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 + Love
Today we light the candle of love. This year we have prayed for love. This year we have prayed in love: That we will love ALL our neighbors as ourselves. That no one will be hungry or homeless. That all will come to know your love. Today we pray with love. We know God is with us in moments of love and hate. 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.
2 Oh, come, oh, come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain
GATHERING HYMN On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (ELW #249+ Verses 1 & 3)
1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings!
3 We hail you as our Savior, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward;
without your grace we waste away
like flow’rs that wither and decay.
Text: Charles Coffin, 1676-1749; tr. composite
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 our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
READINGS
Isaiah 11:1-10
+ Isaiah describes the coming of a future, ideal ruler who will renew David’s royal line (the stump of Jesse). Gifted by the spirit of God, this ruler will reign with perfect justice. Enmity and danger will be restored to harmony and peaceful coexistence. +
The first reading is from Isaiah beginning at the 11th chapter.
1A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
4but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
6The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Word of God, Word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
+ May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace. (Ps. 72:7) +
We will now read responsively from Psalm 72.
1Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the king’s son;
2that he may rule your people righteously
and the poor with justice;
3that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4Let him defend the needy among the people,
rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor.
5May he live as long as the sun and moon endure,
from one generation to another.
6Let him come down like rain upon the mown field,
like showers that water the earth.
7In his time may the righteous flourish;
and let there be an abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
18Blessed are you, Lord God, the God of Israel;
you alone do wondrous deeds!
19And blessed be your glorious name forever,
and may all the earth be filled with your glory. Amen. Amen.
Romans 15:4-13
+ God’s promise to include Gentiles within the circle of God’s blessed people has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Christians live out their unity by welcoming and encouraging each other just as Christ has welcomed them into God’s family. +
The second reading is from Romans beginning at the 15th chapter.
4Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name”;
10and again he says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;
11and again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise him”;
12and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.”
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
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 x2
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord: keep watch, take heart!
Matthew 3:1-12
+ Just before Jesus begins his public ministry, John the Baptist appears, calling people to mend their ways and speaking of a powerful one who is to come. +
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew beginning at the 3rd chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord
1In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.’ ”
4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SERMON Pastor Analyse Triolo
HYMN OF THE DAY Comfort, Comfort Now My People (ELW #256 + Verses 1& 3)
1 “Comfort, comfort now my people;
tell of peace!” So says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning under sorrow’s load.
To God’s people now proclaim
that God’s pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their war is over;
God will reign in peace forever.
3 Straight shall be what long was crooked,
and the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
now on earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that God’s word is never broken.
Text: Johann G. Olearius, 1635-1711; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.
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
As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.
+ A brief silence. +
God, you renew the church in every age. We give thanks for hymn writers and theologians. Inspire teachers, writers, and musicians to delight and instruct your people. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
You give us a vision of creation in harmony, when hurting and destruction will be no more. Teach us to be stewards of the earth and companions to its creatures. Restore to balance and wholeness what human greed has harmed. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
You defend the cause of all who are poor and oppressed. Raise up leaders who will govern with equity and serve the common good. Guide judges, lawmakers, and public officials to protect the rights of those who cannot advocate for themselves. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
You deliver those in need from suffering and fear. Come to the aid of any who are exploited or abused, especially children, elders, and victims of human trafficking. Provide safety and help to our neighbors without shelter, refugees, and those fleeing violence. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
You urge your people to welcome one another as you have welcomed us. Nurture ministries of hospitality and care in this and every congregation. We pray for people who are homebound, hospitalized, or separated from loved ones especially Evelyn Lund, Karen Campbell, Laura Occhiogrosso, Charlie Ng, Bob Sarro, Tom Sanfedele, Phil Hartman, Grayson Field, Kenny Budds, George Daley, Nada Valles, Gail Bodnar, Florence Buckley, Margie Sarro and Anne Glaser. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
You call us to care for ourselves and one another. 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.
You give us an example of holy living. 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.
You embrace all who have died trusting in your promises, and we give thanks for their faithful witness. Sustain us in hope until we are united with them in the joy of your eternal presence. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray.
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 Hark, the Glad Sound! (ELW #239 + Verses 1 & 3)
1 Hark, the glad sound! The Savior comes,
the Savior promised long;
let ev’ry heart prepare a throne
and ev’ry voice a song.
3 He comes the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace
to enrich the humble poor.
Text: Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751
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 now with joy to Emmanuel’s table.
Feast at the banquet of hope and love.
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 are 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
- Advent Potluck & Craft Night: December 4 at 5:00pm
- 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 20th.
WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are available to help lead worship on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day for Lessons and Carols, please sign up to help on the sign-up sheets located on the literature table in the Narthex.
BIBLE STUDY
Our Advent Bible Study entitled “I Wonder as I Wander” begins tomorrow Monday November 28, and will continue 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. Once you’ve paid see Pastor Analyse for your copy of the book.
ADVENT POTLUCK & CRAFT NIGHT
We will have an Advent Potluck and Craft Night TONIGHT Sunday, December 4th at 5:00pm here in the fellowship hall. There is a sign up sheet on the literature table in the narthex to let us know you’re coming, how many people are coming with you, and what you plan to bring.
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
The schedule for Advent and Christmas is in your bulletin, on the church sign, and listed on flyers downstairs. There is a lot happening this year and we look forward to seeing you many times throughout the season as we await the Nativity of Christ our Lord.
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS
Advent Devotionals are available in regular and large print on the table in the narthex nearest the entrance doors.
DIRECTORY UPDATES
There is a print copy of the CTRN directory on the literature table in the Narthex. We are looking to make sure we have everyone’s contact info correct before we begin holiday mailings etc. Please initial or put a check by each member of your family if the details are accurate or correct anything that needs updating.
WINTER LEADERSHIP SCHEDULING
If you assist with worship in any capacity, please let Ruth know your December and January availability.
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: All Earth is Hopeful (ELW #266+ Verses 1-3)
1 All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!
Furrows lie open for God’s creative task:
this, the labor of people who struggle to see
how God’s truth and justice set ev’rybody free.
2 People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”;
she conceived him, “God with us,” our brother, whose birth
restores hope and courage to children of this earth.
3 Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared;
new highways opened, new protocols declared.
Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace!
All clear ev’ry gateway, in haste, come out in haste!
Text: Alberto Taulé, b. 1932; tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall, b. 1946
Spanish text © 1993 and English text © 1995 Centro de Pastoral Liturgica, admin. OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213.
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 