1. Welcome December 11
to Elk River Lutheran Church You are invited to share in the Lord’s Supper. Children are invited to participate in worship and communion. Nursery is available, should you desire it. Restrooms: in fellowship area and lower level.

2. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
VERSE 1 Good news of great joy For ev’ry woman, ev’ry man; This will be a sign to you: A baby born in Bethlehem. Come and worship, do not be afraid.

3. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
VERSE 2 A company of angels, “Glory in the highest!” And on the earth, a peace among Those on whom His favor rests. Come and worship, do not be afraid.

4. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
CHORUS My soul magnifies the soul Magnifies the Lord, My soul magnifies the Lord. He has done great things for me, Great things for me.

5. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
VERSE 3 Unto you, a child is born, Unto us, a Son is giv’n; Let ev’ry heart prepare His throne, And ev’ry nation under Heav’n; Come and worship, do not be afraid.

6. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
CHORUS My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord, My soul magnifies the Lord. He has done great things for me, Great things for me.

7. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
BRIDGE Of His government there will be no end; He’ll establish it with His righteousness. And He shall reign on David’s throne, And His name shall be from this day on:

8. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father! Wonderful Counselor, and His name shall be: Everlasting Father!

9. Gathering Song: My Soul Magnifies
CHORUS My soul magnifies the soul Magnifies the Lord, My soul magnifies the Lord. He has done great things for me, Great things for me

10. Community Announcements
Welcome guests! Thank you for worshipping with us. Please take home your worship bulletin for people and families to keep in your prayers. Visit for the latest information.

11. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
Sharing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. P C

12. 10/12/2017
Invocation P
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. C
9:00 am

13. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
10/12/2017
Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
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. Amen. P
9:00 am

14. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
10/12/2017
Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
Most merciful God, 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. P C
9:00 am

15. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
10/12/2017
Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
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. C
9:00 am

16. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
10/12/2017
Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
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. C
9:00 am

17. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
10/12/2017
Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
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. Amen. P C
9:00 am

18. Song of Praise – My Soul Magnifies The Lord
VERSE 1 Good news of great joy For ev’ry woman, ev’ry man; This will be a sign to you: A baby born in Bethlehem. Come and worship, do not be afraid.

19. 10/12/2017
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. 
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen. P C
9:00 am

20. Reading: James 5:7-10
7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

21. Reading: James 5:7-10
9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

22. Reading: Luke 1:46b-55
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

23. Reading: Luke 1:46b-55
52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

24. Gospel Announcement (spoken)
10/12/2017
Gospel Announcement (spoken)
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. P C
9:00 am

25. 10/12/2017
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them
9:00 am

26. 10/12/2017
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?
9:00 am

27. 10/12/2017
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.
9:00 am

28. 10/12/2017
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist: yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater the he.
9:00 am

29. Gospel Response (spoken)
10/12/2017
Gospel Response (spoken) P
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. C
9:00 am

30. Children are invited to come to the front.
10/12/2017
Children’s Message
Children are invited to come to the front.
—Laura Babneau, Children, Youth and Family
9:00 am

31. Lighting of the Advent Wreath
10/12/2017
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Reader: This morning we light three candles on the Advent wreath and we hear John the Baptist have doubts and question if Jesus is really the much awaited Messiah. In response, Jesus shares with John a list of signs of the Kingdom of God.
9:00 am

32. Lighting of the Advent Wreath
10/12/2017
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.
Matthew11:4-5
9:00 am

33. Lighting of the Advent Wreath
10/12/2017
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
All : The Kingdom of God is upon us, God’s hope, fully realized in our reality.  Preparing the way of the Lord and living into the Kingdom of God begins with repentance.
9:00 am

34. Candle Lighting #266 All The Earth is Hopeful v 3
10/12/2017
Candle Lighting #266 All The Earth is Hopeful v 3
3 Mountains and valleys will have to be prepared; new highways opened, new protocols declared. Almost here! God is nearing, in beauty and grace! All clear ev'ry gateway, in haste, come out in haste!
9:00 am

35. 10/12/2017
Sermon
Pastor Nathan Mugaas
9:00 am

36. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
CHORUS Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, I’ll worship Your holy name.

37. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
VERSE 1 The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning, It’s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes.

38. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
CHORUS Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, I’ll worship Your holy name.

39. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
VERSE 2 You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger. Your name is great and Your heart is kind. For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing; Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

40. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
CHORUS Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, I’ll worship Your holy name.

41. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
VERSE 3 And on that day, when my strength is failing, The end draws near, and my time has come; Still, my soul will sing Your praise unending Ten thousand years, and then forevermore!

42. Advent Song 10,000 Reasons
CHORUS Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, I’ll worship Your holy name. (REPEAT)

43. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

44. Apostles’ Creed
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.

45. Apostles’ Creed
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.

46. Apostles’ Creed
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.

47. Let us share and receive the gifts God has given us.
Offertory
Let us share and receive the gifts God has given us.

48. Words of Institution
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. C

49. 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… C

50. The Lord’s Prayer
…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. C

51. Communion Invitation
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready. You are invited to join in Holy Communion. Gluten free wafers available. Children are welcomed to join us at the altar for a blessing. Both wine and grape juice are available.

52. Communion Song: This is Love
VERSE 1
Heaven’s splendor left behind,
The King of glory born to die;
God and man to reconcile,
You came to offer up Your life.

53. Communion Song: This is Love
CHORUS
This is love, this is love;
Incarnate King, begotten Son;
You choose to make Your home in us.

54. Communion Song: This is Love
VERSE 2
Worship feel that holy night,
Angel voices filled the sky;
Lowly shepherds raised their eyes
Following the star so bright.

55. Communion Song: This is Love
CHORUS
This is love, this is love;
Incarnate King, begotten Son;
You choose to make Your home in us.

56. Communion Song: This is Love
BRIDGE
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.

57. Communion Song: This is Love
CHORUS
This is love, this is love;
Incarnate King, begotten Son;
You choose to make Your home in us.
(REPEAT CHORUS)

58. Communion Blessing
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God's grace. Amen. P C

59. Blessing of Congregation
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.

60. Sending Song – Joy To The World
VERSE 1 Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King. Let ev’ry heart prepare HIm room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing,

61. Sending Song – Joy To The World
VERSE 2 Joy to the world! The Savior reigns; Let all their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

62. Sending Song – Joy To The World
CHORUS Joy, unspeakable joy! An overflowing well; No tongue can tell! It rises in my soul, never lets me go!

63. Sending Song – Joy To The World
VERSE 3 He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders of His love

64. Sending Song – Joy To The World
CHORUS Joy, unspeakable joy! An overflowing well; No tongue can tell! It rises in my soul, never lets me go!

65. Go in peace. Share the Good News! Thanks be to God.
Postlude P
Go in peace. Share the Good News!
Thanks be to God. C
Special thanks to all who assisted during worship.
If you would like to assist in worship or volunteer in other ways, please contact the office. Thanks.
Liturgy, songs and lyrics are reprinted with permission. Current copyright licenses held with CCLI, OneLicense, Licensing and Augsburg Fortress. Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.