Outdoor Worship and Worship-In-Place

Advent Lutheran Church, Citrus Heights, California

October 18, 2020

How it all hangs together…Annual Theme: Our God, Revealed in the Story (through May 2021)

The story of the Bible reveals a God of promise, relationship, mercy, and new life. God is revealed in the rocky relationship with God’s covenant people. The prophets look back to the history of Israel’s relationship with their Creator, and forward toward the coming of the promised Messiah. God is revealed fully in Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus shows us a loving God in his teachings, healings, and relationships with outcasts. Jesus’ commitment to love leads him to Jerusalem and the cross. Finally, God is revealed in a church that was born in the good news first proclaimed by faithful women. We all have news to tell, and this story of the early church shows us that we can spread the gospel in all circumstances, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Unit Theme: Promises Made, Promises Broken (September 13 - October 25) Throughout the history of God’s people, God has made covenants (agreements with promises on both sides) with God’s beloved people. But a tragic pattern emerged. God and the people made promises to each other, and then the people failed to live God’s way. God made promises to Adam and Eve at creation, but they ate the forbidden fruit. God delivered the people of Israel from slavery and gave them the Torah, but they worshipped a golden calf. However, God always keeps God’s promises, as God did with Abram, Joseph, Hannah, and David. Even when the people have broken their part of the covenant, God is faithful, and renews the promise again and again.

Today’s Theme Hannah Promises Samuel to God

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 1:20 “In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the LORD.””

Spiritual Practice: Worship While last week’s story contained an excellent example of how not to worship, today’s story is the best example of how to worship. Hannah is faithful and humble, and expresses her love of God both through her obedience and her song. This is the heart of what worship is all about.

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Music & Bell Ringing

GatheringPrelude (Joy Bells)

Call to Worship & Welcome

One: We begin in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All: Amen.

Opening Prayer

One: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us pray… All: God of Promise, you heard Hannah’s prayers when she cried

out to you and when she sang your praises. Bless the prayers and songs we bring you today, that they may glorify you. Let our worship be an expression of the promises we make to you and thanks for the promises that you have kept to your people. In your name we pray. Amen.

Gathering Hymn “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service" (ELW 712)

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Blessing of Chemo Hats & the Heartstrings Ministers

Apostolic Greeting

One: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.

All: And also with you.

Litany of Promises

One: Over the last several weeks, we have been delving into promises that are made and promises that are broken, through the stories of Adam and Eve in the garden, Abraham and Sarah’s covenant with God, God’s promise to deliver Joseph and the promises that were both made by God in the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and broken by the Israelites when they forgot to trust God.

Today, we will celebrate the fact that God’s promise also remembers those who are forgotten by everyone else. Our central biblical character is a woman of great faith who makes and keeps a promise to God, and who benefits from God’s promise kept. Let us pray together over the promises that are made to God and that we have experienced from God. At the end of each petition, please respond, “Lord, remember your servant.” I will offer a few petitions to start us off, and then will leave some silence for participation from others.

One: God of creation, we thank you for your care for all of your children, even when we forget you…

All: Lord, remember your servant. 3

One: We remember how you made a great nation of Abraham and Sarah…

All: Lord, remember your servant.

One: We ask you to hold us accountable to the promises that we make to you…

All: Lord, remember your servant.

(Time for silent prayer and contemplation.)

All: Lord, remember your servant. Amen.

Word Scripture Lesson 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10

One: A reading from 1 Samuel.

9 After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 11 She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

1 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory.

2 “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

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3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.

5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.

The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.

8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.

9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail.

10 The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”

One: Word of God. Word of Life! All: Thanks be to God!

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Childless Hannah praying in the temple

Sermon in two Parts (children & adults)

Hymn of the Day “Jesu, Jesu” (ELW 708)

Apostles’ Creed

One: Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 6

the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Special Music (Joy Bells)

Prayers of the People

One: Now, let us pray for the groups of people mentioned in Hannah’s song. The song rejoices in a reversal that is not completely realized in our world, so we pray for each event to occur. After each petition is offered, and I end with “Hear our prayer,” please respond with, “Lord, let it be so.” You will have the opportunity to offer petitions of your own, as well.

One: God of the poor and lonely, we thank you for caring for those who everyone else forgets. We ask you to again remember those who you love. We dream and desire that those who are hungry may be fed. Hear our prayer… All: Lord, let it be so.

One: We plead for your will that those who are weak be strengthened. Hear our prayer…. All: Lord, let it be so.

One: We ask earnestly that those who desire children may be satisfied. Hear our prayer… All: Lord, let it be so.

One: We wish that the faithful might be protected. Hear our prayer… All: Lord, let it be so. (add your own petitions here). All: Amen.

Meal Proclamation of Christ’s Peace

One: The peace of Christ is with you always! All: And also with you.

Offertory Prayer

One: Let us pray... All: Great God of Heaven and Earth, you call us to leave behind our

preoccupations and to follow you into the future. Sometimes we find your call challenging. We are comfortable, maybe even complacent, in our present. May our act of giving be a gesture of our willingness to follow where you lead. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks It is right to give our thanks and praise. to the Lord our God.

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for your mysteries well up from ancient depths, assuring us that we will be with you forever.

In the first of your mighty works, you created the earth and filled it with life. You rescued a people from slavery and called them to choose between wisdom and foolishness, between serving you and making their own gods.

In your child, Jesus, you have again called us to choose - to live in readiness for the promised return of the one who died and rose again, or to waste our opportunities and squander what you have given us.

We choose to serve you, and with hearts full of gratitude we trust in your protection and look for the day when at the trumpet’s sound the dead will arise and all will be embraced in the marriage of earth and heaven.

Therefore with all those who have trusted in you in the past, with prophets and martyrs, saints and sinners, we praise you and join their unending hymn:

Holy, Holy (Haugen, Now the Feast and Celebration)

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Eucharistic Prayer

One: God of creation, you spoke the world into being, and are the author of all that is in it. Your Spirit hovered over the earth and breathed life into all living creatures—animals that swim, fly, and walk—the tiny and fragile to the robust and massive. You made a promise to humanity, that you would always care for us, and you expected us to always care for your creation. We have broken that promise, and we continue to do so. But, at just the right time, Jesus Christ came to live, suffer, die, and rise for the redemption of creation and the reclamation of God's promise. In the midst of trial and tribulation, Jesus reclaimed God’s promise in the night in which he was betrayed when he reassured his friends that, even though their pain would one day pass away, his spirit and friendship would remain with them forever. Taking the bread and breaking it he said to them:

All: Take and eat. This bread is a symbol of my sacrifice and the lengths I will go to demonstrate my love for you. Each time you share it, remember me.

One: Lifting the cup, Jesus again looked tenderly upon his friends. Sensing their anxiety and fear, he tried to comfort them with a message of hope and a sign of love. He told them:

All: Take and drink. This cup is a symbol of a renewed relationship with you; a relationship, not based in fear but forgiveness. Whenever you share it, remember me.

One: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Open our minds and hearts to the mystery of Christ’s love, within these ordinary things, and within our ordinary lives. May they impart God’s love to us, so that we may share God’s love with others.

The Lord's Prayer

One: Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Elements Are Shared

Table Blessing

One: May this meal nourish us and refresh us, may it strengthen us and renew us, may it unite us and keep us in God’s gracious love, now and forever.

All: Amen. Sending

Closing Prayer

One: Let us pray together... All: During this prayer, you will be invited to take a pose during the

prayer that represents a way you worship. Let us pray: God of the promise: You heard Hannah’s prayer and kept

your promise to her. She responded in worship and song to you. Accept our prayer and our worship. Thank you for keeping your promises in the past, today, and tomorrow. Amen.

Benediction

Announcements (see last bulletin page)

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Sending Hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (ELW 841)

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Sending

One: Go in peace, serve the Lord! `All: Thanks be to God!

Postlude

IN THIS SERVICE

Piano Jamal Karamatov Hand Bells Joy Bells Assisting Minister Jeffrey Belchem Lector Bruce Hansen Chemo Hats Heartstrings Ministry Camera Kumar Dasari Sound David Wammer Preacher/Presider Rev. Gabriele Schroeder

12Tabernacle in Shiloh - Attempt at Imagining it

Prayer Chain UpdatesCOVID-19 Prayers of thanksgiving for the recovery of Phyllis Garrison, 89-year old sister-in-law of Kathy and Ken Johnson. Phyllis has been able to return to her apartment at her independent living lodge.

ACUTE PRAYER CONCERNS IN THE IMMEDIATE ADVENT COMMUNITY Allison, one of Karen Sorenson's students, her condition is declining after she discontinued her

ovarian cancer treatments; prayers that she will continue to find peace as she turns to God for strength

Ken Bancroft, prayers that he gains strength and his condition might improve Tanya Bowers, preparing for second nasal nasal surgery, in order to stop her frequent nosebleeds Phil Davidson, prayers for patience and strength as he recovers at home Mattie Devereux, childhood friend of William Gariano; diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma cancer;

prayers for strength as she prepares for surgery in early October Linda, Nancy King’s sister-in-law; prayers for healing, wholeness, courage, and hope as she (after the

recent end of her chemo therapy) prepares for her upcoming surgery and radiation therapy Maynard Johnson, prayers for the success of the infusions he receives; orthopedic surgery for his

arm fracture is on hold until after the end of chemo therapy Lois Sellers, continued prayers for strength, courage, and peace as she continues dialysis treatments Rod Sorenson, Karen’s brother-in-law, continues his cancer treatment, thankfully with a positive

attitude and exuberance Prayers for Gary Peterson’s former hunting buddy Dick (who suffers from advanced Alzheimer’s

and aphasia) and his wife Nancy (who is his primary care-giver); prayers that Nancy may not experience further adverse reactions occur and that plans can be developed in case Nancy needs to be taken to the hospital again her chemo therapy.

ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS Carolyn Atwood, dear friend of Winnie Parish, her cancer has returned and she has begun

renewed treatments; may God bring healing and hope to Carolyn Terri Britt, friend of Karen Franz, continues treatment for stage 4 cancer, thankfully, her condition

has not deteriorated recently Julie Wright, Amy Gariano's cousin, that she and her family may find strength and peace as they are

coming to grips with the sad news that no further treatment or cure for her brain tumor may be available

PRAYERS FOR THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE Prayers for all whose homes and livelihood have been destroyed by the latests natural

disasters. May help come to them swiftly and may they have the resources and strength to rebuild their lives.

Please also pray for all teachers and their students. May God help them them thrive!

Prayers for a peaceful and constitutional election process13

Announcements for October 18, 2020

Church Address 5901 San Juan Avenue Citrus Heights, CA 95610 916-966-7242

Pastor Gabi’s Cell Phone & eMail 650-476-7641 schroeder.gabriele@gmail.com

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS October 19 Book Club Meeting (Zoom, 7pm) October 20 Netflix Movie Night (“ Same Kind of Difference as Me”) (7pm) October 25 Confirmation & Reformation Sunday (outdoors at 9am) Mortgage Burning & Fellowship Hall Viewing (outdoor, after worship) November 1 All Saints Sunday (Facebook at 9:30am) November 12 Women’s Bible Study Group (10am)

WORSHIP DIRECTIONS To keep all of us (and those we come into contact with elsewhere) safe, we ask that you please observe the following directions: - worship from home, if you (or someone at home) are sick or are of higher-risk - bring a face mask and keep it on throughout the service incl. hymn singing - do not use our water fountains, as the may not be safe after 4 months of disuse - please use hand sanitizer when you arrive for worship. Do not touch the dispenser. - have one of the ushers take your temperature - refrain from touching others who are not members of your immediate family - Keep a minimum of 6 feet distance throughout the service from anybody

who is not in your family or social “bubble” - follow the ushers in directing you from & to your seat during communion - deposit the offering on your way to communion - open the communion cup once you are seated - discard the communion cup AFTER worship

Church Website www.adventcitrusheights.org

Office eMail Address advent1@adventcitrusheights.org

Advent’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/AdventCitrusHeights

Advents’ YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-W0S5nNW2gDYPDgw8wao-g/videos

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