FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 1, 2024
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Synod
Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827
Organist Mindy Kane, Karen Davis, Church Telephone 763-682-4573
Lorraine Roush Email pastor@myimmanuel.org
WELCOME, VISITORS: We are glad you could be with us and we welcome you back any time. Please sign our “Welcome” card found in the pew holders or sign the guest book in the narthex/entry.
Prayer before Communion
Dear Savior, upon your gracious invitation I come to your altar. Let me find favor in your eyes that I may approach your table in true faith and receive the sacrament to the salvation of my soul. Amen.
THE COMMON SERVICE
Beginning on Page 15 in the Hymnal.
HYMN (#1) “The Advent of Our King”
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: (Sung) Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
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.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
C: (Sung) Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
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: (Sung) Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
GLORY BE TO GOD
C: (Sung) Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace,
good will toward men.
We praise you, we bless you, we worship you,
we glorify you, we give thanks to you, for your great glory,
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world; receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father; have mercy on us.
For you only are holy; you only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the
glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: The Lord be with you.
C: (Sung) And also with you.
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: (Sung) Amen.
THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 33:14-16
14 “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 24 (page 73)
SECOND LESSON 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (NIV)
M: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey. Alleluia. (Zechariah 9:9)
C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
STAND
GOSPEL Luke 21:25-36
After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
C: (Sung) Glory be to you, O Lord!
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (NIV)
M: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and became fully human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who in unity with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
BE SEATED
HYMN (#760S) “When Peace Like a River”
SERMON TEXT Daniel 7:13-14
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (NIV)
SERMON THEME “Christ Comforts Christians”
After the sermon, the congregation stands and sings:
C: (Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.
OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
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.
LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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.
THE SACRAMENT
PREFACE
M: The Lord be with you.
C: (Sung) And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
C: (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who promised that wherever two or three come together in his name, there he is with them to shepherd his flock till he comes again in glory. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
C: (Sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts:
heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
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: (Sung) Amen
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
C: (Sung) O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN (#701S) “Zion at Your Shining Gates” (#26) “Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring
THANKSGIVING
SONG OF SIMEON
C: (Sung) Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
C: (Sung) And his mercy endures forever.
M: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our
faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in
the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: (Sung) Amen.
M: 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.
C: (Sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.
HYMN (#12) “Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes”
Prayer after Communion
O blessed Savior Jesus Christ, who has given yourself to me in this holy sacrament, keep me in your faith and favor. As you live in me, may I also live in you. May your body and blood preserve me in the true faith to everlasting life. Amen.
Verse of the Day
During the week memorize and think about this verse of the day:
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.
(Zechariah 9:9)
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 1, 2024
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
THE SCHEDULE
Tues., Dec. 3 2:00 p.m., Tuesday Bible Study
Wed., Dec. 4 6:30 p.m., Catechism
Sat., Dec. 7 9-11 a.m., Christmas Eve Program Practice
Next Sun., Dec. 8: Greeters: Peters Family
Shut-In Visitors for December:
OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS
THANK YOU to Pastor Paul Marggraf for sharing God’s Word with us this morning and conducting our service. There will be no Bible Study after the worship service. Pastor Oehlke is leading worship at Mt. Olive, Delano.
ADVENT DEVOTIONS entitled “Glory in His Grasp” are available on the table in the narthex. Produced by Martin Luther College, it includes a devotion from December 1st through Christmas Day.
ADVENT CALENDAR CARDS are available on the table in the narthex. Take as many as you’d need.
ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT: Mt. Olive-Delano is inviting the women of Immanuel for an evening of word, music, fellowship and food on Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. See the blue flier posted on the west bulletin board or fliers on the table.
CHRISTIAN AID AND RELIEF: The Thanksgiving donations totaled $81. Thank you to all who participated.
CHRISTMAS CHARITY OPTIONS: Ladies Fellowship is organizing a number of charity options this holiday season.:
Toys-for-Tots box at the church entrance.
Angel Tree gift ideas for three families hang on the tree on the table in the narthex. The items must be returned by next Sunday, Dec. 8.
CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE continues on Saturday at 9 a.m.
CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTY: Mark your calendar for this year’s event—Sun., Dec. 8. The schedule of events includes caroling, a potluck lunch at 11:30 and games. Buy-in for the traditional dice game will be a small wrapped gift (about $5). There will be no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class.
LIVESTREAM/YOUTUBE REMINDER: Remember our services are generally livestreamed on Sunday mornings. Go to our website (myimmanuel.worthyofpraise.org) and click the appropriate tab on the right side of the screen for “Watch us on YouTube” or “Like us on Facebook” to watch.
AREA TEEN CHRISTMAS PARTY: If you are in high school, Anchored in Christ (Cross-Rockford campus) is inviting you to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas with food, fun, holiday games and prizes on Sunday, Dec. 22, 6 p.m. Please RSVP to Mr. Heldman at pheldman@anchordmn.org or call 262-995-3515. See west bulletin board for more details.
ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE:
Sunday, Nov. 24 64
