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TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

November 18, 2018

AS WE GATHER…As the Church Year is approaching its close, we turn our focus to the last things.  The very last thing that we confess in the Apostles’ Creed is that we believe in the life everlasting.  In Revelation, John describes the heavenly city of God and tells us that the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.  Brilliant brightness has always been associated with the seeing of God, from the time when Moses had to veil his face because it reflected the dazzling presence of the almighty Lord.  As we come into His presence for worship, we have a partial sense of that glory as we await that time beyond time, when we shall experience it fully in the life everlasting in His heavenly kingdom.

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING PRAYER

P:  Direct us, O Lord, in our worship today.  Through Your love and forgiveness, lead us from darkness into Your light.  By the working of the Holy Spirit, make us ready to bring the light of Your grace to our community and world.  This we ask in the name of Jesus.  We thank You—Father, Son + and Holy Spirit for Your presence in worship.

C: Amen. 

BEING HONEST TO GOD…

P:  As children of the light and well beloved by our gracious God, let us come with confidence before the throne of grace to confess our sins.

C: Almighty God, whose compassion never fails, we come before You in sorrow.  We know that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed.  Grant us Your mercy, and spare us from the just punishment of our sin, which our Lord Jesus Christ has borne for us on the cross.  Renew us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in the light of Your love, now and forever. 

Silence for reflection

RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE…

P:  Almighty God in his mercy has given his Son to die for you and for his sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of the Word I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.    

OPENING SONG:  “Shout to the Lord”              (from the song selection box)

My Jesus, my Savior                                         Shout to the Lord

Lord there is none like You                              All the earth let us sing

All of my days, I want to praise                       Power & majesty praise to the King

The wonders of Your mighty love                   Mountains bow down and the seas will

My comfort, my shelter                                              roar at the sound of Your name.

Tower of refuge and strength                           I’ll sing for joy at the work of Your

Let every breath, all that I am                                    hands

Never cease to worship You                            Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I

have in You.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P:  Let us Pray…O Lord, by Your bountiful goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. 

FIRST LESSON                                                                   Daniel 12:1-3

Those who are named in the Book of Life will be delivered.

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE  

GOSPEL:                                                                              Mark 13:1-13

The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

CHOIR ANTHEM:                                                                      Soli Deo

By: David Waggoner

Soli Deo, soli Deo, soli Deo Gloria! x2

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Soli Deo, soli Deo, soli Deo Gloria! x2

Praise God for His amazing love;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

For grace and mercy from above.

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

We’ll praise Thee, Father, all our days;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

And praise Thee for Thy holy ways.

Soli Deo, soli Deo, soli Deo Gloria! x2

All people that on earth do dwell;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

Serve Him with love, His praises tell;

Soli, soli Deo gloria!

Come ye before Him and rejoice!

Soli Deo Gloria!

SERMON

CREED

C: We believe in God, the creator of all things, the source of all goodness and love.  We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, true God yet true man.  He was crucified, died and was buried for our sin that we might be free and know the joy of life.  He was raised on the third day and ascended to heaven and will come again in power and glory to judge both the living and the dead.  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the power of God at work inside of us.  We believe in the church of God, the people of faith throughout the world.  We believe that our sin is forgiven and that we will live together with God for now and throughout eternity.  Amen.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY                                                                      Clara Stanley

playing Concertino in D Major, Op.15

 PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH  

P:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.  For the Church, the gathering of God’s forgiven people, that we be of support and encouragement to one another as we await the day of the Lord’s return, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy, and hear our prayer. 

P:  For our nation, our state, our local community, and our neighborhoods, that justice prevail in our courts and in all centers of government as we await the day of the final judgement, that we lad lives that are peaceful and secure, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy, and hear our prayer. 

P:  For those with special need for our petitions in these times as the day of Christ’s return draws ever closer, including the sick and hospitalized, the shut-ins, those facing challenges in employment or in other parts of their lives, (including…), that their needs be met according to God’s gracious plan, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy, and hear our prayer.

P:  For the proper use of the good gifts God has granted us, that we be thankful for all that we need to support our lives, that we be of blessing to our families, our neighbors, and our communities, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy, and hear our prayer.

P:  As we join in prayer, we thank You, Lord, for the faithful witness left to us by Your saints, those we have known personally in our lives and those from times past whose witness continues to inspire and inform us.  Grant that Your Holy Spirit lead us in ways of peace as we await the resurrection of the body and the glory of the life everlasting.

C: Lord, have mercy, and hear our prayer.

P:  Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C: Amen. 

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is right to give him thanks and praise. 

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

LORD’S PRAYER

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS  

“Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me

Hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed, be of

Sin the double cure, save me from its guilt and pow’r.

 

Not the labor of my hands, can fulfill

Thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow, all for

Sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

 

Nothing in my hands I bring, simply

To Thy cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless look to Thee for grace; foul, I

To the fountain fly, wash me. Savior, or I die.

 

While I draw this fleeting breath, when my

Eyes shall close in death, which I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of

Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

 

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,

Much we need Thy tender care;

In thy pleasant pastures feed us,

For our use Thy folds prepare.

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

 

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,

Be the Guardian of our way;

Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,

Seek us when we go astray;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Hear Thy children when they pray;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Hear Thy children when they pray.

 

Thou hast promised to receive us;

Poor and sinful though we be.

Thou hast mercy to relieve us,

Grace to cleanse and pow’r to free;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Early let us turn to Thee;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Early let us turn to Thee.

 

Early let us seek Thy favor;

Early let us do Thy will;

Blessed Lord and only Savior,

With Thy love our bosoms fill;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast loved us, love us still;

Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast loved us, love us still.

 

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” 

The Lord’s my shepherd; I’ll not want.

He makes me down to lie

In pastures green: he leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

 

My soul he doth restore again,

And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness,

E’en for his own name’s sake;

Within the paths of righteousness,

E’en  for his own name’s sake.

 

Ye, though I walk in death’s dark vale,

Yet will I fear no ill;

For thou art with me, and thy rod

And staff me comfort still;

For thou art with me, and thy rod

And staff me comfort still.

 

My table thou hast furnished

In presence of my foes;

My head thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup over flows,

My head thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup over flows.

 

Goodness and mercy all my life

Shall surely follow me,

And in God’s house forevermore

My dwelling-place shall be.

 

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

P:  Almighty God, thank you for the light you have given us today.  Now use us to send the light of your truth, grace and mercy into the world.  Teach us to trust you as we use our “talents” this week.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

C: Amen.

CLOSING SONG  “Soon and Very Soon”

Soon and very soon we are going to see the King!

Soon and very soon we are going to see the King!

Soon and very soon we are going to see the King!

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! We’re going to see the King!

 

No more crying there, we are going to see the King!

No more crying there, we are going to see the King!

No more crying there, we are going to see the King!

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! We’re going to see the King!

 

No more dying there, we are going to see the King!

No more dying there, we are going to see the King!

No more dying there, we are going to see the King!

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah! We’re going to see the King!

BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL