“To Know Christ and Share God’s Love”

The Second Sunday of

Holy Cross Lutheran Church 4500 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO Ph: 303.423.5654 www.holycrosswheatridge.org

Pastor: Ron Bock Intern Pastor: Aly Kohlmeyer Director of Ministry & Mission: Scott Moore Director of Education: Anne Pipho Organist: Susan Cicirello Choir Director: Beth Letendre Youth Director: Allison Schriver Office Manager: Kamila Hosaja

December 8, 2019 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. Contemporarius

(+ indicates those who are able shall stand)

Gathering

Prelude Worship Band

“Days of Elijah” (See Gathering Song)

Call to Worship “Prepare Ye”

Welcome Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the One who rouses us from slumber, who gathers us on the holy mountain, who delivers us and sets us free. Amen. Let us come before the living God in confession.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Gracious God, as we wait and watch for the promised day of salvation, we open our hearts to you. Search us and know us. Reveal all that we keep inside. To you, O God, we confess our sins, known and unknown. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us in your ways of justice and peace. Make us reflections of the radiant love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Beloved children of the Most High, you are

Sending

+ Blessing

+ Sending

Song: “He Came Down” #253 (Please face the Cross as it passes.)

+ Dismissal Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. Postlude Worship Band

Service of Light, Morning Hymn, Magnificat and Final Blessing from Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen (with textual adaptations), © 1990 GIA Publications. All reprinted under OneLicense. net A-720269

gathered before the righteous judge who has mercy on all. Splash in the waters of your baptism, where sin is washed away. Dwell peacefully in the loving arms of the one who nurtures all creation. Rest in the assurance that your sins are forgiven; in

the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

+ Gathering Song: “Days of Elijah” These are the days of Elijah Declaring the word of the Lord. And these are the days of Your servant, Moses, Righteousness being restored And these are the days of great trials Of famine and darkness and sword Still we are the voice in the desert crying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”

Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun, at the trumpet's call. Lift your voice, it's the year of Jubilee, And out of Zion's hill, salvation comes.

And these are the days of Ezekiel, The dry bones becoming as flesh. And these are the days of Your servant, David, Rebuilding the temple of praise. And these are the days of the harvest, The fields are all white in the world. And we are the laborers in Your vineyard, Declaring the Word of the Lord.

Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun at the trumpet's call. Lift your voice, it's the year of Jubilee, And out of Zion's hill, salvation comes. (x2)

There's no God like Jehovah! (x7)

Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun, at the trumpet's call. Lift your voice, it's the year of Jubilee, And out of Zion's hill, salvation comes. (Repeat)

“These Are the Days of Elijah,” by Robin Mark. © 1996 Song Solutions Daybreak (Admin. By Music Services, Inc.). CCLI #11073630

+ 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.

+ 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 God thanks and praise.

Come, Lord Jesus, be the host, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let these gifts to us be blest, and feed your church, each hungry guest. Amen.

+ Words of Institution + Lord’s Prayer The Congregation is invited to join hands

Communion Hymns:

“Messiah” Someone’s shouting from the desert, Someone’s shouting from the sea. Someone’s shouting from the mountain, Someone’s shouting from the valley.

Chorus: Messiah, Come and be our King. Messiah, Come and be our King.

Someone’s shouting from the city I am young and I am cold Someone’s shouting from the country I am lonely, I am old

Someone’s shouting I am broken Someone’s shouting make me whole Someone’s shouting come and change me Someone’s shouting save my soul

Messiah, by Larry Olson ©1989 Dakota Road Music CCLI #11073630

“Hark, the Glad Sound!”—#239

“Prepare the Royal Highway”—#264

+ Communion Blessing + Prayer after Communion

-2- -7-

-6- -3-

+ Advent Candle Lighting Service of Light

Morning Hymn The Advent Candles are Lighted during the singing of the Hymn

-4- -5-

+ Prayer of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray… Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Children’s Sermon

Word

Response to the Readings: The Word of the Lord./ Thanks be to God.

First Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-10

Second Lesson: Romans 15:4-13

+ Gospel Acclamation: “Alleluia! Give the Glory”

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Give the glory and the honor to the Lord!

Alleluia! Give the Glory, by Ken Canedo and Bob Hurd. ©1991, Ken Canedo and Bob Hurd. Published by OCP Publications. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-720269

+ Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 The holy gospel according to Matthew, the third chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord. after the reading The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon Pastor Ron Bock

+ Hymn of the Day: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” #249

+ Apostles’ 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, 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 Church + Sharing of Peace

Meal

Offering of Our Gifts and Tithes Special Music Worship Band

+ Offering Song: “Magnificat”

(Next Page)

Today, December 8 + Advent 2!

8:15 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Blood Pressure Screening 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Book Club 12:00 p.m. Women’s H&W 1:00 p.m. Overstreet/Rule Celebration of Life

Monday, December 9

11:00 a.m. Jewell Schock Funeral Service 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts*

Tuesday, December 10

11:00 a.m. Alanon 2:00 p.m. Bible R&C 5:15 p.m. Executive Team 7:00 p.m. Alanon*

Wednesday, December 11

8:00 a.m. Wheat Ridge PD Meeting 12:00 p.m. Forever Young Lunch 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. Sonrise Singers 7:30 p.m. Alanon

Thursday, December 12

10:00 a.m. Amicita Circle 5:30 p.m. Worship Team 6:30 p.m. Mission Team

Friday, December 13

9:30 a.m. Troubadours* 10:30 a.m. Alanon* 12:00 p.m. Alanon

Saturday, December 14

9:00 a.m. Worship Band Practice

Sunday, December 15 + Advent 3!

9:30 a.m. Worship (with Christmas Pageant) 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:30 a.m. Christmas Choir Rehearsal 12:00 p.m. Women’s H&W

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Ministers: The People of Holy Cross Pastor: Ron Bock Intern Pastor: Aly Kohlmeyer Assisting Minister: Kari Kloos

Readers: Grant Wiemers/Bob Denning Acolytes: Jeremiah Ware/Taylor Foss Communion Stewards: Melissa and Dave Figurski & Noel Wilson/Paula and Ralph Bunge & Michael Massa

Usher Captains: Rex Thomsen & Gary Crocker

Sound Tech: Martin Pipho

Tellers: John Beverly & Merle Lydick/ Mike Davidson Communion Clean Up: Tracy and Craig Lund/Janet and Steve Iona Bus Driver: Harold Stitt Bread Baker: Donna Kitchens Flower Delivery: Gordy Ellingson Hospitality Table: Lois Hoops/Joyce Kamprath Welcome Pads: Donna Kitchens

This Week at Holy Cross Those Who Serve Today ALL ARE INVITED TO THE FEAST! As we gather at the table of the Lord today to celebrate Holy Communion, all are invited to come, eat and drink of the forgiveness God provides. You don’t have to be a member of Holy Cross, nor do you have to be Lutheran to participate with us. It is Jesus who invites all of us to come; and we invite you.

GLUTEN-FREE WAFERS are available with Holy Communion. If you would prefer gluten-free, please let the communion server know.

HAVE YOU TURNED IN YOUR PLEDGE CARD? If not, please turn your pledge card in as soon as possible. Extra Pledge Cards are available in the narthex. Thanks for your generosity!

ARE YOU A FIRST-TIME GUEST WITH US this morning? Welcome to Holy Cross! Please stop by our Hospitality Table as you leave the worship area to receive a gift of thanks for worshiping with us!

RESTROOMS are located down both hallways outside the worship area. Look for the signs above the restroom doors.

JUST A REMINDER: Children are always welcome in worship (even if they get a little fussy sometimes). However, if you would like to use our staffed nursery, simply ask an usher for directions.

COFFEE HOUR AND SUNDAY SCHOOL are held at 9:30 a.m. (between services). Please join us.

advent-christmas worship at Holy Cross

December 15—Advent 3 Christmas Program—9:30 a.m. (Note time change; one service only)

December 22—Advent 4 Worship—9:30 a.m. (One Service Only)

December 24—Christmas Eve Carols & Readings (“Family” Style)—

4:30 p.m. Carols & Readings (Communion)— 6:30 p.m. Christ Mass (Communion)—11:00 p.m.

December 29—Christmas 1 Lessons & Carols

Worship—9:30 a.m.

Coffee Hour today is provided by the Holy Cross Book Group. Thank you for all the

delicious goodies and for making coffee hour possible. We truly appreciate you!

Flowers are provided by Jeanine Bjarnason, in honor of Shirley Bjarnason’s birthday!

ADULT EDUCATION

Sunday, December 8th

- The Action Center, OUR MAP partner for December.

What is the Action Center and what services does it

provide to our community? Join us in Asel Hall to find out!

- Dwelling in the Word, with Pastor Rom in Room 7.

Sunday, December 15th - There will not be Adult Education or Sunday School. The feature of the day is the Christmas Pageant, at the single 9:30 a.m. service.

Note: There will be no Adult Education or Sunday School from December 22nd through January 5th. Two services will resume January 12th, with the Ministry Fair between services!

YOUTH NEWS

TODAY

White Elephant Gift Party

All are invited to bring a small gift (often found around your home) to

exchange with one another and spread the holiday cheer, during

Sunday School!

ONE WORSHIP SERVICE

Can you believe that the holiday season has snuck up on us

already? This is just a friendly reminder that we will be switching

to one worship service (at 9:30 a.m.) on

Sunday, December 15th (you won't want to miss this service, as

our annual Christmas Pageant will be performed). We then will

be returning to two services (8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.) on Sunday, January 12th.

Make sure to mark your calendars!

THE GATHERING PLACE DECEMBER GIFT DRIVE

Amicitia Circle is sponsoring a December Gift Drive to benefit The

Gathering Place. We are gathering Adult Size, Pull Up Style

Diaper-Type Incontinent Products for Women that must sleep in their

cars at night because there is no room or bathroom for them in an inn/

shelter. Please bring items to Holy Cross by the Circle meeting on

Thursday, December 12th. Although all sizes are needed the biggest

need is the larger sizes, super overnight with wings types.

Please purchase and bring the items up until December 12th; a collection box will be set up

in the Narthex. For more information, call Lynn Wodell at (303)547-2160.

CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Do you like to sing? Well of course you do! Please consider joining

us for our Christmas Choir. We will be singing a new arrangement of

"Silent Night" at the 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

Rehearsals Are:

Sunday, December 15th after the 9:30 service &

Sunday, December 22nd after the 9:30 service

FAMILY PROMISE

Our last (and first) week of Family promise service

this year spans the week of New Year,

December 29th-January 5th. One difference that

week is that the Family Promise Day Site is closed

New Year's Day, so we will be hosting the guests

throughout the day and the following Saturday, January 4th. In addition to the usual

drivers, dinner, evening and overnight hosts; building hosts are needed in several-hour

increments throughout those 2 days. Please see the sign up board for specific slots.

Thanks for stepping in to help those who need it this holiday season! AMICITIA CIRCLE CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE Thursday, December 12th at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Lounge Come join us. We’ll supply the cookies! This is a wonderful and comfortable way to meet other women of Holy Cross!

FOREVER YOUNG Lunch & Carols Wednesday, December 11th Noon The holidays are finally here and what better way to celebrate than with our yearly tradition of a lunch get together and a performance by the Wheat Ridge High School choir. Lunch will serve a tasty menu of ham, potatoes au gratin and with your help, a favorite side dish, salad or dessert! Sign up deadline for this event is TODAY

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING The next blood pressure screening will take place TODAY from

9:15-9:45 a.m. Thank you to Ruth Behrens for volunteering your time!

RAINBOW TRAIL NEWS Colorado Gives Day is this coming Tuesday, December 10th! And this is a HUGE day for Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. The money raised on this day helps camp provide great facilities and great staff as well as camperships so that no one will ever be turned away. In addition to your gift, there is $1,500,000 that will be distributed to non-profits based on their percentage of the total raised on Colorado Gives Day. All the proceeds from Colorado Gives Day will go to Rainbow Trail’s Annual Fund. They have set a goal of $90,000 for the day. If you have never given to RTLC before, this is a great time to start! You can even pre-schedule your gift now. Simply go to www.ColoradoGives.org/rainbowtrail, click on the ‘Donate Now’, and then click on the ‘COLORADO GIVES DAY’ button. Give on December 10

th and encourage your friends to do the same. Give a gift that will make a

huge difference! Go to coloradogives.org/rainbowtrail/ to make your gift!

Also – Consider giving the gift of camp this year- there are year round opportunities for ALL ages. RTLC registration is currently open exclusively to members of the Rocky Mountain Synod. That registration opens up to others outside the synod at the first of the year, and spots are likely to fill up quickly. Not sure if your loved one can sign up as a member of the synod during December – reach out to Karel Hemler and she will either answer your questions or find out the answers.