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 redeem me and give me new life. I still can feel ensnared by my sin, so pronounce my freedom to me once again today so that I may take it to heart. Empower me to throw off the fetters of sin and prepare me to celebrate again your coming in the flesh to win my freedom. In your redeeming name I pray. Amen.
OPENING HYMN The Advent of Our King | 1 4
INVOCATION
HYMN O Jesus, Lamb of God, You Are | 27 (1)
CONFESSION
HYMN O Jesus, Lamb of God, You Are | 27 (2)
ABSOLUTION
HYMN O Jesus, Lamb of God, You Are | 27 (3)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
HYMN O Jesus, Lamb of God, You Are | 27 (4)
The Word
FIRST LESSON Leviticus 25:47-55
SECOND LESSON Titus 2:11-14
HYMN (8:00) Come, O Long-Expected Jesus | 6
CHILDREN’S CHOIR (10:00) Glorify Thy Name | Grades 3-8
GOSPEL Matthew 20:17-28
APOSTLES’ CREED
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY Come, O Precious Ransom, Come | 8
SERMON Titus 2:11-14 Redeemed by the Grace of God
CREATE IN ME
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN When Sinners See Their Lost Condition | 32
PRAYER
BLESSING
CLOSING HYMN Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes | 12
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 new midweek study starts up this week, called Lyrics of Love, a Bible study on the 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. The study covers the following five lessons: Prelude to Marriage, The Wedding Song, The Notes of Discord, The Song of Reconciliation, The Golden Oldies. Join us as we look at a unique book of the Bible that provides 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!
LADIES AID CHRISTMAS TEA
The St. Paul’s Ladies Aid would like to invite all ladies of the congregation to our Christmas Tea on Thursday, Dec. 8. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the lobby. The last day to RSVP will be Sunday, Nov 27.
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
Join St. Paul, Tomah, Saturday, December 3, as they present “Journey to Bethlehem.” Live nativity tours start at 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 pm. Free supper in the Fellowship Hall, Christmas crafts, drawing for nativity sets, and live animals in the Bethlehem Barnyard. Everyone is welcome!
LIVE NATIVITY
DON’T WANT TO STAND OUT IN THE COLD? Volunteer to help with dressing/finding people costumes or help with greeting/sign-in starting at 3:30 down at First Lutheran’s new ECE Building (420 West Ave. Lax). We will have someone there to show you what to do for each of those jobs so if you are interested this is the year to sign up for it. Helpers needed November 27 and December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17,18, 25. Karen Bauer will be in the lobby to help you sign up, or you can contact Maria Johnson at 608-397-4810 or email Johnson.maria@live.com.
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
9:10 am Sunday School
9:15 am Bible Study
10:00 am Worship
5:00 pm Bible Basics Class
TUESDAY 7:00 pm Bible Study
WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Bible Study (same as Tues.)
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
5:00 pm Bible Basics Class