1

December 20, 2015

Fourth Sunday of Advent

8:15 & 10:30 Worship Service

“When I was in want...my needs were supplied by the people who came from Macedonia."

II Corinthians 11:9

Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church

2

Sunday, December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent Setting One (ELW) – 8:15 & 10:30 INTRODUCTION Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and the blessed virgin Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the church always lives as when in the holy communion—with high delight—“we proclaim the Lord's death.” Welcome to worship, sisters and brothers, as we look toward the coming of the Christ! Visitors, welcome to Macedonia. Please talk to one of today’s ushers if you have any questions or need help. We would like to make your worship with us more accessible and meaningful. The worship service is from the cranberry colored hymnal. Page numbers refer to the front of the hymnal. Hymns are numbered in the back two-thirds of the hymnal beginning with all 150 psalms. For your convenience, our ushers can assist you with Hearing Amplification Headsets. Youth Activity Bags are also available in the Narthex. Your child will find age appropriate books, crayons and other assorted items within the bag. After worship, please leave the bags at church so that others can enjoy and use each week. Our Nursery is located in the Educational Building and opens around 10:15AM. Staffed by one adult and one teen, your child will enjoy books, toys, games and playmates. All children are also welcome to join us in worship. If you need directions to the nursery, please ask one of the ushers. Holy Communion—Believing in the real presence of Christ, and by the invitation of the Lord, all are welcome to the table to celebrate Holy Communion. This sacrament, a tangible sign of God's grace, love, and forgiveness, in and through bread and wine, was instituted by Jesus on the night before his death. When it is time for Communion, please come forward at the ushers' invitation. Let those serving the bread know if you, or your children, would like a blessing in lieu of communion as you come forward. Reception of Communion via one element (consuming only bread or only wine) is a fully valid reception of the sacrament. The Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God. Please remember in your prayers: Linda Mahan, Rick Dodson, *Alex Peter, Catherine Berger, *Greg Myers, *Don Honeycutt, Pastor Gary Weant, William Tucker, Herb Voelkert, Tom Lynch, Wendy Coontz, *George Schenck, Ethel Tomes, *Gene Martin, Trudy Groff, Linda Johnson, Jan Davis, Jackie Singer, *Tom DeLoache, Cliff Blowe, Rena Crumpler, *Estelle Petersen, Carolyn Farrell, Brooke Keller, *Rachel Spencer, Janice Kitch *Kari Spencer, Harry Boley, the family of Sabra Wayland.

3

VOLUNTARY Gesú Bambino Pietro A. Yon (1886 – 1943) Stand

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS ELW page 94 GATHERING HYMN 242 Awake and Greet the New Morn REJOICE, REJOICE GREETING ELW page 98 KYRIE ELW page 98 PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

ADVENT HYMN OF PRAISE 247 Come Now, O Prince of Peace (stanzas 1 - 4) OSOSŎ As we sing, the Advent wreath is lit. PRAYER FOR LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH

We praise you, O God, for this wheel of time that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the candles on this wreath, open our eyes to see your presence in the lowly ones of this earth. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may sing of your advent among us in the Word made flesh. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. Amen.

Sit ANTHEM (10:30) Advent Joy Hal H. Hopson Cherub choir CHILDREN’S MESSAGE (10:30) Yvonne White FIRST READING Micah 5:2-5a Pew Bible, page 1059, OT Before the reading: A reading from Malachi, chapter five.

After the reading: Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

4

PSALM 80:1-7 At the 8:15 service the Psalm is read responsively. At the 10:30 service the Cantor intones the first half of each verse and the congregation intones the second half (in bold).

1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph | like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned up- | on 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.

SECOND READING Hebrews 10:5-10 Pew Bible, page 272, NT Before the reading:

A reading from Hebrews, chapter ten. After the reading:

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Stand GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Congregation sings the Acclamation, followed by cantor singing the verse. The Acclamation is then repeated.

GOSPEL VERSE

Here I am, the servant Ꞌ of the Lord.* let it be with me according Ꞌ to your word.

5

GOSPEL Luke 1:39-55 Pew Bible, page 69 NT Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

After the reading:

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sit SERMON Pastor Richard Goeres Stand HYMN OF THE DAY 251 My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness KINGSFOLD PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. We greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace, saying, "Peace be with you," or similar words. Sit WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS TITHES AND OFFERING OFFERTORY MUSIC (8:15) Whence Is This Lovely Fragrance French Carol Setting by Paul Manz (1919 – 2009) CHOIR ANTHEM (10:30) Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Gustav Holst Chancel Choir Stand OFFERTORY HYMN LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts; Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts; Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Let us pray. God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING ELW page 107 SANCTUS (“Holy, holy, holy”) ELW page 108 EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III ELW page 110 THE LORD'S PRAYER ELW page 112 Sit LAMB OF GOD (Sing twice) ELW page 112 COMMUNION COMMUNION HYMN 252 Each Winter As the Year Grows Older CAROL OF HOPE 241 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You WIE SOLL ICH DICH EMPFANGEN Stand POST COMMUNION BLESSING NUNC DIMITTIS (“Now, Lord, you let ...”) ELW page 113 POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Let us pray. Holy One, we give you thanks that in this bread and cup we have feasted again on your endless love. Let that love overflow more and more in our lives, that we may be messengers to prepare your way, and bearers of your eternal Word, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

BENEDICTION SENDING HYMN 263 Savior of the Nations, Come NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE

7

SCHEDULED THIS WEEK December 20, 2015- December 27, 2015

Sunday (12/20) Community & Family Meal Free Blood Pressure Check 8:15 Worship/Communion 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship/Communion 12:00 Family & Community Meal 2:00 Christmas Caroling Thursday (12/24) CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 4:00 Christmas Candlelight Service (Pre-service music begins at 3:45) 10:00 Traditional Candlelight Service (Pre-service music begins at 9:30) Friday (12/25) COMMEMORATION OF CHRIST’S BIRTH! Sunday (12/27) 8:15 Worship/Communion 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship/Communion

FOOD BACKPACKS FOR CHLDREN

As heartbreaking as it may seem, the only meals that many children in our local Burlington/Alamance County schools get are the meals they get at

school! Macedonia wants to help... so we have been asked to help with 10

children at Turrentine Middle School who have very real needs. We will be providing 'backpacks' of food to take

home on weekends and over the holidays. This will be an ongoing need, so we will have collection baskets in the

narthex and educational building throughout the year. Requests are for pasta (macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, etc), canned goods (fruit, vegetables,

meats), rice, peanut butter & jelly, bread, etc - that can be stored without

refrigeration and easily served. Also needed are sturdy 3-hole binders (1.5" - 3") and other school supplies. The final request is for anyone who could donate 1-2 hours/week to help tutor basic math or reading, from 3:45-4:45p Tuesdays

and Wednesdays at Turrentine. Some of these students are far behind their grade

level and need help with basic multiplication and division; others may

need help with word problems, fractions, simple Algebra, etc. Please contact

Connie Poovey (crpoovey@gmail.com or 260-5195) if you have questions or

would like to help. Thank you for your generosity of time and resources!

PRAYER GROUP FOR JANUARY! Prayer Group meets again January 13 @ 9:30am in room 10 located across the hall from the church office in the education building. Prayer requests cards and request box are located in the rear of the church on the usher’s table. Requests can also be submitted to gailpertschi3579@triad.rr.com or call/text to 336-269-4193. All requests are held in confidence.

8

SERVICE SCHEDULES FOR DECEMBER 2015

Crucifer 12/24 4PM Sarah Bass 12/27 Aiden Gibson Acolytes 12/24 4PM Sarah Jane Price, Abbie Cary 12/27 Ethan Russell, Riley Russell Communion Assistants (8:15) 12/27 Vera Barker Communion Preparers & Assistants (10:30) 12/24 4PM Barbara Lilienthal Pastor Suzanne Barrett Brown Barbara Lilienthal 10 PM Frank Rhue Cathi Mohundro Connie Poovey Bill Poovey 12/27 Roger Meisenbach Colleen Macklin Sheila Gibson Dust Covers 12/27 Diane & Dave Robinson

Lay Readers (8:15) (10:30) Christmas Eve 4 PM Emily Adkins 10 PM Sheila Gibson 12/27 Vera Barker Yvonne White Greeters 12/27 Betty Lentz, Lea Blanton; Sue & Aaron Page Sound System Christmas Eve 4 PM Brett Bass 10 PM Dennis White 12/27 Brett Bass Nursery 12/27 Beth McGuire, Abigail Cary Ushers Chief, Danny Van Fleet Asst. Chief, Charlie Harris Frank Rhue, Brant Adkins, Randy Hunley, Barrett Brown, Jacob Adkins

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEAL TODAY @ Noon in Luther Hall

Please plan to stay for a delicious

meal after the 10:30 worship service

and extend a hand of friendship to our

community neighbors!

As you think about preparing for the holidays are there some ways that Helping Hands could be of assistance Call either one of the Coordinators, Bill Poovey 336-675-7972 or John Pertschi 336-516-1461 to discuss how Helping Hands can be of service to you!

Helping Hands offers the following resource information for your consideration…..

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE!

There’s a new resource to help keep you safe and warm during the winter months ahead. A new brochure, “Winter Warmth and Safety: Home Energy Tips for Older Adults,” provides tips about preparing a home for winter weather and saving money on energy expenses. Alt-hough the title of this brochure indicates it is for older adults, the information provided in the brochure is actually helpful information for us all. A few copies are available on the table in the narthex and on the table across from the office in the education building. For addition-al free copies of the brochure, call (800)677-1116 or download it at http://www.eldercare.gov/ELDERCARE.NET/Public/Resources/Brochures/Index.aspx

9

RENOVATION FUND

Contributions Needed $1,846.15 $92,307.50

Contributions Received $560.00 $96,851.58

Contributions (Short)/Over ($1,286.15) $4,544.08

Total Outstanding Debt $549,678.37

CAPITAL FUND

Contributions Needed $288.46 $14,423.00

Contributions Received $640.00 $20,337.35

Contributions (Short)/Over $351.54 $5,914.35

Contributions Needed $6,858.65 $342,932.50

Contributions Received $7,110.45 $270,799.95

Contributions (Short)/Over $251.80 ($72,132.55)

GENERAL FUND YTD

FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2015

ATTENDANCE December 13, 2015

10:30 Service - 186 Sunday School - 50

Mon Luke 1:46b-55 1 Samuel 1:1-18 Hebrews 9:1-14

Tues

Psalm 96 Zephaniah 3:8-13 Romans 10:5-13

Wed Psalm 96 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Romans 13:11-14

Thurs Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Fri Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12] John 1:1-14

Sat Psalm 148 Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15 Acts 6:8-15; 7:51-60

READINGS FOR WEEK OF December 21, 2015

Sun Psalm 148 Exodus 33:18-23

1 John 1:1-9

PRESSURE CHECKS TODAY Following Worship!

A great free opportunity to keep a check on your health, provided by our Health & Wholeness Ministry/Care Ministry. Look for the large poster and table and chairs in the narthex of the church after worship.

10

Everyone is invited to go Christmas caroling with the

youth TODAY! We will meet at the church at 2 PM. We

plan on returning to the church at 4 PM to enjoy a hot

chocolate bar. There will be no youth from 6-7:30.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES:

4:00 PM CHIRSTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

(Pre-service music begins at 3:45) 10:00 PM TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

(Pre-service music begins at 9:30)

The Church Offices will be close at noon on Christmas Eve, December 24.

Offices will reopen Monday, December 28. and will be closing

at noon on December 31. Merry Christmas! & Happy New Year!

OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS

The first Newsletter of the 2016 year will be available on January 3. If there is anything you would like to add to the newsletter please contact Cindi in the church office, (336) 227-5554 or email to office@macedonialutheran,com If you have any ideas for the 2016 newsletter format, or articles you would like to see, please let Cindi know. Articles for monthly newsletters are due to the office on the 15th of the preceding month.

The 2015 Poinsettia Booklet is available today. Please ask an usher for a copy. You will also be able to get a copy in the church office.

Thank you to all for the beautiful memorials and honorariums you placed in this year’s book.

11

END OF YEAR NOTICES Please note that December 27th is the last Sunday of the year. In order for any

contribution to be recorded for 2015, they must be mailed or dropped off to the church office by December 31, 2015

Your 2016 contribution envelopes are now in the Narthex. Please make sure your

name appears on the envelop box. Thank you all for your poinsettia purchase. Our sanctuary looks so beautiful with

the plants and the lovely Chrismon tree, and we would love to have them until after service on the 27th. If you would like to take your poinsettia after the Christmas Evening service please feel free to do so. Please take your poinsettia after the December 27 service or during the following week, where they can be picked up at the church office.

Our service schedules for 2016 are due in January . If you are one of the

coordinates for scheduling our service volunteers please email Cindi your lists. I understand that this is a large undertaking, especially at this time of year, but if I could get a list for the January scheduling as soon as possible I can include it in the January newsletter.

From the staff at Macedonia, we wish you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

12

Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church 421 West Front Street - Burlington, NC 27215 Phone: 336-227-5554 - Fax: 336-227-6859

E-mail: office@macedonialutheran.com Website: www.MacedoniaLutheran.com

Office Hours: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Interim Pastor (540-333-8017) ........................................................................................................ Pastor Richard Goeres Visitation Pastor (524-4188) ......................................................................................................... Pastor Suzanne Shoffner Director of Church Music, Chancel Choir, Youth Choir and Cherub Choir ................................... Dr. Stephen Futrell Organist, Director of Youth and Adult Handbells ..........................................................................................Sam Meares Office Manager ............................................................................................................................................. Cindi McCarthy Finance Secretary ........................................................................................................................................... Susan McNeill Building Superintendent .................................................................................................................................. Jane Bowman Sunday School Superintendent ................................................................................................................. Ruth W. Matkins Bread Baker .............................................................................................................................................................. Circle #7 Acolytes ............................................................................................................................. Macray Braxton, Abigail Cary Crucifer ........................................................................................................................................................ Bailey Claypool Communion Preparer .................................................................................................................................... Yvonne White Communion Assistants ............................................ (8:15) Frank Rhue(10:30) Connie Poovey, Bill Poovey Lay Reader ........................................................................................................... (8:15) Joe Molnar(10:30) Emily Pope Greeters ................................................................................ Beverly Hiller, Jane Moore; Clif & Lucy Rippenhagen Nursery Attendants........................................................................................................................ Kim Darcy, Sarah Bass Dust Covers ........................................................................................................................ Lavonne Rhue & Frank Rhue Sound System ............................................................................................................................................ Richard Johnson Ushers ...................................................................................................... Danny VanFleet - Chief, Charlie Harris - Ass't, ..................................................... Frank Rhue, Brant Adkins, Randy Hunley, Barrett Brown, Jacob Adkins

Lutheran Retirement Ministries/Twin Lakes Community

President/CEO, TLC…………………………………………………………………………….Mrs. Pam S. Fox

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23802. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education

of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America Used by permission. All rights reserved.

CHOIR SCHEDULES

Chancel Choir - every Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Reformation Ringers - every Tuesday at 7:30 PM.

Youth Bells - every Sunday at 4:45 PM. Youth Choir - every Sunday at 5:30 PM.