. A District Concert will be held on February 10.
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WHAT IS GOING ON?? To leaders of church groups & ministries: We all want to know what is going on. Please be sure to send information to the office about your programs and updates. LINK: Deadline for the LINK newsletter is the 15th of the month prior.
E-NEWS & BULLETIN -If you would like your info included in the e-news Wednesday email and or the Sunday bulletin please submit by Tuesday morning at 11 am. This allows times for editing and proofing. Information received after the deadline will be considered for future publications.
WEBSITE: - We'd love to put your upcoming event on the website under the Event Posts - possibly on the home page slider to spread the word and let the community know what is happening at our church! This will also keep the website fresh and inviting! Please email Amy Jacoby - [email protected] with a write up and details of your event and we'll get it up on the site. If it is an item that you have submitted to Jean for the e-news, please forward the same info to us! Thanks! - the Website Team
FAITH 5
Research has proven, spending quality time with your children (at any age) pays BIG dividends. But what if you don't have much time? Today's families are busier than ever...but one thing hasn't changed: parents still love their kids, and want to be closer to them. But how? Help is on the way, with Faith 5, a quick and simple way to have GREAT conversations with your family. Just 10 minutes at bedtime is all you need! Here are the Faith 5 steps: 1) Share your highs and lows of the day with each other 2) Read a Bible verse or story together 3) Talk about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows 4) Pray for each others' highs and lows 5) Bless each other with the sign of the cross on each one's forehead
That's all there is to it! Faith 5's website provides a great list of ideas for Bible readings for every night (www.faith5.org), or choose your own from your Bible (or Story Bible for younger children). By sharing your days, you learn much more about each other. By reading and talking about Bible stories together, you learn that God's Word is very relevant to your lives today. Praying and blessing each other welcomes God into the heart of your family. Faith 5 bookmarks are available at church and in Sunday School. Take one, try it, and see what a difference 10 minutes can make!
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COFFEE HOURS
Dec 18 - Choir Jan 8 – Cross & Maurer Families Feb 5 – Boy Scouts Feb 12 – Preschool Feb 26 – Men’s Group Mar 12 - Mary Truppay/Sue Frantz Mar 26 – Thrivent (Rick Graber) Apr 9 – Dorie Ramsdell Apr 23 - Diane Polis May 14 - Sunday School Families May 21 - (Conf.) - 8th Grade Parents
Dear CLC family and friends, Thank you so much for your prayers, and for the lovely altar flowers as I recover from shoulder replacement surgery. My family and I deeply appreciated the delicious, peanut-free peace meals which helped us so much when we needed it most! Special thanks to Elise, and Erinn for organizing, and to Erinn, Betsy, Sharlene, Sue, and Dorie for the yummy meals! God bless you all! Love, Karen Naghski
Mr. Jerry Beil Council President, Christ’s Lutheran Church - Oreland, PA Dear Jerry, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17
The cards, prayers and expressions of support from the CLC community since my hospitalization in July has sustained us and caused us to give thanks to God each day for our church family at CLC. This morning we were overwhelmed with a spirit of gratitude as Marcia and I read your note and received the check from CLC in the amount of $11,184. Please know that this generous gift will provide assistance toward expenses relating to medical treatment and housing while at John Hopkins in Baltimore. Marcia and I, in thanksgiving for the CLC community will be sending a check to the Helping Hands Ministry at CLC in the amount of $1,120, which reflects a 10% tithe of the gift received from CLC. Please express our thanksgiving and gratitude to the CLC community for the love and support offered to us during this challenging time. To God be the glory, Bill and Marcia Vanderslice
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This Week at CLC
Sun, Dec 18 9am – Cross Gen Program for all ages One 10:30am Worship Service – Lessons & Carols
Mon, Dec 19 7pm – Boy Scouts (PH) Tue, Dec 20 9:30am – Bible Study (200)
7pm – Rejoicing Spirits (Sanc) Wed, Dec 21 12:30pm – Local Pastor Lectionary Study
5:30pm – Girl Scouts (203) 7pm – Wolf scouts (200) 7:30pm – AA (PH) Fri, Dec 23 10am – Link assembly (200) 8pm – AA (203) Sat, Dec 24 4 & 8pm - Christmas Eve Services Next Week at CLC Sun, Dec 25 10:30am combined Christmas Day Worship Service Mon, Dec 26 Office Closed Tue, Dec 27 No Bible Study this week Wed, Dec 28 9am-3pm – Family Stages Camp - PH 12:30 - Local Pastor Lectionary Study –C2J 7:30pm – AA (200) Thr, Dec 29 9am-3pm – Family Stages Camp - PH Fri, Dec 30 8pm – AA (203)
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Those Serving Today
Greeters – Ron & Karen Greilich Lector – Jerry Beil Communion Assistants - Jerry Beil, Kim Bray Acolytes – JT Durham, Skye Durham Will Mead Sound Board – John Frantz Ushers – Dave Asher, John Melnick, Roger Wilcox, John Seasholtz Nursery – Betty Messer, Kathy Lightcap Altar Guild – Dorie & Tom Ramsdell Flower Delivery – Poinsettias Counters – Sue Frantz, Lori Stevens Coffee Hour – Choir Closer – Mike Messer
Serving Next Sunday Greeters – TBA Lector – (10:30) Ken Selinger Communion Assistants – (10:30) Jerry & Sally Beil Soundboard – Diane Polis Ushers – Diane Polis Altar Guild – Marty Frantz Nursery – No nursery care Flower Delivery – Alice Rasmussen Counters – Bill & Beverly Campbell Closer – Mike Messer
Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
700 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Oreland, PA 19075
Office Phone: 215-886-4612 | FAX: 215-886-1422
www.christs-oreland.org
email: [email protected]
Bill Vanderslice, Pastor: [email protected]
Paul Jann, Assistant to the Pastor: [email protected]
Ken Selinger, Director of Music: [email protected]
Elise Seyfried, Director of Spiritual Formation: [email protected]
Jean Grabersb, Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
Deb Hilbert, Preschool Director: [email protected]
Peter Carr, Sexton: [email protected]
Office Hours: 8:30am-12:30pm