PRELUDE
“What Sweeter Music” (John Rutter)
Tim Graf
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
“Drive Out the Darkness”
Alan Bach, Tim Graf
WELCOME
OPENING CAROLS
“Joy to the World!/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Words projected)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
ANTHEM
“Once Upon a Christmas” (Dolly Parton, arr. Daniel Semsen)
Canticle Choir, Worship Band, Alan Bach, Rebecca Hammond, Larry Bach (Director)
SUNDAY SCHOOL INVITATION
READING
Luke 1:39-55
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
ANTHEM
“In the Bleak Midwinter” (arr. Will Todd)
Chamber Choir, Worship Band, Larry Bach (Director)
SERMON
“A Call to Worship”
OFFERING OF MUSIC
“O Holy Night” (arr. Tim Graf)
Matthew Ian Fleming, Larry Bach, Tim Graf
OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BENEDICTION
CAROL
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Words projected)
SENDING
Go now in peace. Prepare the way for Emmanuel.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Worship Band
The Musicians for Today’s Worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
- Larry Bach (Chamber Choir Director)
- Alan Bach
- Matthew Ian Fleming
- Rebecca Hammond
- Canticle Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Worship Band: Rachel Calvert, Jodi Edstrom, Bodie Hanninen, Corwin Holk, Kevin Mills, Lyndon Moquist, Chris Sasik
Prayers
As a community of faith we are connected through joy, sorrow, worship, and prayer. Please pray for the people listed below.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!
We ask for God’s loving embrace to hold all those who mourn, especially:
- Michele, sons Dylan and Isaac on the death of their husband and father, Tom Johnson
- Pam Frandle and family on the death of her son, Nicholas Alexander Frandle
- Cathy Schweitzer on the death of her mother, Marilyn Atkinson
- Stefanie Berg and Family on the death of her uncle, Arvin Olson
Prayers of Mourning:
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Psalm 130:1–2
For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’. John 11:25–26
As we are praying for all members of the St. Andrew community, this week we pray especially for God’s comfort, healing, protection, and strength to be present with:
- Laura Boudreau
- Mary Ann Smith
- Larry Macht, James Macht’s brother
- Gladys Olson
- Jim Hornbacher
- Kari Carlson and family for their friend, Becky
- Carol Petersen
- Paul Skoog
Long Term Prayers:
- Marilyn Atkinson
- Carl Nelson
- Sara Goke, daughter of Curt and Jane Goke
- David Olson
- Paul Skoog’s Brother Dan
- Cindy Rodman
- Joyce Butler
- Jim and Racee Hornbacher
- Julie Bergquist
- John Rostad
- Gordon Gilbert
- Kathy Hoagland
- Dave & Sherri Anderson’s daughter, Sarah Anderson-Jacobson
- Ron Wolfbauer
- Dick Smith
- Tammi Ziesemann as she continues her cancer treatment
- For the people of Haiti enduring ongoing political upheaval, severe economic challenges, and gang-related violence.
- For the people of the Middle East and Ukraine – non-violence and peace.
- All those in the military serving our country
General Prayers:
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22a
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Names will remain listed until more are added unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.
See what’s happening at St. Andrew
There’s always something happening here at St. Andrew and we’re so glad to offer ministries and events for people of all ages! Visit our Events Page to see all of our events, and visit our Ministries Page to learn about all of our communities of faith!
The Pastors of St. Andrew
Pastor Peter Johnson
Senior Pastor
Pastor Matthew Ian Fleming
Pastor of Teaching & Young Adults
Pastor Susan Tjornehoj
Interim Transition Pastor