Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

Date
November 13, 2022
Author
Don Bennett
Category
Bulletins

Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
November 13, 2022
10:30 a.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136

Introduction

The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the “meantimes.” The baptized are strength- ened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invita- tion of the apostle: “Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.”
Beware and Trust
In an instant, documents are signed six thousand miles away, and suddenly you have no job. In an instant the walls rattle, the floors rumble, ceilings crack, and you have no home. In an instant the lights flicker, the signals weaken, the screens go blank, and you have no connec- tions. In an instant a door slams, a voice shouts, a car screeches, and you have no one. In an instant the dam breaks, the fire blazes, the winds ravage, and . . . and what?
What is the world coming to? Shadowing every calamity, circling the grounds of every col- lapse, chasing every human tragedy, prophets and pundits are sure to announce that all is lost. They are eager to foretell all futures eroded, ready to broadcast that all hope is dead, all tomorrows canceled, all creation buried. But beware!
“Beware” hardly has the lilting tone of a glad good-news bell. “Beware” bites at our ears and strikes our heartbeat like the cold peal of a brass tongue slapping against a pitted funeral bell. “Beware” is the screech of the siren, the shout before battle, the shudder at the edge of lonely nightfall. “Beware” scarcely sounds like gospel, but it is the exact gospel word Jesus chooses to post like an iron stanchion into bedrock in the midst of uncertain and frightening times. Pay attention; listen closely to Jesus’ “beware.” It is not beware of wars and rising nations, plagues and earthquakes, arrests and persecutions. Jesus instead cautions: beware of those proph- ets and pundits, of their timetables of destruction, their signs of the end, and their oracles of despair. Beware of them. The world may tremble fiercely, you may be hated unjustly, you may know betrayal painfully, yet with the strength of iron in bedrock and the sound of the gospel bell ringing, Jesus encourages us: “Beware . . . do not be terrified” (Luke 21:8-9).

GATHERING

The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

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

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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

Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

GATHERING SONG “How Great Is Our God with How Great Thou Art”

The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty;
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice.
He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at his voice, and trembles at his voice.

How great is our God! Sing with me: How great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!

And age to age he stands, and time is in his hands;
Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End.
The Godhead, three in one: Father, Spirit, Son,
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb.

How great is our God! Sing with me: How great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hands hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!

But when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin;

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!

Name above all names, worthy of all praise.
My heart will sing: How great is our God!
Name above all names, worthy of all praise.
My heart will sing: How great is our God!

How great is our God! Sing with me: How great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!
How great is our God! Sing with me: How great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!

GREETING

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

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
for this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

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, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

WORD

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

FIRST READING Malachi 4:1-2a

Malachi, whose name means “my messenger,” warns that “the day is coming.” On that day, the evil will be destroyed like stubble in a fire, but the “sun of righteousness” will shine on those who honor God.

A reading from the book of Malachi.
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Some members of the Thessalonian community, because of their belief in the nearness of Christ’s return, had ceased to work, living off the generosity of other members of the community. The writer of this letter warns them bluntly that if they want to eat, they need to work.

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not be- cause we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL READING Luke 21:5-19

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 will be given the words they need to testify and to endure without fear.

The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 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 plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

YOUTH MESSAGE

MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY “Jerusalem, My Happy Home”

Jerusalem, my happy home,
when shall I come to thee?
When shall my sorrows have an end?
Thy joys when shall I see?

O happy harbor of the saints,
O sweet and pleasant soil!
In thee no sorrow may be found,
no grief, no care, no toil.

Thy gardens and thy gallant walks
continually are green;
there grow such sweet and pleasant flow’rs
as nowhere else are seen.

There trees forevermore bear fruit
and evermore do spring;
there evermore the angels sit
and evermore do sing.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
God grant that I may see
thine endless joy, and of the same
partaker ever be!

APOSTLES’ CREED

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 power of the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
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,
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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

United with your saints across time and place, we pray for our shared world.

A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
Lord in your mercy,
receive our prayer.

Accept these prayers, gracious God, and those known only to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

DIALOGUE

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 our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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 for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
Amen, amen. Amen, amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Christ spreads a table before you. Gather here with all the saints.

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

LAMB OF GOD

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

COMMUNION HYMN “The Same Love”

You choose the humble and raise them high;
You choose the weak and make them strong;
You heal our brokenness inside and give us life.

The same love that set the captives free,
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us by name; you are calling us all by name.

The same God that spread the heavens wide,
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name; you are calling us all by name.

You take the faithless one aside
And speak the words, “You are mine”;
You call the cynic and the proud, “Come to me now.”

The same love that set the captives free,
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us by name; you are calling us all by name.

The same God that spread the heavens wide,
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name; you are calling us all by name.
Oh…

You’re calling, you’re calling, you’re calling us to the cross.
You’re calling, you’re calling, you’re calling us to the cross.
You’re calling, you’re calling, you’re calling us to the cross.
You’re calling, you’re calling, you’re calling us to the cross.

The same love that set the captives free,
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us by name; you are calling us all by name.

The same God that spread the heavens wide,
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name; you are calling us all by name.
Oh…

TABLE BLESSING

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and always keep you in God’s grace.
Amen.

SONG AFTER COMMUNION: The Canticle of Simeon

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled. My own own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of ev’ry people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

We give you thanks, most gracious God, that you have fed us with the bread of heaven and given us a foretaste of Paradise. Enliven us to be your body in the world and to serve those who are in need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SENDING

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING

The God of peace, who creates all things and calls them good, who makes us alive in Jesus, and who breathes on us the Spirit of hope, bless you now and forever.
Amen.

SENDING SONG “I Am the Bread of Life”

“I am the Bread of life.
You who come to me shall not hunger,
and who believe in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me unless the Father beckons.”