The family of Immanuel Lutheran Church welcomes you.

We hope that you will Worship with us often.

IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

3184 Church Street, P.O. Box 739

Manchester, Maryland “A Stephen Ministry Congregation”

Our mission as disciples of Jesus, is to commit ourselves to making Christ known

through worship, service, outreach, learning, and loving one another

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Sunday, December 3, 2017

First Sunday of Advent

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A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS!

Immanuel welcomes you to our worship today. We hope that you will feel welcome. We invite you to become a part of the ministry of Immanuel.

Please sign in on the Red Pad found at each center row pew.

The Head Usher is here to assist you at any time during the service.

Sunday School classes are offered for children 2 years old through adult. We welcome you to join our program! Contact the church office or if classes are in session, simply stop by when you are here. Classes are at 10:15am, following the Sunday service. Registration Forms are in the back and on our website. Please join us!!

Visit website for more information: www.immanuellutheranccmd.org.

Worship Assistants

DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION Our hope is that you feel welcome at the Lord's Table. We welcome all baptized Christians

who proclaim with us the crucified and risen Christ’s real presence as he gives us his body and

blood as food and drink. Grape juice and gluten free wafers are also available, please let the

Communion assistants know of this dietary preference. The pastor also offers a pastoral

blessing at the Communion Rail for those who do not wish to receive Communion.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYER AND HEALING Pastor Charlie will offer individual prayer at the communion rail, with anointing and laying of

hands for healing for those who desire it, before each Saturday and Sunday service.

Sat Dec 2 Advent 1

Head Usher Jeanne Swain

Greeter Nancy Hoffman

Lector Linda Black

Offering Ushers

Barb Davidson Ron Davidson

Communion Linda Black

Sun Dec 3 Advent 1

Head Usher Frank Burnette

Altar Guild Susan Burnette

Greeters Betty Miller

Kathryn Regester

Lector Pete Wulforst

Offering Ushers

Wendy Maloney Linda Schmidt Ron Schmidt

Audrey Shaffer

Communion Stewards

Susan Burnette Norman Downes

Jo Fleck Joe Fleck

Acolytes ~ Torch Bearers

Jayden Bosnick Austin Gregg

Pray w/ Pastor Bob Nicoll

Bell Ringer Frank Burnette

*Cell Phone Reminder* Please either turn off or silence your device during our service.

Thank you.

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ADVENT CANTICLE

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” ELW #257 vs 1-2

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. A brief silence is kept before the prayer.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection

awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless

until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and

the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

“Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” ELW #240 vs 1

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We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown that marks our days of

preparation for Christ’s advent.

As we light the first candle on this wreath, rouse us from sleep, that we may

be ready to greet our Lord

when he comes with all the saints and angels.

Enlighten us with your grace, and prepare our hearts to welcome him with

joy.

Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day

draws near. Amen.

Light the first candle.

FIRST READING Isaiah 64:1-9

1O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,

so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—

to make your name known to your adversaries,

so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

3When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,

you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

4From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who works for those who wait for him.

5You meet those who gladly do right,

those who remember you in your ways.

But you were angry, and we sinned;

because you hid yourself we transgressed.

6We have all become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.

We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

7There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you;

for you have hidden your face from us,

and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.

8Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

9Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD,

and do not remember iniquity forever.

Now consider, we are all your people.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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PSALM Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,

stir up your strength and come to help us.

3Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

4O LORD God of hosts,

how long will your anger fume when your people pray?

5You have fed them with the bread of tears;

you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

6You have made us the derision of our neighbors,

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

7Restore us, O God of hosts;

let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

17Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,

the one you have made so strong for yourself.

18And so will we never turn away from you;

give us life, that we may call upon your name.

19Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;

let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God

that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been

enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—6just as the

testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—7so that you are not

lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus

Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be

blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you

were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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GOSPEL Mark 13:24-37

The holy gospel according to Mark.

Glory to you, O Lord.

[Jesus said:] 24“In those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

25and the stars will be falling from heaven,

and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power

and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the

four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender

and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you

see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things

have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not

pass away.

32“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in

heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do

not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey,

when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and

commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake—for

you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or

at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep

when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep

awake.”

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Copyright © 2016 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS008649.New

Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States

of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Next Week’s Readings: December 4~10: Advent 2 Isaiah 40: 1-11; Psalm 85 1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3: 8-15a; Mark 1: 1-8

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~~ Calendar ~~

Sun Dec 3 Monthly Mission Special Offering Worship Service w Communion 9:00am Confirmation Class 7:00pm Coffee Hour 10:15am Luther Men Practice – Choir Room 10:15am SS – Group Play Practice 10:15am Adult Bible Study 10:45am Choral Concert – Gettysburg Seminary 7:30pm

Mon Dec 4 Confirmation Class 7:00pm

Al-Anon & AA 8:00pm

Tues Dec 5 Bible Study – OTR 11:00am Scouts 7:00pm

Wed Dec 6 Bible Study – Pastor’s Home 7:00pm AA 7:15pm

Thur Dec 7 Pastor’s Retreat (Day) Chimes Practice 6:00pm Choir Practice 7:00pm

Fri Dec 8 Pastor Day Off AA & Al-Anon 8:00pm

Sat Dec 9 Worship Service w Communion 5:00pm AA 6:30pm

Sun Dec 10 Children’s Choir Practice 8:15am Luther Men Practice 8:30am Worship Service w Communion 9:00am Sunday School 10:15am Adult Bible Study 10:30am Confirmation Class 7:00pm

The Altar Vases are unsponsored for this weekend, December 2-3. Please contact Altar Guild if you would like to take one or both vases of flowers after the service. The flowers will be bagged for your easy transport.

The Season of Advent begins this weekend, December 2nd and 3rd and continues through the morning of December 24th . The color for Advent is blue, as displayed on the altar, lectern and pulpit parament cloths. The Advent wreath, with its four blue candles surrounding the center Christ candle, will be lit one candle in succession for each of the four weeks during Advent. Each weekend, the congregation will sing an additional verse of the traditional Advent hymn ~ “Light One Candle” (ELW #240). Join us at Immanuel for this wonderful time of the year, as we prepare to make the journey to Bethlehem and witness the birth of Jesus!

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One of the best known customs for the season is the Advent Wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting, in the midst of growing darkness, strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the crown of Christ, or the wheel of time, itself. Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four blue candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light. Sometimes, the wreath is embellished with natural dried flowers or fruit. Its evergreen branches lead the household and the congregation to the evergreen Christmas tree. In many homes, the family gathers for prayer around the wreath. (Sundays & Seasons, 2017)

Center altar flowers are sponsored

in honor of Audrey Moose in appreciation for all she does to help us ‘make a joyful noise’!

by The Hand Chime Choir

+ + + + + + + + + + +

Lessons and Prayers are sponsored by Madelyn Edwards

** THIS WEEKEND **

MONTHLY MISSION SPECIAL OFFERING: Collected for The Lutheran Campus Ministry at Towson State University. They are a member of the ELCA and is one of three such ministries in Maryland’s Universities and Colleges. They provide an opportunity for Lutherans on the campuses to gather as Jesus did; around a table of friends and strangers to share the word and a meal. Pastor Laura is the driving force behind this critical time in campus life of these young adults. We can help her in her mission with your generosity.

*Write check to Immanuel Church for special offering*

Join us in the Social Hall for Coffee Hour after Sunday morning service.

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PASTOR CHARLIE’S ADVENT/CHRISTMAS BIBLE CHALLENGE – GET READY!

In December, we journey through the season of Advent and into Christmas, preparing for the coming of the Lord with readings primarily from the Old Testament Prophets. The online Bible Study will continue with daily comments from Pastor Charlie on Facebook. Email him at pastorc@ielcmd.org if you would like to join this private group, or if you would like to receive copies via email of the comments he posts there each day.

OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW AT IMMANUEL

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

Meets weekly throughout the year in the Martin Luther Room following the worship service, approximately 10:15–11:15am. On coffee hour Sundays, we meet 10:45–11:30am. Our study of Luther’s 95 Theses continues through Dec 17.

MIDWEEK PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY GROUPS *Morning Group meets in the Oak Tree Room at 11am on

Tuesday Dec 5, 12, & 19 for “See Through the Scripture” which provides a bird’s eye view of the entire Bible that will help you see how it all fits together. No previous knowledge of the Bible is required for this or any other of our Bible studies.

*Evening Group topic is Message of the Prophets and meets at the Pastor’s home, 840 Hughes Shop Rd, Westminster MD 21158, at 7pm on

Wednesday Dec 6 & 13 and Tuesday Dec 19.

CONFIRMATION CLASS schedule for December has changed. Sessions will be held at 7pm in the Oak Tree Room on

Monday Dec 4, Sunday Dec 10, and Monday Dec 18.

12/12 Isaiah 4:2-6 12/13 Malachi 2:10-3:1 12/14 Luke 1:5-17 12/15 Habakkuk 2:1-5 12/16 Habakkuk 3:2-6 12/17 Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11 12/18 1 Kings 18:1-18 12/19 2 Kings 2:9-22 12/20 Malachi 3:16-4:6 12/21 2 Samuel 6:1-11 12/22 Zephaniah 3:8-13

12/1 Zechariah 14:1-9 12/2 Micah 2:1-13 12/3 Isaiah 64:1-9 12/4 Micah 4:1-5 12/5 Micah 4:6-13 12/6 Micah 5:1-5a 12/7 Hosea 6:1-6 12/8 Jeremiah 1:4-10 12/9 Ezekiel 36:24-28 12/10 Isaiah 40:1-11 12/11 Isaiah 26:7-15

12/23 Zephaniah 3:14-20 12/24 Isaiah 9:2-7 12/25 Isaiah 62:6-12 12/26 Jeremiah 26:1-15 12/27 Exodus 33:18-23 12/28 Jeremiah 31:15-17 12/29 Isaiah 49:5-15 12/30 Proverbs 9:1-12 12/31 1 Kings 3:5-14

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DECEMBER 2017 LECTIONARY SERIES CONTINUES…

For your Home Bible Study ~ Join everyone as we read through December.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Our Annual Christmas Eve Poinsettia Sale will begin this weekend December 2-3 and continue through Sunday, December 17 (deadline). Cost of each poinsettia will remain at $10.50 each. Orders may be placed through the order form in the November or December Visitor OR order forms found on the Poinsettia bulletin board (outside the sanctuary by the staircase). Place your completed order form(s) with payment in the supplied envelopes and drop in the ‘Poinsettia’ basket on the lamp table in the office. Your sponsored poinsettias will decorate the sanctuary for our Christmas Eve services. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Rodgers and Janis Hagert December 11, 1992

Aaron and Lauren Lesser December 11, 2010

Gregory and Donna Patterson December 18, 2010

Harry and Jean Arbaugh December 24, 1968

Ron and Gloria Bryant December 25, 1964

Donna Kreseski

Brett Bohli

Lindsey Bohli

Sandy Fisher

Ken Kiler

Johnny Day

Ricky Hoffman

Patty LaMotte

Todd Robinson

Alice Warehime

Amanda Yingling

Madelyn Edwards

Ernie Martin

Jane Taylor

Patrick Rickell

Zoe Gregg

Colby Trent

Eugene Black

Susan Burnette

Thomas Hagert

Michael Yingling

Lindsay Lopata

Donald Diseroad

Janet Patterson

Debbie Miller

Rachel Graf

John Popp

Kevin Day

Barbara Skelley

Pam Mullins

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Please consider becoming a part of the Music Ministry! We currently support four various groups:

~ The Sunday Adult Choir ~ The Chime Choir

~ The Luther Men ~ The Children’s Choir

If you are not able to commit to regular practices at this time, but could participate occasionally during the year, please contact: Jerry Hoffman (Organist/Choir Director)

Audrey Moose (Chime Choir Director)

Wayne Thomas (Luther Men Choir)

Amanda Yingling (Children’s Choir)

NO EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED .. just help ‘make a joyful noise’! ~The Sunday Adult Choir– weekly practices, Thursdays 7-8pm (Sept–May)

~The Chime Choir – practice Thursdays at 6pm (auditorium)

~The Luther Men – sing quarterly,choir room after Sunday service, as needed

PRACTICES:TODAY, Dec 2 (after service) and Dec 10 at 8:30am (next special anthem, Sunday, Dec 10)

~The Children’s Choir – sing quarterly, practices scheduled as needed

(next special anthem, Sunday, Dec 10)

More information on our Music Ministry Bulletin Board.

CONCERTS AT GETTYSBURG Schola Cantorum, the choral group with which Caroline Marshall sings, will be performing twice in December at Gettysburg Seminary Chapel. Admission is free. A freewill offering will be received during intermission for both events. Contact Caroline or Pastor Charlie for more information.

Festival Choral Vespers for Advent: Sunday, Dec 3 at 7:30pm The holiday season kicks off with candlelight prayer and the Schola Cantorum singing some of the last millennium’s most beautiful music of hope and expectation.

Christmas Offering: Sunday, Dec 17 at 7pm Our annual holiday sampler of favorite performers and festive music, this year led by Wayne Hill, the Ben Jones Brass, the Gettysburg Children’s Choir, and the Schola Cantorum with Stephen Folkemer on the organ.

LONGEST NIGHT WORSHIP Thursday, Dec 21 at 7pm is a joint worship service with Trinity UCC that offers a simple yet moving Christmas celebration for those who find it hard to rejoice this Christmas due to the stress of illness, loss, or depression. This year, the service is at Trinity UCC and will be co-led by Pastor Charlie and Pastor Suzanne.

PASTOR SUZANNE’S FAREWELL SERVICE January 7 at 10:45am Pastor Suzanne Schmidt, our neighbor at Trinity UCC, is retiring next month. The people of Trinity are inviting us to attend her farewell service on Sunday, January 7 following Immanuel’s 9am Epiphany worship service. We wish Pastor Suzanne all the best as she moves into the next chapter of her life!

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CHRISTMAS EVE Worship Assistants

2017 ALTAR FLOWERS SPONSORSHIPS ~ LESSONS & PRAYERS Sponsorship forms and envelopes are found on the FLOWER SPONSORSHIP CALENDAR bulletin board in the office hallway. Your written information and payment, must be received by 12noon of the Wednesday prior to your sponsorship date to be included in bulletin. Co-Sponsor with a family member or a friend to split the cost. Prices: $50 for both Altar Vases or $25 for one vase ONLY $30 for Center Arrangement $20 for Lessons & Prayers Sponsorship Dates STILL AVAILABLE:

Dec 9-10 (Advent 2) Lessons & Prayers Dec 16-17 (Advent 3) Altar Vases ~ Lessons & Prayers Dec 30-31 (Lessons & Carols) Center Arrangement ~ Lessons & Prayers

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

2018 Flower Sponsorship Calendar The 2018 Altar Flowers ~ Lessons & Prayers Sponsorship Calendar is now posted (in the office hallway). Contact Altar Guild with any questions. Sponsor early and often to insure the dates you wish to sponsor.

Just in time for all of your holiday shopping!! Help Immanuel by linking your Amazon account to our Church ID. We receive 0.5% proceeds from your purchases. Start with this link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0729004 Confirm Immanuel as the organization, then you are directed to the ‘regular’ Amazon webpage.

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At Immanuel we believe that every member of the congregation is a gift and blessing from God. Keeping this in mind, we are aware that weather conditions and circumstances may establish the need to cancel worship services and/or activities at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church:

The policy is to evaluate the situation, be it weather or other conditions that may affect the services. Every attempt will be made to make the decision to cancel services or activities two hours prior.

In the event of a cancellation, the message will be conveyed in the below media forms. An alternative service time is encouraged to be scheduled in consultation with the pastor.

• WBAL Ch. 11 television closure site

• Immanuel’s Facebook page

• Immanuel’s Web site (www.immanuellutheranccmd.org)

• Immanuel’s Office Phone Recorded Message (410-374-4463)

LOOKING AHEAD …

TODAY, December 2-3 Advent 1 Poinsettia Sales begin (deadline Dec 17)

Special Missions Weekend Offering - Lutheran Campus Ministry Luther Men practice (choir room) following service

Sunday Coffee Hour following service December 9-10 Advent 2 Sunday - Luther Men final practice at 8:30am (choir room)

Sunday - Children’s Choir practice at 8:15am (kindergarten room) Sunday Special Music provided by

the Children’s Choir and Luther Men Poinsettia Sales continue (deadline, next Sunday, Dec 17) December 16-17 Advent 3 Sunday School Christmas Program at 9am service Deadline – Poinsettias December 23-24 Advent 4

2017 Holiday Worship Services

Christmas Eve Services Sunday, December 24

3pm Afternoon Service with Holy Communion 7pm Family Service with Holy Communion

9pm Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

Weekend, December 30-31 Lessons & Carols Services at 5pm and 9am

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Please remember in your prayers:

Jeff Dell *Walter Ruby *Ardice Holbrook Ann Trent Cary Myers Gail Brown Fred Davies Reid Ronayne Dorinda Smith Ann Miller *Dolly Ruby Jan Rhoten Robert Rhoten Joe Morris *Ginny Sellers Deborah Moose Elissa Snedeker John Leitner *Carl Krauss *Romaine Harper *Paulyne Hartlaub *Ethel Hunt Leann Eltz Joe Miller *Dick Hebrank Esther Miller Ann Harden John Marshall

Doug Brown Thelma Blizzard Cassandra Fleckenstein Steven Gary Pat Bowen Karen Schaefer Gary Southard Susan Esworthy Paul Moffitt Gaiser Family Gene Yingling Ally Crossley Angela Locke Michelle Richie Gladys Ricketts Janis Hagert Dot Matthews Donna Marshall Wesley Martin family Jerry Hoffman Mary Alice Steger *Julia Berwager Jeff Mullins Carolyn Kittelberger Bill Skelley Gary Eppley Kelly McNeal

Carter Murphy Maria Barczak Jerry Betzler Jodi Grossman Dave Jones Jeffrey Jones Jim Federici Dan Riley Kathryn Riley Gene Black Joeann Peach Jan Engman Bill Whitehead III Tricia Joe Fleck Mary Driver Daniel Woo John & Loretta Murphy Lisa Wulforst Katie & Brian Benden Denise Rickell Wanda Robinson Darcie Robinson Joanna Marshall Wade Connie Dattilio Tonia Files Katy Moran

IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

3184 Church St, PO Box 739 Manchester, MD 21102

“A Stephen Ministry Congregation”

Church Office Phone: 410-374-4463 Church Office Fax: 410-775-5793 Email: info@ielcmd.org www.immanuellutheranccmd.org

Rev. Charles Marshall Pastor

*Pastoral Care list

Family of Ken Gundling, brother of Carolyn Hamlet

Our Missionary in South Sudan refugee camps: Rev. Wal Reat

Those serving in the military:

Brett Richardson, Jenelle Espinoza, Kyle Pasta, David Mace