The Second Sunday in Advent

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church "A family where Christ is Head and the entire congregation are ministers."

Rev. Jonathan Meraz ~ Pastor Stephen Pruitt ~ Director of Music

6001 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505 757-489-2551 www.trinitylutherannorfolk.org

If you have a smart phone or tablet computer you can scan this code and the complete Order of Worship will appear on your screen.

WiFi Password – HelloFriend A Special Welcome to all who are worshipping with us today. Trinity is a liturgical Lutheran church using the Divine Service as written in the Lutheran Service Book. Today's Divine Service is printed for you in this bulletin. We hope that your experience here is meaningful and will be lasting. All members and guests are asked to fill out the Welcome Book found in your pew. Please join us in the Welcome Center after the service for fellowship.

PRAYER REQUESTS – If you have a specific prayer request, please fill out a Prayer Request Card and hand it to the usher. These will be given to Pastor for the Prayers of the Church.

PRAYERS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FOR – Flo and Richard Ball, Eugene Barker, Sr., Jacque Czypinski, Victor Duarte, Helen Everett, Doris Fitchett, Pat Gregory, Conrad and Jeanne Greif, Lee Hendricks, Terry Ingmire, Sabrina Jennings, Doris and Paul Lass, Julie and Sam Locklear, Jane Neill, Brenda Pendry, Scott and Natasha Thieman, Tom Wingate.

HOLY COMMUNION – In the Sacrament of Holy Communion our Lord Jesus comes to us with His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. He invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all their sin and forgive and love one another as He forgives and loves us.

Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and the LCMS, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are asked to speak with the Pastor before communing. For further study, see Matt. 5:23ff, 10:32ff, 18:15-35, 26:26-29; Acts 2:38, 42; 1 Cor. 10:16, 11:17-34

Other Christians and children who have not completed instruction may come forward, cross their arms over their chest and receive a blessing. For those who prefer it for any reason, the cups in the center of the tray contain a grape juice option. If you wish to commune from the Common Cup do not take an individual cup. Please let the communion assistant know if you need a Gluten Free wafer.

Today’s Worship Participants Ushers Errol Jennings and Justin Malone Acolyte Janet Gould Lector Tresea Staley Communion Assistant Dave Petri Children’s Sermon Sharyn Leiding Host/ess Rebecca Davidson

Please take the time during the Offering to sign in the Welcome Book at the end of your pew. Loose coins in the Offering directly support LCMS families studying for the ministry through Coins for Christ.

Sharing the Peace of Christ - Following the service, the people may greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, “Peace be with you” as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Cry Room - Parents are encouraged to keep their children in service with them but when the need arises they can take their children to the "Cry Room" (Room 115- turn right as you exit out the main doors in the back of the Sanctuary) where the children can play and parents can observe the service on the monitor located there.

We are to be content with what we have.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have,

for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. Hebrews 13:5

Second Sunday in Advent December 8, 2019

Prelude Once He Came in Blessing Wilbur Held

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship Stand and face the Processional Cross (rear of the Church)

Processional Hymn Once He Came in Blessing LSB 333

Used by permission

Confession and Absolution The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Each Sunday we light a new candle on the Advent wreath. This week we light the second candle, the Peace candle. It represents the peace that will come to us in the birth of Jesus Christ.

Advent Hymn Arise, O Christian People LSB 354 st. 2

Kyrie

This is the Feast

Salutation and Collect of the Day P The Lord be with you. C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

C Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Sit

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 11:1–10 1There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

6 and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

6The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

10In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

L This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Epistle Romans 15:4–13 4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

7 10And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

11And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”

12And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

L This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Stand (as you are able)

Alleluia and Verse

Holy Gospel Matthew 3:1–12 P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the third chapter.

1In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” 4Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Sit

Children's Message

Hymn of the Day On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry LSB 344

Public domain Sermon

Stand (as you are able)

Apostles' Creed C I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen.

Sit

Offering Please take this time to sign in the Welcome Book at the end of your pew. (Loose coins directly support LCMS families studying for the ministry through Coins for Christ.)

Instrumental Offertory O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Anne Krentz Organ

Diane Pruitt, flute

Stand (as you are able)

Offertory

Prayer of the Church P: Lord, in your mercy... C: ….hear our prayer.

Service of the Sacrament

Preface

It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus

12 Prayer of Thanksgiving P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.

Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.

The Words of Our Lord P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

P In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Proclamation of Christ P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Lord's Prayer C 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.

13 Pax Domini

Agnus Dei

(We ask that first time guests and visitors please speak with the Pastor before Communing.)

Sit

Distribution The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive.

In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace. C Amen. 14 Distribution Hymn Lift Up Your Heads, You Everlasting Doors LSB 339

Choir Sings 1 All Sing All Sing 2, 31 &and 2 4

Used by permission

15 Distribution Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus LSB 338

Public domain

Stand (as you are able)

Thank the Lord

Post-Communion Collect P Let us pray.

P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love towards one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Benediction

17 Recessional Hymn Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding LSB 345

Public domain

Sharing the Peace of Christ Following the service, the people may greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, “Peace be with you,” as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Matt. 5:22– 24; Eph. 4:1–3).

Postlude Hark, the Glad Sound Wilbur Held

Acknowledgments - Divine Service, Setting Two from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Please stay after the service today to help decorate the church for Christmas. Our tradition is to place handmade Chrismons on the two large Christmas trees that stand on either side of the altar. You are invited to participate in this fellowship event.

The Poinsettia sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the hallway. Poinsettias will be $8.00 this year and must be paid for in advance. Order deadline is TODAY! Poinsettias may be taken home after the service on Christmas Day.

The Lutheran Women of Tidewater’s Annual Cookie Pack will be held on December 9th at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach. These cookies will be used to distribute Christmas cheer to over 1500 local inmates and the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. 7000 cookies are needed.

YOUTH NEWS - The next Preteen Fun Night will be held on Friday, December 13th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We meet in Belvedere Hall. It is an evening of games, fun, snacks, Bible object lesson, crafts and more fun!

On Sunday, December 15th, during the Worship Service both the vocal choir (now known as Trinity Chorale) and the bell choir (now known as Joyful Ringers) will be performing special music to celebrate the journey from Advent to Christmas. Please plan to join us for this seasonal music and show your support of our choirs and our Director of Music, Stephen Pruitt.

The ladies of the LWML are hosting a baby shower for Julie and Zack Kuenzli on December 15th in the Welcome Center after the service. There is a baby bottle to collect gift cards, cards and notes of congratulations in the Welcome Center.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING TO TRINITY’S HOMEBOUND NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15th. Meet in Belvdere Hall for a light lunch. We will carpool to the homes of 5 or 6 people and sing favorite carols. Great mission outreach. Sign-up sheet on bulletin board in hallway as well as Welcome Center.

Welcome Center Renovation – A committee has been established to review possible changes to our Welcome Center. We realize everyone has a different idea of what is needed and what is not needed. If you would like your opinion heard please take a minute to speak with Pastor or Lynn Hubert and let us know your thoughts. You have seen a few changes already. Let us know what you think so far. We are eager to update our Welcome Center to be more "welcoming" for our 100th Anniversary celebrations. Here is your chance to have your comments heard. God bless each of you for being a part of our Trinity family.

Praising the Lord for 100 years of Grace!

We are looking forward to Trinity's 100th Anniversary year, beginning in just 4 weeks.

To date, we have received $22,828.71 in honor of our 100th Anniversary. These funds will help to cover costs of the yearlong celebration as well as allow some purchases around our building. The 100th Anniversary Committee is still looking into the best use of these funds.

The cookbook is still a project in motion. We hope to have these ready for you to purchase in January. Again, thank you for submitting all the wonderful recipes. Our request for recipes was well received and ended up to be quite a project.

A calendar for 2020 will be available in January. This will include dates and special happenings planned throughout 2020. We are so excited to be a part of this milestone in our church history.

Our kickoff service will be held on January 12, 2020 followed by a reception.

Our Church Anniversary Celebration will be held on June 7, 2020 at 10:00 am., followed by the entire congregation on the front lawn for a panoramic picture. Please make sure to write this on your calendar and be apart of this historic day.

A banquet will follow that evening at Grand Affairs, 2036 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach beginning with hors d'oeuvres from 5-6 p.m. A dinner buffet will be served from 6- 7:30 p.m., followed by cutting and serving of cake from 7:30 -8 p.m. Adults -$30 each. Children 4-10 years old - $10 for the children's buffet or the children's plate (chicken fingers, french fries, green beans and apple sauce). Tickets will be sold in early 2020. Please speak with Pastor if you cannot attend due to the cost of the banquet.

We hope that you will join us in this celebration and thanksgiving to the Lord for all that He has done for Trinity. So many wonderful people have come and gone and touched our lives over the years. We remember the many saints who have called Trinity home.

Don't forget if you have not had your picture taken to be included on our "Trinity Family" board and for our 100th Anniversary Directory, please see Lynn Hubert so that we can make sure you are included.

"COME, LORD JESUS"

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest... so begins the common table prayer. In the spirit of Revelation 22:20, during Advent services we will apply this petition to Advent devotions. Through short and simple daily practices we will learn to pray, "Come Lord Jesus" in a way that gives daily strength and hope.

Daily devotions can be a huge challenge to many of us. Whether you are a household of one, two, three, or more, having daily devotions can be a struggle. Our Advent series will use God's word to equip disciples for this struggle and provide simple and effective ways to help meet this challenge. With God's help we can learn to daily pray, Come, Lord Jesus, not only to daily bless our food but our lives, finding strength and hope in Jesus.

The hope and strength that Jesus gives comes in his victory over the "unholy trinity": the devil, our sinful nature, and the sinful world. This includes the promise of fully flourishing in the life to come. In this series we will explore how God's word teaches and guides us in following our victorious Lord as we look to him in daily devotion to his word.

Advent means coming. During this season of Advent our focus will be on Jesus's three comings to save us—past, present, and future. Jesus has come and accomplished his saving work. He continues to come by the power of the Holy Spirit through the word and sacraments. He will come again on the last day for our final deliverance. This series will match Christ's three comings with his overcoming of the unholy trinity, the enemies of his saving word.

Join us on Wednesday evenings for our remaining Advent services – December 11th and 18th. We will begin at 7:00 pm with a hymn sing. This is an opportunity to sing your favorite hymns and Christmas carols.

THIS WEEK AT TRINITY

Today, December 8th Second Sunday in Advent Sunday School/Adult Bible Class 9:00 am Joyful Ringers Rehearsal 8:45 am Communion Worship Service 10:00 am Greening of the Church 11:30 am Monday, December 9th Bowling League 6:30 pm Council Meeting 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 11th Trinity Chorale Practice 6:00 pm Mid-week Advent Worship Service 7:00 pm Thursday, December 12th Ladies Bible Study 11:30 am Board of Worship Meeting 1:00 pm Men’s Bible Study 7:00 pm Friday, December 13th PreTeen Activity Night 6:30 pm Sunday, December 15th Third Sunday in Advent Sunday School/Adult Bible Class 9:00 am Joyful Ringers Rehearsal 9:00 am Communion Worship Service 10:00 am Christmas Caroling to the Homebound After Worship

Scriptures for December 15th

7 Isaiah 35:1-10 ~ James 5:7-11 ~ Matthew 11:2-15

Budget Update – November 2019 Monthly Revenues $16,793.00 Monthly Expenses $22,409.08 Year to date Revenues $214,275.99 Year to date Expenses $228,543.76 Year to date: Actual Revenue less Actual Expenses ($14,267.77) Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family,

the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Worship Attendance – 79

General Offerings - $4,643.00

In the event of inclement weather please visit our website at

www.trinitylutherannorfolk.org and our Facebook page at TLCNorfolk for announcements concerning any cancelations. Notifications will also be sent by email to those with an email address on file and by phone to those who do not. Please do not rely on the notice being posted on the local news networks.