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SaintNicholasLutheranChurchFourth Sunday of Advent

December 23, 2018 8:00 am & 10:45 am

brotherken,OLF:Pastor1450 Plum Point Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639

410-257-LOVE (5683) office@saintnicholaslutheran.org www.saintnicholaslutheran.org

Welcome to Saint Nicholas! We’re glad you’re worshipping with us today. May our time together be a blessing to you. If you are visiting with us this morning, please sign the guest register in the Narthex on the podium. Child care is available during worship for infants and toddlers in our staffed nursery room down the hall. All children ages 5 – 10 are invited to attend Time for Children in the North Wing where they will hear a bible lesson presented through story, song and prayer. Children are dismissed withthe adult leaders following the Children’s Sermon and return to worship for Holy Communion. Our worship always includes the sacrament of Holy Communion and all people including children at the discretion of their parents are welcome to receive. Children are also welcome to come forward to receive a blessing from the pastor.

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GATHERING

PreludeWelcome StandConfessionandForgivenessIn the name of the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silenceforreflectionandself‐examination…. Most merciful God, weconfessthatweareinbondagetosinandcannotfreeourselves.Wehavesinnedagainstyouinthought,word,anddeed,bywhatwehavedoneandbywhatwehaveleftundone.Wehavenotlovedyouwithourwholeheart;wehavenotlovedourneighborsasourselves.ForthesakeofyourSon,JesusChrist,havemercyonus.Forgiveus,renewus,andleadus,sothatwemaydelightinyourwillandwalkinyourways,tothegloryofyourholyname.AmenIn the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ God gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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GatheringSong:TheAngelGabrielfromHeavenCame(ELW265)

Public Domain

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the community of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Andalsowithyou. PrayeroftheDayLet us pray.Stirupyourpower,LordChrist,andcome.Withyourabundantgraceandmight,freeusfromthesinthatbindsus,thatwemayreceiveyouinjoyandserveyoualways,foryouliveandreignwiththeFatherandtheHolySpirit,oneGod,nowandforever.Amen.

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LightingOfTheFourthAdventCandle8:00am–MozzettaFamily10:45am–LisaBuzzetta Asthecandlesarelit,thecongregationsings LightOneCandletoWatchforMessiah(ELW240)Verse4

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-725597 Let us pray. Blessedareyou,OLordourGod,ruleroftheuniverse.InyourSon,Emmanuel,youhaveshownusyourlightandsavedusfromthepowerofsin.Blessusaswelightthecandlesonthiswreath.Increaseourlongingforyourpresence,thatatthecelebrationofyourSon’sbirthhisSpiritmightdwellanewinourmidst,forheisourlightandoursalvation.BlessedbeGodforever.Amen.

WORD

SitChildren’sSermonTimeForChildren(AllchildreninKindergarten–5thgradeareinvitedtohearabiblelessonpresentedthroughstory,songandprayerintheNorthWing.)

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FirstReading:Micah5:2‐5aA reading from Micah. TheprophetMicah,havingpronouncedjudgmentuponJudah,speaksofafutureshepherd‐kingwho,likeDavid,willcomefromthesmalltownofBethlehem.(EphrathahreferstotheareaaroundBethlehem.)ThiskingwillrestoreIsraelandbringpeace.NewTestamentwritersunderstoodthispassagetobereferringtoJesus.2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel.4And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5aand he shall be the one of peace. The word of the Lord. ThanksbetoGod.Psalm:Luke1:46b‐55(Pleasereadresponsively)

46bMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48foryou,Lord,havelookedwithfavoronyourlowlyservant. Fromthisdayallgenerationswillcallmeblessed: 49you, the Almighty, have done great things for me and holy is your name. 50Youhavemercyonthosewhofearyou, fromgenerationtogeneration. 51You have shown strength with your arm and scattered the proud in their conceit, 52castingdownthemightyfromtheirthrones andliftingupthelowly. 53You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54YouhavecometotheaidofyourservantIsrael, torememberthepromiseofmercy, 55the promise made to our forebears, to Abraham and his children forever.

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SecondReading:Hebrews10:5‐10A reading from Hebrews. TheauthorofHebrewsusestheimageofreligioussacrificetoconveythesignificanceofChrist’scoming.ThroughobedientacceptanceofGod’swill,Christallowshisownbodytobecomethegreatestsacrificeofall,onethroughwhichwearemadeaholypeople.5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” 8When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The word of the Lord. ThanksbetoGod.StandGospelAcclamation

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Gospel:Luke1:39‐45The holy gospel according to Luke. Glorytoyou,OLord.WearepresentedwithElizabeth,John’smother,andMary,themotherofJesus,twowomenfilledwiththeHolySpiritandwithfaith.InElizabeth’sinspiredgreetingandMary’ssongofpraisewehearofasavingGodwhoremembers,scatters,liftsup,andfulfillsallthings.39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” The gospel of the Lord. Praisetoyou,OChrist.

SitSermonSermonQuestions:As we prepare for celebrating the Christmas Story, let us take time to consider Mary, the mother of our Lord. If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is the Christ, One with the Godhead, is Mary the mother of God? This sounds scandalous to our ears, but what is the role of Mary? Did she know the implications of agreeing to becoming this favored mother?

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StandHymnoftheDay: OCome,OCome,Emmanuel(ELW257)

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-725597

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Apostles’CreedIbelieveinGod,theFatheralmighty,creatorofheavenandearth.IbelieveinJesusChrist,God'sonlySon,ourLord,whowasconceivedbytheHolySpirit,bornofthevirginMary,sufferedunderPontiusPilate,wascrucified,died,andwasburied;hedescendedtothedead.Onthethirddayheroseagain;heascendedintoheaven,heisseatedattherighthandoftheFather,andhewillcometojudgethelivingandthedead.IbelieveintheHolySpirit,theholycatholicchurch,thecommunionofsaints,theforgivenessofsins,theresurrectionofthebody,andthelifeeverlasting.Amen.PrayersOfIntercessionEachprayerpetitionconcludeswiththefollowingwords:

Lord, in your mercy, hearourprayer.

Into your loving hands O Lord we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love and mercy through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. SharingOfThePeaceThe peace of Christ be with you always. Andalsowithyou.

MEAL

SitGatheringOfGifts/SettingTheTableAnofferingisgatheredforthemissionofthechurch.IfyouwouldliketogiveelectronicallyhereisourQRcodeandWi‐Fipassword:SaintNicholas.“Ineverythinggivethanks,forthisisGod’swillforyouinChristJesus.”1Thessalonians5:18

SpecialMusic:ChangedbyaBabyBoy

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Stand OfferingPrayerMerciful Father, weofferwithjoyandthanksgivingwhatyouhavefirstgivenus—ourselves,ourtime,andourpossessions,signsofyourgraciouslove.Receivethemforthesakeofhimwhoofferedhimselfforus,JesusChristourLord.Amen DialogueThe Lord be with you. Andalsowithyou. Lift up your hearts. WeliftthemtotheLord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Itisrighttogiveourthanksandpraise.EucharisticPrayerO God most mighty, O God most merciful, O God our rock and our salvation, hear us as we praise, call us to your table, grant us your life. When the earth was a formless void, you formed order and beauty. When Abraham and Sarah were barren, you sent them a child; When the Israelites were enslaved, you led them to freedom. Ruth faced starvation, David fought Goliath, and the psalmists cried out for healing, and full of compassion, you granted the people your life. You entered our sorrows in Jesus our brother. He was born among the poor, he lived under oppression, he wept over the city. With infinite love, he granted the people your life. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Takeandeat;thisismybody,givenforyou.Dothisfortheremembranceofme. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: Thiscupisthenewcovenantinmyblood,shedforyouandforallpeoplefortheforgivenessofsin.Dothisfortheremembranceofme.

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Remembering Christ’s death, we cry out Amen. Amen!Celebrating the resurrection, we shout Amen. Amen!Trusting Christ’s presence in every time and place, we plead Amen. Amen!O God, you are Breath: send your Spirit upon this meal. O God, you are Bread: feed us with yourself. O God, you are wine: warm our hearts and make us one. O God, you are Fire: transform us with hope. O God most majestic, O God most motherly, O God our strength and our song, you show us a vision of life for all, where none are hungry and everyone is free. Grant us such life, the life of the Father to the Son, the life of the Spirit of our risen Savior, life in you, now and forever. Amen. Lord’sPrayerOurFather,whoartinheaven,hallowedbethyname,thykingdomcome,thywillbedone,onearthasitisinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread;andforgiveusourtrespasses,asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus;andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil.Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,foreverandever.Amen. InvitationtoCommunionAllarewelcometoreceivethesacramentincludingchildren.ChildrennotyetpreparedforHolyCommunionarewelcometocomeforwardandreceiveablessingfromthepastor.Todaywecommunebyintinction.Withintinction,thecommunionparticipantcomesforward,receivesawaferandthendipsitintothechaliceofwineorgrapejuicebeforeeatingit.Wealsoofferglutenfreewafersatcommunion.

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SitCommunionSongs

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WhatFeastofLove(ELW487)

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-725597

RemainseatedPostCommunionBlessingPrayerAfterCommunionLet us pray. Pouroutuponusthespiritofyourlove,OLord,andunitethewillsofthosewhomyouhavefedwithoneheavenlyfood;throughJesusChristourLord. Amen.

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SENDING CommunityLifeAnnouncementsStandBlessingSendingSong: MySoulProclaimsYourGreatness(ELW251)

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-725597Dismissal Go forth….. lovingGodandlovingyourneighbors.ThanksbetoGod.8:00amService‐PleaseplaceyourbulletinonthetableintheNarthexforthenextservice.

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The altar flowers are given to the glory of God by

Howard and Christine Hogan in honor of their parents.

PrayerConcernsHealth: Caroline Urnosky, Connie Gonzales, Jay Lotz, Stu Maslow, Joseph Grondin, Bruce Clark, Emily Shooks, Belinda Kite Longtermconcerns: Heidi Gault, Avay Jaynes, The Smith/Biello Families, Susan Vilcheck, Garrett Krohnert, Karen Smith, Jill Richardson, Robin LaPorte, Sean MacDonnell, Theresa Dubois, Joe Prowinski, Ray Nieves, Linda Dorr, Dawn Jaeger SaintNicholasLutheranChurchhasaspecialPrayerTeamcommittedtointercessoryprayer.Yourrequestwillalwaysbetreatedwithimmediacy,care,andconfidentiality.ContactCarolBlattattlblatt@comcast.netwithprayerrequests.Ifyouwantyournameorsomeoneelse’snameaddedtothePrayerConcernsList,pleasecontactthechurchoffice.Prayerconcernswillbecarriedfor1monthunlessnotifiedotherwise.

ThisWeek’sBirthdaysSaturday— Kristee Camilletti, Walter Merz

Forgiveusifwemissedanyone,pleasecontacttheofficeifyouwouldliketoincludeyourbirthdayintheweeklyannouncements.

WorshipAttendance~December16

8:00 am — 30 10:45 am — 82

Staff&LeadershipThe Rev. Kenneth D. Taylor ~ pastor@saintnicholaslutheran.org Franklyn Johnson-Williams, Music Director ~ bonniejazzmusic@yahoo.com Erika Demme, Office Adm. /Bookkeeper ~ office@saintnicholaslutheran.org Jamie Flanders, Council President ~ Jaflanders65@gmail.com

SAINTNICHOLASANNOUNCEMENTS&NEWSDecember23,2018

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OfficeNewsThe office will be closed from Tuesday through Friday the week of Christmas. If you have a pastoral emergency please contact Pastor Ken at pastor@saintnicholaslutheran.org.

SundaySchoolThere is no Sunday School today. Classes will resume Sunday, January 6, 2019.

VolunteerOpportunitiesGiftsofHope—HelpthoseinneedwhileyoushopforChristmas! Today is the last day to purchase a Gift of Hope for a

friend or relative while making a contribution to someone who is in need. You will receive a beautiful Christmas card and an explanation of your purchase, while the actual gift will be forwarded to the organization which helps those in need. Visit the Gifts of Hope table between worship services to make your purchases. The cost of gifts ranges from $10 to $250. For more information, contact Erika Demme at ed38@comcast.net.

WEEKLY CALENDARSunday,Dec.238:00 am Worship 10:45 am Worship 5:00 pm Project ECHO Meal 7:30 pm Another Chance Monday,Dec.24~ 4:00 pm & 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Services Tuesday,Dec.25–Friday,December28 ~ Office Closed Monday–Friday~ 6:00 pm Rampage Wrestling (NW) Thursday,Dec.27~ 7:00 pm Steps to Serenity Sunday,Dec.309:00 am One Worship ~ Lessons and Carols 7:30 pm Another Chance

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Let'sTop2017In 2017, Saint Nicholas donated 1,243 rolls of toilet paper to Project ECHO. So far in 2018, we have donated 961 rolls, so help us exceed our 2017 total by bringing a toilet paper contribution to church. We will be making our final 2018 delivery following the December30th worship services. Keep the generosity rolling!

ParticipateinWorship!In our worship life together many volunteers offer their gifts each month to contribute to worship. While the obvious way to participate is simply by being present to offer your voice in worship, praise, and prayer, there are countless opportunities for particular service as well. We are especially in need of Ushers, Coffee Set-up and Clean- up, Time for Children Teachers and Nursery Helpers. There is a place for you and your unique gifts! Contact the church office (office@saintnicholaslutheran.org) for more information.

AnnouncementsOfferingEnvelopes

Offering envelopes for those members who have regularly used them in the past and/or have let me know they wish to use them in 2019 are available to be picked up on the table in the church entryway. This includes confirmed youth in high school. If you would like to have a box of offering envelopes for your 2019 contributions and do not see a box on the table with your name on it, please let Tom Blatt know. Thanks!!

2018FinancialContributions

To ensure all your 2018 financial contributions to Saint Nicholas appear on your year-end contributions statement, please make sure any end-of-year contributions are in the church office no later than 12:00 noon on Monday December 31. I will be making the last 2018 deposit that afternoon. Thanks!!

Fellowship Thank you to the Yott family, Dawn Hogenson, Max and Susan Brockman, the youth, Sara Bowen and Heidi Bishop for providing the food for fellowship in November. There are now two fellowship opportunities on every Sunday. If you are interested in providing fellowship food, please sign up on the bulletin board. Feel free to team up with someone. Food options could be pastries, desserts, fruits, veggies, cheese and crackers, little sandwiches, deviled eggs, casseroles, pretzels, etc. The possibilities are endless.

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BloodDriveThank you to all who participated at the drive on Saturday, December 8th. We collected 31 units for the day. For every unit collected we can assist 3 donors; 93 patients in need could potentially be helped. The next blood drive is February9,2019.

RecognitionforBonnieSaint Nicholas has been very blessed to have Franklyn "Bonnie" Johnson-Williams as our Director of Music since the beginning of October 2017. Bonnie has indeed brought joyful worship to Saint Nicholas with his wonderful instrument accompaniment and choral and instrumental direction. Bonnie's last worship service with us will be Monday, December 24 at the Christmas Eve services. To show our deep appreciation for Bonnie's service and dedication to Saint Nicholas, we would like to honor him with a monetary gift. If you are able to contribute for this gift, please place your donation in the offering plate by Sunday, December 16 indicating "for Bonnie." WeareplanningareceptioninBonnie'shonoronSunday,December23. You won't want to miss it!

StaffChristmasGiftsThe church council invites the congregation to recognize the dedication and efforts of Pastor Ken, Office Administrator Erika Demme, and custodial service provider Mary Kiessling with a monetary gift on Christmas Eve. Contributions to these gifts may be made by placing a check in the offering plate with the words Staff Christmas Gift on the memo line. Thank you!

ChristmasEveWorship4:00pm Family Service

7:30pm Candlelight Service

OneService~ December30at9amLessons and Carols (No communion)

Nowisthebesttimetoshareyourchurch.InviteyourfamilyandyourfriendstoSaintNicholas!

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AltarFlowersfor2019 Help beautify our worship space with altar flowers and have your loved one or special event noted in the worship bulletin. Order a beautiful bouquet of flowers in Honor or Memory of a loved one or special event in your life! The cost is $20 per bouquet and the sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Contact the office if you have questions. Thank you!

LunchBunchOn January10, the Lunch Bunch will meet at Mod Pizza in

Dunkirk. I hope you can join us for good food and conversation. Please email Susan Vilcheck at michaelvilcheck@hotmail.com if you would like to attend. Please also let Susan know if you would like your name to be added to the LUNCH BUNCH email.

ServingNextSunday,December309:00amAssisting Minister Glenn Wolfgang Altar Care Carol Blatt, Pam Werner Altar Flowers Hogan Family Acolyte VolunteerNeeded Lectors Joe Sharar, Sharon LeBrun, Lisa Buzzetta, Ann Wolfgang Ushers Debbie Bang Offering Counters Ann Wolfgang, Tom Blatt Coffee Set-up VolunteerNeededCoffee Clean-up Debbie Bang Nursery VolunteerNeeded Time for Children Karen & Clara Phelps Fellowship VolunteerNeeded

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ServingToday,December23

8:00amAssisting Minister Laura Forseth Altar Care Kathy Dangin Altar Flowers Hogan Family Acolyte VolunteerNeeded Lector Howard Hogan Ushers/Communion Asst. Howard & Christine Hogan Offering Counters Sharon LeBrun, Tom Blatt Coffee Set-up VolunteerNeeded Nursery VolunteerNeeded Time for Children Andre Dangin Fellowship Bonnie’s Recognition 10:45am Assisting Minister Lisa Buzzetta Altar Care Mary Jo Gebhardt Acolytes Mason Taylor Lector Deanna Kekesi Ushers/Communion Asst. Debbie Bang, VolunteerNeeded Offering Counters Vicki Williams, Tom Blatt Coffee Clean-up VolunteerNeeded Nursery Andrea Atcheson Time for Children Erin McClelland, Cameron Holmes Fellowship Bonnie’s Recognition

BeginAnew! Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church

EnjoyingGodbyworshippingjoyfully,engagingyouth,experiencingcommunity.

Copyright © 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS011585. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by

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