PRELUDE
Barb Carroll
WELCOME
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
“Drive Out the Darkness”
Alan Bach, Tim Graf
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
alive in the world,
reviving creation, arriving soon.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God
and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of mercy,
we confess that we have sinned.
We trust earthly powers and human authority alone.
We grow fearful. We cling to false comforts.
God of might,
we confess that we have sinned.
We have turned away from our neighbors.
We have trusted false promises.
God in our midst,
we confess that we have sinned.
We plead: come to us.
Bring your mercy to birth in us.
A righteous branch springs forth:
it is Christ the Lord, our Savior,
in whom we have forgiveness, life, and mercy.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
receive the grace and forgiveness of God
through ☩ Christ Jesus,
whose day draws near.
Amen.
OPENING HYMN
“Comfort, Comfort Now My People” (Words projected) ELW # 256
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Gracious God, our world is in desperate need of peace; the kind of peace that can only come from you. Send us therefore into the world to be peacemakers who make a difference by following in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace. Amen.
READINGS
Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Isaiah 9:6
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
“A Call to Peace”
OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Tear Open the Heavens” (Tim Graf)
Alan Bach, Tim Graf
OFFERING PRAYER
Creator God, you made the whole world,
even the farthest stars,
and you draw near to feed us.
We praise you for these gifts of bread and wine.
Strengthen us with this food
that we may live in expectation
for the advent of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
AGNUS DEI
MUSIC DURING HOLY COMMUNION
“What Child is This?” (Becky McGlade)
Josh Eidem, Tim Graf
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
BEFORE YOU GO
BENEDICTION
HYMN
“Joy to the World” ELW # 267
SENDING
Go now in peace. Prepare the way for Emmanuel.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Tim Graf
The Musicians for Today’s Worship
- Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
- Barb Carroll (Organist)
- Alan Bach
- Josh Eidem
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:
- Connie Layeux and family on the death of her son, Matt
- Shawna Berg and her friends, the Stahl Family on the deaths of Josh and Tammy
- Judy Dunlevy and family on the death of her brother, Bob
- The Goldberg family on the death of Elaine
- Suzy Fick and her family on the death of her mother, Marlene Cox
- Joey and Cory Johnk on the death of their dear friend, Nenee (knee-knee) Namvansy (nam van see)
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:
Long Term Prayers:
- 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