NORMANDALE LUTHERAN CHURCH

December 2, 2018

Advent One | Holy Communion

8:45 & 10:45am

WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE!Normandale Lutheran Church is a community of believers who love, learn, worship, and serve as we

walk in relationship with Jesus Christ and others. We hope you find a place of welcome, a place of worship, a place for you. We’d love to help you find your way here at Normandale! Please sign the “Connect” pad in the pew so we can reach out to you!

LOOKING TO GET CONNECTED?Jenny Bock, Director of Connections | jbock@normluth.orgwww.normluth.org | facebook.com/normluth | 952.929.1697

WELCOME TO NORMANDALE

SUNDAY AT NORMANDALETHE FLOWERS IN THE CHANCEL are given by Curt & Kay Melby in celebration of their 60th wedding annniversary on November 29. THE WHITE POINSETTIA is given by Rick & Frona Ites for blessings received.

NURSERY CARE is available every Sunday morning from 8:30 to 12:00noon and every Wednesday night from 5:30 to 8:00pm for children between the ages of 6 months– 4 years. The Nursery is locat-ed on the main level, down the hallway on the north end of the building. Please use this opportunity for your children to meet some new friends at Normandale!

NOISY OFFERINGChildren are invited to cheerfully bring their “Noisy Offering” to the front during the Doxology. This offering will help the children of Huch Uy Runa. Huch Uy Runa is a school providing physical, spiritual, emotional, academic, and trade education to street children of Cusco, Peru. Sunday School Mission Peru hopes to raise $5,000 this year. Noisy Offering will be collected every Sunday through-out the school year.

JOIN US FOR COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP in the Fireside Room after worship.

ADULT COMMUNITY LEARNING (ACL): CHRISTMAS GOSPEL NARRATIVE - MATTHEW 10:00-10:40am | Chapel.

LIVESTREAM AT NLC for those who are away or unable to attend, it provides an option for partici-pation in the regular worship life of our congregation. It can be found on the NLC website at www.normluth.org/live-stream-NLC.

WORSHIP IN THE CHAPEL | 5:00 PMIn this chapel worship, Normandale offers a 40-minute service of song, word, and prayer. With schedules becoming even busier than thought possible, we hope this service becomes an option for families who are unable to be at worship Sunday mornings. The service will include communion each week and will use three different liturgies throughout the year:• For Advent: Holden Evening Prayer• For Lent: Taize LiturgyWe hope you join us on Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm as we gather in worship.

*Those who are able, please stand.

We have a team of eight committed people who have been meeting approximately 3 times a month since June. We routinely share a meal prior to our meetings to foster a deeper bond. I can con-fidently report that sharing food, prayer, and a common love of Christ has created a high level of trust and respect among all members of our team. I am truly honored to be working with this group.

The Synod guidelines indicate that Calls to churches of our size can routinely take 8-14 months. Our previous Call Committees worked for 18 months to find Pastor Paul, and 9 months for Pas-tor Charlie, so we know this important work can take time. We appreciate how everyone has pulled together to keep things going smoothly here at NLC during the interim. While we have not selected the final candidate, much has been accomplished in the past few months.

We’ve met with the entire staff and countless groups, large and small, within our congrega-tion to get input on the criteria you believe most important in our next pastor. We invited the Bish-op to meet with the congregation to gather additional insights so she could better identify poten-tial candidates. We’ve listened carefully to your input and synthesized what we heard into a Ministry Site Profile, which is posted on the ELCA Synod website. Our Synod requires that all pas-toral openings be posted to their website, so they can oversee, but not dictate, the call process.

In addition to obtaining candidates from the Synod, we’ve asked the congregation to submit names, we’ve contacted pastors we know personally, talked with Luther Seminary, and reached out to several other sources to find viable candidates. We’re using technology to access a richer pool of information beyond the Minister Profile or “resume” that candidates are required to submit. We’ve been able to read blogs, listen to sermons online, look for articles, and read about a candidate’s work history. We’ve talked with more than 15 individuals and have narrowed the field to just a handful. We are conducting second in-person interviews with those individuals that most closely align with our desired attributes. Most importantly, we are trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us in identifying the best candidate for NLC. As we enter Advent, eagerly awaiting the coming of our Messiah, we will continue to listen and discern God’s plan for Normandale. We are as eager as all of you to complete the work we have begun. As Jeremiah 29 reminds us, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” We are trusting in the Lord and know He will be ever faithful in this process. We will update you again after the New Year.

*Call Committee Members:

Pastor Paul, Emily Allen, Randy Gullickson, Natalie Hunter, Matthew Klein, Jean Linné, Tony Meixelsperger, & Karen Newcomer.

AN UPDATE FROM KAREN NEWCOMER, CHAIR OF THE CALL COMMITTEE*

PRELUDE Hymn Improvisations for Advent

Today’s organ music is selected to enrich our Advent focus on Peace, Patience, and Prayers. Also, in keeping with the more quiet, contemplative season of Advent, our response to the

benediction will be sung quietly and prayerfully.

WORDS OF WELCOME

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (stanza 1) No. 240

WORSHIP WITH US

GATHERING

*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESSL: Blessed be our God in Jesus Christ, who meets us in our restlessness, who comes to set us free, our strong Savior, who comes in gentle mercy, shining light into the darkness of the world.

C: AMEN

We come before God in confession.

Silence for reflection

L: To you, O God

C: God of mercy, You know us from head to toe, heart and soul, worry and fear. We con-fess our lack of faith, our turning inward to see only ourselves. Remember not our sins, but remember us in your steadfast love. Teach us to make peace with the past, to be patient in the present, and to pray without ceasing for the future, that we might stand up and raise our heads, to see what you are about to do, through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN

L: Children of God, come with joy and breathe in the peace of God. You are the apple of God’s eye, and your sins are forgiven. You belong to Jesus Christ, and nothing can separate you from His love. Stand up and raise your heads, God is nearby.

C: AMEN

*ENTRANCE HYMN Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers No. 244

*GREETINGThe 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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*KYRIE

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*HYMN OF PRAISE My Lord, What a Morning No.438

*PRAYER OF THE DAYSovereign God, the future is yours. Teach us to say hello to the here, embracing the pres-ent in the knowledge that you are with us. Strip us of our fear, and give us the eyes of hope, through your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

WORD

In the Old Testament, “righteousness” often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today’s reading, Jerusalem’s future name—“The Lord is our righteousness”—proclaims that the Lord is even now working salva-tion for Israel.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Isra-el and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 25:1-10 (sung responsively with cantor – congregational responses in bold)

To | you, O Lord, I lift | up my soul.My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph | over me.Let none who look to you be | put to shame; rather let those be put to shame | who are treacherous.Show me your | ways, O Lord, and teach | me your paths. Lead me in your | truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all | the day long.Remember, O Lord, your compas- | sion and love, for they are from | everlasting. Remember not the sins of my youth and | my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your good- | ness, O Lord.You are gracious and up- | right, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners | in your way.You lead the low- | ly in justice and teach the low- | ly your way.All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast | love and faithfulness to those who keep your covenant and your | testimonies.

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FIRST READING Jeremiah 33:14-16

The holy gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-first chapter, SPOKEN RESPONSE: Glory to You, O Lord.

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*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Comfort, Comfort Now My People (stanza 1) No. 256

*GOSPEL Luke 21:25-36God will fulfill God’s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God’s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God’s promised redemption.

[Jesus said:] “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The gospel of the Lord. SPOKEN RESPONSE: Praise to You, O Christ.

SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13Upon Timothy’s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the peo-ple of this growing church.

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatev-er is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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SERMON “Stood Up By Jesus”

SILENCE

*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.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY Val Pruitt, Normandale Housing Program Coordinator

*SHARING OF THE PEACE

OFFERINGTo give securely via text message, text your gift amount to 952-260-5601 and follow the prompts.To give via mobile app, download the app, “ShelbyNEXT | Giving.” Select NLC (55436). To give via debit or credit card, visit the giving kiosk located at the Welcome Center or give online at normluth.org/give. For detailed instructions, including setting up a recurring gift, visit normluth.org/give.

MUSIC AT OFFERING (8:45am) Show Me Thy Ways Walter Pelz

(10:45am) Keep Silence John Helgen

*GREAT THANKSGIVING

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*OFFERTORY RESPONSE | NOISY OFFERING

Praise God from

God bovea ye

allwhom bless ings flow.

heav' host;nly Praise Fath

Praise God, creaall tures

er, andSon, Ho Ghost.ly

here low;be Praise

A men.

HOLY COMMUNION

*PRAYER

God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. AMEN.

Children are invited to cheerfully bring their “Noisy Offering” to the front during the Doxology. This offering will help the children of Huch Uy Runa in Cusco, Peru.

*WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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 remem-brance 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 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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*SANCTUS

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise . . . we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SENDING

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MUSIC AT DISTRIBUTION Each Winter As the Year Grows Older No. 252 Christ, Be Our Light No. 715 *PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

*HYMN Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying No. 436 *BLESSING

DISMISSAL Response: Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE on Wake, Awake (ELW 436) J. S. Bach

AGNUS DEI

A men, A men, A men.

PREACHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Paul Pettersen

CELEBRANT & LITURGIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Dale Howard

ACOLYTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natalie Warnke, Thomas Warnke, Svetlana Jones (8:45am) Madeline Howard, Michael Gaasadelen, Lissi Reid (10:45am) CANTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Normandale Choir (8:45am) | Lars Askegaard (10:45am)

DEACONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jim Granquist, Sue Hendrickson, Pam Werley (8:45am) Michael Miller, Karnie Moesenthin, Maggie Valenta (10:45am)

LECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnie Selbyg (8:45am) | Celeste Eckstein (10:45am)

USHERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hartnett Team (8:45am) | Kemme Team (10:45am)

MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Normandale Choir (8:45am) | Youth Choir (10:45am)

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP AND MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .David Clarke

ORGANIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Ferguson

INSTRUMENTALISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oboe, Angela Anderson Guitar, Gregg Stinson Clarinet, Mari Reid

WORSHIP LEADERS