1. Elk River Lutheran Church
As we enter this sacred place and time,
let us quiet our hearts and still our minds.
Prelude: Bea Bastyr
December 10, 2017
8:15am Service

2. Welcome to Elk River Lutheran Church
All are invited to share in the Lord’s Supper.
We encourage children to participate in worship and communion.
Nursery is available, should you desire it.
Restrooms are located in fellowship area and lower level.

3. Gathering Hymn (#264) “Prepare the Royal Highway” v. 1 & 3
VERSE 1
Prepare the royal highway;
the King of kings is near!
Let ev'ry hill and valley
a level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory,
foretold in sacred story:

4. Gathering Hymn (#264) “Prepare the Royal Highway” v. 1 & 3
Refrain
Hosanna to the Lord,
for he fulfills God's word!

5. Gathering Hymn (#264) “Prepare the Royal Highway” v. 1 & 3
VERSE 3
Then fling the gates wide open
to greet your promised king!
Your king, yet ev'ry nation
its tribute too may bring.
All lands will bow before him;
their voices join your singing:

6. Gathering Hymn (#264) “Prepare the Royal Highway” v. 1 & 3
Refrain
Hosanna to the Lord,
for he fulfills God's word!

7. Confession and Forgiveness (p.94)
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who comes to wake us from sleep, who leads us into the light of grace. Amen. P C

8. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
God of all time, We confess that we have not prepared for your merciful reign among us. We ignore our neighbors in need and fail in the labor of justice and peace. C

9. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your light and to seek the things that will endure until Christ comes again in glory. Amen. C

10. Confession and Forgiveness (p. 94)
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven and all things are made new. Rejoice in this good news. Amen. P C

11. Greeting (p. 184)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. P C

12. Song of Praise (#251) “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness” V. 1
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord; I sing my Savior's praise! You looked upon my lowliness, and I am full of grace. Now ev'ry land and ev'ry age this blessing shall proclaim— great wonders you have done for me, and holy is your name.

13. Prayer of the day
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

14. Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
1Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.  2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her  that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand  double for all her sins. 

15. Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
 3A voice cries out:  "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,  make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  4Every valley shall be lifted up,  and every mountain and hill be made low;  the uneven ground shall become level,  and the rough places a plain.

16. Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
  5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,  and all people shall see it together,  for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."  6A voice says, "Cry out!"  And I said, "What shall I cry?"  All people are grass,  their constancy is like the flower of the field.

17. Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
   7The grass withers, the flower fades,  when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;  surely the people are grass.  8The grass withers, the flower fades;  but the word of our God will stand forever.

18. Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
 9Get you up to a high mountain,  O Zion, herald of good tidings;   lift up your voice with strength,  O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,   lift it up, do not fear;  say to the cities of Judah,  "Here is your God!"

19. Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
 10See, the Lord GOD comes with might,  and his arm rules for him;  his reward is with him,  and his recompense before him.  11He will feed his flock like a shepherd;  he will gather the lambs in his arms,  and carry them in his bosom,  and gently lead the mother sheep

20. 2You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
Reading: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
  1LORD, you were favorable to your land;  you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
 2You forgave the iniquity of your people;  you pardoned all their sin.

21. 9Surely his salvation is at hand
Reading: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
 8Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,  for he will speak peace to his people,  to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.  
9Surely his salvation is at hand
for those who fear him,  that his glory may dwell in our land.

22. Reading: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
 10Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;  righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
 11Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,  and righteousness will look down from the sky.

23. Reading: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
 12The LORD will give what is good,  and our land will yield its increase.  
13Righteousness will go before him,  and will make a path for his steps.

24. Please stand for the Gospel
Gospel Acclamation
Please stand for the Gospel

25. Gospel Acclamation (#173)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

26. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord. P C

27. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, 

28. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
 "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,  who will prepare your way;
 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:  'Prepare the way of the Lord,  make his paths straight,'"

29. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

30. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
6Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

31. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ P C

32. Children are invited to come to the front.
Children’s Message
Children are invited to come to the front.

33. Sermon Pastor Nathan Mugaas

35. Hymn of the Day (#267) “Joy to the World” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let ev'ry heart prepare him room and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.

36. Hymn of the Day (#267) “Joy to the World” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 2 Joy to the earth, 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.

37. Hymn of the Day (#267) “Joy to the World” v. 1, 2 & 4
VERSE 4 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. Prayers of Intercession
Guided by the light of Christ, let us pray for the coming dawn of joy, healing, and comfort for all God’s people. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. P C

43. 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

44. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Offertory
Let us share and receive the gifts God has given us.
“ Over the River”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Featuring Anneliese Blomquist

45. Offering Prayer
Let us pray,
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen. P C

46. The Great Thanksgiving (p. 190)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give
our thanks and praise. P C P C P C

47. Holy, Holy, Holy (#413) v. 3
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in pow'r, in love and purity.

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. P

49. The Lord’s Prayer C
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…

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. Children are welcomed to join us at the altar for a blessing. Gluten free wafers available. Both wine and grape juice are available.

52. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 1 Lo, how a rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming as seers of old have sung, it came, a flow'r so bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.

53. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 2 Isaiah had foretold it, the rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half-spent was the night.

54. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 3 This flow'r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fill the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens ev'ry load.

55. Communion Hymn (#272) “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VERSE 4 O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe; O Savior, king of glory, who dost our weakness know: bring us at length, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven and into endless day.

56. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 1 O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

57. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

58. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 2 O come, O Wisdom from on high, embracing all things far and nigh: in strength and beauty come and stay; teach us your will and guide our way.

59. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

60. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 3 O come, O come, O Lord of might, as to your tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times you gave the law in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

61. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

62. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 4 O come, O Branch of Jesse, free your own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell your people save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

63. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

64. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 5 O come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.

65. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

66. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 6 O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer; O Sun of justice, now draw near. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadow put to flight.

67. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

68. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 7 O come, O King of nations, come, O Cornerstone that binds in one: refresh the hearts that long for you; restore the broken, make us new.

69. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

70. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
VERSE 8 O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

71. Communion Hymn (#257)“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

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

73. announcing your coming among us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Communion Prayer P
Let us pray.
God for whom we wait, you come to us in the broken bread and the cup we share.
Make us ready always to welcome Christ into our hearts, and send us forth to be your people in the world,
announcing your coming among us
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. C

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

75. 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. P C

76. Sending Song (#270) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” v. 1 & 2
VERSE 1
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."

77. Sending Song (#270) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” v. 1 & 2
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

78. Sending Song (#270) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” v. 1 & 2
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"

79. Sending Song (#270) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” v. 1 & 2
VERSE 2
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.

80. Sending Song (#270) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” v. 1 & 2
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

81. Sending Song (#270) “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” v. 1 & 2
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"

82. Special thanks to all who assisted during worship.
Sending Dialog P
Go in peace. Share the Good News!
We will! 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.
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