The season of Advent begins today. Derived from the Latin word, “coming,” Advent prepares us to celebrate the Savior’s birth at Christmas. Advent does more than that, however. The season also reminds us that Jesus comes to us in his Word and sacraments and will come again at the end of time. With the crowds on Palm Sunday, we shout: “Hosanna (save us)! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading - Isaiah 64:1-9
Messiah comes to the who wait for him.
Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
We eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
Gospel - Mark 11:1-10
We welcome Jesus:Hosanna! Come and save us.
Our Way of Worship
Our Sunday worship follows a worship pattern used in Christian churches for almost 1,500 years but in contemporary language and a variety of styles. The entire service is printed in an easy to use folder. We hear readings from the Bible and join together in prayer. We sing psalms and hymns found in a hymnal called Christian Worship which contains hundreds of well-known hymns. The high point of Sunday worship is the message or sermon, a twenty-minute explanation of a reading from the Bible and its meaning for our lives in the 21st century.
Some of our older members dress up for church, but casual dress is perfectly fine. The Lord looks at our hearts and attitudes, not our clothes. Members support the congregation’s work with offerings, but guests should not feel obligated to participate. Rest rooms are located in the lower level of the church.
On two Sundays a month we celebrate Holy Communion, a special meal that forgives our sins as we receive the Savior’s body and blood in bread and wine. The Bible teaches that receiving Holy Communion with others symbolizes our unity in faith, and so communion is offered to Trinity members and members of our denomination.
Come, let us worship the Lord
We, united by faith in Jesus and thankful for our traditions and friendships, have come together so that our faith may be strengthened by Word and Sacrament and that we may share the Savior’s love with people near and far.