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
Father, we praise you for your promise of a Savior, and we thank you for your faithfulness in fulfilling that promise. Keep our eyes on the skies as we await his return, and keep our hearts fastened on your Word of grace. Remind us continually of what his return will mean for us: eternal deliverance. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE COMMON SERVICE
The Common Service is a version of the historic liturgy of the Christian church. As with all of our liturgies, its purpose is to focus us on the good news of forgiveness and to build us up in Christ.
CHILDREN’S GROUP Seek Ye First
OPENING HYMN Prepare the Royal Highway | 702
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
LORD, HAVE MERCY
ABSOLUTION
GLORY BE TO GOD
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Word
FIRST LESSON Genesis 19:15-17, 23-29
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 25, CW p.74
SECOND LESSON 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
VERSE OF THE DAY Revelation 22:20
GOSPEL Luke 21:25-36
APOSTLES’ CREED
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY Savior of the Nations, Come | 2
SERMON Genesis 19:15-17, 23-29 Where’s Your Heart Looking?
CREATE IN ME
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes | 12
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN Come, O Long-Expected Jesus | 6
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAITH EDIFYING (BIBLE STUDY) CONTINUES
Sunday School and Bible Study: God calls us to serve him.
Midweek Bible Study (Tues., 7pm; Wed. 9am): One by One – Evangelism Workshop
GIVING TREE
There’s a tree set up in the narthex near the church entryway. Feel free to grab something on there that you need or would enjoy. Also feel free to add anything to the tree for someone else to enjoy! Merry Christmas!
CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY
It’s important for a congregation to have a pulse on the thoughts and desires of its members, and it’s important for members to be able to share their honest input and opinions about their congregation’s ministry. To serve both of those purposes, a congregational survey has been prepared at the link below (hard copies are available for those who cannot use the link). The survey is completely anonymous. Your honest input will be invaluable to the leadership here at St. Paul’s as we move forward in gospel ministry for the sake of Christ’s name. Each member may fill out the survey, but please only submit one survey response per person so we can get an accurate assessment of St. Paul’s ministry. We’ll be collecting responses until the first of the year. Thank you for your input!
Survey link (also in email): https://forms.gle/rTzVyDZzpJvRBPRF8
ONE BY ONE
We’ve begun a series of evangelism studies during our midweek Bible study time. The workshop is entitled One by One. One by One is a Bible study based on Pastor David Rosenau’s keynote presentation at the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership in January of 2020. Using powerful personal stories and drawing from his wealth of experience both as a detective and a parish pastor, Pastor Rosenau helps Christians understand why it is so important to see every soul as a treasure and why we want to be willing to spend the time and effort necessary to share the gospel with each one.
PRINCIPAL CALL EXTENDED
The voters have extended a divine call to Mr. Mark Hesse of St. Lucas Lutheran School in Kewaskum, WI, to serve as our principal and grades 7-8 teacher beginning the 2022-2023 school year. Please keep Mr. Hesse in your prayers as he deliberates where he can best glorify God’s kingdom with his gifts. His contact info will be shared with the congregation in the near future.
ST. PAUL’S @ THE LIVE NATIVITY
The Live Nativity begins this week, and St. Paul’s is scheduled to volunteer on Saturday, December 18, from 5:00-10:00 pm, and Sunday, December 19, from 5:00-9:00 pm. Please visit the following URL to volunteer for a specific role: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4aacac2ba3fcc25-december1. If you need help signing up, please contact Pastor Groth at pastor@stpaulsbangor.com.
MORNINGS WITH MOMMY
We are looking to start a program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers in the new year! The program would take place on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. We are looking for volunteers that could help organize, set up, prepare materials, and meet and greet! If you are interested in helping with this program in any way, please contact Heather Groth at 608-351-1025 or heather.l.korb@gmail.com.
BASKETBALL GAMES HELP
Would you be able to help with homes games for our St. Paul’s Redwings basketball team? If you would be able to help with the games and with concessions, please contact Mrs. Handy at 608-394-8681 or chandy@stpaulsbangor.com.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Our church directory is over 10 years old. We need to update it. We believe that with modern technology, obtaining photographs and setting up the layout can be done on our own. We are looking for a committee of volunteers who would be willing to help coordinate, design and update the church directory. If you would like to serve on that committee, please contact Jeff Parr at 608-792-4044.
GOOD STEWARD
Good Steward Resale Shop is looking for volunteers to help with tasks around the store. If you can help by giving 2 or 20 hours per week for Christ-centered Lutheran education, call Lisa at 608-779-9763. They are also hiring for the positions of store coordinator and warehouse worker. Interested parties may obtain a job description and an application form at the store or by calling 608-784-5035.
CHURCH WIFI
The church building now has its own dedicated Wi-Fi for streaming our services. We hope this will strengthen our ability to stream not only worship services but also Bible studies in the near future. This also means we’re able to offer a separate guest Wi-Fi signal for attendees of Bible studies, meetings, etc. Check out the guest Wi-Fi name and password on the back of the worship folder.
WANT A PIANO?
The Luther High School Music Department is looking to find new homes for several gently used acoustic and digital pianos. If you are interested in adopting a piano, there is no cost. Please contact Paul Adickes for more information at adicpaul@luther.k12.wi.us.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
3:30 pm Public School Catechism Class
6:00 pm Education Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Council Meeting
THURSDAY 7:00 pm Choir Practice
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion