November 26, 2023 – 9:00 AM Service

PRELUDE
“Savior of the Nations, Come” (arr. Tim Graf)
Tim Graf

WELCOME

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Elliana Meier, Tim Graf, Josh Eidem

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Jesus is here! Why wait?! We gather this morning to acknowledge the fear that divides, the sin that isolates, and the brokenness that yearns to be healed.

(Silence for confession)

God of all creation,
We get stalled in grief,
stagnant in apathy
watching the world unwind before us.
Come now, Lord Jesus.
We lament loss and injustice
while longing to be comforted
in times of isolation and division.
Come now, Lord Jesus.
Peace in this moment and
peace in our time
seem like untenable realities
as we cry out to you to
change our lot.
Come now, Lord Jesus.

There is no need to wait on God’s forgiveness. God is here, right now, full of mercy and abounding in steadfast love. Breathe deep and trust the word that Jesus forgives our every sin here and now.
Amen.

HYMN
“Comfort, Comfort Now My People” ELW # 256

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Loving God,
We give you thanks this day for your Son who was sent into the world to bring good news, healing, comfort, and liberty. Give us your heart of compassion to comfort all who are brokenhearted with the good news of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

SOLO
“Mid-Winter” (Bob Chilcott)
Josh Eidem, Tim Graf

READING
Isaiah 61:1-4

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.

They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“Lament Now”

OFFERING

OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Behold Him“ (Francesca Battistelli, Molly Reed, Jeff Pardo)
Elliana Meier, Tim Graf

OFFERING PRAYER
O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BEFORE YOU GO

BENEDICTION
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.
Amen.

HYMN
“Hark, the Glad Sound” ELW # 239

SENDING:
Go in peace. Christ is near. Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE
“On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” (Arr. by David Cherwien)

The Musicians for Today’s Worship

Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
Barb Carroll (Organist)
Josh Eidem
Elliana Meier

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:

Daniel Aas and family on the death of wife/mother Terry
Tammy Morton and family on death of son/brother Matthew Staples
Kathy Brenner and family on the death of her sister, Barbara

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:

Prayers for Brian Abramson’s mother Helen
Marcy Wiesner
Barb Peterson and Larry Mueller’s friend Bill

Long Term Prayers:

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 for three weeks unless otherwise requested. To add a name to the prayer list, click Prayer Requests or contact Pastor Peter Johnson.