The Service in PDF format is at: November 12, 2023 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Nora Stanley, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek, Rick Durling
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Sarah Grassel, Caleb Santora
Today November 12, 2023
Pastor Norman Metzler
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Callie Santora
AS WE GATHER: We hear today the extremely encouraging words from the apostle Paul concerning our everlasting life. Paul tells us, “We will always be with the Lord.” What comforting words! What encouraging words! You have the assurance that when Jesus returns, you will spend everlasting life in His gracious presence.
RINGING OF THE BELL
OPENING HYMN “Great is the Lord”
Words & Music by Michael W. Smith & Deborah D. Smith, Arr. by Henry Wiens, © 1971 by William J. Gaither, The Fellowship Publications Edina, MN 55435
Great is the Lord, He is holy and just,
By His power we trust In His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true,
By His mercy He proves He is love.
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Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory,
Great is the Lord, and worthy of praise.
Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice,
Now lift up your voice: Great is the Lord,
Great is the Lord!
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Great is the Lord, He is holy and just,
By His power we trust In His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true,
By His mercy He proves He is love.
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Great are you Lord, And worthy of glory
Great are you Lord, and worthy of praise.
Great are you Lord, I lift up my voice,
I lift up my voice: Great are you Lord!
Great are you Lord!
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: Make haste, O God, to deliver us!
People: O Lord, make haste to help us!
Leader: May all who seek the Lord rejoice and be glad in Him!
People: May we say evermore, “God is great!”
Leader: For Christ is coming soon.
People: Soon, He will descend from the heavens.
Leader: Soon, He will raise the dead.
People: And we will always be with the Lord.
Leader: He is our help and our deliverer.
People: O Lord, do not delay!
CONFESSION
Leader: Christ is coming soon to raise the dead and bring us into everlasting life with Him. Yet there are times when we have lived as if Christ’s return was not important and not imminent. Yet, our heavenly Father invites us to return to Him and ask for His forgiveness.
Silence for reflection on the Word of God
and our sinful condition.
Leader: Heavenly Father,
People: we confess that we have ignored You and our neighbors in need. We have sinned in our thoughts, words, and actions. We have failed by our inactivity. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, O Lord, that we might be encouraged by Your presence and forgiven of our sin.
FORGIVENESS
Leader: God hears your confession and has promised to always be with you. Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die and rise for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Leader: Let us pray. Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son to lead home His Bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter into His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
EPISTLE I Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
The parable of the ten virgins.
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lampsand went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ
SERMON HYMN “Glories of Your Name Are Spoken”
Written: John Newton, 1725-1807 (alt.); Composer: Haydn, Joseph, 1732-1809
Glories of your name are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken
Formed you for his own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake your sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
You may smile at all your foes.
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See, the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love,
Well supply your sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, while such a river
Ever will their thirst assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.
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Round each habitation hov’ring,
See the cloud and fire appear
For a glory and a cov’ring,
Showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
Light by night and shade by day,
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which God gives them on their way.
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Savior, since of Zion’s city
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Your name.
Fading are the worldlings’ pleasures
All their boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasures
None but Zion’s children know.
SERMON
“Living Ready”
Pastor Norman Metzler
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And was born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate.
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—our selves, our time, our possessions.
MITE BOX COLLECTION
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, through You all things were made. You have entrusted us with the care of all creation. Embolden us to be good and faithful stewards of all that You have made until You return to dwell with us again. For until Your return, we pray,
People: come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Lord Jesus, in Your incarnation and birth You deigned to dwell among us, even as an infant. Bring comfort to all those who are living through the challenges of infertility and miscarriage. Bring them Your healing, and give them wisdom as they seek to do Your will. For until Your return, we pray,
People: come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Lord Jesus, in Your earthly life You suffered much at the hands of lawless men. Be with all those who suffer now through abuse, illness, or injustice, (especially……….). Heal them according to Your will. For until Your return, we pray.
People: come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Leader: Lord Jesus, Your people have awaited Your return since Your ascension. During this time when lawlessness and rebellion are rampant in this fallen world, give us comfort and hope, protection and encouragement. Looking forward to joining those who have gone before and now live in Your presence,
People: come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Echo Version led by Pastor Metzler
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever. Amen
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
People: Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Jill Jackson & Sy Miller; © 1955. Renewed 1983 Jan – Lee Music
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
we are family.
Let us walk with each other
in perfect harmony.
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Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now;
With ev’ry step I take,
may this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each
moment with peace eternally;
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
And let it begin with me.
A TRIBUTE TO OUR PEACE VETERANS (VIDEO)
Leader: Lord God of hosts, stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in the armed forces in our country. Support them in times of war, and in times of peace, keep them from all evil, giving them courage and loyalty. Grant that in all things they may serve with integrity and with honor. Bless our veterans too that their lives would be lived in your peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
CLOSING SONG “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”
Text: Samuel F Smith, 1805-1895, Tune: Thesaurus Musicus, London, 1744; © 1978 by Lutheran Church in America The American Lutheran Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
My country, ‘tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring.
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My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
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Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
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Our fathers’ God, to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing:
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light.
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our king.
Leader: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
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Announcements
THE CHOSEN: ADULT BIBLE STUDY… We are viewing and discussing The Chosen, a streaming television series about the life of Jesus. We will continue each Sunday at 9am until the end of December. All are welcome!
CPR/DEFIBRILLATOR CLASS… Peace is hosting a CPR class on Saturday, November 18 from 10am-12pm. The cost is $40, however scholarships are available from the Ladies Guild if needed. Call or email the office to sign up.
THANK YOU FOR THE COOKIES!… You did it again! With your delicious donations, we sold 150 dozen cookies at the Bazaar! Thank you to all of the wonderful bakers and helpers who made the Cookie Sale possible this year. Maggie Baker
GRANNY’S ATTIC… I want to take a moment and let you know how much you are appreciated for the Granny Attic donations. The sale couldn’t be done without all who made the effort to bring items to sell. I feel blessed to have you as my church family and together we are able to give back to the community. Thank you, Jani
BAZAAR THANK YOU… A huge thanks to everyone who helped setup and take down for the Bazaar, and to everyone who contributed items to make the Bazaar so successful! – Sally
PASTOR LUCKE OUT UNTIL THURSDAY… Pastor Lucke will be out of the office until Thursday, 11/16. Please contact an elder or Karyn Stanley in the office if you have needs early this week.
HYGIENE BASKETS… Peace Lutheran has been challenged to assemble five hygiene baskets. Consider purchasing the items below and bring to church. The items can be placed in the Philomath Food Bank basket by the front doors of the sanctuary. All donations will need to be in the basket by Friday, December 1.
1 – sturdy laundry basket
1 – dish soap (sink) (32oz)
2 – hand soap (bar)
1 – hair shampoo (16oz)
1 – hair conditioner (16oz)
1 – hand lotion
1 – toothpaste
1 – dental floss
4 – toothbrushes
2 – men’s deodorant
2 – women’s deodorant
1 – pack razors (dozen)
1 – pack toilet paper (6 rolls)
1 – liquid laundry detergent (64oz)
