He came down that we may have joy

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He came down that we may have joy

Our Mission: To boldly glorify God.

Elim Lutheran Church

Scandia, Minnesota

December 19, 2021

Elim Lutheran Church Fourth Sunday of Advent December 19, 2021

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Introduction: Cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little town of Bethlehem and Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the church always lives as when in holy communion—with high delight— “we proclaim the Lord’s death.”

Prelude: Ding, Dong Merrily on High – arr. Larry Sue Elim Handbell Choir w/Brian Voss, organist

Welcome

Ringing of the Bells

Call to Worship: Advent Kyrie – Lyrics by John Parker/Music by David Lantz III Elim Adult Choir w/Phil Bailey, soloist

Advent Candle Lighting (Johnson & Carlson Family)

Introduction Scripture ELW 253 – He Came Down, verse 4 Prayer

Greeting

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.

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Special Music: Canticle of the Turning – arr. Hal H. Hopson Elim Adult Choir

Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

Sermon


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Special Music: God Rest You Merry Gentlemen – arr. Larry Shakley (Sylvia Mills, Janet Beckman, Phil Bailey, Tim Newcomb)

Prayers of the People

Petition Response: Hear us O God. Your mercy is great.

Offering

Special Music: Angels We Have Heard on High – arr. Mitchell Eithun/Sandra Eithun

Elim Handbell Choir w/Janet Beckman, accompanist

Offering Prayer

God of our waiting and watching, we offer the gifts of our hearts and our

lives to the service of all your people. Prepare the way before us as we

meet you in this gathering today, through Christ Jesus, our pathway and

our peace. Amen.

Communion - Words of Institution

Lord’s Prayer

Table Blessing/Prayer

Special Music: The Christmas Gift – Words/music by Pepper Choplin Elim Adult Choir w/Tim Newcomb, soloist (Congregation join on verses 1 & 2 – see page 4)

Blessing and Sending

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait. Amen. Go in peace. Christ is near. Thanks be to God.

Postlude


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The Christmas Gift

Reproduced with permission

Worship Participants

Presiding Minister: Pastor Sarah Henrich Organist/Pianist: Brian Voss Special Music: Elim Adult Choir; Janet Beckman, Director Elim Handbell Choir; Joan Detzler, Director


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Attendance for December 12 8:00 a.m. – 28 9:30 a.m. – 65 Online Views - 33

Schedule for the Week Today 12/19 8:00 a.m. Communion Worship

9:30 a.m. Communion Worship 10:45 a.m. Annual Meeting Part I

Mon. 12/20 7:00 p.m. AA Tue. 12/21 9:30 a.m. Advent Bible Study – via Zoom

Wed. 12/22 12:00 p.m. – Advent Noon Prayer Service

Fri. 12/24 3:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Worship 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship (Office closed)

Sat. 12/25 Christmas Day! Sun. 12/26 9:30 a.m. Service of Lessons and Carols (No 8:00 a.m. service)

Death came, as it must to all, to Barry Farver on December 12, 2021 at the age of 76 years. A funeral service will be held here at Elim Lutheran Church on Monday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation an hour before. Burial will be at Elim Cemetery. Our sympathy to the family.

Announcements

If you can help out, call or email the church office:

651-433-2723 [email protected]

Worship Assistants Needed

We sure could use your help at our worship services. Check out the list below to see how you can help enhance our worship experience at Elim. Ushers Readers Acolytes/Cross Bearers

Greeters


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Volunteers Needed to Help With Live-Streaming Services

We are looking for additional volunteers (at least 1 or 2 more) to help cover the live-streaming of our services. This has become, and will continue to be, an important part of our ministry here at Elim. Please consider becoming a part of this important ministry. Interested in helping? Have questions? Contact Jesse Pereboom for more information. (Email: [email protected]; Call/text: 651-238-5708)

Advent Giving Tree

There is still time to help improve lives around the world. Although you can give

anytime throughout the year, the deadline for submitting payments through Elim

is Sunday, December 26.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose your gift ornament from one of our Advent Trees near the coat room or at the end of the office hallway.

2. Donate in one of four ways, whatever works for you: Online: ELCA.org/goodgifts By Phone: 1-800-638-3522 Drop of your check, made payable to the Evangelical Lutheran Church

in America, and ornament in the church office or with Pastor Sarah Mail an order form* with payment to:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America P.O. Box 1809 Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

*Order forms are available on the shelves outside the office or on the ELCA website.


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Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

The Elim Foundation welcomes your gifts to grow the Foundation, and we invite you to “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” to meet and surpass a $5,000 matching challenge from a donor between November 1- December 31, 2021. The total amount raised by this challenge will be revealed at worship on Sunday, January 9, 2022, Epiphany Sunday (and Foundation Sunday), along with those Christian ministries receiving gifts/grants from your Elim Foundation.

Gifts to the Foundation can be made by check (made payable to Elim Foundation), cash (designate for Elim Foundation), or a gift of stock (see Elim Foundation webpage for directions). They can be mailed to Elim Church or placed in the offering plate on Sunday morning. (www.elimscandia.org Ministries Foundation)

Zoom Information for Annual Meeting Part I

Go to: zoom.us

Click ‘Join a Meeting’ then enter the meeting ID and passcode when prompted.

Meeting ID: 884 9475 4676 Passcode: 955700

If needed, the call-in number is: 1-312-626-6799 Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.


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Elim Lutheran Church 20971 Olinda Trail N.

P.O. Box 67 Scandia, MN 55073

Phone: 651-433-2723 Website: www.elimscandia.org Email: [email protected]

Elim Staff Elim Church Council Sarah Henrich, Interim Pastor Joan Detzler, Office Administrator Ruth Dunn, Financial Secretary Lisa Weigel, Treasurer Brian Voss, Organist Janet Beckman, Music Coordinator/

Choir Director Joan Detzler, Bell Choir Director

Alan Bakke, President Sylvia Mills, Vice President Doug Thomas, Secretary Colleen Nora, Treasurer Kyle Dahlheimer Laurie Carlson Jeff Garritsen Bonnie Olsen Warren Zenk Sandy Zenk

Office Hours

Monday – Friday

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Documents

He came down that we may have joy