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The First Sunday in Advent

December 2, 2018

He Comes, Bearing Gifts: The Gift of Hope

elcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. Today is the first Sunday in the

season of Advent. Advent is a word that means “coming.” During the four weeks of Advent

we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Jesus at Christmas, his coming to us in Word and

Sacrament, and we remember that he will come again. May God richly bless your worship this

Advent!

The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion)

The Bible tells us that those who take Communion together are to:

Recognize that Christ’s true body and blood are present in the Sacrament (1 Cor. 11:29),

Examine themselves as Scripture instructs (1 Cor. 11:28), and

Be one in faith and belief with the congregation with which they commune (1 Cor. 10:17).

For these reasons, it is our practice that only those who are members of our congregation or a

congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) join us for Holy Communion. If

you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of our body of believers or want to

find out more about our Communion practice please speak to Pastor Schroeder after the service.

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

O Holy God, when the time had fully come, you

sent your Son, born of a woman, born under law

to redeem those under law. Help us during this

holy time of Advent anticipation to fully

appreciate that phrase, “when the time had fully

come.” Share with us the anxious joy that heaven

felt as the time of fulfillment approached that,

when the Nativity of our Lord is upon us, our joy

may be complete. We pray this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Flowers adorning our altar this morning are given

to the glory of God by Jack and Joni Faria in

thankfulness for God’s blessings.

Minister: Pastor Daniel Schroeder

Pianist: Karen Adams

W

3461 Merle Ave

Modesto, CA 95355

(209) 551-0563

www.stpetermodesto.org

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PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Our Worship Series: Our Lord Jesus is coming, bearing real gifts, profoundly important gifts. He

came that first Christmas to win forgiveness and give all the gifts that come with it: hope, peace, joy,

love. He is coming again at the end of this world to give the gift of resurrection to eternal life. In the

season of Advent, we connect Christ’s first coming with his second coming. We rejoice in all the

unconditional gifts he gives. Each Sunday candles are lighted and an Advent gathering rite is sung to

communicate themes of longing and repentance.

Theme of the Day: When you look at the downward spiral of humanity, it is easy to grow cynical.

The world seems to grow more dangerous each year. People are more divided than they have been in

a long time. Immorality is no longer something that people try to hide. As a nation, we have become

largely disinterested in God. Disgusted by the world, we then look in the mirror, and things do not

improve much. For we must confess that we are not pillars of nobility either.

Looking at our world or at ourselves, we could become jaded. But today, Christ Jesus wants us to set

that aside and, instead, to live in hope. Our hope is not a naïve wish that things will get better. Our

hope is rooted in the fact that Christ came at that first Christmas to forgive every sin. Our hope is that

just as he kept his promise to come the first time, Jesus will keep his promise to come again and

destroy everything that is wrong with Creation. Judgment Day will be full of incomprehensible terror

for those who have aligned themselves with the world. But Christians hope that day comes soon.

Confident that we are wrapped in Christ’s righteousness, it will be a day of great deliverance.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Minister: We light one Advent candle, remembering Jesus who is coming

again. He will come to gather his people from everywhere, both the

living and the dead.

Congregation: We remember Jesus who will come at the end of time.

None of us knows what day that will be.

M: We hear his call to watch.

C: We light one advent candle as a sign of our watchfulness and

waiting.

M: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.

C: Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed. Amen.

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ADVENT GATHERING RITE

The minister will sing the refrain one time and the congregation will then sing the refrain. The

minister will sing the verses and all will sing the refrain where indicated.

M: Refrain

C: Refrain

God fulfills the promise, so ... Refrain

For a shoot from David will ... Refrain

Overflowing with love, we ... Refrain

May God strengthen our hearts, and ... Refrain

For the Son of Man will … Refrain

Oh be watchful, pray always, and ... Refrain

Refrain

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CONFESSION OF SINS

M: God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts.

Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed

you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is

good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for

my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning

sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you

all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY (KYRIE)

M: For all that we need in life and for the wisdom to use all your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear

our prayer, O Lord.

M: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from your love and for the courage to

stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ.

M: For the well-being of your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their

worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord.

M: Merciful God, maker and preserver of life, uphold us by your power and keep us in your tender

care:

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M: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise.

O LORD, OUR LORD

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray.

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.

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THE WORD OF GOD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Children are invited to come forward for a message directed at them

FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 33:14-16

The nation of Israel lived in hope that, one day, a descendant of King David would

provide perfect justice, safety, and righteousness. God fulfilled this promise when he sent Jesus,

not to be the King of Israel, but to be the Savior of the world.

14Listen, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the good promises that I have

spoken to the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah.

15In those days and at that time,

I will cause a righteous Branch to grow up from David’s line.

He will establish justice and righteousness on earth. 16

In those days Judah will be saved,

and Jerusalem will dwell securely.

This is what she will be called:

The LORD Our Righteousness. (EHV)

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PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 25

We look to the Lord and trust in him. He forgives all of our sins and guides us in holy living.

We will sing the psalm responsively by the half verse. The organ side of the congregation sings the

first half of the verses. The piano side of the congregation sings the second half of the verses. All join

in singing the refrain and “Glory be to the Father”.

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

in you I trust, O my God.

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,

for they are from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.

Refrain

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

Look upon my affliction and my distress

and take away all my sins.

Guard my life and rescue me,

for I take refuge in you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

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SECOND LESSON 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

We live in the certain hope of being found holy and blameless on Judgment Day.

We can be certain in that hope because God promises that through his Word

he will strengthen the faith in Jesus that lives in our hearts.

Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have before

God on account of you? 10

Night and day we are praying earnestly to see you in person

and to supply what is lacking in your faith.

11May God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

12And may the

Lord increase your love and make it overflow for each other and for all people, just as

ours does for you, 13

so that he may establish your hearts as blameless in holiness before

our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints. (EHV)

VERSE OF THE DAY Revelation 22:20

Sung to the tune of Christian Worship #2

He whose eyes do blaze like flames,

He who holds the stars proclaims,

“Yes, I’m coming soon to you.”

Come, O Lord, our hearts renew!

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GOSPEL LESSON Luke 21:25-36

There are signs all around us that Christ could return anytime. We hope that he does,

because we know that for God’s children, Jesus isn’t bringing judgment, but redemption.

“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And on the earth nations will be in

anguish, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the surging waves, 26

people fainting

from fear and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the

heavens will be shaken. 27

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with

power and great glory. 28

But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up

your heads, because your redemption is near.”

29He told them a parable. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

30As soon as they are

sprouting leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is actually near. 31

So

also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32

Amen I tell you: This generation will not pass away until all these things happen. 33

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34“Watch yourselves or else your hearts will be weighed down with carousing,

drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day may come on you suddenly. 35

For

it will come like a trap on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36

Stay alert

all the time, praying that you may be able to escape all these things that are going to

happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (EHV)

M: This is the gospel of the Lord.

HYMN OF THE DAY Savior of the Nations, Come

Christian Worship #2

The words of this hymn have a 1,600-year history in the church. They were originally penned

by Ambrose, one of the great fathers of the early church. Ambrose lived in the 4th century and

is often referred to as “the father of church song.” He helped make the singing of psalms and

hymns and integral part of worship. This hymn states so clearly the Bible teaching of the

miracle of God becoming a human being through the virgin birth.

SERMON Luke 21:25-36

“Hope Trumps Optimism”

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SONG OF MARY (MAGNIFICAT)

Based on Luke 1:46-55, Martin Luther considered this song one of the most magnificent

statements of faith in all the Scriptures. The Magnificat is the song of the faithful church as she

waits quietly for the fulfillment of the word of promise.

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OFFERING

The members of St. Peter Congregation have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this community

and around the world. Guests at St. Peter are welcome to participate in the offering but need not feel

obligated to do so.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & LORD’S PRAYER

M: Eternal Father, throughout the centuries you repeated and affirmed your promise to send the

offspring of the woman to crush the serpent’s head. Through your prophets of old, you

continually directed the eyes of your people to the advent of their Savior.

C: We praise you, O Lord, for keeping your promise and sending your Son to destroy the

works of the devil.

M: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our King, use your mighty Word to shatter our pride and

to rouse us from spiritual slumber and apathy.

C: Move us to take to heart the words of John: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

M: You sent your Son to redeem us from sin. Let this good news be our joy and strength. Use it to

cheer the lonely, encourage the fearful, and give hope to the despairing. In these days before

Christmas, spare us from the stress of deadlines and the frenzy of commercialism.

C: Fill our lives with the message of your peace and the music of your grace.

M: Direct our eyes not only to the manger but also to the skies, where we will see your Son coming

again, not as a lowly child but as the Lord of lords.

C: Lift up our hearts in joyful anticipation of that day.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

M: Come quickly, Lord Jesus, in your grace, in your power, and in your glory.

C: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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THE SACRAMENT St. Peter Lutheran Church practices close communion. We invite confirmed members to come

forward to partake of the Sacrament. Thank you for your consideration.

This dialog (also known as the “preface”) leads into the heart of the Sacrament portion of the

service. In its exalted sentences, we have the oldest and least changed part of the liturgy. There is

evidence of its use in the 100’s A.D.

M: The Lord be with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

M: Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every

spiritual blessing. Through his holy prophets, he promised a King to bring light to those living in

darkness and in the shadow of death. Now have come the salvation and the power and the

kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the

Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory forever and ever.

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (SANCTUS)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks,

he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take and eat. 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.”

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen.

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O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD (AGNUS DEI)

DISTRIBUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

During the distribution you are invited to join in singing the indicated hymns or to use the time for

private prayer and meditation. Appropriate prayers are found on page 11 in the front of the hymnal.

A personal preparation for the Lord’s Supper is found on page 156.

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS The Advent of Our King

Christian Worship #1

Jesus, Your Church with Longing Eyes

Christian Worship #9

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THANK THE LORD

CLOSING PRAYER AND BLESSING

M: Lord Jesus Christ, in this Sacrament of your body and blood, you have heard our eager

restlessness and answered our need for the forgiveness of our sin. We ask that you confirm our

faith, keeping it strong to the end, that we may serve you patiently and blamelessly throughout all

circumstances we face in life each day until the day when you return. Through your holy name,

C: Amen.

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with

gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

The following were reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-706579: Advent Gathering Rite text & tune: James Chepponis; © 1995 GIA

Publications. All rights reserved. Service of Word and Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Song of

Mary (Magnificat): setting : Marty Haugen ; © 1990 GIA Publications . All rights reserved . The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage VersionTM (EHVTM) copyright © 2016 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved.

www.wartburgproject.org