WELCOME TO TRINITY! During this second week of Advent, John the Baptist walks onto the stage and calls people to a new beginning. Our baptism is also a new beginning. Day after day, as we are renewed in our baptism, God who began a good work in us continues to prepare those us for the day of Jesus Christ. A joyous greeting to one and all. A special welcome to who are visiting with us. Please take time to sign our guest book in the entry leaving both an address and a telephone number.
(Worship-Setting# 8 in ELW-page 184-items designated by*)
The Advent Wreath: One of the best known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting in the midst of growing darkness strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the crown of Christ, or the wheel of time itself. Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of advent and the growth of light.
GATHERING
Prelude Laurie Wiedeman
Welcome and Announcements
Confession & Forgiveness
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Let us come before God in confession.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: To you, 0 God, C: we lift up our souls. You know us through and through; we confess our sins to you. Remember not our sins; remember us with your steadfast love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
P: Children of God, come with joy and draw water from the well of salvation. Remember the gift of baptism: your sin is washed away in the name of Jesus; you belong to Christ; you are anointed to serve. Stand up and raise your heads! The reign of God is near. C: Amen.
The Lighting Hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come"(vs. 1,3) ELW # 263
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
We praise you, 0 God, for this circle of light
That marks our days of preparation for Christ's advent.
As we light the candles on this wreath, kindle within us the fire of your Spirit, that we may be light shining in the darkness.
Enlighten us with your grace, that we may welcome others as you have welcomed us.
Grant this through Christ our Lord,
whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. C: Amen!!
Light two candles.
Gathering Hymn "People, Look East ELW # 248
*The Greeting: P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.
Prayer of the Day: C: Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
THE WORD
First Reading Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm Luke 1:68-79
Second Reading Philippians 1:3-11
*Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we”
Response after announcement: Glory to you, 0 Lord.
Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, 0 Christ.
Children's Sermon
Sermon Pastor Phil Bogen
Hymn of the Day "On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry ELW # 249 Apostles' Creed
Prayers of Intercession P: Lord, in your mercy. C: Hear our prayer.
MEAL
Offering
Offering Prayer: P: God of abundance, C: we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
*Great Thanksgiving p.190 ELW
*Proper Preface "Holy, holy, holy Lord, " p.190 ELW
*Words of lnstitution
*Lord 's Prayer p.191 ELW
Invitation to Communion: P: God fills the hungry with good things. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Communion Hymns:*"Lamb of God, you take away ...." p.191 ELW
"0 Little Town of Bethlehem" ELW # 279
"All Earth Is Hopeful" ELW # 266
Post Communion Blessing: P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep you
in his grace. C: Amen
Prayer after Communion: P: Holy One, C: we give you thanks that in this bread and cup we have feasted again on your endless love. Let that love overflow more and more in our lives,
that we may be messengers to prepare your way, and bearers of your eternal Word, our Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE SENDING
Benediction
Sending Hymn
"Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding"(v. 1,3,5) ELW # 246
Dismissal: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
P: Postlude Laurie Wiedeman
YOUTH TO PREPARE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR OUR HOMEBOUND TODAY AFTER WORSHIP: Our youth (grades 6-12 from both churches) will meet after the worship (from 11:30-1:30) in the church basement to make Christmas ornaments and Christmas gift bags for our homebound members. There will be pizza served for lunch. These gifts will be delivered during caroling on the afternoon of December 15th (see announcement below) Even if you can't make the caroling on Dec. 15 come and join us to help make ornaments and gifts for our homebound members.
FINAL PRACTICE FOR THE TRINITY SS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM is Saturday, December 15th from 10 am- 12 pm. The Trinity Sunday School Christmas Program will be during worship (10:15 am) on Sunday, December 16, 2018.
MEN'S BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY EVERY SECOND SATURDAY AT VILLAGE INN Men's breakfast and Bible Study will again be meeting on the second Saturday of the month starting in September. Next men's breakfast and Bible study is scheduled for January 8th, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. at the Village Inn in Marathon. This is a great time for fellowship and a discussion on the upcoming Sunday gospel. No sign up needed.
DON'T FORGET WORSHIP TIMES ARE SWITCHED LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Worship times for Dec. 30 and Jan. 27 will be 8:30 a.m. at Trinity and 10:15 a.m. at St. Peter. Please get the word around about our change of worship times on the last Sunday of the month.
THE GIVING TREE IS AGAIN A PART OF OUR CHRISTMAS GIVING AT TRINITY: Please make note that the Giving Tree is back in our entry way for the Christmas season. Please choose a gift from the Giving Tree. Put you name and phone number on one of the paper ornaments and tear apart and place in the gift bag. Take the other ornament with you and return with your gift purchase. Please return the gifts no later than Tues., Dec. 18th. Ifyou are not able to get them to church and need Haley to pick them up, please contact Haley Ellenbecker at St. Peter
PARISH ADULTS & YOUTH TO GO CHRISTMAS CAROLING SATURDAY DECEMBER 15th
Parish Adults and Youth are invited to go caroling to Trinity and
St. Peter homebound on Sat., December 15. Everyone interested is encouraged to meet at the Trinity basement at 12:30 pm, Plan for three to four hours in order to visit the homebound of our parish. Depending upon numbers we will divide into 2 groups with one group taking the town route and the other the country route. We will also be delivering special gifts to the homebound. Come & join us spread some Christmas cheer
PASTOR PHIL WILL BE ON VACATION FROM DEC. 26 THRU JAN. 2: Pastor Phil will take a week of vacation from December 26 through January 2. Pastor Ted Gulhaugen will be the supply pastor. Pastor Dan Sire will be on call for emergencies.
LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR Poinsettia, sign up sheet is in the back of church. Cost is $10.00 and deadline to sign up is today, any questions please let Candy
Krautkramer know.
TRINITY'S FINANCIAL BOOKS will close on Monday, December 3151
The Church Council asks that you complete your 2018 financial giving by that date. Any and all offerings received after December 31st by either the Treasurer or Financial Secretary (whether mailed or in person) will be credited to 2019. There will be no exceptions.
TRINITY LUTHERAN ANNUAL REPORTS COMMITTEE and OFFICER REPORTS_All reports for the Annual Report need to be submitted to the church secretary by Sunday, January 6, 2019. You can submit the reports either by email to trinitystettin@yahoo.com, or by placing them in the church secretary mailbox. Thank you. Annual Meeting will be held on January 20th following worship. Please mark your calendars to attend this important meeting of the church
TRINITY WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY WILL NOT MEET IN DECEMBER
The Trinity Women's Bible Study will not meet in the month of December. They will meet again on January 22 for a special meeting at Kurt and Jo's at 11 am. This will be a belated Christmas celebration and we will use the December Gather magazine as our guide of Bible Study. Women from both Trinity and St. Peter are invited to come.
WAUSAU BARBERSHOPPERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT TRINITY ON STEWART: The River Valley Harmonizers (Wausau Barbershoppers) will present their annual Christmas concert on Tues., Dec. 11, 2018 at 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Stewart Ave., Wausau WI. The concert is open to the public free of charge and you will hear your yuletide favorites barbershop style. Myron Totzke and Randy Braatz are singing in this year's group.
WAUSAU LYRIC CHOIR WILL PERFORM ITS 2018 CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Wausau Lyric Choir will perform its 2018 Christmas Concert Christmas Classics-A Joyful Celebration-at First Presbyterian Church (406
Grant Street, downtown Wausau) on Saturday, December 8 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 pm. There is no charge to attend the concert and no tickets are needed, but Free-will donations will be accepted at the concert.
Looking for a Practical Christmas Gift Check out the variety of organic coffee and tea, also hot cocoa mix and baking cocoa. When you support this LWR project you are giving not just once, but twice, to your loved ones and to small scale farmers around the world.
