FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT November 27, 2022
ORDER OF WORSHIP: LSB — Divine Service Setting III, pgs. 184ff
HYMNS: 343 - 332 - 331
SERMON: Stirred Up to Life in Christ Jesus TEXT: Romans 13:11-14
The Sermon Hymn today, #332 will be sung as follows: sts. 1, 2 - congregation; 3, 4 - choir; 5 - men; 6 - choir; 7 - women; 8 - congregation.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, Your Word gives life to us through Your Son, the Lord Jesus. Thank you for the work of Your Holy Spirit as He has inspired Your Word to be written and preserved for us. Open our ears to hear, our minds to understand, and our hearts to treasure and find great joy in Your Word. Set our lives on preparation and readiness for the coming of Jesus as we observe these days of Advent and always. Cause the light of Jesus Christ to shine in a world of darkness from the words we speak and the conduct of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in” (Psalm 24:7).
• Thanks be to God that He plants, sustains, and keeps congregations of His people around the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached and His Sacraments given.
• For blessing through God’s Word on the work of faithful missionaries around the world and at home in our country, including the family of Rev. Delwyn Campbell, Lenita, Delwyn II, Daniyah, and Dinah, serving Christ’s Church in Gary, Indiana.
• For synod president, Rev. Matthew Harrison, and Kansas District President, Rev. Justin Panzer, and all who serve in synod and district offices and on boards and committees, that they will serve with wisdom according to God’s Word for the benefit of His church.
• For those who serve in the armed forces of this country, stationed here at home or on bases overseas, that they will be under the Lord’s protecting hand and serve with courage and loyalty as they defend us from evildoers.
DECEMBER VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY... The meeting at which new officers and committee members will be elected at St. Paul and the proposed annual budget will be approved is scheduled for Sunday, December 11th, in the church basement after worship.
LADIES OF ST. PAUL will decorate for Advent and Christmas after worship today. All helpers are welcome.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS - Donations are being accepted by the Altar Guild to purchase poinsettias to beautify the church for Christmas. Please give your donations to Ladies’ Aid, Donna Briggeman or Barb Schotte.
POINSETTIAS will be available for purchase on Sunday, December 11th from the St. Paul youth group. Proceeds will be used for projects and activities. Thank you for your support.
THE CHILDREN OF ST. PAUL will soon begin preparations for their part in the service that will be held here on Christmas Eve. It is very helpful to know of the families who have children or grandchildren who plan to participate. Please contact Sunday School Superintendent Terri Liggett as soon as possible with this information. Her phone number is 620-212-0726. Thank you.
ADVENT SERVICES AND SUPPERS . . . Come to St. Paul on Wednesday evenings during Advent. Services of the Word, prayer, and hymns will be held at 6:30 p.m., beginning this week. Supper will follow worship. Midweek School children will meet in their classes after supper. Activities will conclude by 8:00 p.m. Advent means “coming.” The Savior Jesus came to us once, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. He comes to us even now through the Gospel and Sacraments. He will come again on the Last Day to give us our promised heavenly home. O Come, Emmanuel!
Ladies, you're invited to "Advent by Candlelight" to prepare your hearts for the coming of the "Sweet Christmas Season." Where and When: St. Paul's Lutheran Family Life Center in Cheney, KS. Doors open next Sunday, December 4th at 2:30 and the program begins at 3:00. The men of the Cheney congregation serve this event for the ladies. Registration is required by Dec. 1 by calling 316-540-0115. (See the invitation flyer posted on the door in our church south entrance.) NOTE: A collection of new socks and underwear size 3T through adults will be taken for the Levy Special Education Center. The center's total enrollment includes 55% minority students and 73% of all students are economically disadvantaged. There are approximately 80 students in 12 classrooms ranging from 2nd grade to 21 years of age. Talk to Donna Briggeman at church or call 620-546-4764 for carpooling or other questions.
All Ladies of St. Paul are invited to the Ladies' Aid annual Christmas Luncheon on December 8th. Arrive 11:30-11:45 for visiting with the meal to be served at noon. Ham, bread, and drinks will be provided with various potluck side dishes from Ladies’ Aid members and attendees. Guest(s) are welcome! Included in our get together will be the sharing of the Christmas story from Luke. To help us with numbers to plan for tables and seating, please sign the guest list in the south entrance or let Barb Schotte or Donna Briggeman know. Thank you.
HEAD USHER: Gary McGuire ALTAR COMMITTEE: Donna Briggeman
ELDERS: Shan Hullman Leigh Ann Hall Linda Hoeme
Lee VanSlyke Barb Schotte
Derek Liggett
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH EQUIPS, ENABLES, AND ENCOURAGES ITS MEMBERS TO GROW IN FAITH AND SHARE CHRIST’S LOVE WITH ALL PEOPLE.
TODAY - 8:00 am – The Lutheran Hour, KGNO (Dodge City, 1370 AM)
8:00 am – The Lutheran Hour, KCVW (Wichita, Hutch., 94.3 FM)
8:25 am – The Lutheran Hour, KMMM (Pratt, 1290 AM)
8:30 am – The Lutheran Hour, KWBW (Hutchinson, 1450 AM)
10:00 am – St. Paul Radio Broadcast, KMMM (Pratt, 1290 AM)
6:00 pm - The Lutheran Hour, KREJ (88.1FM)
MONDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am – Secretary’s Office Hours
TUESDAY - 9:00 am - Ladies Quilt Group
5:00 - 6:30 pm – Bread of Life Community Kitchen open – Pratt
WEDNESDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am – Secretary’s Office Hours
6:30 pm - Advent Worship
- Supper and Midweek Classes
THURSDAY - 5-8 pm - Advent Party @ Kathie Thurman’s
6:30 pm - Bible Study
7:30 pm - Men’s Club
FRIDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am - Secretary’s Office Hours
SUNDAY - 9:00 am - Sunday School and Bible Class
10:00 am - Divine Service with Holy Communion
THE LUTHERAN HOUR – “Freshly Fallen Snow” (Isaiah 2:1-5) Dr. Michael Zeigler talks about fresh snow, fresh starts, and three kinds of beauty.
CHRISTMAS PARADE - Come and take part in the Christmas parade at Turon, December 10th, at 1:00 pm. St. Paul Lutheran will have a float with the message of the manger there. Children may ride on the trailer and adults are needed to pass out books of the Christmas story to the parade watchers. Join in this witness opportunity and fun on that day!
THE ANNUAL COOKIE WALK at St. Paul will take place after worship on December 4th. Years ago this tradition was started and carried out by the Ladies’ Aid. However, for several years now it has become a whole church effort to bring cookies in support of our designated seminary student. This year, our monetary collection will be sent to David Schotte who is currently serving as vicar of Zion Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio. Please put home baked cookies (2-4, depending on size) inside ziplock bags and take them to the church kitchen Sunday morning, December 4th. Thank you for your support. NOTE: We will be sending David a card and a gift on Monday, December 5, a “cookie care package.”
About the Cover: Behold (Christ Incarnate was able to be seen with human eyes and will be seen again, God in the flesh), your king (Jesus is King of kings, who reigns over all, and at the same time is our king!) is coming (Jesus came on that first Christmas, He came into His Holy City to die and rise, and He will come again!) to you (He has done it all for you for your forgiveness and eternal life!)
OLD TESTAMENT READING - Isaiah 2:1-5
EPISTLE - Romans 13:11-14
HOLY GOSPEL - Matthew 21:1-11