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Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Sunday, November 17, 2013 Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

AS WE GATHER 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 strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: "Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right."

NOTES ON TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS 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 of righteousness" will shine on those who fear God.

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. Paul warns them bluntly that if they want to eat, they need to work.

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

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PRELUDE “How Firm a Foundation” Harris “Ebenezer” Williams

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God: the only Sovereign, who dwells in light; Christ Jesus, who came to save sinners; the Holy Spirit, who lives within us.

C Amen.

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

Silence is kept for reflection.

P God of overflowing grace, C we come to you with repentant hearts. Forgive us for shallow thankfulness.

Forgive us for passing by the ones in need. Forgive us for setting our hopes on fleeting treasures. Forgive us our neglect and thoughtlessness. Bring us home from the wilderness of sin, and strengthen us to serve you in all that we do and say; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

P There is joy in heaven over every sinner who repents. By the grace of God in + Christ Jesus, who gave himself up for us all, your sins are forgiven and you are made free. Rejoice with the angels and with one another! We are home in God's mercy, now and forever.

C Amen.

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GATHERING SONG Canticle of the Turning ELW 723

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GREETING A The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy

Spirit be with you all. C And also with you. KYRIE P In peace, in peace, let us pray to the…

P For the Reign of God, and for peace throughout the world, for the unity of all let us pray to

the…

P For your people here, who have come to give you praise, for the strength to live your Word let

us pray to the…

P Help, save, and defend us, O God

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HYMN OF PRAISE Now the Feast and Celebration ELW 167

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SALUTATION

P The Lord be with you. C

PRAYER OF THE DAY A Let us pray, C 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

(Please be seated)

WELCOME AND COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS FIRST READING Malachi 4:1-2a

A The First Lesson is from the fourth chapter 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.

2But for you who revere my name the sun of

righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

A Word of God, Word of life. C Thanks be to God.

PSALM 98 (Sung responsively – pulpit side & piano side alternate)

Refrain: In righteousness will the LORD judge the world. (Ps. 98:9) 1Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done

| marvelous things,

whose right hand and holy arm have | won the victory.

2O LORD, you have made

| known your victory,

you have revealed your righteousness in the sight | of the nations.

3You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the

| house of Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen the victory | of our God.

4Shout with joy to the LORD,

| all you lands;

lift up your voice, re- | joice, and sing. R

5Sing to the LORD

| with the harp,

with the harp and the | voice of song.

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6With trumpets and the sound

| of the horn

shout with joy before the | king, the LORD.

7Let the sea roar, and

| all that fills it,

the world and those who | dwell therein.

8Let the rivers

| clap their hands,

and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, who comes to

| judge the earth.

9The LORD will judge the

| world with righteousness

and the peo- | ples with equity. R

SPECIAL MUSIC 8:00 “How Majestic Is Your Name” Smith Voices of Faith 11:00 “Praise the Lord” Handel Chancel Choir SECOND READING 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

A The Second Lesson is from the third chapter of 2 Thessalonians

6Now 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.

7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when

we were with you, 8and 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. 9This was

not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10

For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.

11For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies,

not doing any work. 12

Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

13Brothers and sisters, do not

be weary in doing what is right.

A Word of God, Word of Life. C Thanks be to God. GOSPEL VERSE

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GOSPEL Luke 21:5-19

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke C Glory to you, O Lord. 5When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones

and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6"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."

7They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is

about to take place?" 8And 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.

9"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." 10

Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;

11there will be great

earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12"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.

13This will give you an opportunity to testify.

14So make

up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15

for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

16You will be

betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

17You will be hated by all because of my name.

18But not a hair of your

head will perish. 19

By your endurance you will gain your souls."

P The Gospel of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

SERMON Pastor Don Haven

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HYMN OF THE DAY Through the Night (Vs. 1, 2, 4) ELW 327 (Please stand as you are able)

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A Let us profess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed. APOSTLES’ CREED C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 (After each petition concludes with “Let us pray,” the

congregation responds, “Have mercy, O God”)

PEACE A The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. A I invite you to share the Peace of Christ with one another.

GIFTS OF OFFERING “A Prayer for Peace” Shea (Please sign the red welcome roster and pass it on as a ritual of friendship. Then pass it back noting the names of those you’re worshiping with today.)

OFFERING SONG Let the Vineyards LBW 184

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, And fill to the brim our cup of blessing. Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, That we may be fed with the bread of life. Gather the hopes and dreams of all; Unite them with the prayers we offer. Grace our table with your presence, And give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

OFFERING PRAYER P Let us pray C 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

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THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

P It is 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, and the Spirit, whom you poured out upon the Church and your people, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

CONGREGATIONAL SONG Holy, Holy, Holy ELW 191

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

P We remember how on the night of his betrayal 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. 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.

P Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come, come again.

C

P Gather our prayers with those of the apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all the faithful who have gone before us, and unite them with the unceasing prayer of the One who lives in us and in whom we live, Jesus Christ.

C

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P Make us bold, O merciful God, to address you as our Abba as we pray: (Abba is an intimate word used by Jesus to address his Father – as we might say, Daddy)

LORD'S PRAYER

C 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

P Take hold of the life that really is life. Come, take your place at the table.

Lamb of God

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P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you always in his grace.

C Amen

(Please stand)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION A We come again to you, O God, giving you thanks that in this feast of mercy you

have embraced us and healed us, making us one in the body of Christ. Go with us on our way. Equip us for every good work, that we may continue to give you thanks by embracing others with mercy and healing; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C Amen

SENDING OF COMMUNION VISITORS A Gracious God, you took the form of a servant, offering yourself as food, comfort, and

strength to a sick and hurting world. Anoint with a servant heart those who take your word and sacrament to our sisters and brothers. Grant grace, mercy, healing, and hope to those who feast on your body and blood and receive your words of new life. May we all recognize that we have a place and a home in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C Amen.

BENEDICTION P May God, bless and keep us. May God’s face shine on us and be gracious. May

God look on us with favor and give us peace.

C

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RECESSIONAL HYMN Soon and Very Soon ELW 439

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Greeters: Erich & Georgia Sawatzky/Elizabeth

Bieniek, Colleen Cole Altar Flowers: Nancy Bohnsack Altar Guild: Sally Newell, Lorraine Wells Ushers: Jeff & Linda Potts, Jim Arbaugh/Dale & Katy Carlsen, John Moorman

DISMISSAL A Go in peace. Remember the poor. C Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

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WORSHIP ASSISTANTS:

Lectors: Ben Goodkind, Nancy Schwegel

Assisting Ministers: Sharon Blomquist, Warren Schwegel Acolytes: Sami Larsh, Crystal Moreno Cross Bearers: Emily Schnell, Faith Pieper Communion: Sharon Blomquist, David & Tamara Crocker/Warren & Nancy Schwegel, Ann Jolly _____________________________________________________________________________________

The altar flowers this morning are given in gift by Ed & Barbara Andersen in loving memory of son, Tom.

Helping Hands for November, please consider the following:

In-Kind Donations: Winter clothing for Gathering Inn & St. Vincent’s. Financial Contributions: ELCA Malaria Initiative. Resurrection has three more months to meet its goal and contributions are still needed. Please use either the Special Giving opportunity on your envelop or contribute on-line.

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Readings for next Sunday, November 24, 2013 Christ the King INTRODUCTION Jeremiah's promise of the execution of "justice and righteousness in the land" finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears so utterly contradictory that the king should be crucified with the criminal. This victory appears for all the world as ignominious defeat. Yet through the gate of death our Lord opens the door to paradise.

We invite you to read these texts as you prepare for next Sunday’s worship. Jeremiah 23:1–6 Colossians 1:11–20 Luke 23:33–43

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COMMENDATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sunday, November 17, 2013 Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, died 1231 Born in Hungary, Elizabeth was betrothed to the son of the Landgrave of Thuringia, and at age four was taken to be raised with him at the Wartburg Castle. Ten years later they were married. She was very generous to the poor, and after her husband's death she lived in cruel hardship until her own death at age twenty-four. Saturday, November 23 Clement, Bishop of Rome, died around 100 Clement was the third bishop of Rome. He is best remembered for a letter he wrote to the congregation in Corinth, still struggling with the same problems that led to Paul's letters to them. As did Paul, he focused on the need for love among Christians. Saturday, November 23 Miguel Agustín Pro, martyr, died 1927 Pro grew up in a time when the Mexican revolutionaries accused the church of siding with the wealthy. He became a Jesuit priest, and worked on behalf of the poor and homeless. Falsely accused of throwing a bomb at a government official, he was executed, but not before crying out "Long live Christ the King!" Sunday, November 24 Justus Falckner, died 1723; Jehu Jones, died 1852; William Passavant, died 1894; pastors in North America Not only was Falckner the first Lutheran ordained in North America, but he published a catechism which was the first Lutheran book published on the continent. Jones was the Lutheran church's first African American pastor and carried out missionary work in Philadelphia which led to the formation there of the first African American Lutheran congregation (St. Paul's). William Passavant helped to establish hospitals and orphanages in a number of cities and was the first to introduce deaconesses to the work of hospitals in the United States.

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