“To Know Christ and Share God’s Love”

The Third Sunday of

Holy Cross Lutheran Church 4500 Wadsworth Blvd Wheat Ridge, CO Ph: 303.423.5654 www.holycrosswheatridge.org

Pastor: Ron Bock Intern Pastor: Aly Kohlmeyer Director of Ministry & Mission: Scott Moore Director of Education: Anne Pipho Organist: Susan Cicirello Choir Director: Beth Letendre Youth Director: Allison Schriver Office Manager: Kamila Hosaja

December 15, 2019 9:30 a.m.

(+ indicates those who are able shall stand)

Gathering

Prelude Susan Cicirello

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Lasky) “On Christmas Night” (Hakes)—Handbell Choir

Welcome Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the One who rouses us from slumber, gathers us on the holy mountain, and delivers us and sets us free. Amen. Let us come before the living God in confession.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Gracious God, as we wait and watch for the promised day of salvation, we open our hearts to you. Search us and know us. Reveal all that we keep inside. To you, O God, we confess our sins, known and unknown. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us in your ways of justice and peace. Make us reflections of the radiant love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Beloved children of the Most High, you are gathered before the righteous judge who has mercy on all. Splash in the waters of your baptism, where sin is washed

Today, December 15 + Advent 3

9:30 a.m. Worship & Christmas Pageant 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:30 a.m. Christmas Choir Rehearsal 12:00 p.m. Women’s H&W January Crossroads Deadline

Monday, December 16

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Tuesday, December 17

10:00 a.m. Bev Holt Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Alanon 2:00 p.m. Bible R&C 7:00 p.m. Alanon

Wednesday, December 18

Office Closed after 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. Sonrise Singers 7:30 p.m. Alanon

Thursday, December 19

6:30 p.m. Council Meeting

Friday, December 20

9:30 a.m. Troubadours 10:30 a.m. Alanon 12:00 p.m. Alanon

Saturday, December 21

Sunday, December 22 + Advent 4

9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:30 a.m. Christmas Choir Rehearsal 12:00 p.m. Women’s H&W 3:00 p.m. St. Martin’s Chamber Choir Performance

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Ministers: The People of Holy Cross Pastor: Ron Bock Assisting Minister: Janet Iona Acolyte: Charlie Rex Communion Stewards: Susan and Harold Stitt & Hazel Rex

Usher Captains: Rex Thomsen & Gary Crocker

Sound Tech: Matt McGregor

Tellers: John Beverly & Merle Lydick Communion Clean Up: Janet and Steve Iona Bus Driver: Matt McGregor

Greeters: Angie and Gene Youngmann Bread Baker: Carleen Woolley Flower Delivery: Karen DeJean Hospitality Table: Darlene Besser Welcome Pads: Darlene Besser

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THANK YOU to all our volunteers who serve today—and through the week!

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This Week at Holy Cross Those Who Serve Today

We Pray For Each Other and The World

We pray for The family and friends of Bev Holt, at the time of her passing; The family and

friends of Robin Nash (Bev Fernald’s Niece) at the time of her passing, Claudia Harris,

Duane Chesley, Judy Makowski, Esther Jacobson, Suzanne Stanfield and

Shaundra Rana. We pray for all of the homebound members of Holy Cross and their

faithful caregivers.

away. Dwell peacefully in the loving arms of the one who nurtures all creation. Rest in the assurance that your sins are forgiven; in the name of the Father, and

of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

+ Gathering Song: “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” #242

+ Greeting 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.

+ Advent Candle Lighting Service of Light

Morning Hymn The Advent Candles are Lighted during the singing of the Hymn

+ Sending Song: “People, Look East” #248 (Please face the Cross as it passes)

+ Dismissal Go in peace. Christ is near. Thanks be to God.

Postlude: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Lasky) Susan Cicirello

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Service of Light, Morning Hymn, and Final Blessing from Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen (with textual adaptations), © 1990 GIA Publications. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-720269

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ALL ARE INVITED TO THE FEAST! As we gather at the table of the Lord today to celebrate Holy Communion, all are invited to come, eat and drink of the forgiveness God provides. You don’t have to be a member of Holy Cross, nor do you have to be Lutheran to participate with us. It is Jesus who invites all of us to come; and we invite you.

GLUTEN-FREE WAFERS are available with Holy Communion. If you would prefer gluten-free, please let the communion server know.

HAVE YOU TURNED IN YOUR PLEDGE CARD? If not, please turn your pledge card in as soon as possible. Extra Pledge Cards are available in the narthex. Thanks for your generosity!

A REMINDER that the Financial Records of Holy Cross for 2019 will be closed on December 31. If you have a contribution you wish to be included on your 2019 statement, please note that it must be received by that date. A 2019 postmark on an envelope that is mailed in will suffice.

IT’S EARLY, WE KNOW, but in preparation for our ANNUAL MEETING on January 26—Annual Reports for the Annual Meeting booklet are due in the church office by Friday, January 3. Please submit your report in digital format, preferably using Microsoft Word (or a compatible alternative).

LOOKING FOR A LITTLE TAX RELIEF FOR 2019? Why not make an early gift to the Capital Fund? A Capital Fund campaign to eliminate our current mortgage of approximately $295,000 by December 31, 2020, will begin in early 2020; but we’re already accepting donations. Want to know how we are doing so far? We have approximately $150,000 already committed. Join us in the adventure!

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+ Prayer of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you.

and feed the church, each hungry guest. Amen.

+ Words of Institution + Lord’s Prayer

The Congregation is invited to join hands

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Communion Hymns:

“All Earth Is Hopeful”—#266

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”—#272

“Comfort, Comfort Now My People”—#256

+ Communion Blessing + Prayer after Communion

Sending

+ Blessing

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Let us pray… Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Word

Christmas Pageant: “Christmas Joy”

Songs: (Congregational Hymns in Bold)

Processional: “Old Christmas”—Orff Ensemble

“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”—#265 (Vs 1, 2)

“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”—#265 (Vs 3, 4) “Look Away to Bethlehem” “Mary Had a Baby”

“Angels We Have Heard on High”—#289 “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow”—Solo: Madison Major “Look at the Baby”—Solo: Madison Major “African Noel”

+ Hymn of the Day: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” #254

+ Prayers of the Church + Sharing of Peace

Meal

Offering of Our Gifts and Tithes Anthem: “Advent Hymn” SonRise Singers

+Offering Song: Magnificat”

+ 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 to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Come, Lord Jesus, be the host, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Let these gifts to us be blest,

ARE YOU A FIRST-TIME GUEST WITH US this morning? Welcome to Holy Cross! Please stop by our Hospitality Table as you leave the worship area to receive a gift of thanks for worshiping with us!

RESTROOMS are located down both hallways outside the worship area. Look for the signs above the restroom doors.

JUST A REMINDER: Children are always welcome in worship (even if they get a little fussy sometimes). However, if you would like to use our staffed nursery, simply ask an usher for directions.

COFFEE HOUR AND SUNDAY SCHOOL are held at 9:30 a.m. (between services). Please join us.

advent-christmas worship at holy cross

December 22—Advent 4 Worship—9:30 a.m. (One Service Only)

December 24—Christmas Eve Carols & Readings (“Family” Style)—

4:30 p.m. Carols & Readings (Communion)—

6:30 p.m. Christ Mass (Communion)—11:00 p.m.

December 29—Christmas 1 “From Genesis to Jesus: Lessons & Carols for Christmastide”

Worship—9:30 a.m.

January 5—Christmas 2 Epiphany “Eve” Worship—9:30 a.m.

Coffee Hour today is provided by Amicitia Circle. Thank you sweet ladies for all the

delicious goodies and for making coffee hour possible. We truly appreciate you!

Flowers are provided by Sue and Dale Crocker, given in love for their daughters, family

and friends.

CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Do you like to sing? Well of course you do! Please consider joining

us for our Christmas Choir. We will be singing a new arrangement of

"Silent Night" at the 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

Rehearsals Are:

Sunday, December 15th after the 9:30 service &

Sunday, December 22nd after the 9:30 service

FAMILY PROMISE

Our last (and first) week of Family promise service

this year spans the week of New Year,

December 29th-January 5th. One difference that

week is that the Family Promise Day Site is closed

New Year's Day, so we will be hosting the guests throughout the day and the following

Saturday, January 4th. In addition to the usual drivers, dinner, evening and overnight hosts;

building hosts are needed in several-hour increments throughout those 2 days. Please see

the sign up board for specific slots. Thanks for stepping in to help those who need it this

holiday season!

ADULT EDUCATION

Sunday, December 15th

- There will not be Adult Education or Sunday School. The

feature of the day is the Christmas Pageant, at the

single 9:30 a.m. service.

Note: There will be no Adult Education or Sunday

School from December 22nd through January 5th. Two

services will resume January 12th, with the Ministry

Fair between services!

GREETERS NEEDED

Have you wanted to be part of worship service and just didn’t

quite know how to get involved? Now is your chance to sign

up to be a Greeter at the 8:15 or 10:45 a.m. services. Being a

greeter is more than just a handshake and a hello, it’s an

opportunity to express God’s love through Christ and help set

the tone for the upcoming worship service. If this sounds like

something you would be interested in, please contact Kamila

at: office@holycrosswheatridge.org or (303)423-5654.

NOTE: If you are a current greeter and would like to remain on the list, please let

Kamila know.

STYROFOAM RECYCLING

That's right! Not the snow-covered birth of our Savior but the tons of white Styrofoam packing material protecting our Christmas and everyday purchases. This material and its creation/disposal

are disastrous for our environment in terms of energy waste and landfill space. We all need to do our part.

Start saving your materials now, because we have another Christmas present for you! Sue von Roedern will have her pickup truck at the entrance to church on

Sunday, December 29th, and Sunday, January 5th before and after the 9:30 service. Please bring all your white Styrofoam packing materials

(NO peanuts or food containers, please!) and throw it in the back of her truck. She will kindly take care of the recycling!

For those of you who will not be there on those two Sundays, either call Sue at 303-278-4159 or recycle for yourself at:

ACH Foam Technologies LLC 5250 Sherman Street

Denver, CO 80216 303-297-3844

Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

CONFIRMATION PICTURES If you would like to view the pictures of the 2019 Confirmation service, you may find them at: https://www.photoprose.com/Galleries/HCLC/Confirmation-2019/

OFFICE CLOSED Just a friendly reminder that the office will be closed from Monday, December 23rd to Friday, January 3rd! If you have any last minute items to attend to, please make sure to contact us beforehand and we would be more than happy to assist you!