Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 13, 2022
The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, Pastor
+ TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY after PENTECOST +
The Time Is Near
WELCOME
A warm welcome to all who have gathered here for worship this morning. With God as our Father, we gather as a family in Christ to sing his praises and learn of faithfulness and obedience. We worship in the Name of our Lord by whose sacrifice we have been made saints. What a joy to be gathered around The Table of the Lord with the whole company of heaven and each other. Guests and visitors, if you have not already done so, please honor us by signing our Guest Book in the entrance hall of the church. If you have no church home of your own in the area, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. Please join us for a cup of coffee after this morning’s worship and let us become better acquainted with you as you get to know us better. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER One of These Days…
We expect things never to change. In today’s Gospel, the disciples think the Temple in Jerusalem is one such structure, but Jesus says that one of these days it won’t be there. Moreover, its destruction will be a sign that their persecution will intensify. Standing firm, though, they will meet the Last Day to face the warmth of the sun’s rays, while for others (Malachi 4:1-2a), it will be a fiery finish. In the meantime, today is a day in which not to tire of lettings one’s faith show (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13). After all, the present is always one of these days.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
God our Father, you see how busy we are in these days with many things. Turn us to listen to your teachings and lead us to choose the one right thing which will not be taken away from us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ THE ORDER of CELEBRATING +
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
CHIMES
WELCOME
PRELUDE I Need Thee Every Hour — By Benjamin David Knoedler
Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
SONG I Will Call Upon the Lord
+ GATHERING +
[Remembering our baptism, we gather in the Name of the Triune God to confess
our sins and receive the assurance of our forgiveness as his people.]
INVOCATION & CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance
the race that is set before us.
If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God calls his children to be faithful, despite the hardship, despite the cost.
+ A Brief Silence for Reflection +
Most merciful God, we confess our weakness and our sinfulness, our inability
to seek your will or follow in your ways. We follow our own dreams and are misled by tempting voices. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive and strengthen us. Set our feet upon the path that you would have us go, for your Name’s sake.
Look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. For his sake your sins are forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another as we share
the peace of our Lord and greet each other.
PASSING of PEACE
KYRIE
Refrain: Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of
God’s Kingdom.
Refrain
You came in Word and Sacrament to strengthen us in holiness.
Refrain
You will come in glory with salvation for your people.
Refrain
PRAYER of THE DAY
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without you nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Embrace us with your mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we may live through what is temporary without losing what is eternal; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
+ WORD +
[Whenever we worship, God speaks, and we listen. We hear the Word of God read aloud in our midst, bringing us both God’s judgment and grace.]
FIRST LESSON Malachi 4:1-2a
[Malachi, whose name means “my messenger,” warns that the day of the Lord is coming. On that day, the evil will be destroyed like stubble in a fire, but the “sun or righteousness” will shine on those who fear God.]
“For behold the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC Strength in the Stillness — By Matt Schonske
Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
SECOND LESSON 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
[Some members of the Thessalonian community, because of their belief in the nearness of Christ’s return, had ceased work, living off the generosity of other members of the community. Paul bluntly warns them that if they want to eat, they need to work.]
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from anyone who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living
As for you, brother and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
CELTIC ALLELUIA
GOSPEL Luke 21:5-19 [Please rise to honor the reading of The Gospel]
The gospel according to Luke, the 21st chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
[As history moves toward God’s fulfillment there will be frightening signs and events. Before the end, believers will draw strength from their relationship to God and shall be given the words they need to testify and to endure without fear.]
While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, [Jesus] said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when
there will not be left here a stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And
they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not
go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair on your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ.
SONG of THE DAY Step by Step
O God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you.
O God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you.
I will seek you in the morning, and I will learn to walk in your ways,
and step by step you’ll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days.
Repeat
HOMILY Be Prepared! Pr. Josh Text: The Gospel
APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence 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.
PRAYERS of THE CHURCH
+ MEAL +
[As the first-fruit offerings of all that we are and all that we have are gathered, The Lord’s Table is prepared to celebrate “The Feast that knows no end” instituted by Christ our Lord for the strengthening of our faith and the assurance of our forgiveness.]
OFFERING is brought forward
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord our God, all that we have is a sign of your love, all that we are is a gift from your hand. Receive these offerings along with our thanksgiving, that our lives may proclaim your love for all who are redeemed by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father, endless is your mercy and
eternal is your reign. You have filled all creation with light and life;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
When sin scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills and
to form us again as one.
.
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 which is given
for you. Do this in 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 for all people for the forgiveness
of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.
Remembering his life and death, his resurrection and ascension, and his
command to love one another, we pray for his coming again.
Come, Lord Jesus, live in us that we may live in you.
Send now, we pray, your Spirit, that all of your promises may come to us
and your whole creation.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Through him all glory and honor are yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy
Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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
SONG Holy is Your Name
DISTRIBUTION of THE LORD’S SUPPER
COMMUNION HYMN
SONG The Trumpets Sound the Angels Sing
+ SENDING +
[Strengthened in faith and empowered for service, we leave with thanksgiving
and the Lord’s blessing.]
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING
We give thanks to you, faithful God, for feeding us with this one heavenly food. Transform us through this meal into the likeness of your Son, and unite us in
love for one another, that we may be your on-going incarnation to the world; in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
BLESSING
SONG Alabare
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ The Worship is Over. Let the Service Begin! +
THE PRESENCE of CHRIST is celebrated in The Lord’s Supper. He comes to us in a real and present way with his life-giving body and blood in the bread and wine of The Sacrament to assure us of our forgiveness and to strengthen us in faith and service. All who trust and believe the words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” are welcome. Come, receive Christ’s presence in the meal prepared for you. Enjoy his presence. Children are encouraged to come forward with their parents and/or grandparents and receive a blessing.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Today’s music is used by permission, ccli 540181.
Grace Notes
WORSHIP ‘n WORK CLOTHES — Sunday, November 20th Wear your work clothes to Sunday worship and be ready to start working following a cup of coffee. A Sign-up Sheet of chores that need to be accomplished in and around the church is posted in the back of the Sanctuary. Choose a chore and accomplish it on Worship ‘n Work Clothes Day or at your leisure before or after. Be sure to bring your tools and cleaning supplies with you! A pizza lunch will follow!
"O Tannenbaum" — (German: "O fir tree") It’s time to get the Christmas tree out of storage and set up in the Sanctuary. This will take place as part of our Worship ‘n Work Clothes Sunday on November 20th. There will be a Tree Decorating Party after Worship on the following Sunday, November 27th. Refreshments will be served.
PRAISE GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYER! — We have selected Margaret Bohn’s replacement. Diann Engstrom will start as our new Administrative Assistant on Tuesday, November 15th. Diann moved to Eagle Point from Arizona to be near family, and she’s very excited to become part of our staff here at Grace. When you have a chance, stop by and say “Hello!” Margaret will be at Grace for a while longer as she trains Diann in her new position.
BIBLE DISCUSSIONS CHANGE OF TOPIC — Starting today, Sunday, November 13th, we will begin a new topic for the adult Bible class. The class will meet at 8:45 in the Fireside room to examine the topic of “Money Matters” and what God’s Word says about it. Open discussion and questions are encouraged.
NEWS FROM MAGGIE ANDERSON — We recently heard from long-time Grace member, Maggie Anderson, who now lives closer to family in Salem. She would love to hear from her friends at Grace. If you would like her contact information or if you’d like to see the card she sent, please call or stop by the church office.
This Week at Grace
TUESDAY the 15th: Women’s Bible Study 10:00 am
Council meeting in Library 12:30 pm
LWML 1:00 pm
WEDNESDAY the 9th: Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm
THURSDAY the 17th: Newsletter Deadline
SUNDAY the 20th: Christ the King Sunday
Mite Box Sunday
Bible Discussions — Money Matters 8:45 am
Sunday School for All Ages 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Coffee Connection 11:00 am
Worship ‘n Work Clothes 11:15 am
Pizza Lunch 11:45 am
Grace Lutheran Church
660 Frances Lane
Ashland, OR 97520
541-482-1661
Pastor Joshua Heimbuck — heimbuck@me.com