First Sunday of Advent 

10:00 AM Service December 3, 2023 

GATHERING 

Prelude 

Welcome and Announcements 

Presentation of Ministry Check 

Ringing of the Bell 

(Please Stand) 

Confession and Forgiveness 

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who opens the heavens 

and draws near to us with salvation. 

Amen. 

God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance. 

Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin. 

Silence is kept for reflection. 

Everlasting God, 

you love justice and you hate wrongdoing. We confess the fear, greed, and self-centeredness that make us reluctant to work against oppression. We are complicit in systems of exploitation. We choose comfort over courage. We are careless with creation’s bounty. Look upon us with mercy. Turn our hearts again to you. Make us glad to do your will and to walk in your ways for the sake of our waiting world. 

Amen. 

Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salva-tion and covers you with robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all. 

Amen. 

Hymn #436 “Awake, Awake, For Night is Flying” 

L: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the commun-ion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

C: And also with you. 

L: Let us pray: 

All: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Lighting of the Advent Wreath 

Hymn #240 “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” Vs. 1 

WORD 

First Reading Isaiah 64: 1—9 Pg.1161 

R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God. 

Psalm Psalm 80: 1—7, 17—19 Pg. 919 

Refrain 

PS 80:1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you 

who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 

PS 80:2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. 

Refrain: 

PS 80:4 O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the 

prayers of your people? 

PS 80:6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our 

enemies mock us. 

Refrain: 

PS 80:17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man 

you have raised up for yourself. 

PS 80:19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, 

that we may be saved. 

Refrain: 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 3—9 Pg. 1771 

R: Word of God, Word of life. C: Thanks be to God. 

Children’s Sermon 

(Please rise for the Gospel.) 

After the Gospel is announced, we sing 

The Gospel according to Mark, the thirteen chapter. 

Gospel Reading Mark 13: 24—37 Pg. 1578 

After the reading of the Gospel, we sing 

 

(Please be seated) 

Sermon Rev. Kristine Franke Hill 

(Please Stand) 

Hymn # 244 “Rejoice, Rejoice Believers” 

L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith: 

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. 

 

The Prayers 

L: . . . Merciful God 

C: Receive our prayers. 

 

Sharing of the Peace 

L: The peace of Christ be with you always. 

C: And also with you! 

L: You may share the peace with one another. 

 

Offering 

Offering Hymn # 254 “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” 

Please stand as the last verse is sung and the offering is brought forward. 

L: Let us pray. 

All: God our provider, by your merciful hand abundance springs up from the earth. Receive and bless these gifts of your own bounty. Let them be a sign of your steadfast love and faithfulness for all people, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 

MEAL 

P: 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 un-ending hymn: 

 

Eucharistic Prayer 

P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: 

Blessed are you for the birth of creation. 

Blessed are you in the darkness and the light. 

Blessed are you for the promise to your people. 

Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams. 

Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will. 

Blessed are you for your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh. 

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 remembrance 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. 

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: 

Christ has died. 

Christ is risen. 

Christ will come again. 

With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us full of grace and truth. 

We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. 

We look with hope for his coming. 

Come, Lord Jesus. 

Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. 

May your Word take flesh in us. 

Awaken your people. 

Fill us with your light. 

Bring the gift of peace on earth. 

Come, Holy Spirit. 

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever. 

Amen. 

P: Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray… 

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. 

Invitation to Communion 

Communion Hymns 

Hymn # 592 “Just As I Am” 

Hymn # 253 “He Came Down” 

SENDING 

Blessing 

P: The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. 

Prayer after Communion 

P: Let us pray, Generous God, in bread and cup you have revealed your glory for all people to see together. Nourished by this meal, send us out to proclaim your good news of liberation and release, brought to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 

Benediction 

P: The God of peace bless you, the love of Christ sustain you in hope, and the anointing of the Spirit remain upon you now and forever. 

Hymn #439 “Soon and Very Soon” 

L: Go in peace. Keep awake. 

Thanks be to God. 

Postlude. 

 

Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today: 

Our Reader—Dottie Gilbert 

Our Liturgist—Claire Roberts 

Organist—Ed Workmon 

Accompanist—Doris Menke 

Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann 

Transitional Pastor—Rev. Kristine Franke Hill