Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost November 13, 2016 Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church 460 West Annapolis Street - West Saint Paul, MN 55118 Church Office: (651) 457-9232 Fax: (651) 457-1893 E-mail: stjlc@saintjameslutheran.com Visit our web site: www.saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Michael Albrecht 651-457-6796 malbrecht@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Dale Critchley 651-689-3253 dcritchley@saintjameslutheran.com Terese Thune Youth Director 651-336-2117 tthune@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Ralph Rokke 651-457-3955 rrokke@saintjameslutheran.com Pastor Richard Stadler 651-338-8621 rstadler@saintjameslutheran.com Shirley Hess Parish Nurse 651-210-3380 pnstjlc@saintjameslutheran.com
WELCOME TO WORSHIP! The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost November 13, 2016 With only two weeks left until the end of this church year, our thoughts turn to last things and the end of the world. When Jesus predicted that the Temple would be destroyed and not one stone would be left on another, His disciples naturally wanted to know when this would happen. Jesus warned them not to be led astray by false prophets or by political and military conflicts or by natural catastrophes or by persecution. Jesus urges us to be alert and to pray. GUESTS AND VISITORS, we are delighted that you are worshiping with us today! Please take a moment to fill out a Welcome, Guest card which is available in the pew racks and place it in the offering. For every guest who completes this form, Saint James will donate $5 to the Neighbor s Food Shelf. Also, stop by the Visitor Welcome Center as you leave and pick up a small gift. Thank you for coming, and please come back and visit again soon. You are always welcome here at Saint James. LARGE PRINT COPIES OF THE SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX. SPECIAL POCKET HEARING SYSTEMS are available from the ushers for anyone desiring an amplified broadcast of the service. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP THE NURSERY is not staffed but is available for parents who have young children who become noisy or restless during the service. We are thankful for families who teach their children to worship by bringing them to church. When your little ones become noisy, feel free to take them to the narthex or the nursery to settle them down. The service can be seen and heard on TV in both locations. You are invited to ponder Psalm 98, which can be found in the pew Bible on page 455. 2
THE ORDER OF SERVICE ORGAN PRELUDE: That Priceless Grace A.D. Miller Dearest Jesus, At Your Word W.J. Wold GATHERING HYMN: Christian Worship #206 Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Philipp Nicolai, son of a Lutheran pastor, was born on August 10, 1556 at Mengeringhausen, Germany. He began his studies at the University of Erfurt in 1575, and transferred to the University of Wittenberg in 1576. After his graduation in 1579 he frequently preached in his father s church. He was awarded his Doctor of Divinity degree on July 4, 1594 at the University of Wittenberg. In 1596 he became pastor at Unna, in Westphalia, where he engaged in heated controversy with the Calvinists, passed through a frightful pestilence, and then in 1598, had to flee before the invasion of the Spaniards. He returned in 1599. Finally, in April 1601, he was elected chief pastor of St. Katherine's Church at Hamburg. In Hamburg Nicolai was universally esteemed, was a most popular and influential preacher, and was regarded as a "pillar" of the Lutheran church. On October 22, 1608, he took part in the ordination of a colleague in the St. Katherine's Church, and went home feeling ill. A violent fever developed, and he died Oct. 26, 1608. Those able, please stand for stanza 3 This hymn was written during the terrible pestilence which raged in Unna from July 1597 to January 1598. In July 300 people died. In one week in August 170 died. By the time the plague lifted, more than 1300 died. Nicolai's parsonage overlooked the churchyard, where daily interments took place, often as many as thirty a day. This hymn was dedicated to his former student, Count Wilhelm Ernst, who died at the age of fifteen. Nicolai said, "There seemed to me nothing more sweet, delightful and agreeable than the contemplation of the noble, sublime doctrine of Eternal Life obtained through the Blood of Christ. This I allowed to dwell in my heart day and night, and searched the Scriptures as to what they revealed on this matter, read also the sweet treatise of the ancient doctor Saint Augustine [The City of God]. PASTORAL GREETING: Pastor Albrecht SERVICE OF THE WORD: Christian Worship, pages 38-39 PRAYER OF THE DAY Please be seated PSALM OF THE DAY: Christian Worship, page 103 Psalm 98 3
Four centuries before the birth of Christ, the prophet Malachi looks forward to His coming. The prophet Elijah will come first. This prophecy was fulfilled when John the Baptist turned people s hearts to repentance as he prepared the way for Jesus. OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Malachi 4:1-6 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. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. 4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction. Reading Response P: This is the word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! First the Apostle Paul expresses his confidence that the Thessalonians will do what he commands, and then he commands them to get busy. They were expecting Jesus to come back any day, but in the meantime they had God-given vocations to fulfill. EPISTLE LESSON: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-13 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 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. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. Reading Response P: This is the word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God! VERSE OF THE DAY: Christian Worship, page 40 4
THE GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 21:5-36 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. 7 And they asked him, Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place? 8 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. 9 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. 10 Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 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. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives. 20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 29 And he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Gospel Response P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ! Those able, please stand Jesus predicts the Fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. We also hear Him preaching about the last things and the end of the world. 5
APOSTLES CREED: Christian Worship, page 41 Please be seated Children are invited to come forward during the sermon hymn for the Children s Message. SERMON HYMN: Christian Worship #216 Saints, Behold! The Sight is Glorious Thomas Kelly was born in Dublin on July 13, 1769, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He studied law, but having undergone a very marked spiritual change, he was ordained in the Church of Ireland in 1792. His earnest evangelical preaching in Dublin led Archbishop Fowler to inhibit him from preaching in the city. For some time, he preached in two unconsecrated buildings in Dublin, and then, having seceded from the Established Church, he erected places of worship in which he conducted services and preached. Over a period of 51 years, Kelly composed and published 765 hymns. He died May 14, 1854. SERMON: Text: Luke 21:5-36 Theme: The Kingdom of God Is Near Those able, please stand RESPONSE TO THE SERMON: Christian Worship, page 20 Please be seated Give online at give.4gvn.us You can find step by step directions in the I Give Online card available in the pew racks. Those able, please stand OFFERING: We joyously and gratefully bring our firstfruits to God. OFFERTORY: My Heart is Filled with Longing J.S. Bach HYMN OF REDEDICATION: Christian Worship #220, O er the Distant Mountains Breaking John Samuel Bewley Monsell (March 2, 1811 - April 9, 1875) was an Irish Anglican clergyman and poet. He was born in Londonderry and educated at Trinity College in Dublin, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1832, and his Doctor of Literature degree in 1856. He was ordained a deacon in 1834, and a priest in 1835. He married Anne Waller on January 15, 1835. Their eldest son, Thomas, died at age 18 in a shipwreck off the coast of Italy on the way to the Crimean War in 1855. Their eldest daughter Elizabeth Isabella died at the age of 28 in 1861. Another daughter, Jane Diana, married a pastor in 1859. Under the influence of his brother Charles, who was also a pastor, John became an admirer of Edward Pusey and the Oxford Movement. John was responsible for the building or rebuilding of three different churches, and while inspecting the third one, he fell from the roof and died of his injuries. PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS 6
PRAYER FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS Please be seated LORD S PRAYER BENEDICTION Those able, please stand SENDING HYMN: Christian Worship #9 stanzas 1 & 5 Jesus, Your Church with Longing Eyes William Bathurst (August 28, 1796 November 25, 1877) was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating in 1818. The following year he was ordained as a deacon, and in 1820 he was ordained as a priest of the Church of England. In 1828 he married Mary Anne Rhodes. They had 4 children. He served as Rector at Yorkshire for 32 years. In 1852 he resigned the rectory because of conscientious scruples regarding the baptismal and burial services in the Book of Common Prayer. He retired to private life and for eleven years he gave himself to literary pursuits. In 1863 he came into possession of his father s estate when his elder brother died without heirs. He died there on November 25, 1877. During the early years of his ministry, Bathurst composed hymns and versified many of the Psalms. These were published in 1830 in a small volume entitled Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use. All but 18 of the 150 psalms and all the 206 hymns in this volume are his. ORGAN POSTLUDE: O God, Our Help in Ages Past B.M. Culli 7
SERVING IN OUR WORSHIP TODAY Pastor Michael Albrecht (preaching) Pastor Dale Critchley Organist: Tom Rowland Ushers: (8:00) Len Bohrer and Team #3 (10:30) Dave Miller and Team #4 Audio Video Team: Hannah Critchley, Sharon Ferrara, Glenn & Wendy Gatzke, Jerry Hinz, Len & Diane Munson, Jerry Peterson, Becky Martinez, Lorna Redding, Leif Thune and Gil Ude Screen Slide Production: Ami Heesch PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR Let us remember to pray for some of our veteran members: Wilmer Unruh, Elaine Wachholz, Iona Wagenknecht, Audrey Ward, Ralph & Ruth Wassmann MISSIONS TO PRAY FOR This week please pray for Pastor David Kind and the people of University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, serving Lutheran students and reaching out to international students at the University of Minnesota. FLOWERS The flowers in the chancel vases and behind the crucifix are given in loving memory of Clarice, Bruce, Brian, grandson William, brother Charles and wife Carol, and parents Frank and Evelyn Schletty, and in honor of Darla J. Cruz and Dawn M. Schletty, provided by the John Schletty family. If you would like to order FLOWERS to be placed in the chancel, please contact Altar Guild Flower Chairwoman Kathy Stadler at 651-450-6452 or stadlerek@comcast.net. SAINT JAMES FOUNDATION Remember the Foundation in your will your gift can make a difference for generations to come. Suggested Wording: In thanks to God for the gift of His Son Jesus, and for all His blessings to me in my lifetime, I gift and bequeath to Saint James Lutheran Church Foundation at 460 West Annapolis Street, West Saint Paul, MN 55118 the amount of $ or (specify the asset.). Stewardship Thought People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln (Contributed by a Saint James member) Living as a Local Missionary During your lunch break, turn to a coworker and say, I always pray before I eat. Anything for you I can include in my prayer? Make a habit of this, and people will eventually get used to bringing you prayer requests. 8