ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 118 State Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Transcription

1 ST. MICHAEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 118 State Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Christ The King November 23, :00 a.m. WORSHIP LEADERS Presiding Minister The Reverend Barry Ridge Preacher Jennifer Crist Director of Music Alex Ashman Assisting Minister Wayne Noss Eucharistic Minister Lindsay Mills Acolytes and Torchbearers Marissa Archer and Clair Gunnet, Jr. Cantor Sue Will Thurifer Les Van Dam Lector and Bookbearer Duane Daub Greeter Bob Gerberich Ushers Lloyd and Shirley Kramer Altar Guild Doug Kakuk and Dave Kiser Offering Counters Maria Archer, Cheryl and Ed Smith 20

2 WELCOME TO ST. MICHAEL CHURCH n a world polluted by noise, we should be able to expect the privilege of I silence for meditation and preparation as we enter the space set aside for our public worship. In that spirit, we ask you for silence and offer the following devotional aids for your use as you await the start of the service and during the prelude. PRAYERS BEFORE WORSHIP Lord God, your power was revealed when you raised Christ from the dead and seated him at your right hand. Grant that we may always give you thanks for your immeasurable love and show that gratitude in loving service to all our brothers and sisters through Jesus Christ. Amen. O God of all people, throughout history you have given us saints as examples of how we should live. We give you thanks for the lives of all the saints of history and for those who walk among us today. We pray especially in gratitude for those whose life touched us and through whom you showed us your grace. Amen. WORSHIP NOTES On this final Sunday of the church year our gospel is Jesus' great story of judgment. In the end, the faithful are those who served Christ by ministering to those who are poor, hungry, naked, sick, or estranged. In the first reading God is the shepherd who seeks the lost, weak, and injured and feeds them with justice. We gather this day to celebrate the reign of Christ and his victory over death, yet awaiting the consummation of all things yet to come. Acknowledging Christ as our merciful ruler, we go forth that his reign may be known in our loving words and deeds. Persons with impairments - St. Michael offers to those with any type of hearing difficulty a small, remote personal speaker which provides the user an amplified, high quality audio of the entire service. We invite our guests who may have the need for such an accommodation to ask an usher for a personal speaker. (They are available upon entering the Nave.) We welcome any comments concerning St. Michael's efforts to accommodate persons with impairments or disabilities. An enlarged copy of the bulletin is available. Please see an usher if you would like to use one. 2 19

3 FESTIVAL SERVICE OF WORD AND SACRAMENT PRELUDE +++GATHERING+++ CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Sovereign over all the earth, the Wisdom from on high, our merciful Judge and Savior. Amen. Let us boldly approach the throne of grace, trusting in God's mercy and love. Silence is kept for reflection. Generous and faithful God, we confess to you all the ways, known and unknown, that we reject and undermine your steadfast love. Though you made us your people, we treat strangers with suspicion. Though you forgave our debts, we collect without mercy. Yet we are quick to pass judgment on others. Have mercy on us, O God, and remember your promise to us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Through the living Word, + Jesus Christ, God forgives your every debt, your every sin, and gives you a new heart and a new spirit. Amen. GATHERING HYMN All Creatures, Worship God Most High elw 835 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. 18 3

4 KYRIE WEDNESDAYS IN ADVENT we meet at 6:00 p.m. for a light meal and table talk followed by Evening Prayer. Dates are December 3, 10 and 17. The meals can be soup, sandwiches, salads, casseroles or pizza! There will be about 20 in attendance. If you would like to prepare and serve one of these meals, please sign up on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. PLEASE JOIN US AT THIS YEAR S BAGELS AND BASKETS CEL- EBRATION for some fun competition and early Christmas shopping! All proceeds benefit St. Michael s. St. Michael s plays an important role in our lives and in our community. We hope we can count on you to support our beloved church and its mission. This year, we have a basket for everyone on your list, including: Tailgate Tonight, I Scream for Ice Cream, Pampered Pooch, Date Night, Have Fun - Get Fit!, Time to Spa, Taste of the Rainbow (you are going to love this) and more. After service on December 7, come down to the dining room for some breakfast and competitive bidding. We look forward to seeing you for this enjoyable and important fundraiser. IT S TIME TO ORDER THE POINSETTIAS AND WREATHS that will decorate the church for the Christmas season. An order form is included in today s bulletin. There are extra order forms on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Please note the deadline for placing orders is Sunday, December 7. THE WORSHIP ASSISTANTS SCHEDULE for December is available on the St. Michael website. Copies are available on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE there is a recital prior to the worship service. If you are interested in performing during this year s recital, please see Alex Ashman. ALTAR FLOWERS are sponsored to the Glory of God and in honor of their 18th wedding anniversary by Kevin and Sylvia Hepler. BULLETINS are sponsored to the Glory of God by Sue McDonald and Chris Persson. FELLOWSHIP HOUR is sponsored to the Glory of God and in honor of Floyd s birthday by Nancy Eberly. We remember the following members and friends of St. Michael in prayer this week: Talia Babel, Art Cover (Sarah Miller s brother), Lisa Cristo, Mike Fuller, Joanne, Rich Mayer, Ron Maynard Mary Palmer and Diana Pate. 4 17

5 SENDING SONG Jesus Shall Reign elw 434 HYMN OF PRAISE DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE ONGOING MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Helping Hands Ministry Let s All Gather at the River! Loaves of Love Communion for the Pates Sunday, Thursday and Friday at 4:00 p.m. Mondays at 6:15 a.m. and Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Ongoing food collection Third Sunday of the month CALENDAR FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 23 Choir Rehearsal Happy Thanksgiving! Advent Decorating Deadline to order Wreaths for your home Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Next Sunday By water and the Spirit we are baptized into the body of Christ and made members of his church. We remember and rejoice with those who celebrate their baptismal anniversaries this week: Dylan Spiegel on November 23, Doug Kakuk on November 24. The readings for the First Sunday of Advent November 30, are: Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13: CHRISTMAS WREATH ORDER FORMS for wreaths to decorate your home are available on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Cost is $12.50, deadline to order is next Sunday, November 30, and pickup will be on Saturday, December 6. ANNUAL REPORTS from all committees are due in the church office no later than Monday, December 1. Please submit your reports by to Cecilia at churchoffice@stmikehbg.com. If you cannot submit your report electronically, please put your report in Cecilia s mailbox or on the desk in the office. 16 5

6 SONG AFTER COMMUNION Now We Join in Celebration PRAYER OF THE DAY O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to serve the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION O God, the host at every meal, at this table you spread out a feast for all peoples, the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Send us from this banquet to invite others into these good things, to let justice roll down like waters, and to care for the least of our sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and our Savior. Amen. BLESSING +++SENDING+++ The blessing of almighty God, the Father of glory, + Jesus Christ our peace, and the Spirit of truth, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. 6 15

7 COMMUNION SONG +++WORD+++ COMMUNION HYMN Fill My Cup, Lord FIRST READING Ezekiel 34:11 16, For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. 20 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 14 7

8 PSALM 8 Psalm 95:1-7a The refrain is sung by the cantor, repeated by the assembly. The psalm is sung antiphonally by the cantor and assembly, beginning with the cantor. The assembly sings the refrain where marked. 1 Come, let us sing to the LORD; let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before God's presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to the LORD with psalms. 3 For you, LORD, are a great God, and a great ruler a- bove all gods. 4 In your hand are the caverns of the earth; the heights of the hills are also yours. R 5 The sea is yours, for you made it, and your hands have molded the dry land. 6 Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For the LORD is our God, and we are the people of God's pasture and the sheep of God's hand. R SECOND READING Ephesians 1: I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 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. Remembering his love for us on the way, at the table, and to the end, we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We pray for the gift of your Spirit: in our gathering; within this meal; among your people; throughout the world. Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus, by your Spirit, in your church, without end. Amen. LORD'S PRAYER 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. COMMUNION Communion is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ's love. To receive communion the assembly follows the choir, approaching the altar rail by the center aisle in two rows. Individuals fill in at the next open spot at the rail on their side of the aisle. You may kneel or stand. The pastor will come around and place the host (bread) in your hand, an assisting minister will have the wine. You may receive the wine either by common cup, or from the pouring chalice. To receive from the pouring chalice take a glass from the tray at the front of the center aisle. After you use the glass you may place it in the tray on the window sill as you return to your seat by the side aisle. 13

9 PREFACE 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; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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: GOSPEL ACCLAMATION THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God. The universe declares your praise: beyond the stars; beneath the sea; within each cell; with every breath. We praise you, O God. Generations bless your faithfulness: through the water; by night and day; across the wilderness; out of exile; into the future. We bless you, O God. We give you thanks for your dear Son: at the heart of human life; near to those who suffer; beside the sinner; among the poor; with us now. We thank you, O God. 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. 12 GOSPEL Matthew 25:31-46 The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. 31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. GOSPEL PROCESSION As We Gather at Your Table elw 522 9

10 SERMON Silence for Meditation. HYMN OF THE DAY Beautiful Savior elw 838 NICENE 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 Let us pray, / Have mercy, O God. PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The assembly shares the Lord s peace with those nearby. +++MEAL+++ CHOIR ANTHEM Give God the Glory Schütz OFFERING HYMN OFFERING PRAYER Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen. 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