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1st Sunday in AdventDecember 1, 2019
SERVICE THEME:Prepare for the New
WELCOME — We are so pleased that you have joined us for worship today! If you are a guest with us, please sign our guest register, which is located in the center entryway of the church. We welcome and encourage children to join our worship services! Enclosed “cry rooms” are available in the back of the church near the restrooms, if your child becomes restless. Pictorial children’s Bibles are available for children to use, on the table in the back of church. Please let us know if there is any other way we can be of service to you. Again, welcome! OUR MISSION — The mission of St. Andrew Lutheran Church is to guide people to know Jesus as their Savior, to grow in their faith, and to show Jesus to others. OUR BELIEF — We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only source of all Christian doctrine and teaching. We believe that the only true God is the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that we are saved not by anything we do, but only through faith in Jesus Christ, who gave his life for our sins. We will be happy to tell you more about what we believe! OUR HISTORY — St. Andrew Lutheran Church was established in 1888 and is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a confessional Lutheran church body with over 1,200 congregations in North America and with more than 30 sister church bodies worldwide.
Church Office: 3650 S. Honore St., Chicago, IL 60609 (next door to church)Website: www.standrewchicago.org Office Phone: 773-376-5370Office Email: [email protected] Page: www.facebook.com/standrewchicago/
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INTRODUCTION TO ADVENTAdvent is a season of preparation and anticipation. The Church
looks for the coming of her Savior in this threefold advent: his coming in the flesh; his return in judgment; his daily coming in Word and Sacrament. The Church encompasses all these facets of the season in the single word that defines Advent worship: “Come!” Throughout the prayers, verses, and lessons that single word is our invitation, our anticipation, and our sure and certain hope. Come, Lord Jesus!Traditionally, the Gloria in excelsis is not sung during Advent,
because of the penitential nature of the season. The absence of this song of praise marks Advent worship with a sense of something missing. During the four weeks of preparation, the Church looks forward to the return of the song of the angels at Christmas, in celebration of God fulfilling his promises in Christ.
TODAY’S SERVICE THEMEKeep watch for the unexpected coming of Christ! The coming of
Christ defines our present time because we know that he comes with unexpected judgment on the unbelieving world and unexpected grace for his people. We are filled with hope, with love, and with light. With anticipation in our hearts, we long for the fulfillment, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS – At this time, anyone may share special prayer requests with the pastor, which he will then pray about later in the worship service, during the Prayer of the Church. If you prefer to submit a written prayer request, you may do so before the service or hand it to an usher during the offering. As a family of believers, we want to know each other’s joys and struggles, so that we can pray for each other.
OPENING DIALOGUE AND PRAYER
M: The people walking in darkness have seen a greatlight:C: On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)
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M: Our Savior Jesus said, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)
C: All will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)
M: Christ himself has given apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to make God’s people ready for works of service. (Ephesians 4:11)
C: He will strengthen our hands to do his work and open our lips to declare his praise. (Psalm 51:15)
M: Let us pray.Almighty God, you strengthen us that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. With Word and Sacrament, make ready our hearts. Make us ready to receive your Word and live by it daily. Make us ready to live our faith through love and service. And finally, make us ready to meet you face to face on the day your Son comes to judge the living and the dead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
One Advent candle is lit during the OPENING HYMN.
OPENING HYMN – 472 – Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray
INVOCATION and CONFESSION OF SINS – CW p. 15
LORD, HAVE MERCY (Kyrie) – CW p. 15
ABSOLUTION – CW p. 16
HYMN OF PRAISE – 276 – Praise Be to the Lord (Benedictus – Song of Zechariah)
PRAYER OF THE DAY – CW p. 17
M: Let us pray.
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M: Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
FIRST LESSON – Genesis 6:9-22, 7:11-23 (EHV)
9This is the account about the development of Noah’s family.Noah was a righteous man, a man of integrity in that generation.
Noah walked with God. 10Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11In the sight of God the earth was morally corrupt, and the earth was filled with violence. 12God looked at the earth and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh was corrupt in all their ways on the earth.
13So God said to Noah, “I have decreed the end of all flesh, because the earth is filled with violence because of them. Now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.
14“Make an ark of gofer wood. Make rooms in the ark. Seal it inside and outside with pitch. 15This is how you are to make it: The length of the ark is to be 450 feet, its width 75 feet, and its height 45 feet. 16Make a roof for the ark, and leave an eighteen-inch opening just under the roof. Place a door on the side of the ark. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.
17“I myself am about to bring a flood of waters on the earth, in order to destroy all flesh under the sky that has the breath of life. Everything that is on the earth will die, 18but I will establish my covenant with you. You shall come into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19You shall bring a pair (male and female) of every kind of living flesh into the ark with you to keep them alive. 20Include the birds according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, every creeping thing on the ground according to their kinds. Two of every sort shall come to you, so you can keep them alive. 21Take with you every type of food that is eaten, and store it for yourself, so it can be used as food for you and for them.”
22So that is what Noah did. He did everything that God commanded him, just as he had been told.
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7:11In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that very day, all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. 12The rain came down on the earth for forty days and forty nights.
13On that same day Noah, Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons along with them, entered the ark. 14They went in with every animal according to its kind, all the livestock according to their kinds, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth according to its kind, and everything that flies according to its kind, flying birds of every sort. 15Pairs of all the animals that have the breath of life in them went to Noah in the ark. 16A male and female of each animal that breathes went in, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut Noah in.
17The flood kept coming on the earth for forty days. The waters became deeper and lifted up the ark until it floated high above the earth. 18The water kept increasing and overwhelmed the earth, and the ark was carried along on the surface of the water. 19The water overwhelmed the earth. All the high mountains that were under the entire sky were covered. 20The waters rose more than twenty feet above the mountains and covered them. 21All living creatures that moved on the earth perished, including birds, livestock, wild animals, every creeping thing that crawls on the earth, and all mankind. 22Everything that breathed the breath of life through its nostrils, that is, everything that was on the dry land, died. 23Every living thing that was on the face of the earth was wiped out, including mankind, livestock, creeping things, and birds of the sky. They all were wiped off the earth. Only Noah was left, as well as those who were with him in the ark.
PSALM OF THE DAY – Psalm 18 – CW p. 69
SECOND LESSON – Romans 13:11-14 (EHV)
11And do this since you understand the present time. It is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is almost over, and the day is drawing near. So let us put away the deeds of darkness and put on the weapons of light. 13Let us walk decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual sin and wild living, not in strife
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and jealousy. 14Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not give any thought to satisfying the desires of your sinful flesh.
VERSE OF THE DAY
M: Alleluia. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Alleluia. (Revelation 22:20)
GOSPEL – Matthew 24:36-44 (EHV)
After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
36“No one knows when that day and hour will be, not the angels of heaven, not even the Son, but only the Father. 37Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be when the Son of Man returns. 38In fact, in the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the very day that Noah entered the ark. 39And they did not realize what was coming until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man returns.
40“At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 42So be alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: If the master of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44You also need to be ready for this reason: The Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect him.”
After the reading of the Gospel, the congregation sings:
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NICENE CREED (CW p. 18-19)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY – 2 – Savior of the Nations, Come
SERMON – Matthew 24:36-44 – Prepare for the New
“CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD” – CW p. 20
OFFERINGMembers of St. Andrew Lutheran Church use this time to respond to God’s goodness with gifts of thanks and love. Our giving is guided by this Word of God: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8, NIV). If you are a guest with us today, please do not feel obligated to participate. Online giving is also available to use; please see the announcement on page 14 of this service folder for more information.
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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH – for Advent – CW p. 123 – including the following special prayer:
for WELS Prison Ministry:Lord Jesus, you bring “freedom for the prisoners.” We pray that you
would bless the efforts of WELS Prison Ministry to share this Good News through letters, biblical resources, and Bible studies. Open the hearts of all who hear your Word to understand our depravity before you, our great need for a Savior, and the wonderful victory you have given us through your death and resurrection. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER (CW p. 20)
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
THE SACRAMENT
Our Lord Jesus has given us a holy Supper in which we receive his true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith. In this Supper, we celebrate the gift of his redemption, we bear witness to the fellowship we share as confessors of the truth, and we proclaim his death until he returns.
Following the teaching of the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:17; 11:27-29; etc.), St. Andrew practices “close communion.” We ask that only those who are communicant members of St. Andrew or another congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) partake of the sacrament today. Our pastor would be happy to speak with you about receiving the Lord’s Supper with us in the future!
PREFACE – CW p. 21
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (Sanctus) – CW p. 22
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WORDS OF INSTITUTION – CW p. 23
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD (Agnus Dei) – CW p. 23
DISTRIBUTION
Those receiving the common cup are invited to assist the minister in guiding the cup to their lips. Those who need to receive grape juice instead of wine may take the purple individual cups in the center of the tray. Gluten-free wafers are available for those who need them; please speak with the pastor or an usher to request one.
SONG OF SIMEON (Nunc Dimittis) – CW p. 24
PRAYER and BLESSING – CW p. 24-25
CLOSING HYMN – 7 – Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
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THIS WEEK AT ST. ANDREWDecember 1-8, 2019
Today 9:30 AM Worship Service w. Communion10:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Study
Tuesday 6:30-8:30 PM Youth Confirmation Class
Wednesday 7:00 PM 中文圣经学习 (Chinese BibleStudy)
Friday 10:30 AM Adult Bible Study
Sunday 9:30 AM Worship Service10:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Study
The paraments are blue for the season of Advent. Our Christian faith rests on the hope that Christ, who came in history taking on human flesh, will also return on the last day of time from that same blue sky into which he ascended long ago.
WELCOME, GUESTS! – We are happy to have you with us today! Please sign the guest register in the church entryway so that we have a record of your visit. Our pastor, Adam Gawel, would be happy to meet with you if you would like. Please join us for worship or Bible study again!
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE STUDY TOPICS TODAYIn today’s Sunday school lesson from the series I Spy Salvation’s Story, students investigate “The Case of the Worn Broom: Jesus with Mary and Martha.” The one necessary thing for happiness now and always is the Word of God. Parents could discuss with their child at home: “What kinds of things distract you from God’s Word? How are you blessed by God’s Word?” In adult Bible study, we continue a series entitled Sing to the Lord: A Study of Lutheran Hymnody. This Bible study covers many of the great hymns that express the truths of Scripture with beautiful lyrics set to timeless melodies, which make great tools for Christians to confess their faith and sing praises to God. Adults meet for Bible study in the back of the church sanctuary, and children meet for Sunday school in the ministry center next door to church. All are welcome!
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ADVENT, CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR’S WORSHIP SCHEDULEThe St. Andrew Ministry Council has decided not to hold Wednesday-evening worship services during Advent this year. Our Advent meditation will continue during the Sundays in Advent (Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22) at 9:30 a.m. On Christmas Eve (Tues., Dec. 24), we will have a candlelight worship service, with Sunday school children and youth participating, at 7:00 p.m. On Christmas Day (Wed., Dec. 25), we will have a festival worship service at 9:30 a.m. On New Year’s Eve (Tue., Dec. 31), we will have a worship service at 7:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and invite your friends to join us for these worship services!
ADVENT DEVOTION BOOKLETS AVAILABLEIf you haven’t received one yet, please pick up a copy of the Advent devotion booklet entitled “Christ Is the World’s Light,” provided to us by Martin Luther College (the ministry training college of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). There are daily devotions for each day in Advent, through Christmas Day, to assist in your Advent meditation.
BE PART OF “C19” (“Christmas 2019” outreach)One million souls. That is the goal. To share the gospel with one million souls prior to and on Christmas Eve. That goal is part of WELS Congregational Services’ “C19” program (“Christmas 2019” outreach). The only way to achieve that goal is for all WELS members, young and old, to embrace the privilege and responsibility of sharing Christ with unchurched friends, relatives, and neighbors. A simple way to do that: invite them to come with you to our Christmas Eve worship service (Dec. 24, 7:00pm). A recent survey found that 80% of unchurched adults would seriously consider accepting an invitation, extended by a friend, to attend a Christmas Eve service! C19 seeks to encourage every member of our WELS family to do just that. Please fill out the “My Personal Mission Field” form (extra copies available in the entryways) for your personal use; begin praying now for those people; and then during the month of December invite them to come with you to our Christmas Eve worship service (Dec. 24, 7:00pm).
CHRISTMAS INVITATION “BUSINESS CARDS”This year we purchased 500 business-card-size Christmas worship invitation cards. We do still have large postcards from previous years available, but the advantage of a business card is that it easily fits in your pocket, wallet, or purse, so you can have some always on hand for
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either planned or unplanned opportunities to invite someone to join us for worship on Christmas Eve (see the note above). Two of these cards were included in this service folder today. Many more are available in the church entryways and next door in the church office. Please take as many as you’d like to share! All are welcome – at Christmas, or any other time!
GIFT CARDS (SCRIP) ORDER FORMS AVAILABLE – Deadline: Sun., Dec. 8The St. Andrew Mission Society has gift card (scrip) order forms available in the center entryway. We will receive a small percentage of each purchase, which will be used to support mission work affiliated with our church body. The deadline to order is Sunday, December 8; the cards will be available to pick up by Sunday, Dec. 22. You may turn in your order to an usher or to our church secretary, Margie Hendricks. Please contact Debbie Halderman with any questions.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-SALE BAKING SIGN-UP SHEET, BASKETSSt. Andrew Mission Society will hold its annual Christmas cookie bake sale on Sunday, Dec. 22, after the worship service. Proceeds will be used to support mission work affiliated with our church body. To make this a success, we are asking for donations of homemade cookies during the week of Dec. 16-21. Cookie baskets will be packed on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10:00 a.m. Cookies may be dropped off at the ministry center (the house next door to church) on Dec. 16-20 from 9:00 to 3:00, or at church on Dec. 21 by 10:00 a.m. If you are willing to bake cookies and/or help pack them, please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the center entryway so that we can plan accordingly. If you have baskets from previous years’ cookie sales and are willing to bring them to be used again, please bring them in to church or the office at your earliest convenience. Thank you!
PRAYER GROUP – DECEMBER 5 (THUR.), 6:00 PMWe will have a prayer group on December 5 (Thursday) at 6:00pm. We will share and pray about prayer requests for ourselves, our church, and others. All are welcome to attend, and you may participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
“VOICES OF PEACE” CONCERT – ZION, CRETE – Fri., Dec. 20, 7:00pmVoices of Peace, a ministry partner of Zion Lutheran Church in Crete, will present a Christmas concert entitled, ‘O Magnum Mysterium: A Mass for
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Christmas.’ The story of Christ’s Nativity is told through both carols and the familiar texts of the liturgy. You are invited to celebrate the great mystery that is Christmas, at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Crete, IL on Friday, December 20, at 7pm.
BAPTISM IN THURSDAY’S WORSHIP SERVICEDuring the worship service on Thanksgiving Day, Alex Choi, a young man from our neighborhood, was baptized. We give thanks to God for his blessings to Alex through baptism, and pray for God’s continued blessing and strengthening of faith for Alex!
MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE FORMIf you have not done so yet, please fill out a member information update form for yourself, your spouse, and your children under 18 / other dependents, so that we can update our records and be able to contact you when needed. Forms and pens are available in the church entryways, and completed forms can be returned to an usher or church secretary Margie Hendricks. Thank you!
NEW MEDITATIONS DEVOTION BOOKLETS AVAILABLENew Meditations daily devotion booklets are available in the information rack in the center entryway. Feel free to take one for use in your personal devotions.
ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLESt. Andrew Lutheran Church is set up to receive online donations. There are a number of ways to do that. Step-by-step instructions with screen-shots are available in the center church entryway, for both the mobile app “Give+” (from Vanco) and the giving page through our church website (go to standrewchicago.org and click on the “Giving” tab). Or, scan this QR code with your smartphone. Please contact St. Andrew’s elder for stewardship, Sam DeLaurentis [email protected], with any questions.
“EVERY MEMBER VISITS” WITH PASTOR GAWELThis year Pastor Gawel would like to meet individually with all the adult members of St. Andrew (or with married couples together), so that he can get to know everyone better and to see if there is any way that he or the church can serve you better spiritually. Pastor Gawel is willing to
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meet with you at your home, at a coffee shop or other venue near your home or workplace, or at our ministry center (next door to church). Please speak with Pastor Gawel, or call or text him at 773-383-2395, to schedule a time for a visit.
SERMONS AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING, DOWNLOAD, AND PODCASTINGIf you miss the Sunday sermon, would like to listen to it again, or would like to share it with a friend, audio recordings of the sermons are archived on our church website, posted weekly to our church Facebook page, and are available for podcasting (quick links and instructions available on our website). Go to http://standrewchicago.org/sermons/ to listen! Service folders are also available for download on our church website: http://standrewchicago.org/bulletins
WEDNESDAY EVENING CHINESE GROUP BIBLE STUDYOn Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the ministry center (the house next door to church), there is a Chinese group Bible study. New friends are always welcome to join! Please invite any Chinese friends or neighbors. You may share with them the following invitation: 每周三晚上 7:00，圣安得烈基督教路德宗教会之福音事工中心（教堂隔壁的房子）有成人中文圣经学习。欢迎您参加！事工中心楼上设有活动间供儿童使用；欢迎小孩跟家长一起来！地址是 3650 S. Honore St.（在麦金利公园区）。高乐仁牧师的电话号码是 773-383-2395.
BIBLE INFORMATION CLASSIn Bible Information Class, we study the main teachings of the Christian faith. Adults and teens who would like to become members of St. Andrew are encouraged to attend this class to learn what St. Andrew teaches according to God’s Word. This class is also open to anyone who is interested in learning more about what the Bible teaches and what Christians believe, with no requirement to join the church after the course is finished. Pastor Gawel is able to teach the class in English and Chinese, and course materials are also available in Spanish and other languages, as an aid for those whose first language is not English or Chinese. If you or someone you know are interested in starting this class, please contact Pastor Gawel to set up a time.
Equipping Christian WitnessesEquipping Christian Witnesses, the new campaign from Martin Luther
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College, focuses on recruitment, financial aid, and facilities. By enrolling more future ministry workers, helping them fund their Christian education, and enhancing their learning environments across the campus, WELS strengthens the foundation for its future. Learn more at mlc-wels.edu/mlc-campaign.
Worship attendance last Sunday: 37(adults: 29; children: 8)
Thanksgiving Day worship attendance: 32(adults: 27; children: 5)
Adult Bible study attendance last week: 15(Friday: 2; Sunday: 11; Monday: 2)
Sunday School: 5 Youth Confirmation Class: 3Chinese fellowship meal Wed.: 13
Income needed each month Offerings received in October$11,840.00 $9,537.93
Offerings received last week through Nov. 27: $1,514.24(needed each week: $2,732.31)
Offerings received in Nov. through Nov. 27: $8,129.70
December head usher: Dale TaylorAssistant ushers: Tom Pindelski & George LawsonMusic and liturgy printed under OneLicense # A-714339Scripture readings are from the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2018 by the Wartburg Project, www.wartburgproject.org
PLEASE GREET THOSE AROUND YOUIf you are able, please stay for a time of fellowship after the worship service concludes; greet those around you and introduce yourself to people you don’t know.
Please take this service folder with you! Continue to meditate on the Bible readings throughout the week, and pray for God’s blessing on the mission and ministry of the church!
God bless your week, as you live and witness for him!
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