A special welcome to all our visitors. If you are a visitor, please fill out a visitor’s card found in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate. Activity bags for children to enjoy during worship are on the rack in the narthex.
PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING HYMN: 259 Fling Wide the Door
ADVENT LITANY
P: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us.
C: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us.
P: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
C: Instill in us a yearning to seek your presence in each other.
P: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
C: Quicken us to help all people feel welcomed and supported.
P: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
C: Rouse us to care for one another, friend and stranger alike.
P: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
C: Inspire us to be your handiwork in the world.
P: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
C: Fill us with a holy hunger for a just world where all are fed.
P: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
C: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
P: Stir up our hearts, Lord, God, to prepare the way of your Son.
C: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come!
Lighting of the Advent Candle: sing verse 1 of 253 He Came Down
PRAYER OF THE DAY (Read in unison)
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
READINGS
Jeremiah 33:14-16
14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel 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.”
Psalm 25:1-10
1To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3Let none who look to you be put to shame; rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous. 4Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. 6Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. 7Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. 8You are gracious and upright, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners in your way. 9You lead the lowly in justice and teach the lowly your way. 10All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And 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.
Holy Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
P: The Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 and I read in Jesus’ name.
C: Glory to you O Lord.
[Jesus said:] 25“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. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34“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, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be 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.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY: 583 Take My Life, That I May Be
Grace: BAPTISM OF TENLEY KAYE BROWN (Service in Hymnal: Page 227)
Fountain: STATEMENT OF FAITH: THE 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, and 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 life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P: Hear us, O God,
C: your mercy is great.
PEACE
Please share a sign of peace with those around in whatever way you are most comfortable.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
OFFERING
Please leave your offerings in the basket at the back of the church.
HOLY COMMUNION
P: All who hunger and thirst, come. The table is ready.
C: We are here because Jesus Christ has died; Jesus Christ has risen; and Jesus Christ will come again.
P: The risen Christ is present in bread and wine.
C: We are the body of Christ who wish to celebrate his resurrection presence among us. Holy God, we thank you for your perfect plan to save all humankind from death and sin. We praise you for the saving action of Jesus Christ and his gift of forgiveness.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION (In the night in which he was betrayed . . . )
P: Come, Holy Spirit, and gather us together as your forgiven people who feast together in resurrection celebration of the One who has come among us and the One who will come again.
C: Amen!
LORD’S PRAYER
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
Come to Christ’s banquet. Feast on God’s gift of grace.
SHARING THE MEAL
COMMUNION HYMN: 247 Come Now, O Prince of Peace
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
L: Most High God, you have come among us at this table. By the Spirit’s power, form us to be bearers of your word, sharing gifts of mercy and grace with all, through Christ Jesus, our host and our guest.
C: Amen.
BLESSING
L: The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait.
C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN: 254 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace. Christ is near.
C: Thanks be to God.
THE FLOWERS AT GRACE are given in honor of all the supply pastors who have serviced this past year.
IN OUR PRAYERS: Andy Helmann, Lola Frye, Holly and Harry Hinzpeter, Shirley Hyer, Calvin Nelson, Kandy Hagen, Mariam Burdick, Kathy Haske, Suzanne Soltvedt, Lola St. Clair, John Thompson, Clarence Johnson, Carol Leopold, Alan Leopold, Pete Nelson, Donnie Benson, David Benson, Barney Johnson, Everett Burdick, Bob Brod, LouAnn Bever
ADVENT STUDY BOOKLETS AND CALENDARS are available in the back of the church for you to pick and use this season.
The new FLOWER CHART for 2022 is up at Grace. You may begin completing your intent to honor or remember someone by sponsoring the altar flowers for a given Sunday. The flowers are yours to take after the service. The cost to sponsor the two bouquets is $30.
Grace Worship Assistants scheduled for December 5: Greeters/Ushers: Jack and Kathy Besant; Reader: Kris Stauffacher; PowerPoint: Penny Zmolek; Communion set-up: Kathy Besant; Communion Assistants: Jack and Kathy Besant. Let the Office know if you cannot complete these tasks so someone else can be asked to do it.
COMMUNION INSTRUCTION for children will be given soon. If you have a child you would like to attend, let the church office know (608-462-5398).
Know someone interested in Baptism? Arrangements can be made to baptism during worship services. Contact the parish office for a Baptism Request Form and arrangements will be made.
Plan to attend the Road to Bethlehem on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Details are in the December newsletter.
Wiggle worship bags at Grace have been cleaned and updated. Youngsters are able to play with these items during the service and return them afterward. Additional coloring sheets are available on the back table.
There is a nursery available at Grace. Ask an usher if you need directions to the location.
Bathrooms at Grace are located in the basement—straight ahead from the bottom of the stairs.
+ Together In Mission +
WELCOME! If you are a visitor please fill out a “Welcome Card” and drop it in the offering plate. Fountain Grace Trinity Lutheran Parish is a congregation of the ELCA in the La Crosse Area Synod. We invite you to participate with us in following Christ as he leads.
Parish Office: 226 Erickson Street, Elroy WI 53929 Parish E-mail: fgtlpadmin@centurytel.net Phone: (608)462-5398 Sunday Organist: Heather Vlasak Sunday Pianist: Bev Rood
Parish Secretary: Kris Stauffacher; Grace Custodian: Dave Clark
Check us out on our web page www.fgtlp.org
AND find us on Facebook search @FGTLutheranParish
We gather each week to worship God, Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. at Grace & each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Trinity or Fountain.
Our Communion invitation is for all who seek to partake of the real presence of Christ in this meal. All are welcome to the Lord’s Table.
Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 AM—1 PM
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