Sunday Worship + December 11, 2022

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 + Joy

Today we light the candle of joy. This year we have prayed for joy. This year we have prayed in joy: For the sounds of children in worship. Today we pray for those for whom joy is difficult this time of year. Today we pray with joy. We know God is with us in moments of joy and sadness. We know God is with us.
Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (ELW #257 + Verses 1-3)

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

3  Oh, come, strong Branch of Jesse, free
    your own from Satan’s tyranny;
    from depths of hell your people save
    and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.  Refrain

GATHERING HYMN Savior of the Nations, Come (ELW #263 + Verses 1 – 3)

1      Savior of the nations, come;
        virgin’s son, make here your home.
        Marvel now, O heav’n and earth:
        God has chosen such a birth.

2      Not by human flesh and blood,
        but the mystic Breath of God,
        was the Word of God made flesh,
        fruit of woman, blossom fresh.

3      Wondrous birth—oh, wondrous child—
        from his throne, a virgin mild!
        Very God, and Mary’s son,
        eager now his race to run!

Text: attr. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397; Martin Luther, 1483-1546;
tr. hymnal version Text © 2006 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 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

Micah 5:2-5a

+The prophet Micah, having pronounced judgment upon Judah, speaks of a future shepherd-king who, like David, will come from the small town of Bethlehem. (Ephrathah refers to the area around Bethlehem.) This king will restore Israel and bring peace. New Testament writers understood this passage to be referring to Jesus. +

The first reading is from Micah beginning at the 5^th chapter.

 ²But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
  who are one of the little clans of Judah,
 from you shall come forth for me
  one who is to rule in Israel,
 whose origin is from of old,
  from ancient days.
 ³Therefore he shall give them up until the time
  when she who is in labor has brought forth;
 then the rest of his kindred shall return
  to the people of Israel.
 ⁴And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
  in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
 And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
  to the ends of the earth;
 ^5aand he shall be the one of peace.

Word of God, Word of life.
Thanks be to God.    

Psalm 80:1-7

+ Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7) +

We will now read responsively from Psalm 80.

¹Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
  shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
 ²In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
  stir up your strength and come to help us.
 ³Restore us, O God;
  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
 ⁴O Lord God of hosts,
  how long will your anger fume when your people pray?
 ⁵You have fed them with the bread of tears;
  you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
 ⁶You have made us the derision of our neighbors,
  and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
 ⁷Restore us, O God of hosts;
  let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10:5-10

+ The author of Hebrews uses the image of religious sacrifice to convey the significance of Christ’s coming. Through obedient acceptance of God’s will, Christ allows his own body to become the greatest sacrifice of all, one through which we are made a holy people. +

The second reading is from Hebrews beginning at the 10^th chapter.

⁵Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
 “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
  but a body you have prepared for me;
 ⁶in burnt offerings and sin offerings
  you have taken no pleasure.
 ⁷Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’
  (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”
⁸When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), ⁹then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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!

Luke 1:39-45

+ Elizabeth, John’s mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, are two women filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. In Elizabeth’s inspired greeting and Mary’s song of praise we hear of a saving God who remembers, scatters, lifts up, and fulfills all things. +

The Holy Gospel according to Luke beginning at the 1^st chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord

³⁹In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴²and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” [
 ⁴⁶And Mary said,
 “My soul magnifies the Lord,
  ⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 ⁴⁸for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
  Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
 ⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
  and holy is his name.
 ⁵⁰His mercy is for those who fear him
  from generation to generation.
 ⁵¹He has shown strength with his arm;
  he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
 ⁵²He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
  and lifted up the lowly;
 ⁵³he has filled the hungry with good things,
  and sent the rich away empty.
 ⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
  in remembrance of his mercy,
 ⁵⁵according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
  to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

SERMON Pastor Analyse Triolo

HYMN OF THE DAY Canticle of the Turning (ELW #723 + Verses 1 – 3)

1 My soul cries our with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
   And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
   You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight
and my weakness you did not spurn,
   So from east to west shall my name be blest.
   Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
And the world is about to turn.

2 Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
   And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
   Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
   You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
   for the world is about to turn. Refrain

3 From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn. Refrain

Text © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. http://www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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. +

Nurturing God, you give us life and care for our every need. Use the church’s gifts and ministries for your service, bringing your word to all who seek your transforming grace. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
Creator God, you proclaim your boundless love for all that you have made. Renew barren lands, polluted waters, and melting ice caps. Make us servants of your creation that brings forth abundant life. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
Compassionate God, you proclaim your love and mercy. Show your lovingkindness to teen parents and those who are pregnant. Comfort any struggling with infertility and those who await test results, are in treatment and hospice care, and others in need 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, Anne Glaser, Jackie Budds, Jonathan Hussain, and Thomas Nouza. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
Gracious God, you fill the hungry with good things. Bless the feeding ministries of this congregation and community. Guide us to share your bounty with those who hunger or live in poverty. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
Abiding God, we rejoice in your company. Give us calm and patient hearts as we gather with family and friends. Keep us mindful of those for whom this season is not happy. Console the grieving and surround them with loving support. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
Compassionate God, 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.
Liberating God, 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.
Faithful God, you stir up the hearts of those who love you. We give you thanks for those who, like Mary, were courageous in their witness. Give us such courage until that day when you fulfill all things. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of new life, you come among us in the places we least expect. Receive these prayers and those of our hearts, in the name of Jesus.
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 That Boy-Child of Mary (ELW #293 + Verses 1 & 3)

Refrain

That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger his cradle in Bethlehem.

1 What shall we call him, child of the manger?
  What name is given in Bethlehem?  Refrain

3 How can he save us, how can he help us,
  born here among us in Bethlehem?  Refrain

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
• Hanging of the Greens & Christmas Caroling: December 17th Time TBD
• 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 20^th.

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.

FIVE BELOW & HANCE FAMILY FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER
Fliers for the 5 Below Fundraiser are available for use with purchases of stocking stuffers for the holiday season and to purchase donations to help the Girl Scouts with their toy drive for the Hance Family Foundation. The fliers are on the literature table and the box for toy donations is on the stage. 

GIVING TREE
We are excited to participate in the Midnight Run for a Breakfast Run in January. Out in the narthex there is a giving tree with items that we can use for the run. 

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 January & February availability.

COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, December 13^th @ 7:30 pm     

Other announcements are located in the downloadable bulletin at the top of this webpage.

BLESSING

The God of joy
fill us with all love 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.