*Hymn 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Verses 1, 6, 7 Proclaim God’s Word Prayer of Illuminaon Scripture Reading Mahew 1:18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relaons with her unl she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. Sermon The Biblical Perspecve Pastor Mark McIlraith Give Thanks to God The Offering *Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedicaon Offertory Long Ago, Prophets Knew Arr. Cathy Moklebust ©2017 Chorister’s Guild Press CCLI #207039 *Affirmaon of Faith - The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Ponus Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sieth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrecon of the body; and the life everlasng. Amen. Invitaon to the Table Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord’s Supper All who seek to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcomed to the Table. Today’s Worship Service Draw Near to God * = please stand as you are able Prelude The Church Alive Lighng the Advent Candle Amy & Steve Carter (9:30) Brian, Sunny, Julie, Ryan, and Judy Dood (11) *Call to Worship One: What do we ancipate coming to this place? All: We ancipate the coming of our Lord. One: What do we hope for as we enter worship? All: We hope for the Messiah’s arrival. One: What do we wait for with joy as we gather? All: We wait for the long-expected Jesus. One: Let’s welcome him in this place. All: Come Lord Jesus! Amen! *Hymn 82 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus *Prayer of Adoraon Anthem Let Every Heart Prepare A Throne Let every heart prepare a throne for soon the Child of Light will come. Let every voice prepare a song to welcome Christ the Promised One. Let every hand reach out with love to greet this Giſt from God above. Make ready now, the Savior comes, the Prince of Peace, the Promised One. So let the flame of Advent glow, each candle shines that all may know, The hope we need, so long foretold will soon be here for us to hold. Let every heart prepare a throne for soon the Child of Light will come. Let every voice prepare a song to welcome Christ the Promised One. Let every heart prepare a throne. By Mark Paerson ©2013 Choristers Guild CCLI #207039 Prayer of Confession Mighty God, We wait expectantly for your coming by making room for you in our lives. Yet we oſten find it difficult to make space for you. We are oſten distracted by our own feelings. We crowd our lives with the world’s preoccupaons and find there is lile room leſt for you. Forgive us for not placing you first in our lives. Pardon us for seeking earthly rewards that don’t sasfy. Help us to seek you and your kingdom first so that we would be embrace you as our great reward. (Silence for Personal Confession) *Assurance of Pardon Response Liſt Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to thee, here Lord, abide. Let me thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in me reveal *Passing of the Peace One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. The Lord’s Prayer Go In God’s Name *Benedicon Postlude Please join us in Fellowship Hall aſter the service for coffee and conversaon. Serving in Worship Preaching Pastor: Pastor Mark McIlraith Assisng: Pastor Graig Flach (9:30 AM), Pastor Lillian Pak (11 AM) Musicians: Hope Choir, directed by Mary Ann Foy; Connie Tierington, piano; Covenant Bells, directed by Leanne Bilstrom; Mahew Smith, piano, organ. LGPCPrays Prayer is the primary work of God’s people. It is a vital connecon to God where we can hear from, listen to, and respond to the Lord. Here are some ways you can pray this week... PrayerRequests Strength: Herb Koss Healing: Karen Lewis, Rod & Diane Gilbert, Ruth Cordon, Kris Dunlop, Nancy Clayton, Don Krahmer, Laura Huchko, Irene Tegeler, Bruce Hesselman Comfort: For Dave Bushnell & family whose mother Kathy Diehl passed away November 21. MissionPartners Agros Internaonal: Pray for the cizens of our partner village in Nicaragua, La Bendicion, and for our team vising them in January. Care & Share: We pray the Lord will provide enough funds for our Care & Share ministry to connue their generous support to people in need of food from our local communies. PrayerInformaon To submit a prayer request, write it on a Prayer Card found at the info desk and drop it in the box in the Narthex, call the church office at 503-636-5656, email [email protected], or submit online at lakegrovepres.org. Prayer hour... Meet in the Courtyard Room for an hour of prayer on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM, or Sundays in Pastor Mark’s office at 8 AM.