November 10, 2024
Thirtieth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Communion
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.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Be Thou My Vision
arr. Tom Fettke
Duet: Ben Ruby, Tenor, Gene Hodges, Tenor
Pianist: Rita Fandrich
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, our refuge, our delight, our beginning and our end.
Amen.
Let us come in truth before the one who loves us and has freed us from our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Eternal One, robed in majesty and mercy,
we confess that sin has taken hold of us and we are complicit in its power. We are disturbed in spirit and our hearts cannot rest. Unbind us and set us free. Lead us again to the waters of rebirth, that we may live just and generous lives for the good of your world and the care of our neighbors, following in the servant way of Jesus.
Amen.
These words are trustworthy and true:
Christ bore our sins once, for all, on the cross, swallowing up death forever.
For his sake, you are forgiven and God remembers your sin no more.
Let your heart be glad again, and rejoice in your salvation.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
As Saints of Old
ELW 695
As saints of old their firstfruits brought
of orchard, flock, and field
to God, the giver of all good,
the source of bounteous yield;
so we today firstfruits would bring,
the wealth of this good land,
of farm and market, shop and home,
of mind and heart and hand.
A world in need now summons us
to labor, love, and give;
to make our life an offering
to God, that all may live.
The church of Christ is calling us
to make the dream come true:
a world redeemed by Christ-like love;
all life in Christ made new.
In gratitude and humble trust
we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us
in Jesus Christ your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
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.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE (page 140)
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us in mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust 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.
+ READINGS +
FIRST READING: 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.
8The word of the LORD came to [Elijah], saying, 9Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you. 10So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." 11As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." 12But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." 13Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 14For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth." 15She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 146 (Read responsively by full verse)
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in rulers,
in mortals in whom there is no help.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to earth,
and in that day their thoughts perish
5 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help,
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
6 who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them;
who keeps promises forever;
7 who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.
The Lord sets the captive free.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord cares for the stranger;
the Lord sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord shall reign forever,
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!
SECOND READING: Hebrews 9:24-28
The letter to the Hebrews describes Christ as a high priest who offers himself as a sacrifice for our sin. Christ does not die again and again each year. He died once, is alive with God, and will reveal himself on the last day.
24Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 142)
Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the word of eternal life, alleluia.
GOSPEL: Mark 12:38-44
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.
8As Jesus taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
41He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jeannine Sweet
HYMN OF THE DAY
Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
ELW 707
Lord of glory, you have bought us
with your lifeblood as the price,
never grudging for the lost ones
that tremendous sacrifice;
and with that have freely given
blessings countless as the sand
to the unthankful and the evil
with your own unsparing hand.
Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to give you
gladly, freely, of your own
With the sunshine of your goodness
melt our thankless hearts of stone
till our cold and selfish natures,
warmed by you, at length believe
that more happy and more blessed
'tis to give than to receive.
Wondrous honor you have given
to our humblest charity
in your own mysterious sentence,
"You have done it all to me."
Naked, sick, in prison, hungry—
in the least, your face we view,
saying by your poor and needy,
"Give as I have giv'n to you."
Lord of glory, you have bought us
with your lifeblood as the price
never grudging for the lost ones
that tremendous sacrifice.
Give us faith to trust you boldly,
hope, to stay our souls on you:
but, oh, best of all your graces,
with your love our love renew.
APOSTLES’ CREED (page 105)
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Rooted in God’s abundant love for the world, let us pray for our neighbors, the church, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Renew your church, O God. Make us servants to one another for the sake of the gospel. Instill a heart for service and a passion for justice in our bishops, deacons, pastors, and lay leaders. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Renew your creation, O God. Sustain the earth and seas and all that is in them. Kindle in us a reverent awe for all creatures great and small, and strengthen us in our pursuit of climate justice. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Renew the nations, O God. Heal our nation’s veterans from the unseen wounds of war. Tend to their trauma and soothe burdened consciences. Guide leaders of the world to end conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East and pursue peace. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Renew your people, O God. Protect those in our communities who are vulnerable or ill especially Rita, Mary, Mabel, Anna Mae, Doris, Jan, June, Barbara, Ann, Julie, Sydney, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Michael, Bob & Jane, Scott, Ron & Flo, Mac, Marie, Monica, Tom & Leona, Avery, Doris, John, Tim, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Mary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max. Accompany persons who are unemployed or underemployed, children who are in foster care, and those who live alone. Watch over and uphold them. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Renew this congregation, O God. Give us clarity in our mission and boldness in our witness. Bless our ministries that attend to basic needs of any who lack sufficient resources, that all may live with dignity. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Lord we pray for Grace’s Call Committee, for their diligence and faithfulness as servants of Christ. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon them blessing, strengthening and empowering them for the task of calling a new pastor. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Happy are those whose help was in you. We give thanks for all your faithful ones who praised you as their God all their life long. As we eagerly wait for you, inspire us by their lives of service. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We offer our prayers to you, gracious God, trusting in your boundless love for all that you have made, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
We prepare now to receive our offerings as we return to God a portion of what God has entrusted to us.
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
ANTHEM
Take My Life, That I May Be
McDermid
Grace Choir
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 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
Lord Jesus, our portion and our cup, you offered yourself in love for the world, and in this meal you nourish us with your life. Fill us with your abundance, that we may feed the hungry and welcome the stranger, trusting in your name.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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.
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:
SANCTUS (page 144)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
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.
LORD'S PRAYER (page 145)
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
Behold, God is making all things new.
Take your place in the new creation.
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
AGNUS DEI (page 146)
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 HYMNS
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW 712
Lord, whose love in humble service
bore the weight of human need
who upon the cross, forsaken,
worked your mercy's perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship
not of voice alone, but heart;
consecrating to your purpose
ev'ry gift which you impart.
Still your children wander homeless;
still the hungry cry for bread;
still the captives long for freedom;
still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
healed the sick and freed the soul,
by your Spirit send your power
to our world to make it whole.
As we worship, grant us vision,
till your love's revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness
dawns upon our quickened sight
making known the needs and burdens
your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to ardent service,
your abundant life to share.
Called by worship to your service,
forth in your dear name we go,
to the child, the youth, the aged,
love in living deeds to show;
hope and health, good will and comfort,
counsel, aid and peace we give,
that your servants, Lord, in freedom
may your mercy know and live.
Blessed Assurance
ELW 638
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior, all the day long:
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Refrain
Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love. Refrain
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray:
Faithful God, you have spread before us a feast of rich food and drink in the body and blood of your Son.Now send us out to labor with you, in service to the world you have made, and among the people you have made your home, in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING SONG
Oh, Happy Day When We Shall Stand
ELW 441
Oh, happy day when we shall stand
amid the heav'nly throng;
and sing with hosts from ev'ry land
the new celestial song,
the new celestial song.
Oh, blessed day when Christ shall come
and show himself as Lord,
and thousands meet in their new home
which Jesus has prepared,
which Jesus has prepared.
Oh, what a mighty rushing flood
of joy and love and peace
will roll down over us with good
and blessedness and grace,
and blessedness and grace.
O Lord, your grace is ev'rything;
your love has made us free
to stand among the saints and sing
the glory that we see,
the glory that we see.
BENEDICTION
The Ancient One, enthroned,
the Crucified One, now risen,
the Indwelling One, poured out,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Follow Jesus.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
As Saints of Old, Text: Frank von Christierson, 1900-1996, alt. Text © 1961, ren. 1989 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Company, Music: English folk tune, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Arr. © Oxford University Press. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us, Text: Eliza S. Alderson, 1818-1889, alt. Music: Rowland H. Prichard, 1811-1887. Public domain.
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Ronald A. Nelson, b. 1927. Text and music © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service, Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984. Text © 1961 Oxford University Press. Music: The Sacred Heart, Philadelphia, 1844; arr. Selected Hymns, 1985. Arr.© Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Blessed Assurance, Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915.. Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1830-1908. Public domain.
Oh, Happy Day When We Shall Stand, Text: Wilhelm A. Wexels, 1797-1866; tr. Composite, Text st. 1 © 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Text sts. 2-4 © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.Music: Nikolaus Herman, 1480-1561. Public domain.
