The Sunday of the Last JudgmentLectionary 32November 7th and 8th, 2015Holy Communion (V)

INTRODUCTION

The third-last Sunday of the church year focusses on judgment. The author of Hebrews tells us that after death all will be judged, and that Christ will save those who eagerly wait for him. Naomis determination to provide for Ruth is an image of Gods determination to save us, and the Jesus holds up the widow who gives all she has to God serves as a model of faithfulness. The scribes on the other hand like to make an outward show of religion, but lack compassion. Beware! Such will receive the greater condemnation. May Gods mercy be greatest of all!CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An usher will gladly provide you with assistance.

As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.

We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so that we may record your presence with us.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING The PEW

O God, so rule our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of the end of all things and the day of your just judgment, we will be moved to live holy lives here. May your will be done in us and among us here and now as it isin heaven. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Prelude Chorale Fantasia on Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!

WELCOME

Confession and Forgiveness

In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

confession and assurance of forgiveness

Brothers and sisters, if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Gracious God,have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. By grace you have been saved, through faith. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that your life may reflect the love of Christ.Amen.

We invite you to stand and sing.

Gathering Song: Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding! (ELW 246)

Greeting

Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.And also with you.

KYRIE

GLORIA

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray.O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us in mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust in your promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Please be seated

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

First Reading Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

A reading from Ruth.

1Naomi said to [Ruth,] My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. 2Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do. 5She said to her, All that you tell me I will do.4:13So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. 14Then the women said to Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him. 16Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. 17The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, A son has been born to Naomi. They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Psalmody: Psalm 127

Refrain:

Tone:

1Unless the Lord builds the house, their labor is in | vain who build it.Unless the Lord watches over the city, in vain the senti- | nel keeps vigil.2It is in vain to rise so early and go to | bed so late;vain, too, to eat the bread of toil; for you, Lord, give sleep to | your beloved.R3Children are a heritage | from the Lord,and the fruit of the womb | is a gift.4Like arrows in the hand | of a warriorare the children | of ones youth.5Happy is the one whose quiver is | full of them!Such a one will not be put to shame when contending with enemies | in the gate.R

Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

24Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God. Please stand for the reading of the gospel.

Gospel AcclamationAll sing the response, the cantor will sing the verse then all repeat Glory and praise

Verse:The Lord raises up the poor | from the dust,* to make them inherit a | seat of honor. (1 Sam. 2:8)

Gospel Mark 12:38-44

The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.Glory to you, O Lord.

38As [Jesus] taught, he said, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40They devour widows houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. 41He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43Then he called his disciples and said to them, Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.The gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Sermon Pastor Charles Peterson

Silence for reflection follows the sermon then please stand and sing.

Hymn of the Day: Day by Day(ELW 790)

Creed

We 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 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 truly 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 heaven and 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 with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

United into one by the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray with all Gods saints for healing, wholeness, faithfulness, and peace in all the earth.

Please sit or kneel as you are able.

Each petition ends with:Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great.

Into your care, Alpha and Omega, we entrust all for whom we pray. Be with us now and always, through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.

Please be seated.

Announcements

anthem at the OfferingTake My Life That I May Be Landgrave

We invite you to please stand and sing:

OFFERTORY HYMN

Offering Prayer

Let us pray. O God, ruler of heaven and earth, all that we have and all that we are come through you. We offer back in thanksgiving a portion of what you have given us: our time, our work, and our wealth. With them we dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, who gave himself for the salvation of the world. Amen.

Dialogue

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Eucharistic Prayer

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into the path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire.

In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lords death until he comes.Christ has died.Christ is risen.Christ will come again.

Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we await the day when Jesus shall return to free all the earth from the bonds of slavery and death. Come, Lord Jesus! And let the church say, AmenAmen.

Send your Holy Spirit, our advocate, to fill the hearts of all who share this bread and cup with courage and wisdom to pursue love and justice in all the world. Come, Spirit of freedom! And let the church say, AmenAmen.

Join our prayers and praise with your prophets and martyrs of every age, that, rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection, we might live in the freedom and hope of your Son. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.Amen.

Lord's Prayer

Crucified, risen Lord of heaven and earth, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

Invitation to Communion

All who desire to leave their old lives behind and live in Christ, join in the feast of victory for our God!

Please be seated.

All baptized people are welcome to the table to receive Christs body and blood. If you have not been baptized, you are also welcome to the table as Gods guest; we are honored by your presence. We recognize the Body of Christ as the community of the baptized, so if you would like to become part of the Body of Christ, we encourage you to seek baptism. If you cant or dont wish to receive today, we encourage you to hold your hands over your chest for a blessing as you come forward.

LAMB OF GOD

Communion Hymn: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service(ELW 712)

Song after CommunionNow, Lord(ELW 201)

Once the altar is cleared and the hymn is sung, the congregation stands

Prayer after Communion

God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Blessing

The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.Amen.

The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

The God of all grace, Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.Amen.

Sending Song: Take My Life, That I May Be (ELW 583)Dismissal

Go in peace. The day of the Lord is at hand!Thanks be to God.

Postlude Prelude in C J. S. Bach

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Martin Luther on the occasion of our mutual birthday November 10th. Presented by Beth Tucker

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Martin of ToursWednesday, November 11, 2015Martin's pagan father enlisted him in the Roman army. Approached by a beggar, Martin cut his cloak in half and gave part to the man, whom he later understood as representing Christ. He asked to leave the army, but was jailed instead. After his release, he became a preacher, and later a bishop.

Sren KierkegaardWednesday, November 11, 2015Kierkegaard was a Danish theologian whose writings also gave rise to the modern philosophy of existentialism. He frequently attacked the complacency of the state church of his day, as well as its desire to be accepted by polite society rather than be a stumbling block.