The First Sunday in Advent

December 2, 2007 9:00am

Thank You for sharing this time of worship with us. We're glad you're here! Please sign the Friendship Register. Do come again! If you do not have a local church home, we invite you to make your home with us. Here you will find Christian love, opportunities for spiritual growth, warm friendships, and an appreciation of being part of God’s family.

Please Don’t Rush Off After The Worship Service. Stick around for a time of socializing and refreshments. We hope you are able to stay! The Education Hour follows at 10:30. Welcome!

Large Print Hymnals and personal sound devices are available at the usher's station to help make worship more meaningful for those who may appreciate such assistance. Just ask one of the ushers before the service.

Assisting Us In Worship This Morning

Nicole Burkhardt, organ and keyboard

We Gather To Worship The Lord

Order of Service: Service of the Word, page 38 in the front of the hymnal

Hymns: 21 17 9 12

Psalm: Psalm 18, page 69 in the front of the hymnal

Message: Matthew 24:37-44

“Worse Than Being Left Behind!”

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

EPISTLE Romans 13:11-14

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 24:37-44

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.

This Week At Mt. Olive

Today: 8:45am Prayer Time in the Fireside Room

9:00am Family Worship Service

10:00am Social Time

10:30am Sunday School and Adult Bible Class

2:30pm Regional Brass Festival Concert at SCLHS

Monday: 6:30pm Bible Information Class

7:00pm “Beautiful Feet” Bible Study

Tuesday: 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday: 5:30pm Confirmation Class

Thursday: 10:00am “Explorers of the Word” Bible Study

7:00pm Women’s Guild Christmas Party/Fireside Room

Saturday: 9:30am Children’s Christmas Practice

Next Sunday: 9:00am Family Worship Service with Holy Communion

The Lord’s Supper is being celebrated on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of December. Please note the change.

Attention All Students and Young People: If you haven’t already done so, please see Jennifer Arps after church this morning briefly so that she can get your email address. Thanks!

Christmas Flower Order Forms are due today. Copies are available in the narthex.

Please Sign Up Today for the Women’s Guild Christmas Party to be held this Thursday, December 6^th, beginning at 7:00pm. All are invited! There will be food, Christmas carols, Christmas message, and program.

“Celebrate With Joy” The 2007 WELS Regional Brass Festival Concert will be held this afternoon at 2:30pm in the chapel at Saint Croix Lutheran High School. Join WELS Brass Musicians from Minnesota and Western Wisconsin as they present the music of Advent and Christmas, with special guest, Larry Zimmerman, trombonist, member of the Grammy Award-winning Chestnut Brass Company. Selections presented by the Brass Ensemble of St. Croix Lutheran High School, Christ Lutheran Brass of North St. Paul & Hugo, Reformation Brass, and the Festival Mass Brass Choir.

Money For Four More Round Tables for the Fellowship Hall has been received. There’s still time for you to donate one or two – only $56/each! Thank you!