Spirit Alive! upbeat Christ-Centered

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1 Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3461 Cedar Crest Blvd. Emmaus, PA PHONE FAX Spirit Alive! upbeat Christ-Centered 25th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, November 11, :45 am The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Ministry in Daily Life Gathered by God s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we invite and welcome all people to join us on our journey to become more faithful ministers of Jesus Christ in our homes, our communities, and the world.

2 ELW refers to the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the red worship book. Page numbers are in the front of the book with hymn numbers following in the middle & end. During worship, please silence all communication devices. *As you are able, please stand. GATHERING Gathering and Fellowship Welcome/Theme of the Day Widows are visible everywhere in today s readings. Jesus denounces those scribes who pray impressive prayers but devour widows houses. He commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major donors. Jesus doesn t see her simply as an object of compassion or charity. She, like the widow of Zarephath who shares her last bit of food with Elijah, does something of great importance. *Affirmation of Giving God of all creation, you have given us all that we are, all that we have and all that we hope to be. The widow gave sacrificially. She gave all that she had. Teach us to give sacrificially. Help us to trust you more, to be dependent on you to provide for our every need. Open our hearts to give all that we have, not just what is easy or comfortable or disposable income from our abundance. For it is in giving our selves away, in losing our selves, that we learn what God means by abundant living, living as a new being in Christ. Help us to give our whole hearts, minds, and bodies to you and in service to a world in need. Amen. *Songs of Welcome God is Wonderful Grades 1 st and 2 nd This the Day Grades 1 st and 2 nd and the assembly 2

3 This is the Day This is the day, This is the day That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made We will rejoice, We will rejoice And be glad in it, And be glad in it This is the day that the Lord has made We will rejoice and be glad in it This is the day, This is the day That the Lord has made. *Prayer of the Day Let us pray together. God, you have set us free from fear and filled us with good things. You surprise us with your abundant grace and give us all we need. Strengthen our trust in you and in your promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. WORD First Reading A Reading from 1 Kings 17:8-16. This chapter begins the story of Elijah. God sends a drought on Israel because of the sins of King Ahab. This passage depicts God s saving acts not only on behalf of Elijah, but also on behalf of those who are associated with the prophet, even a foreigner, the widow of Zarephath. The LORD told Elijah, Go to the town of Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I ve told a widow in that town to give you food. When Elijah came near the town gate of Zarephath, he saw a widow gathering sticks for a fire. Would you please bring me a cup of water? he asked. As she left to get it, he asked, Would you also please bring me a piece of bread? The widow answered, In the name of the living LORD your God, I swear that I don t have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour and a little olive oil. I m on my way home now with these few sticks to cook what I have for my son and me. After that, we will starve to death. 3

4 Elijah said, Everything will be fine. Do what you said. Go home and fix something for you and your son. But first, please make a small piece of bread and bring it to me. The LORD God of Israel has promised that your jar of flour won t run out and your bottle of oil won t dry up before he sends rain for the crops. The widow went home and did exactly what Elijah had told her. She and Elijah and her family had enough food for a long time. The LORD kept the promise that his prophet Elijah had made, and she did not run out of flour or oil. Contemporary English Version Bible After the reading, Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Word for God s Children Children age 3 7 are invited to the All Saints Room. They will return after the Sermon. We encourage at least one parent to be present. *Gospel The good news from Mark 12: Open our hearts, Lord After engaging in a series of public arguments with religious leaders in the temple, Jesus contrasts the proud and oppressive ways of those leaders with the sacrificial humility and poverty of the widow. As Jesus was teaching, he said: Guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses! They love to walk around in long robes and be greeted in the market. They like the front seats in the meeting places and the best seats at banquets. But they cheat widows out of their homes and pray long prayers just to show off. They will be punished most of all. Jesus was sitting in the temple near the offering box and watching people put in their gifts. He noticed that many rich people were giving a lot of money. Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins that were worth only a few pennies. Jesus told his disciples to gather around him. Then he said: I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Everyone else gave what they didn t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn t have a cent to live on. Contemporary English Version Bible This is the good news! Thanks be to God! Hallelujah! 4

5 Sermon Pr. Ric Elliott *Word in Song We Are Called ELW Hymn 720 Welcoming New Members to the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit Presentation of New Members Those being welcomed, a representative of the congregation, and ministers gather at the altar. Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for Art, Mary, Jeff, Pat, Jim, Jill, and Cathy, one with us in the body of Christ, whom we welcome as new members into the life and ministry of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit. *Apostles Creed With the whole church, let us confess our faith, the faith in which we baptize. 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 Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. 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. The assembly is seated. 5

6 Address and Questions In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God. We are called to live among God's faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Sisters and brothers in Christ, do you intend to continue in the covenant of your baptism among God's people in this place? Those being welcomed respond. I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. The minister addresses the assembly. People of God, do you promise to support and pray for Art, Mary, Jeff, Pat, Jim, Jill, and Cathy in their life in Christ? We do, and we ask God to help and guide us. A representative of the congregation presents Bibles to the persons being welcomed. Receive this Bible. Hear God s word with us. Learn and tell its stories. Discover its mysteries. Honor its commandments. Rejoice in its good news. May God s life-giving word inspire you to ministry in daily life. Welcome Those being welcomed face the assembly. Let us welcome these sisters and brothers in Christ to Holy Spirit s community of faith. We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world. *Welcome Song All Are Welcome ELW Hymn 641 Verse 3 6

7 *Prayers of the People With the people of God gathered here and throughout the world, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need. After each petition: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Enfold all things in your compassion, O God, and bring us into your life through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. *Share the Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people greet one another with the peace of Christ. Offering God Of Justice Hall Glenn and Terri Hinderliter, Bob Mueller The assembly responds to the Word of God by gathering an offering for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. The music is offered as a gift to the glory of God. You may give your offering in the offering plate, or by using a credit or debit card at the Giving Kiosk, or Give by Text ( ), or through Simply Giving, or by sending it to the church office. The table is set. *Offering Prayer Let us pray. Creator God, you made everything, and you provide for every need. The bread we break and the wine we pour come from you. As we eat and drink with thanksgiving, fill us with your love; let that love flow through us to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 7

8 MEAL *Thanksgiving at the Table Jesus came to seek the lost; to heal the sick, free the captive and restore the broken. We give thanks for God s unfailing love. Lord God, who makes all things new, we thank you for coming to us, becoming one of us, carrying our guilt and pain, and opening the way to new life. As part of God s healing, Jesus gave us this sacrament, to remind us of God s love, to invite us into God s grace, and to extend to us God s renewal of a forgiven life. Jesus is present in, with, and under the bread and wine. Words of Institution And so we eat and drink with thanks, and we remember the sacrifice of Jesus which makes us whole. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We thank you, God, that you have fed us with your life, embraced us with your love, touched us with your healing, and filled us with your Holy Spirit. Amen. *Lord s Prayer Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. *Invitation to Communion Hunger no more. Thirst no more. Come to the banquet of life. Amen. 8

9 Sacrament of Holy Communion All who are baptized and believe in the presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are welcome to receive the Sacrament. To facilitate flow, the ushers invite the side sections, the front few rows and then the back rows. The people come forward, using the center aisle in two lines, to receive the bread from the ministers, then go to the side to dip their bread into the wine. Grape juice is used in our celebration so that all may freely receive. In addition, gluten free wafers are available. After receiving the elements, people may kneel at the altar rail for prayer, and return to their seats using the side aisles. Children may receive the sacrament if they have completed instruction with a pastor. Children who do not commune may come forward for a blessing. Communion Songs The whole assembly is invited to praise God in song. Where Charity and Love Are Shown Words and music on next page 9

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11 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love ELW Hymn 708 When the Poor Ones ELW Hymn 725 *Prayer Let us pray. Holy and compassionate God, in bread and wine you give us gifts that form us to be humble and courageous. May your words come to life in our serving and in our witness, that we may speak a living voice of healing and justice to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. *Blessing SENDING The love of God surround you; the grace of Christ release you; and the Holy Spirit be your guide and strength, now and forevermore. Amen. *Sending Song Christ, Be Our Light ELW Hymn 715 *Dismissal The assisting minister sends the assembly into mission. Go in peace. The Spirit sends us forth to serve. Thanks be to God! CCLI # One License A HymnPrint.net License # The Toolkit all content Changing Church Forum, Inc. Reproducible for church use only. Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License # New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by Permission. All rights reserved. Contemporary English Version Bible (CEV) Copyright 1995 by American Bible Society Used by Permission. All rights reserved. Some liturgy reprinted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion Used by permission. Baptismal liturgy [from Holy Baptism and Related Rites. Renewing Worship, Volume 3. Holy Baptism. Pages 5-10 Used by permission. 11

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