Welcome and Announcements
Opening Song
Shine Jesus Shine - click here for lyrics
Invocation
We meet in the strong name of our God;
We praise You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Confession (from Augustine's Confessions)
Lord, our hearts are open before You; unplug our ears and say to our souls, “I am your salvation.”
Our hearts are restless, until we rest in You.
The house of my soul is narrow.
Enlarge it, so that You may come in.
It is ruined; repair it.
My soul holds on to things which offend Your eyes; I confess and know it. But who can cleanse it? To whom should I cry, except to You? Lord, cleanse me from my secret faults, and rescue Your servant from the power of the enemy. If You, Lord, catalog my wrongdoings, I cannot survive. Hear me, O God. Alas, for my sin! But You love me, for You created me.
As you have confessed against yourself your transgressions to God, God has forgiven the iniquity of your heart. The Lord forgives the greatest and most heinous deeds. He writes “Grace” and “Mercy” over your sins. He has melted away your sins as if they were ice.
Prayer of the Day
Dear Jesus, when You came to earth in Bethlehem, the world was unprepared and paid little attention. At Your Second Coming, the world will be equally unprepared, but will be compelled to pay complete attention. Prepare our hearts today. Cast out our sin, and enter in. Renew our hearts and minds as we sing, as we hear Your Word, and as we come to Your Table. Amen
Lighting of the Advent Candle - Peace
Song
Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (verse 1 and 2) - click here for lyrics
Scripture Reading
New Testament Lesson: Romans 8:5-11
Gospel: John 11:17-27
Children's Message
Song
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - click here for lyrics
Sermon - "A Long Way from Christmas"
Song
He Shall Reign Forevermore - click here for lyrics
Affirmation of Faith
The Apostles' Creed - click here for words
Prayers of the Church
Sharing of the Peace
Holy Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord's Prayer - click here for words
Distribution Songs
Great Are You Lord - Special music by Youth Praise Team
Way Maker - click here for lyrics
Blessing
Closing Song
Days of Elijah - click here for lyrics
Announcements
Wednesday Advent services continue this Wednesday, December 10, at 5:30 pm with a potluck dinner, and then a service at 6:30pm with message by Levi Simington, Evan Storley, and Josh Vos. Bring a dish to share and join us as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia to help decorate the church for Christmas, order forms are available on the Welcome Table. Red poinsettias can be ordered until December 7th.
Anyone interested in going on the 2026 Faith Lutheran International Mission trip, we will have an informational meeting after church on Dec 7.
Next Sunday, December 14, we look forward to watching the Children’s Christmas Program – “The Light Before Christmas”. Come enjoy hearing the Christmas story told by some of our youngest members!
Also happening next Sunday, we will be Christmas Caroling to spread some Christmas cheer to those in our neighborhoods. Meet at the church at 3:45, and we will carol from 4 to 6 and then meet back at the church for pizza.
Members of the Evangelism Team are packaging 150 Christmas Dinners and plan to distribute them Thursday, December 18th, from 5-6pm in the parking lot (drive-through style). They are looking for volunteers starting at 4:15 to help package the meal, pass them out, and later deliver them to Sunset Apartments. If you can help, talk to Justin Spieker. And, if any of our Faith Family would like to receive a box, simply put your name and contact info on a paper on the Welcome Table, and we will save a box just for you.
Worship Partners for this Sunday, December 7
Altar Prep: Linda Conlon, Shirley Nelson, Lora Johnson
Children’s Message: Brittany Spieker
Communion Servers: Gary & Connie Jenkins
Counters: Jolynne Eilts, Kevin Swancutt
Fellowship: Lee & Nancy Ketcham
Greeters: Don & Sandy Schnell
Instrumentalists & Vocalists: Youth Praise Team
Message: Pastor Ben Unseth
Prayer Intercessors: Bill Neiderheiser
Prayers of the Church: Brett Eilts
Scripture Reader: Darrel Heckathorn
Tech Booth: Nathan McKenney (L, S), Kirby Fueston (C), Kent Heazlett (V)
Worship Leader: Jake Jacobson
Worship Partners for this Wednesday, December 10
Greeters: Baylie Stykel, Emily Hoppe
Message: Levi S, Evan S, Josh V
Advent Candlelighters: Brielle Roth, Penelope Hoppe
Prayers of the Church: Dave Susie
Scripture Reader: Audrey Maaland
Tech Booth: Lance & Isaac Storley
Worship Leader: Pastor Ben Unseth
Worship Partners for next Sunday, December 14
Altar Prep: Linda Conlon, Shirley Nelson, Lora Johnson
Counters: Don Schnell, Greg Lear
Fellowship: Dave & Linda Susie
Greeters: Tom & Pam Hanson
Message: Children’s Christmas Program
Prayers of the Church: Jalyce Storley
Scripture Reader: Bill Kersting
Tech Booth: Brett Eilts (L, S), Nathan McKenney (V), Otto Maaland (C)
Worship Leader: Pastor Ben Unseth
