WELCOME TO WORSHIP
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we welcome you to St. Paul’s. We especially welcome our guests who have joined us today. We pray that your soul will be strengthened by the good news of God’s forgiveness through Jesus.
PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S WORSHIP
Lord Jesus, my Savior and King, you rule the world with power and grace. Help me prepare to meet you with a solemn, repentant heart. Reveal my sins and the punishment they deserve, and reveal your sacrifice that forgives those sins and calms my anxious conscience. Through the servants you have called, spur me on to live for you in your kingdom now as I await your return and the glory that is to come. I ask for your grace now and forever. Amen.
SCHOOL & ADULT CHOIRS First Song of Isaiah
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
DECLARATION OF GRACE
EXHORTATION
GLORY TO GOD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
FIRST READING Isaiah 40:1–11
HYMN 308 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying
SECOND READING 2 Peter 3:8–14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Luke 3:4,6
GOSPEL Mark 1:1–8
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY 316 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
SERMON 2 Peter 3:8-14 Live Like Those Looking Forward to the Day
APOSTLES’ CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
HYMN 317 When All the World Was Cursed
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN 318 Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Christmas Eve:
8:00 & 10:00 am – Worship
9:10 am – Sunday School Christmas Video in Sanctuary
9:15 am – Fellowship Hour (no Bible study)
4:30 & 6:00 pm – Children’s Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Day:
9:00 am – Christmas Hymn Festival Service
LUTHER CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Luther High School invites you to their annual Christmas concert entitled Love Incarnate, Love Divine today, December 10, at 2:00 pm in the Luther High Chapel Auditorium.
MIDWEEK STUDY – THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Our midweek Bible study is on one of the most interesting books of Scripture: Revelation. Chapter by chapter the author cuts a pathway through each vision and prophecy of Revelation until he reaches the clearing where we behold a new heaven and a new earth. The 12 Lessons include: The Purpose, Outline and Interpretation of the Book; The Letters to the Seven Churches; God’s Rule of the World; The Seven Seals; God’s Judgment of the World; The Church Secure and Glorified; The Devil and His Helpers Appear; The Seven Bowls of Wrath; The Downfall of the Devil’s Allies; The Millennium; The New Heaven and the New Earth; and Review. Join us as we continue to dive into the imagery and meaning of Christ our Savior in the book of Revelation.
GIVING TREE
The Ladies Aid has put up a Giving Tree in the narthex. Feel free to bring something to place on the tree as a gift to someone else, and feel free to grab something from the tree for yourself!
CAMM LETTER
The December newsletter for the Central Africa Medical Mission can be found in the lobby.
KOINE CONCERT
WELS band Koine will be holding a Christmas concert at Luther High School on Saturday, December 16, at 7:00 pm. All are invited to attend.
HEALTHY MARRIAGE
WELS Discipleship has scheduled a Marriage Enrichment weekend, Jan. 19-21, 2024. It’s hosted at the Stella Hotel and Ballroom in Kenosha, WI.
Jesus has identified “determinants of a healthy marriage,” things that affect the health of your marriage. As it turns out, the same factors that contribute to a healthy life with Jesus contribute to a healthy marriage. Healthy Marriage will help you learn those “determinants of a healthy marriage.” More than that, Healthy Marriage will equip you to practice them and maintain the health of your marriage long after this memorable weekend retreat.
The weekend includes lodging for two days, breakfast on both days, lunch on Saturday, and all workshop materials. The deadline to register is Dec. 19, 2023 (use QR code). Register early; space is limited.
LIVE NATIVITY SIGNUP
Start a new family tradition of sharing the good news of Christ’s birth by volunteering down at Riverside Park. Many people are needed to staff the diorama each of the following evenings: November 24, 25, 26, and December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 25. Pick a night or two and come down for any amount of time you can spare. (Friday/Saturdays 5-10pm…Sundays 5-9pm) Sign up using one of the following ways: 1) Under the event on the Live Nativity Riverside- Diorama Facebook page; 2) Text/call Maria Johnson 608-397-4810 or email johnson.maria@live.com; 3) Scan the QR code to get to the signup link.
GIFT GIVEN
A gift of $1000 has been given to the St. Paul’s Church Endowment Trust in memory of Charles Arndt.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
MONDAY 7:00 pm Choir Practice
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
3:30 pm Public School Catechism Class
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion