The Service in PDF format is at: December 1, 2024 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Anne Schroeder & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl
Today, December 1, 2024
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Debbi Weiler
THEME
While the secular calendar won’t switch to 2024 for another month, the Church Year begins anew today. Advent is a season of waiting and preparation. One Advent tradition is to mark the four Sundays in Advent with four words that encompass what Jesus brings as He comes into the world to be our Immanuel—God with us. These four words are hope, peace, joy, and love. Today we focus on hope. There is a lot of suffering in the world, but hope exists in Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection, and return.
RINGING OF THE BELL
INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Leader: On the four Sundays in Advent, we light a new candle each week. We mark the four candles with these four words: hope, peace, joy, and love. Jesus Christ is the hope of all nations.
People: We wait for the Lord, and in His Word do we hope.
The first candle is lit during the Advent Song.
ADVENT SONG: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who ord’rest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Leader: As we begin the Advent season—a time of preparation for the coming of our Savior and a time of pondering God’s great love for us given in His Son—we also prepare ourselves to come before Him in humility and with honesty. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
~~~~~ Moment of Silence ~~~~~
Leader: As Jesus speaks of the time of His return, He calls His followers to “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
People: We confess we have not remained ready for Your return, nor realized time is short for the work You’ve called us to do. We have prioritized other matters instead of Your Word, relied on other things instead of Your presence, and in our thoughts, words, and actions have chosen to live our way instead of by Your commands. Forgive us.
Leader: Redemption draws near. Grace is ours! We are declared righteous, blameless, and redeemed because of the living, dying, and rising of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
ADVENT SONG: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a king;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Leader: Let us pray. Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your kingly majesty we may be protected from our enemies and be joined to Your humble and holy reign; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
The First Lesson: Romans 13:11-14
We are to put on Christ every single day.
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:25-36
Ready and watching for the Son of Man.
25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893; Tune: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908
O Little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend on us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel!
.
How silently how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in.
.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel!
Sermon
“How Do You Start Your Day?
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: We believe in God, the Creator of all things, the source of all goodness and love.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, true God yet true man. He was crucified, died and was buried for our sin that we might be free and know the joy of life. He was raised on the third day and ascended to heaven. He will come again in power and glory to judge both the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit. We believe in the church of God, the people of faith throughout the world. We believe that our sin is forgiven and that we will live together with God for now and throughout eternity. Amen.
OFFERING
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who do not know You, those who have rejected You, and those who are straying from You. Unite them to Your glorious throne and dwell in their hearts. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who are lonely and in need of Your presence. Come to the homeless, the unemployed, the underemployed, the homebound, the mentally ill, those who are in transition, and anyone else who experiences the pain of loneliness. Remind them of Your incarnation and lead them to Your Church, where we bear one another’s burdens. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who are oppressed and at the mercy of others. Rescue those who are suffering, abused, neglected, and hated. Comfort them with Your tender presence and love. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, come to those who are sick, injured, and recovering, (especially…). Strengthen them with Your healing hand and with Your unwavering presence. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Into Your hands, Lord Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your ever-present mercy.
People: Amen.
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
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descending
Comes our homage to demand.
.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food
.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way;
As the Light of light, descending
From the realms of endless day,
Comes, the pow’rs of hell to vanquish,
As the darkness clears away.
.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with cease-less voice they cry:
“Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
“Jesus Loves Me, This I Know”
By: Anna B. Warner, alt. & Wm. B. Bradbury; © 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publications Edina, MN 55435
Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Chorus: Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
Yes Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, Loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill.
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree.
Chorus
Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heavens gates to open wide
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in.
Chorus
Jesus loves me he will stay,
Close beside me all the way.
That I might from sin be free,
I will henceforth live for thee.
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “Let All Things Now Living”
Katherine Kennicott Davis; 1939. Renewed 1966 E.C. Schirmer Music Company (Admin. by ECS Publishing Corporation)
Let all things now living
A song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator triumphantly raise,
Who fashioned and made us,
Protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
.
God’s banners are o’er us,
His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
Till shadows have vanished
And darkness is banished,
As forward we travel from light into light
.
His law He enforces,
The stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains,
The rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine.
.
We too should be voicing
Our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living
Unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest Hosanna and praise!”
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Midweek Advent Services. We will continue the tradition of having midweek Advent Services. The services will be on Wednesday December 4th, 11th, and 18th at 6:00pm.
Vina Moses Center Christmas Program. For many years, Peace has supported the annual Vina Moses Center Christmas program. We will place gift tags on Sunday, November 24th, on the side windows of the front door that contain the Christmas gift wishes of children from financially challenged families in Benton County. We hope that you will take a tag or two. If you do not have an opportunity to get a tag but still would like to participate, we are asking you to consider purchasing a new toy, game, book, or puzzle for the program. The children participating in the program are between infancy and 18 years of age. For many children, the gift that they receive through this program will be the only gift they receive this Christmas.
Please bring the unwrapped toy, game, book, or puzzle to the worship service on Sunday, December 8th. We will collect them in the Narthex. If you are unable to bring the toy to the service, please contact George Abele at 541-730-0476 or [email protected] to make arrangements to pick up the toy. Thank you!
Philomath Community Services Holiday Cheer. Using community goodwill and contributions, the Holiday Cheer program offers aid to local families with children who need assistance and cheer during the holiday season. The program provides gifts to children 0 – 18 years of age. In 2023, the program served 78 households including 205 children! This program aims to make the holidays just a little happier for each of the lives it touches. Peace is again supporting this program and donation cards are available on the table in the Narthex.
Ladies Movie Night. Join the Peace ladies Thursday, December 5th at 5pm. It will be an evening of Impossible Christmas Love Stories with back-to-back Hallmark Christmas themed movies! Oh yes! Bring your favorite movie snack and hot beverage, wear your comfy clothes…sweats, pajamas, or just come straight in from work! Bring your folding chair, beanbag chair or air mattress, blanket and pillows! Ladies of all ages welcome!
MEN’S Breakfast. It is time for the December Men’s Breakfast, next Saturday. Peace will be preparing breakfast this month. A hardy breakfast will be prepared by Head Chef Mark Koeppe and crew. Pastor Lucke will be leading a discussion. Coffee on at 8:00 am, breakfast served at 8:30 and topic discussion 9-10. Always good to know how many will be attending, please let Oscar know by December 5th if you plan to attend – [email protected] or call (541) 231-3954.
