Sunday, December 15th, 2019

Call to Worship

L: Who is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke perfumed with myrrh and frankincense with all the fragrant spices of the merchant.

P: Behold it is the litter of Solomon! About it are sixty mighty men of the mighty men of Israel, all girt with swords and expert in war, each with his sword at his thigh against alarms by night.

L: King Solomon made himself a palanquin from the wood of Lebanon. He made its posts silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; it was lovingly wrought within by the daughters of Jerusalem.

P: Go forth, O daughters of Zion and behold King Solomon withe crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.

Prayer of Invocation: Dear Lord Jesus, you say to us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me,” and we answer thee, “O Jesus, thy father’s son, come in, blessed of the Lord!” Amen.

Prayer of Confession: While we were yet enemies you reconciled us to yourself; you  raise us on high so that even now we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” The battle is over and Jesus has won.  Father, forgive us when we hold down this truth in unrighteousness. Our words and deeds show that we have wandered away from you. We fall prey to greed, despair and fear and how clearly we see the speck in our brother’s eye but forget all about the log in our own! Lead us through your Holy Spirit into all truth. Release us from hands too strong for us.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: When John saw Jesus he said, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, and heals all your diseases who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfies you with good as long as you live, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Hear the good news.

P: In Jesus Anointed we are forgiven. Amen

Special Moment: Advent Reading and Candle Lighting 

Scripture: Psalm 90, Ephesians 1

Sermon: He chose us in him before the foundation of the world

Hymns (E) #135 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,   #157 Away in A Manger

Announcements: Our Christmas Eve service is Tuesday, Dec. 24th at 4 pm.

If you would like to go caroling in Ellsworth or Hager City following the service please contact Pastor Amy.

Coming this Sunday, August 18th, 2019

Call to Worship

L: O sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. 

P: Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 

L: Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 

P: For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 

L: For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. 

P:Honor and majesty are before him, strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Prayer of Invocation:

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.  It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The trees of the wood shall sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. We say with the Spirit and the Bride, Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

Prayer of Confession: “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with thee, because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from falling.”   Father, open our eyes to your work in the world, in one another and even in ourselves.  Help us to see your great salvation in the Lord Jesus, that you seek and save the lost, that you lift up those who have fallen, that you bind up the broken-hearted.  Forgive us Father, take away the sins that oppress us. Help us to seek after the truth, throw away our trust in money and possessions; give us a pure and generous heart.   In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Give thanks to the Father who has given you a share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

P: In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 77, 2 Corinthians 11

Sermon: I will boast of weakness

Hymns (L): #169 The Unveiled Christ, #229 Our God Reigns, #25 Immortal, Invisible

Hymns (E) #169 The Unveiled Christ, #229 Our God Reigns

Announcements

Laurel’s Session meets on the 21st (Wed.) at 6:30

We will have a special guest at Ellsworth on Sunday, the 25th: Sara is a missionary to the Twin Cities area, working specifically with Somali women.

We also look forward in the near future to a minute for mission from Blair Gunderson.

Prayers for the families of Pat Johnson, Jane Fosberg and Marjorie Smith, for those with chronic illness, for the Presbytery, for Hispanic Outreach of Red Wing, for Roxanne, for Sara, for Susan, we pray for Yemen and Venezuela