ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAYTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
THE REV. ROBERT M. LESCALLETTE, PASTOR
KEITH SMITH, ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
JANIE MOHR, JR. CHOIRMASTER
JONAN SHIRK, PARISH SECRETARY
BECKY FLECKENSTEIN, PARISH SEXTON
SUSAN FRANK, YOUTH LEADER
ADVENT I NOVEMBER 27, 2005
P. Nicolai
THE BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
PASTOR: We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s Advent. As we light the candles 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.
PEOPLE: Amen
THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN #25 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”
THE CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
PASTOR: Trusting in the word of life given in Baptism, we are gathered in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
PEOPLE: AMEN
PASTOR: As we await the fullness of Christ’s coming, let us acknowledge our sins and failings before God.
Our indifference toward your coming,
ALL: We confess to you, Lord.
PASTOR: Our Desire to control times and seasons,
ALL: We confess to you, Lord.
PASTOR: Our failure to be alert to signs of your presence in our midst,
ALL: We confess to you, Lord.
PASTOR: Our lack of concern for those who come after us,
ALL: We confess to you, Lord.
PASTOR: Our injustices toward people you came to save,
ALL: We confess to you, Lord.
PASTOR: In the mercy of Almighty God, I decline to you the forgiveness of your sins, and the grace to know joy in the Savior’s coming.
ALL: AMEN
THE GREETING
PASTOR: May the one who was, and who is, and who is to come, be with you in grace and peace.
ALL: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (see insert)
(All sit, following the prayer.)
THE FIRST READING – ISAIAH 64:1-9
THE ADVENT CAROL - #34 “Oh Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
(Verse 1 only)
(As the carol is sung, the Acolyte gets fire from the right candle on the Altar and walks to the candle in the widow sill that is most distant from the manger; the candle is lit.)
THE ANTHEM – “Praise The Lord With Joyful Song” H. Hopson
THE SECOND READING – I CORINTHIANS 1:3-9
THE ALLELUIA pg. 62 (sung standing)
THE HOLY GOSPEL – MARK 13:24-37
THE CHILDREN’S SERMON
THE HYMN OF THE DAY #38 “O Savior, Rend The Heavens Wide”
(sung to “Truro”)
(During the singing of the hymn, children 4-8 may leave the sanctuary and join Mrs. Henny downstairs for “Children’s Church”)
THE SERMON
THE NICENE CREED pg. 64 (confessed standing)
(All sit, following the creed.)
THE OFFERING
THE OFFERTORY FOR ADVENT (Sung standing)
“WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM,
POOR AS I AM?
IF I WERE A SHEPHERD,
I WOULD BRING A LAMB.
IF I WERE A WISE MAN,
I WOULD DO MY PART;
YET WHAT I CAN I GIVE HIM
GIVE HIM MY HEART.” - C. Rosetti
THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BENEDICTION
PASTOR: The holy and living God bless you in darkness and in light, in fasting and in feasting, in sadness and in joy in your coming and your going.
PEOPLE: AMEN
THE DISMISSAL
PASTOR: Go in Peace.
Prepare the way.
PEOPLE: THANKS BE TO GOD.
THE RECESSIONAL HYMN - #31 “Wake, Awake”
THE ORGAN POSTLUDE “Celebration” B. Price
PARTICIPANTS IN TODAY’S SERVICE
Lector – Glenn Bachert
Evening Lector – Becky Thomas
Acolyte – Amy Chapman
Crucifer – Samuel Thomas
Greeter – Gladys Ney
Head Usher – Dick Shirk
Ushers – Esther Shirk, Paul and Judy Purnell.
Altar Care – Ginny Zimmerman
THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR …
…are given to the Glory of God and in honor of our 24th wedding anniversary and in thanksgiving of our many blessings, by Keith & Deb Smith.
POINSETTIAS
Included in this bulletin is an order form for poinsettias to beautify our Christmas Altar. Please fill one out and help us out. Each plants costs $6.00 and we need about 50-60 for our display.
BIBLE STUDY ON REVELATION…
…resumes this Wednesday at 10:00 AM, at Longwood Manor.
“SIGHT AND SOUND” CHRISTMAS EVENT
If you were among those who signed up to attend the Christmas Show, please come to church to board the van or form a car caravan and proceed to the restaurant for supper. We leave here at 4:30 sharp. We will eat at the Good and Plenty Restaurant and then drive to the theater in time for the 7:30 PM show. Questions? See Jan, Connie, or Bill.
THE C.I.A. CHILDREN’S YOUTH GROUP…
…will be having a cookie baking/Christmas craft making meeting on Friday, December 9th from 6:30pm until 9:30pm. The date was changed to Friday evening due to conflicting schedules with the play practice on the 10th. Younger siblings and parents of the C.I.A. members are welcome to join us.
On Saturday December 17th the C.I.A. youth group will be going to Christmas Candy Lane in Hershey. We currently are planning on leaving around 4:30 from the church. There will be more details in next weeks bulletin. This is a family event. We like to know how many “C.I.A.” members are going with us or with their family. You may call Vicki #426-2773 or Charlie (alias Cross Trainer) 426-3164.
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE…
…for contributing “Health Kit” items for the Social Ministry Project. The gifts should be placed in the baskets in the tower window sill.
THANKS TO ALL…
…who helped out with the Thanksgiving Service. Attendance was 90 people and the offering, divided equally between the Food Bank and Shelter, was $440.00. The total raised by the CROP Walk was $7,722.50, which $1930.63 went to the Food Bank.
…who helped stuff and hang our Advent Wreath!
ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Your report for the Annual Bulletin of Reports is due on JoNan’s desk no later than December 11. If your group maintains a checking account or savings account, the activity also needs to be reported.
PARTICIPANTS IN 12/4/05 SERVICE.
Morning Lector – Becky Thomas
Evening Lector – Glenn Bachert
Acolytes – Alex and Amber Smith
Crucifer – Ryan Nell
Head Usher –Charlie Johns
Altar Care – The Vogels
Altar Flowers – Alice & Norm Leas
Bulletins – Alice & Norm Leas
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S:
Today Noon ACFLB
6:00 pm Contemporary Communion
7:00 pm Food n’ Fellowship – host – Vicki
Monday 6:30 pm Praise Band Practice
7:00 pm Evangelism Committee
Wednesday 10:00 am Bible Study (Longwood)
6:45 pm Junior Choir Practice
7:30 pm Senior Choir Practice
Saturday 10:00 am Sunday School Play Rehearsal
4:30 pm Caravan leaves for “Sight & Sound”
Next Sunday 9:00 am Sunday school/Catechetics
10:30 am Advent Communion
Noon ACFLB
4:30 pm SYG
6:00 pm Contemporary Communion
7:00 pm Food n’ Fellowship – host - JoNan
Pastor is again asking us all to give an extra $100 to the current fund and $20 to benevolence between now and Christmas.