15870 46th Avenue N, Plymouth | (763) 559-0579 Email: office@AscensionPlymouth.com Website: www.AscensionPlymouth.com A member of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

Brian Roloff, Pastor | pastorroloff@AscensionPlymouth.com

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Welcome! We are glad that you have joined us for worship today.

Brian Roloff, Pastor | pastorroloff@AscensionPlymouth.com

Susan Decker, Music Director Tammy Melott, Preschool Director/Teacher

Jennifer Tripp, Teacher

December 1, 2019

Welcome! We are glad that you have joined us for worship today.

As we celebrate Holy Communion, let’s rejoice in the various types of unity that we enjoy in this sacrament.

According to Christ’s own promise we receive his true body and blood (Matthew 26:26-28). We are united with him in the Lord’s Supper.

another (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Holy Communion declares that unity.

gospel of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:26).

What wonderful unity we find in the Lord’s Supper. How we want to treasure and foster this unity. On the night on which Jesus gave us this meal he prayed that all his followers would come to complete agreement with one another on the basis of God’s Word (John 17:11,17).

Out of love for the Lord and love for one another, we want what our Savior wants for us—genuine unqualified unity. For this reason we respectfully ask that only those who have expressed their full agreement with the teachings of our national church body (the Wisconsin Synod) or the Evangelical Lutheran Synod come forward to receive the sacrament.

We eagerly desire everyone to share in this divine meal with us. Please speak to the pastor about how we can work together to establish this blessed fellowship.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

(P: = Pastor, C:= Congregation, : = Congregation sings) All scripture quotations are taken from the NIV and are used by permission.

WORSHIP THEME: The Names of Jesus: Immanuel - “God With Us” OPENING HYMN: # 707 Peace Came to Earth (vs. 1-3) Printed on back of bulletin

Please stand

INVOCATION

P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS AND ADVENT CANDLE

P: When God created the world, he made the crown of his creation—the human race —in his image. Perfect people lived in a perfect world in a perfect relationship with God.

C: But mankind rebelled against God, bringing sin into the world and death to all. God declared the wages of sin to be death. We too are guilty, and we confess our sinful thoughts, words, and actions.

P: However, God—who is Love—did not want to be separated from his children forever. He promised a Savior who would bear the punishment for sin, defeat the devil, and break the bonds of death. Genesis 1:26; Romans 6:23

ALL:

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P: When the time had fully come, God sent his Son. Jesus, our Savior, has paid the ransom for your debt; your sins are forgiven. In view of God’s mercy, today we light the hope candle. The Spirit declares through the psalmist, “Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love, and with him is full redemption.”

C: We wait for the Lord, and in his Word we put our hope. Galatians 4:4,5; Psalm 130:5,7

ALL:

P: In the hope of God we go to the world—to our friends, relatives, acquaintances and neighbors. We regard no one from a worldly point of view. If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

C: God has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore

Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. Jesus, who had no sin, became sin for us; in him we have become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

ALL:

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THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. Please be seated

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 7:1-14

When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it. Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field. Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“ ‘It will not take place, it will not happen, for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’”

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

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Used by permission. CCLI License # 440614)

READING RESPONSE: Emmanuel (sing twice)

SECOND LESSON: Revelation 21:1-5

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” THE NICENE CREED: (all say)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

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We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was

day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS We invite the children ages 3 through 3rd grade to come forward for a message from God’s Word just for them.

SERMON HYMN: # 21 Hosanna to the Coming Lord

SERMON THEME: It Will Take a Miracle: Immanuel

TEXT: Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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After the sermon please stand and sing:

Please be seated

CONNECTION CARDS At this time we ask everyone to take a moment and fill out one of the connection cards. You will find them in the hymnal rack in front of you or under your chair. Please fill out one card per family and place it in the offering basket.

THE OFFERING

Dear guests, please don’t feel obligated to take part in our offering. We’re glad you’re here to listen to the message about Jesus.

If members or guests would like to give an offering electronically, they can do so by going to ascensionplymouth.com and click on the GIVE tab on your right hand side or go to https://secure.subsplash.com/ui/access/ZJJGFB/.

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

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LORD'S PRAYER (all pray)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated

THE SACRAMENT

P: The Lord be with you.

:

P: Lift up your hearts.

:

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

:

P: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepares when he called people to repentance and pointed the Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he

this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

:

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O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

THE DISTRIBUTION

Communicant members of Ascension Lutheran are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper. If you have never communed with us before, we ask that you first speak

with our pastor to learn how you can establish a communing fellowship with us. We are eager to help anyone to take this step.

Please Note: The center eight cups of the individual trays contain white grape juice. Gluten-free wafers are available. Please speak with the pastor before the worship service, if you would like a gluten-free wafer.

DISTRIBUTION HYMN: # 11 Comfort, Comfort All My People

After the distribution please stand

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THANKSGIVING

SONG OF SIMEON

P: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

:

P: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. :

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THE BLESSING

P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. :

Please be seated

CLOSING HYMN: # 707 Peace Came to Earth (vs. 4) Printed on back of bulletin THANKS TO THOSE WHO SERVED

Pastor: Thank you to guest Pastor John Zeitler for leading us in worship

Organist: Susan Decker

# 707 Peace Came to Earth