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 as the long-promised Messiah for me. In my doubts and fears, remind me of what was prophesied about you. Prepare my heart again this week as I look forward to the celebration of the appearing of God’s Anointed One. Keep my mind and my focus on the Scriptures you have fulfilled, especially the ones that reveal your heart for me and all people. In your name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN Savior of the Nations, Come | 2
INVOCATION
CONFESSION
ABSOLUTION
Prayer and Praise
OH, TASTE AND SEE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Word
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10
PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 146, p.120
SECOND LESSON James 5:7–11
VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 11:10
GOSPEL Matthew 11:2–11
HYMN OF THE DAY Arise, O Christian People | 14
SERMON Matthew 3:1-12 John: Preparer of the Way
APOSTLES’ CREED
Thanksgiving
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN O Lord, How Shall I Meet You | 19
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN There Is a Redeemer | 747
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!
CAMM LETTER
Copies of December’s letter from the Central Africa Medical Mission are in the church lobby.
REDWING FLYER
Our new weekly school newsletter, the Redwing Flyer, will be printed each week and placed in the narthex or lobby. It will also be linked each week in the weekly news blasts. Go Redwings!
MEMORIAL
In memory of Charles Arndt, $1,000 has been donated to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.
ANNUAL MEETING AND NOMINATIONS
Our 2023 annual meeting will be Sunday, January 15, at 11:15 am in the church basement. The following is the list of men who have been nominated for service to the Lord at St. Paul’s (asterisk denotes an incumbent):
Church Council:
Jeff Bunker*
Michael Johnson
Timothy Johnson
Bruce Wegner
Stewardship-Evangelism:
Jeff Anderson*
Jon Engelbrecht
Ben Horstman
Blake Horstman
Michael Horstman*
Howard Larson
Mark Larson
Don Peterson*
Education Committee:
Tyler Duerwachter
Kris Hammes
Skylar Holzhausen
Jesse Kassera
Finance:
Pat Frederick
Jeff Garves
Dale Johnson
John Schaller
Nate Tucker
Al Urbanek
Luther High Association
(No expired terms this year)
CALENDAR
TODAY 8:00 am Worship
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
6:30 pm PACE Meeting
MONDAY 6:00 pm Stewardship-Evangelism Meeting
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
THURSDAY 7:00 pm Choir Practice
FRIDAY 6:00 pm Redwings Basketball Game @ Home vs. First Luth.
NEXT SUNDAY 8:00 am Worship with Communion
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship with Communion