We believe God brought you all here today! May you be blessed, strengthened and uplifted by your time of worship.

GUESTS! – A special welcome to you! We are glad you are here! Please fill out the yellow “Welcome Guest” card so we can thank you for joining us. Please turn in the offering plate. For questions, event RSVP, or other information, please stop by the Guest Service located in the entry way.Hearing Needs – A Hearing Loop is installed on the organ side of the worship space to assist those with hearing difficulties. Please set hearing aid to Telecoil.Restrooms – Restrooms are located through the entry way, to the left as you exit the worship area. Nursery/Cry Room - We love worshipping with children. If you need a place to go with a small children, there is a nursery/cry room on the right of the entryway as you leave the church. The room is equipped with a viewing window and speakers so you can continue to participate in the worship service.2nd   Sunday   Fellowship BBQ & “Next Step ”:  The 2nd Sunday of the month we have an informal BBQ potluck lunch for food, fun and fellowship for everyone at 12:15, following the11:00 worship. At 12:00 there is a short info session about the ministry here for guests and those exploring C&C (while food is being prepped).

Communion: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month we celebrate the Lord’s Supper in the 9:00 Traditional Worship service. If you are interested in joining us, please speak to Pastor prior to communing.

Advent 1 - December 10, 2017SERVICE THEME

Discover the Heart of Christmas: Find ClaritySERVING US IN WORSHIP TODAY…

WORSHIP LEADER: PASTOR MICHAEL GEIGERORGANIST: DAVID WIDIGER

1

♫ OPENING HYMNComfort, Comfort All My People Red Hymnal 11

1 “Comfort, comfort all my people; Speak of peace,” so says our God.“Comfort those who sit in darkness, Groaning from their sorrows’ load.Speak to all Jerusalem Of the peace that waits for them;Tell them that their sins I cover, That their warfare now is over.”

2 All their sins our God will pardon, Blotting out each dark misdeed;All that well deserve his anger He no more will see or heed.They have suffered many a day; Now their griefs have passed away.God will change their aching sadness Into ever-springing gladness.

3 John the Baptist’s voice is crying In the desert far and near,Calling people to repentance For the kingdom now is here.Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way;Let the valleys rise to meet him And the hills bow down to greet him.

4 Straighten out the crooked highway; Make the rougher places plain.Let your hearts be true and humble, Ready for his holy reign.For the glory of the Lord Now o’er earth is spread abroad,And all flesh shall see the token That his word is never broken.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIPM: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy

Spirit.C: Amen.

CONFESSION

2

M: Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

C: Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin. For faithless worrying and selfish pride, For sins of habit and sins of choice,For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do, You should cast me away from your presence forever. O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.

ABSOLUTIONM: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In his

great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant:

I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY (Kyrie) (Kyrie is the Greek word for Lord. The expression “Lord, have mercy” is one of the oldest worship responses in the Christian church.)

M: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from you all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy.

M: For the spread of your life-giving gospel throughout the world, that all who are lost in sin may be brought to faith in you, hear our prayer, O Christ.

C: Christ, have mercy.

M: For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await your return, hear our prayer, O Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy.

3

M: Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you.C: Amen.GLORY BE TO GOD (Gloria in Excelsis) (Christians praise God by proclaiming the great things he has done to accomplish our rescue from sin. “Glory to God in the Highest” has been a Christian song of worship since the fourth century.)

1 All glory be to God on high!Your name, O Lord, we glorify;We praise you for your peace and grace,Your favor toward our fallen race.

2 Our grateful thanks to you we bring,For your great glory, heav’nly King,For all, O Father, you have doneThrough Jesus Christ, your only Son.

3 O Lamb of God, to you we pray.You take all human sin away.Have mercy, Lord; receive our prayer; From God’s right hand, your mercy share.

4 You, Christ, are holy—Lord alone;The Father’s glory you made known.We by your Spirit sing again:“All glory be to God!” Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAYM: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.

M: Let us pray.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and foreverC: Amen.

WE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD4

FIRST LESSON: 2 Peter 3:8-14 (NIV84)8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

.♫ PSALM 14

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one

who does good. 5

The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of mento see if there are any who understand, any who seek

God.

All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt;

there is no one who does good, not even one.Refrain

Will evildoers never learn—those who devour my people and do not call on the

Lord?

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,but the Lord is their refuge.

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let

Israel rejoice and be glad!

Glory be to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

GOSPEL LESSON: Mark 1:1-8 (NIV84)M: (The Gospel reading is introduced.)C: Glory be to you, O Lord.

1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—

6

3 “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”

4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.C: Praise be to you, O Christ.

♫ HYMN OF THE DAY

Prepare the Royal Highway Blue Hymnal 702

1 Prepare the royal highway; The King of kings is near! Let ev’ry hill and valley A level road appear! Then greet the King of glory, Foretold in sacred story: Hosanna to the Lord, For he fulfills God’s Word!

2 God’s people, see him coming: Your own eternal King! Palm branches strew before him! Spread garments! Shout and sing! God’s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you! Hosanna to the Lord, For he fulfills God’s Word!

3 Then fling the gates wide open To greet your promised King! Your King, yet ev’ry nation Its tribute too should bring.

7

All lands, bow down before him! All nations, now adore him! Hosanna to the Lord, For he fulfills God’s Word!

4 His is no earthly kingdom; It comes from heav’n above. His rule is peace and freedom And justice, truth, and love. So let your praise be sounding For kindness so abounding: Hosanna to the Lord, For he fulfills God’s Word!

SERMONMESSAGE: “Find Clarity!”TEXT: Isaiah 40:3-5

3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD;

make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

WE RESPOND TO THE WORD –

NICENE CREEDWe believe in one God, the Father, the

Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is,seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,God from God, Light from Light, true God from

8

true God,begotten, not made,of one being with the Father.Through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation, he came down from

heaven,was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin

Mary,and became fully human.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius

Pilate.He suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose again in accordance

with the Scriptures.He ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and

the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who in unity with the Father and the Son is

worshiped and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.We believe in one holy Christian* and apostolic

Church.We acknowledge one baptism for the

forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the deadand the life of the world to come. Amen.

THANK-OFFERING9

Offerings are part of our worship life and heartfelt expression of gratitude to the Lord who has given all we have.

WELCOME CARDSWe believe God led you here today! Thank you for joining us. We extend a special welcome to our guests and invite all in attendance to fill out the WELCOME Card in the pew. The reverse side is a way to communicate with us how we might reconnect with you to best understand how we can serve you through the ministry of Cross and Crown!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

THE SACRAMENTPREFACE(The words of the Preface mark the beginning of the Sacrament section of the service and lift the worshipers’ hearts in praise. The opening sentences are among the oldest in the Christian liturgy.)

M: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.C: We lift them up to the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.C: It is good and right so to do.

M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who comes with his Father to make his home in human hearts, working repentance and faith by his Spirit until he comes again. Therefore with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

10

1 O holy, holy, holy 2. Hosanna in the highest!Lord God of pow’r and might, How truly blest is heYour glory, earth and heaven Who in God’s name is comingIn countless ways recite. To set his people free!Hosanna! Come and save us, He comes to bring salvationLord God of hosts on high, And with his blood outpoured,And in your grace and mercy Deliver us from bondage—Receive our fervent cry. Hosanna, mighty Lord!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVINGM: Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil’s power.

By his incarnation, he became one with us.By his perfect life, he fulfilled your holy will.By his innocent death, he overcame hell.By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven.

Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory everlasting.C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,

11

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my (+) body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my (+) blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The peace of the Lord be with you always.C: Amen.

LAMB OF GOD

12

DISTRIBUTION HYMN

Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending Blue Hymnal 704:1-31 Lo, he comes with clouds descending, Once for ev’ry sinner slain.Thousand, thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of his train.Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ reveals his endless reign.

2 Ev’ry eye shall now behold him Robed in glorious majesty;Those who ridiculed and sold him, Pierced and nailed him to the tree,Deeply wailing, Deeply wailing, Deeply wailing, Shall the true Messiah see.

3 Those dear tokens of his passion Still his dazzling body bears,

13

Cause of endless exultation To his ransomed worshipers.With what wonder, With what wonder, With what wonder,Gaze we on those glorious scars.

SONG OF SIMEON Luke 2:29-32

1 O Lord, now let your servantDepart in peace, assured:

For I have seen your promisedincarnate, saving Word—

A Light that will enlightenAll gloom where Gentiles dwell;

The brilliant, crowning gloryOf those in Israel!

2 All glory to the Father,All glory to the Son,

All glory to the Spirit,Forever three in one;

For as in the beginning,Is now, shall ever be,

God’s triune name resoundingThrough all eternity.

M: We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

M: The Lord bless you and keep you.The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to

you.The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.

14

C: Amen.

♫ CLOSING HYMN

Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending Blue Hymnal 704:4

4 Yea, Amen, let all adore you High on your eternal throne.Ev’ry knee shall bow before you; Come and take your people home!Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!You shall reign and you alone!

STAY CONNECTED… Cross and Crown App - STAY CONNECTED, FIND INFORMATION OR LISTEN TO PAST SERMONS WITH OUR CHURCH APP. SEARCH “CHURCH APP – TITHE.LY” IN YOUR APP STORE. ENTER THE ZIP CODE ‘78628. SELECT ‘CROSS AND CROWN’. THE CALENDAR, BLOG UPDATES, SERMONS AND OTHER LINKS ARE ACCESSIBLE. INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT: WWW.CROSSANDCROWNTX.COM

15

3800 SHELL ROAD, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78628WWW.CROSSANDCROWNTX.COM CHURCH: 512.869.7729 PASTOR (CELL): 612.381.4334

EMAIL: PASTOR@CROSSANDCROWNTX.COMCROSS & CROWN IS A MEMBER OF THE WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD