Welcome to Worship
Time after Pentecost
10:00 AM Service November 19, 2023
GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
(Please Stand)
Blessed be the triune God, who pours out love, justice, and mercy in abundance. Amen.
Joined by water to Christ and to creation, let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font:
For all gifts of water,
we give you thanks, O God.
For rivers and lakes, for streams and oceans, for Canyon Lake and the Edwards Aquifer, for healing rains and clean water to drink:
we give you thanks, O God.
For Miriam’s song of liberation on the far bank of the sea; For Isaiah’s invitation to ‘come and drink, without money and without price;’ For Jesus’ baptism and commissioning in the waters of the Jordan; For the Samaritan woman, revived by living water; For your holy river that waters the tree of life;
we give you thanks, O God.
For the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; For baptismal waters; For the cleansing of our hearts; For the refreshment of our spirits; For waves of mercy; For justice, rolling like rivers:
we give you thanks, O God.
Blessing, honor, and glory be to you, O God, and eternal gratitude for all your good gifts. Amen.
Hymn #327 “Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow”
L: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Glory to god in the highest...
Lord, God, Heavenly King...
L: Let us pray:
All: God of abundance, we give thanks every time we remember your goodness. Teach us to respond to your love with faithfulness and generosity. Keep us mindful of your blessings, and especially the blessing of wholeness and salvation that you offer us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen.
WORD
First Reading Zephaniah 1: 7, 12—18 Pg. 1462
R: Word of god, Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 90: 1—8; 12 Pg. 929
Refrain:
PS 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
PS 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the
world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Refrain:
PS 90:3 You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."
PS 90:4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
Refrain:
PS 90:5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning--
PS 90:6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
Refrain:
PS 90:8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
PS 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Refrain:
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1—11 Pg. 1840
R: Word of God. Word of life. C: Thanks be to God.
Children’s Sermon
(Please rise for the Gospel)
After the Gospel is announced, we sing
The Gospel according to Matthew, the twenty-fifth chapter.
Gospel Reading Matthew 25: 14—30 Pg. 1541
(After the reading of the Gospel, we sing)
(Please be seated)
Sermon Liturgist, Claire Roberts
(Please Stand)
Hymn # 790 “Day by Day”
P: With the whole church, let us confess our faith:
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried:
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
The Prayers
L: . . . God of grace C: Receive our prayers.
Sharing of the Peace
L: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you!
L: Let us share Christ’s peace with one another.
Offering
Offering Hymn #689 “Praise and Thanksgiving”
(As the last verse is sung, please stand as the offering is brought forward.)
L: Let us pray.
All: Gracious God, we give thanks each time we remember you and your blessings. Receive what we have offered now: our gifts, our time, and our whole selves. Bless our thank offerings and the work of Women of the ELCA that these offerings make possible. Make us good and faithful stewards of your gifts, that all people know the bounty of your love. We pray in the name of Christ, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: (Sung)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
SENDING
Benediction
P: The God of glory, Jesus name above all names, and the Spirit who lives within you, bless you now and forever.
Hymn # 733 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
L: Go in peace. Live with gratitude. Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today:
Our Reader—Linda Gosnell
Our Liturgist—Don Gillett
Organist—Ed Workmon
Music Accompanist—Doris Menke
Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann
Today’s Preacher—Claire Roberts