1. Before the Prelude, speak to one another. During the Prelude, speak to God. During the service, let God speak to you. During the week, let God speak through you.

3. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

4. CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. P:In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C:Amen.

5. P:God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C:Amen. P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. You are invited to kneel, sit, or stand as you wish.

6. P:Most merciful God, C:we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

7. P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C:Amen.

8. OPENING HYMN No. 239 “Hark, The Glad Sound!”

9. GREETING P:The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C:And also with you.

10. KYRIE Page 120

13. LITANY P:With war and poverty, violence and destruction all around us C:We cry out, “How long, O Lord?”

14. P:God replies, “Watch and wait, the Answer is already coming.” C:The powers of the world are destroying us,

15. P:“For such a time as this,” says God, “I have called you.” C:Take us by the hand, Lord, and protect us,

16. P:“I will give you a light for all nations,” promises God. C:Save us, dear Lord

17. P:God says, “I will give you My Son.” C:We will call Him, “Immanuel” P:God is with us, now and forever!

18. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray, God of justice, C:you sent your servant Esther into a life of privilege so that those without would be taken care of. In our privilege, show us how to advocate for those who have less, so that your world might be peaceful and just. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

19. Esther 4:1-17 L:The word of the Lord. C:Thanks be to God.

20. Lighting of the Advent Candle “ The Heavenly Light ”

21. Children’s Sermon

23. HYMN OF THE DAY No. 244 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”

24. APOSTLE’S CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

25. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH P: Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. SHARING THE PEACE P:The peace of Christ be with you always. C:And also with you.

26. OFFERING

27. OFFERING SONG No.182 OFFERING SONG No.182 “Let the Vineyards be Fruitful”

28. OFFERTORY PRAYER P: Let us Pray. Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. C:Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

29. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING L:The Lord be with you. C:And also with you. L:Lift up your hearts. C:We lift them to the Lord. L:Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C:It is right to give God thanks and praise. L:It is indeed right, our duty … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

30. Page 130 “Holy, Holy, Holy”

31. Holy Communion is open to all who are baptized, confess Jesus as Lord, and believe that Jesus is present in the Bread and Wine. If you desire gluten-free wafers, let the pastor know at the time of distribution. Glasses of white grape juice are available in each tray for those who do not wish to receive wine. WORDS OF INSTITUTION

32. THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

33. (In addition to receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, you can also be in touch with God through meditating on a hymn or psalm and sharing silent prayers. These resources can all be found in the ELW Book.) INVITATION TO COMMUNION P: Taste and see that the Lord is good.

34. Page 135 “Lamb of God”

35. DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: No. 494No. 490No. 471

36. POST-COMMUNION BLESSING P:The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C:Amen.

37. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER P: Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. C: In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

38. BLESSING P:Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C:Amen.

39. DISMISSAL P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

40. CLOSING HYMN No. 264 “Prepare the Royal Highway”

41. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22611.From www.workingpreacher.org © 2014 Luther Seminary. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.www.workingpreacher.org