Licensing
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is covered under the following licenses:
- CCLI: 1510407
- OneLicense: 732293-A
- Augsburg Fortress: SAS006846
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who alone does wonders,
who lifts up the lowly,
who fills the hungry with good things.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin, trusting in the tender mercy of our God.
+ Silence is kept for reflection. +
God for whom we wait,
in the presence of one another,
we confess our sin before you.
We fail in believing that your good news is for us.
We falter in our call to tend your creation.
We find our sense of self in material wealth.
We fear those different from ourselves.
We forget that we are your children
and turn away from your love.
Forgive us, Blessed One,
and assure us again of your saving grace.
Amen.
God, in Christ Jesus, has looked with favor upon you!
Through the power of the Holy Spirit,
☩ your sins are forgiven.
You are children of the Most High,
inheritors of the eternal promise,
and recipients of divine mercy.
God strengthens you anew to follow the way of peace.
Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath + Hope
Today we light the candle of hope. This year we have prayed for hope. This year we have prayer in hope: That natural disasters would cease. That difficult times for ourselves or our loved ones would come to an end. That violence of all kinds would stop. Today we pray with hope! We know God is with us in moments of hope and hopelessness. We know God is with us.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
GATHERING HYMN Fling Wide the Door (ELW #259+ Verses 1 & 4)
1 Fling wide the door, unbar the gate;
the King of glory comes in state;
the Lord of lords and King of kings,
the Savior of the world who brings
his great salvation to the earth.
So raise a shout of holy mirth
and praise our God and Lord,
Creator, Spirit, Word.
4 Come, Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ;
our hearts are open wide in trust.
Oh, show us now your lovely grace,
upon our sorrows shine your face,
and let your Holy Spirit guide
our journey in your grace so wide.
We praise your holy name,
from age to age the same!
Text: Georg Weissel, 1590-1635; tr. Gracia Grindal, b. 1943
Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE: I Love You Lord (W&P 67)
I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice
to worship you; oh my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, my king, in what you hear;
may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.
© 1978 House of Mercy, admin. Maranatha! Music c/o The Copyright Company
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
READINGS
Isaiah 2:1-5
+ The visionary message presented in this reading focuses on a future day when God establishes a universal reign of peace. Divine decisions will make war obsolete, and the worshiping community responds: “Let us walk in the light of that Lord now!” +
The first reading is from Isaiah beginning at the 2nd chapter.
1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
5O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
Word of God, Word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 122
+ I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1) +
We will now read responsively from Psalm 122.
1I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2Now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is built as a city
that is at unity with itself;
4to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
the assembly of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
5For there are the thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7Peace be within your walls
and quietness within your towers.
8For the sake of my kindred and companions,
I pray for your prosperity.
9Because of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek to do you good.”
Romans 13:11-14
+ Paul compares the advent of Christ to the coming of dawn. We live our lives today in light of Christ’s coming in the future. +
The second reading is from Romans beginning at the 13th chapter.
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Wait for the Lord (ELW 262)
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart! Repeat
Luke 23:33-43
+ Jesus describes his second coming as a sudden, turbulent event that will bring about deep change to our normal, day-to-day lives. Therefore, he urges people to stay awake, be aware, and wait expectantly, because the Son of Man will come unannounced. +
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew beginning at the 24th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord
[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SERMON Pastor Analyse Triolo
HYMN OF THE DAY Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (ELW #244+ Verses 1& 4)
1 Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear;
the evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The bridegroom is arising
and soon is drawing nigh.
Up, pray and watch and wrestle;
at midnight comes the cry.
4 Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
o’er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption
that sets your people free!
Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660-1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823-1907
THE NICENE CREED
Let us confess our faith saying the words of the 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;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,
and was made man.
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.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic 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
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
United with your saints across time and place, we pray for our shared world.
+ A brief silence. +
We pray for your church. Embolden denominations and faith-based organizations in creative and collaborative ministries and increase our work for the sake of the gospel. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
We pray for the earth. Protect waterways from pollution and animal habitats from destruction. Guide us in careful stewardship of waters, plant life, and animals. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
We pray for the nations of the world. Instill in every leader’s heart a desire for justice and peace. Support the work of international collaborations that seek the goals of health and joy for all people. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
We pray for all who are undermined or oppressed. Amplify the voices of the unheard and break open stubborn systems of injustice. Bring about your righteousness and fill us all with your redeeming light. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
We pray for this assembly. Guide our pastor, deacons, and council members in discernment, and nurture new leaders with fresh ideas. Give this congregation a spirit of discipleship and service. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of healing, show your healing compassion for the whole human family that is in turmoil and burdened with illness and with fear of COVID-19, especially as the weather grows colder. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of righteousness, we rejoice in your justice. End racism and oppression in our world. Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted. Reconcile nations and peoples in conflict. Help us pray for our enemies. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of tumult, you sustain and guide your people when the way forward is uncertain. Abide with all going through transitions at work, school, or in their personal lives. Bring healing to those who are sick especially: Harry Lund, Evelyn Lund, Karen Campbell, Laura Occhiogrosso, Charlie Ng, Bob Sarro, Tom Sanfedele, Phil Hartman, Grayson Field, Kenny Budds, George Daley, Nada Valles, Grayson Field, Gail Bodnar and the family of Paul Woods God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
We give thanks for all who have died in the faith. Console us who mourn and comfort us with the beautiful promise of life in your kingdom. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
Accept these prayers, gracious God, and those known only to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
SHARING OF CHRIST’S PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always!
And also with you!
Let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another.
OFFERING MESSAGE
Please consider continuing to mail in your offering or giving online! We continue to have expenses that need to be covered during this time. We are most grateful for your generosity.
OFFERTORY HYMN My Lord, What a Morning (ELW #438 + Verses 1 & 3)
Refrain
My Lord, what a morning;
my Lord, what a morning;
oh, my Lord, what a morning,
when the stars begin to fall.
1 You will hear the trumpet sound,
to wake the nations underground,
looking to my God’s right hand,
when the stars begin to fall. Refrain
3 You will hear the Christian shout,
to wake the nations underground,
looking to my God’s right hand,
when the stars begin to fall. Refrain
Text: African American spiritual
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of our waiting and watching,
we offer the gifts of our hearts and our lives
to the service of all your people.
Prepare the way before us
as we meet you in this simple meal,
through Christ Jesus, our pathway and our peace.
Amen.
THE 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 our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in him.
By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son.
Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, now and forever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
COMMUNION
Come to Christ’s banquet.
Feast on God’s gift of grace.
TABLE BLESSING & COMMUNION PRAYER
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Most High God,
you have come among us at this table.
By the Spirit’s power, form us to be bearers of your word,
sharing gifts of mercy and grace with all,
through Christ Jesus, our host and our guest.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPECIAL THANKS
We are very excited to have Olivia Lu with us for the month of November. It’s been amazing hearing the organ played again in this space this week! Olivia, we are so grateful for your gifts that you’re sharing with us. And I invite everyone to get to know Oliva while she’s here!
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
- Advent Worship: November 27, December 4, 11, & 18th at 10:00am
- Christmas Pageant: December 18th at 10:00am Worship Service
- Blue Christmas Service: December 21st at 7:00pm at Christ Lutheran Church, Floral Park
- Are you struggling with the cheer of the Christmas season? Do the holidays hurt? Join us for a worship service that allows safe space to experience when Christmas is hard.
- Christmas Eve Worship: December 24th at 8:00pm
- Christmas Day Worship: No Service at Holy Trinity.
- New Year’s Day: Lessons & Carols at 10:00am
CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS
Christmas Memorials are due no later than December 19th.
ADVENT BIBLE STUDY
Our Advent Bible Study entitled “I Wonder as I Wander” kicks off tomorrow November 28th as well as December 5, 12, and 19th during Advent. The book we will use for this bible study costs $9. Sign up sheets for both the 10am and 7pm time slots are available on the literature table in the narthex.
WINTER LEADERSHIP SCHEDULING
If you participate in worship leadership in any way, including readers, worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, videography etc. Please let Ruth know any dates you will be unavailable in the months of December and January so she can create leadership schedules.
BIRTHDAY SUNDAY CAKE SIGN-UP
If you are interested in bringing in a cake for Birthday Sunday in the year 2023, please sign up using the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
CHRIST IN OUR HOME
New issues of Christ in our Home are available on the table near the entrance doors.
COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, December 13th @ 7:30 pm
Other announcements are located in the downloadable bulletin at the top of this webpage.
BLESSING
The God of hope
fill us with all joy and peace in believing,
so that we may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
through Christ Jesus for whom we wait.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN: Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding! (ELW #246 + Verses 1, 2 & 4)
1 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding!
“Christ is near,” we hear it say.
“Cast away the works of darkness,
all you children of the day!”
2 Wakened by the solemn warning,
from earth’s bondage let us rise;
Christ, our sun, all sloth dispelling,
shines upon the morning skies.
4 So, when next he comes in glory
and the world is wrapped in fear,
he will shield us with his mercy
and with words of love draw near.
Text: Latin hymn, 1632; tr. Edward Caswall, 1814-1878
DISMISSAL
What is our Mission? Welcoming all to grow in faith;
living Christ’s message of serving and loving neighbors
near and far.
Go in peace. Be a blessing in the world.
Thanks be to God.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose 