Cross Lutheran Church s4

Fourth Sunday of Advent C: Amen. P: As we await the day of the Lord, let us confess our sin. Sunday, December 22, 2013 Silence is kept for reflection. P: Great and Holy One, Mr. Zachary Pegues, Preaching C: in this time of waning daylight, we confess the shadows of sin in our lives. We Rev. Arlen Solem, Co-Presiding build ourselves up at the expense of others. We rely on our own efforts to make our lives secure. Yet you, O Lord, are the potter, and we are the clay. Come to Rev. Michelle Townsend de López, Co-Presiding restore us in your image, remake us into your people, and rebuild what sin has broken, that we and the whole creation may rejoice. Amen. P: Fear not, people of God: the Almighty has done great things for us. God casts away Introduction our sin from us and makes of us a new creation. In + Jesus Christ, God comes to set Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The you free. Take heart in the tender compassion of our God. gospel is Matthew's account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, C: Amen. God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, "O come, O come, Emmanuel," a GREETING beloved hymn based on ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. P: Sisters and brothers in Christ, beloved children of God: grace, mercy, and peace be On this final Sunday in Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us with you all. from the power of sin and death. C: And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY The Elders serving today are Craig Dent, Trish Dent, Matthew P: Love Above All, Harris, Amy Jandrisevits and Marian Wasierski. C: the north this is the darkest day of the year; in the south, this is the longest day of the year. Light shines in the darkness, and darkness cannot overcome it. GATHERING MUSIC Cross Community Gospel Choir God, You are coming into our world as light into darkness. Help us to grow in LITURGY OF THE WORD the light to see You at work in new ways, in our world and in our lives. Word CALL TO WORSHIP That Became Flesh, help us to live more fully into this life of promise that You E: The day we have been waiting for is almost here! have created us for, that You have blessed us with. Be born anew in us this day C: Jesus has come, and Jesus is coming again! and every day. Amen. E: The time we have been expecting is almost fulfilled. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH C: Christ has come, and Christ is doing something new! Family: We have lit three candles—for hope, for peace, and for joy. Today we light the E: The news we have been waiting to hear has almost arrived. fourth candle—the candle of love. With this flame we signify the love of God that All: The Gospel of Jesus is the Good News of God’s love. We worship and celebrate surrounds and fills us at all times, but that we recognize in a special way in the the Good News of God’s love for us all, revealed to us in Jesus the Christ! Amen. Christmas story. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, because All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding God loves us. minister begins. {Four candles are lit. Sing 4th verse of "O Come, O come Emmanuel, #3 LMGM" ) P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, our life, our mercy, our might.

All: Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Christmas season. As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach PREFACE us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places contained, but must be shared. Magnify your love within us. Prepare our hearts give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen. Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom OPENING HYMN “Jesus in the Morning” #167, TFBF you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in FIRST LESSON Isaiah 7:10-16 righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the SECOND LESSON Romans 1:1-7 hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: MUSICAL SELECTION Cross Community Gospel Choir SANCTUS CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, GOSPEL ACCLAMATION “For He Alone Is Worthy” #284, TFBF Heaven and earth are full of your glory. GOSPEL Hosanna in the highest. Matthew’s story of Jesus birth focuses on the role of Joseph, who adopts the divinely Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. begotten child into the family of David and obediently gives him the name Jesus, which Hosanna in the highest. means “God saves.” Matthew 1:18-25 WORDS OF INSTITUTION GOSPEL RESPONSE “For He Alone Is Worthy” #284, TFBF P: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great SERMON love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, HYMN OF THE DAY “Wade in the Water” #114, TFBF who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. BAPTISM Page 64, TFBF In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for SHARING OF THE PEACE you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave OFFERING AND PREPARATION thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, OFFERTORY HYMN “Give Thanks” #292, TFBF shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the OFFERTORY PRAYER remembrance of me. E: God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection and ascension, we await his coming them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, C: Amen. with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. DIALOGUE C: Amen. P: The Lord be with you. THE LORD’S PRAYER C: And also with you. THE INVITATION P: Lift up your hearts. P: Come to the table where Christ comes to make a home in you. C: We lift them to the Lord. HOLY COMMUNION P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION C: It is right to give God our thanks and praise. “More Love to Thee, O Christ” #246, LMGM “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” #247, LMGM

2 POST COMMUNION PRAYER From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under E: God of wonder, we give thanks that you have fed us once again with this foretaste of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23141. the feast to come. Strengthen us through this gift to serve our neighbor with joy, that New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the all may come to see your glory reflected in the lives of your people; through Jesus Churches of Christ in the United States of America: Used by permission. All rights reserved. Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ADVENT MOMENT Marian Wasierski Thank you for worshipping with us today. Please feel free to participate fully in today’s service. BENEDICTION Join with us as we sing, pray, listen, respond, greet and encourage one another celebrating God’s extravagant love for all people in Jesus Christ. You are especially invited to the meal of our Lord at P: The God of hope, through Christ our peace, in the power of the Holy Spirit, + bless Holy Communion where Jesus meets us through the bread and wine, his body and blood. you now and forever. C: Amen. Today we welcome into the body of Christ at Cross Jermaria Seals. Sponsor: Kaylynn Blackwell. ANNOUNCEMENTS Please give Jermaria a warm Cross welcome. SENDING SONG “Jesus, the Light of the World” #59, TFBF P: Go in peace. Remember the poor. If you have a pastoral emergency this week, please call Pastor Michelle at 434-9620 or C: Thanks be to God. Pastor Arlen at 715-497-0491. COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK Thursday, December 26, 2013 Cross Church Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Fridays. Stephen was a deacon and the first martyr of the church. He was one of those seven upon Bible Readings: Dec.29: 1st Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9; 2nd Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18; Gospel: whom the apostles laid hands after they had been chosen to serve widows and others in need. Matthew 2:13-23. Later, Stephen's preaching angered the temple authorities, and they ordered him to be put to death by stoning. Announcements for the bulletin: Please turn all announcements for the bulletin in to the office by 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Please email them to [email protected] or leave a message on Friday, December 27 Sandy and Deb’s voicemail. John, Apostle and Evangelist The son of Zebedee and brother of James, John was one of the twelve disciples and witness There will be Cross bills on the Giving Tree today. Please feel free to take a bill and pay whatever to the transfiguration. Tradition has named him also the writer of the Gospel of John, the amount you can. Every little bit helps! Thanks from the Stewardship Committee. The tree will be in three New Testament letters bearing his name, as well as Revelation. the front of the church during communion and in the back of the church after the service. This holiday season we thank everyone who has supported Cross Church this past year with their Saturday, December 28 time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the The Holy Innocents, Martyrs year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an This day commemorates the young children killed by Herod in Bethlehem in his jealous additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. attempt to murder the baby Jesus, a sobering reminder of the evil that led Christ to be born As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most for our salvation. welcome way to make contributions. Contact the church office (344-1746) for more information.

Upcoming Birthdays

Dec. 22 Sandra Chapman Dec. 29 Alicia Barr Hebrews 2:10-18 Dec. 22 Brenda Davis Dec. 23 Barbara Williams If you have names of family or friends who should be taken off the prayer list, please let Dec. 24 Audrey Fayne the church office know so that the names may be removed. Thank you. Dec. 25 Jonathan Franklin Dec. 26 Destinee Love Prayers of the People Dec. 27 Teri Woodley Keith Adams - Nephew of Bonnie Williams DJ Johnson - Son of Ellen Johnson Donneva Griffin - Granddaughter of June Torrence Richard Franklin - Cross member Lois Glover - Cross member Bobby Riley - Husband of Aroma Riley Save the Date! Kendra Haney - Daughter of Bonnie Williams Bonnie Williams - Cross member You are invited to participate in an exciting opportunity! Cross is holding a series of listening Bertha Mounger - Cross member Pauline McCollum - former Cross member sessions to talk about and create a vision for our future. Please attend one (or even all!) of the Annie Harrell - Mother of Nikki Kendrick Keyva Riley - Cross member Kathleen Hoffman - Pres Hoffman’s wife Brandon Hayes - Cross member following sessions: Juanita Williams - Sister of Emma Nash Beatrice Hicks - Cross member  Saturday, January 4th at 10:30 am Cheryl Hayes - Cross Member Ophelia Callahan - Cross member  Thursday, January 9th at 6:00 pm Michele Mitchell - Cross member Willie Mae Hunter - Johnson Hunter's mother  Monday, January 13th at 6:00 pm Marie Collars - Cross member Betty Marx - Cross member th Dorothy Hunter - Cross member Sally Jackson - Cross member Additionally, there will be a congregational vote on January 26 to determine whether Pastor Michelle Shirley Mitchell - Cross member Dorian James - Brother of Keyva Riley will be issued a permanent, open-ended, non-term call at Cross Lutheran. The Call Committee thanks Frances Love - Cross member Gwen Mounger - Cross member you for your participation! Lottie Harrell - Adult Center participant June Torrence - Cross member George Aidoo - son-in-law of Marian Wasierski Larry Troher - Husband of Czerda Riley Minevra Williams - Roscoe Mounger’s sister Jacqueline Sims - Cross member A N N O U N C E M E N T S Frances Bryant - Member of Cross Verlene Wilson - Cross member  The Adult Center will not meet on Tues., Dec. 24. Wendell Taylor - Brother of Vallery Ferguson Joanne Middleton - Niece of the Riley family Lisa Taylor - Sister of Vallery Ferguson Johnny Winston - Grandson of Ellen Johnson  There will not be Bridges tutoring on Tues., Dec. 24. Ed Williams - Cross member Antyon Holt Jr. - Son of Kendra Haney  There will be a joint Christmas Eve service with All Peoples Church at 2600 N. DeAndre` Williams - Son of Bonnie Williams Lonny Johnson - Son of Ellen Johnson 2nd Street on Tuesday, December 24, at 6 p.m. Honesty Hope—Grand daughter of Bonnie Williams Jennifer McAdams - Relative of Aroma  Bread of Healing Ministry will not be open on Wed., Dec. 25. Riley Ellen Johnson - Cross Member John Gentry - Bread of Healing member  There will be a joint Christmas Day service with All Peoples Church here at Jason Maciolek - Friend of Terry Spears Barnett Aleana Harrell-Williams - Cross member Cross on Wed., Dec. 25, at 9:30 a.m. Pamela Patterson - Bread of Healing member Joyce Dunn-Fortineaux - Cross member  There will not be Bridges tutoring on Thurs., Dec. 26. Ricky Mounger - Son of Roscoe & Bertha Mounger Nancy Mahtar - Mother of Dawn Mahtar Honesty Hope - Daughter of Kendra Haney Lillian Miller - Cross member  Quilting group meets on Sat., Dec. 28, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Donnell Taylor - Friend of Joyce Dunn-Fortineaux Anita Knox - Bread of Healing member  Cross Youth Praise Team will practice on Sat., Dec. 28, at 10:00 a.m. Emily Aidoo - daughter of Marian Wasierski Shannon Ferguson - Daughter of Vallery Ferguson Lucinda Gordon - Mother of Ellen Johnson Spencer & Antoinette Sutton - friends of John Gentry  Cross Community Gospel Choir will practice on Sat., Dec. 28, at 11:00 a.m. Tasha Mack - Daughter-in-law of Renee Campbell Desmond Sloan - Godson of Czerda Riley  Cross Praise Choir will practice on Sat., Dec. 28, at 12:30 p.m. Evg. Brandy Jordan & Family - Bread of Healing member Viola Lee - Cross member  Worship is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 29, at 9:30 a.m. There will be Sunday Dominic James Wright – Great Grandson of Gloria Wright Eunique Hayes - Cross member Marlan & Mary Erves - Friends of Joyce Dunn-Fortineaux Terrion Cooper - Sarah Phillips’ Grandson School/Adult Forum after the service. Dexter Phillips - Brother of Sarah Phillips Trevonni Owens - Czerdia Riley’s grandson Mary Louise Meriweather—Relative of Gloria Wright Evelyn Dorsey - Relative of Second Lesson Readers for December Aroma Riley 4 Domanic Wright – Great grandson of Gloria Wright Raila Jackson - Friend of Pat Coleman Evelyn Sims- Jacqueline Sims’ mother-in-law Michael Copeland—Friend of Cross Members