WELCOME TO TRINITY! Advent is about the "coming days." God's people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a "righteous Branch to spring up for David." The Thessalonians awaited "the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints." Our Lord's contemporaries hoped for the time "to stand before the Son of Man." With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of our Lord in word and supper. A joyous greeting to one and all. A special welcome to those 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 Lanette Arneson
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. 1,2) ELW# 263
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
We praise you, 0 God, for this evergreen crown
that marks our days of preparation for Christ's advent. As we light the first candle on this wreath,
rouse us from sleep, that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes with all the saints and angels.
Enlighten us with your grace, and prepare our hearts to welcome him with joy.
Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
C: Amen!!
Light one candle.
Gathering Hymn "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers" ELW# 244
*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 your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Introduction of New Members
THE WORD
First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm Psalm 25:1-10
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
*Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we" p. 188 ELW
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 "He Came Down" ELW# 253
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 Institution
*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
"What Feast of Love" ELW# 487
"The King Shall Come" ELW# 260
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, the Glad Sound" ELW# 239
Dismissal: P: Postlude
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
TRINITY DECEMBER COUNCIL MEETING HAS been set for Tuesday, December 4 at 6:30 pm. Put this important meeting on your schedule. See you there.
TODAY WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY! Today we are pleased to welcome new members to our church family. They are Nick and Kalli Yaklyvich and their son Austin. Austin was baptized on Nov. 4 and Nick and Kalli became members that day, too. Today we officially welcome them. There will be a short reception in the basement of the church after worship. Welcome to Trinity, Yaklyvich family!!
PLANNING MEETING FOR ALL WELCA OFFICERS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND CO-CHAIRS THIS Monday, December 3rd at 6:30pm. Will be updating Committee handbook, setting dates and agendas for next year's activities, and discussing structure of the two current serving committees. Please plan to attend.
BOTH TRINITY AND ST. PETER TO COLLECT FOOD IN NOVEMBER: Both Trinity and St. Peter will be collecting food for local food banks during the
month of November. As we give thanks for all the blessings we have received we also think about those who have less than we do. Nonperishable food items will be collected in the fellowship hall at St. Peter and in the entry way at Trinity. Let's give so are collection areas are overflowing.
PRACTICE FOR THE TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM will have Christmas Program practice during Sunday school hours will be extended (8:30 am- 10 am) on December 9. There will be a dress rehearsal for the Christmas Program on Saturday, December 15 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 this Saturday, December 8, 2018, 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.
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.
YOUTH TO PREPARE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR OUR HOMEBOUND ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH: On Sunday, December 9 our youth (grades 6-12 from both churches) will meet after the Trinity worship (from 11:30-1:30) at the Trinity 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 Dec. 15 (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.
PARISH ADULTS & YOUTH TO GO CHRISTMAS CAROLING 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 and join us spread a little Christmas cheer.
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.
GREATER WAUSAU CHRISTIAN SERVICES WILL CONTINUE MINISTRY TO JAIL: The "KIDS KOUNT" program, now in its 20th year, has provided gifts to children who have a parent in the Marathon County Jail over the Christmas season. During previous years this program was fortunate to be the recipient of a toy drive sponsored by89Q Radio and we received a substantial amount of toys to be distributed. Because of this wonderful support we did not need to purchase as many gifts as we have in past years. We are still in need of funding to purchase gifts cards for teenagers, since we rarely receive donations geared toward their age group. Greater Wausau Christian Services is asking you to consider two other choices this year. One is giving a donation toward the purchase of Bibles that are used in Bible studies at the jail and the other is giving to the Marathon County Juvenile Center. Our budget does not allow us to purchase Bibles for the jail inmates. Any donation given to the juvenile center would be used for the purchase of games,
movies and books that can be used by the teens while at the center. If you still wish to give to the Kids Kount program, we will honor that wish, however if you would like to donate toward the purchase of Bibles or donate to the juvenile center, we would be
very grateful. Please send your check to Greater Wausau Christian Services at 319 4th Street in Wausau indicating where you would like your donation to go. If you have any questions you can call 715-842-5635. Thank you for your support.
