December 10, 2023 – 9:00 AM Service

PRELUDE
“The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came” (arr. Roberta Rowland-Raybold) Jodi Edstrom, Tim Graf

WELCOME

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
“Creator of the Stars of Night”
Chamber Choir

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 (leader takes deep breath) and trust the word that Jesus forgives our every sin here and now. Amen.

HYMN
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” (St. 1-2- ALL, St. 3- Choir, St. 4- ALL) ELW # 272

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God,
You have done awesome deeds that we did not expect and you are still working in our world. Work through us now to bring acts of love and service into this world as a witness to all that you are and all that you do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

ANTHEM
“We Three Kings” (Will Todd)
Chamber Choir, Larry Bach (Director)

READING
Isaiah 64:1-9

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON
“Come Now”

OFFERING

OFFERING OF MUSIC
“Noel“ (Louis-Claude Daquin, arr. Fred Gramann)
Bells of Joy, Tim Graf (Director)

OFFERING PRAYER

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BEFORE YOU GO

BENEDICTION

HYMN
“Joy to the World” ELW # 267

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

POSTLUDE
“On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry“ (Michael Praetorius, arr. by David Cherwien) Barb Carroll

The Musicians for Today’s Worship

Tim Graf (Director of Worship & Music)
Barb Carroll (Organist)
Larry Bach (Choir Director)
Jodi Edstrom
Bells of Joy
Chamber Choir

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:

Lori Hertzog on the death of her mother, Lucille
Brian Shimley and family on the death of his brother, Bernie
Julie Bane and family on the death of her brother, Mike
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:

Gib Bendell’s mother Carol
Gib Bendell’s father-in-law Dayton
Paula Crouse
Karle Erickson
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.