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, you came to be my Savior. Someday you will come not in the lowliness seen at Christmas but in the glory as Judge of all. Strike my heart today with John the Baptist’s message of warning, and help me see the high stakes of heeding that warning or not. Bless my living to be focused on you that I may produce fruits in keeping with repentance. In your name I pray. Amen.
CHOIR Advent Alleluia
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
LORD, HAVE MERCY
PRAYER OF THE DAY
CHOIR Speak, O Lord
The Word
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 11:1-10
SECOND LESSON Romans 15:4–13
GOSPEL Matthew 3:1-12
HYMN OF THE DAY On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry | 16
SERMON Isaiah 11:1-10 Rally to the Root in Repentance
NICENE CREED
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
The Sacrament
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Comfort, Comfort All My People | 11
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding | 15
DISTRIBUTION HYMN When All the World Was Cursed | 20
Thanksgiving
THANK THE LORD
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying | 13
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADVENT OUTREACH
The Advent and Christmas season can be a difficult time for many people. In fact, 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse. This means we as God’s people have the perfect message of hope to share. Is there someone you know who could use an invite to hear a message of peace and hope? Is there someone you haven’t seen at church for a while who would benefit from being connected again? Extend an invite. Give them a call. It can be as easy as sharing a pocket invite from the narthex or a Facebook post from our church. What a wonderful season we have to spur us on in fulfilling the commission given to us by our Lord!
MIDWEEK STUDY
Our midweek Bible study, called Lyrics of Love, is a study on the unique and mysterious Song of Songs. This is a creative study on Solomon’s Song of Songs divided into stanzas, measures, and notes. It fosters discussion with a variety of questions. Join us as we look at a unique book of the Bible that provides insight into godly marriage life and especially a great picture of Christ and his bride, the Church.
FRIENDSHIP TREE
The Ladies Aid has put up a Friendship 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!
SERVICE OF ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tomah is hosting a special service of Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 4, at 4:00 pm. The service entitled “Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” and will feature the combined choirs of St Paul’s Tomah and St John’s Sparta who will lead the service which is interspersed with Scripture readings and music. Much loved hymns and choral selections include “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,” “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” and the timeless choral classic by Manz “E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come.” La Crosse native Lloyd Harter will serve as organist for the service and will present an organ concert at 3:30 pm until the start of the service. Organ works by Bach, Brahms, and Distler are included. St. Paul Lutheran is located at 525 Superior Avenue in Tomah.
WOMEN’S RETREAT
The 2023 WELS Coulee Women’s Retreat will be April 22, 2023, at Luther High School in Onalaska. This retreat provides an opportunity for WELS/ELS women and their friends to gather together, encourage each other with God’s Word, and go forth to share God’s Word with others. Registration forms and itinerary are available at www.facebook.com/WCWRetreat.
A LUTHERAN RESPONSE TO EVOLUTION
You can request 3 FREE print books (32-48 pages each). Choose from 13 titles including, “Did Dinosaurs Roam the Earth?” “Conversation With an Atheist,” and “Christian Doctrine in Genesis.” Request yours at www.LutheranScience.org/FreeBooks or by writing to (include your address): Lutheran Science Institute, 13390 W. Edgewood Ave, New Berlin WI 53151. This offer expires Feb. 28, 2023. Offer subject to change without notice.
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion
5:00 pm Bible Basics Class
TUESDAY 10:00 am Mornings with Mommy
7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
6:00 pm Education Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Church Council Meeting
THURSDAY 2:00 pm Ladies Aid Christmas Tea
7:00 pm Choir Practice
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
6:30 pm PACE Meeting