ORDER OF WORSHIP
Twenty-second Sunday After Pentecost
November 9, 2025
We worship on the first day of the week because Jesus was raised on that day. Every Sunday is a little Easter. This Sunday feels more like Easter than many as the appointed texts celebrate the reality of the resurrection. Live it up this Lord’s day. Our God is the God of the living.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Give Thanks
Henry Smith
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Faithful God,
you have shown us the ways of your heart, yet we stray from your paths.
We are stuck in sinful systems of oppression, and do not embrace the freedom of your faithful promises.
We ignore our neighbors. We exploit the earth.
We reject your abundance,
trusting our impulses instead of your steadfast love.
Repair our relationships, restore what we have broken,
renew our hearts, and bring us to new life.
Amen.
Hear the good news:
God the Faithful One loves you,
in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit you are set free.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
All Creatures, Worship God Most High!
ELW 835
All creatures, worship God most high!
Sound ev'ry voice in earth and sky: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing, brother sun, in splendor bright;
sing, sister moon and stars of night:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Sing, brother wind; with clouds and rain
you grow the gifts of fruit and grain: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear sister water, useful, clear,
make music for your Lord to hear:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
All who for love of God forgive,
all who in pain and sorrow grieve: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears;
still make your song amid the tears:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
O sisters, brothers, take your part,
and worship God with humble heart: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Oh, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
APOSTOLIC 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.
HYMN OF PRAISE (ELW 163)
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God's people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together:
O God, our eternal redeemer, by the presence of your Spirit you renew and direct our hearts. Keep always in our mind the end of all things and the day of judgment. Inspire us for a holy life here, and bring us to the joy of the resurrection, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
+ WORD +
First Reading: Job 19:23-27a
23 “O that my words were written down!
O that they were inscribed in a book!
24 O that with an iron pen and with lead
they were engraved on a rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth;
26 and after my skin has been destroyed,
then in my flesh I shall see God,
27a whom I shall see on my side,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 37:1-9 (sung responsively by full verse)
Refrain:
Lord, lend your ear and hear my prayer.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; give heed | to my cry;
listen to my prayer, which does not come from | lying lips.
2 Let my vindication come forth | from your presence;
let your eyes be | fixed on justice.
3 Examine my heart, visit | me by night,
melt me down; you will find no impuri- | ty in me.
4 I have not regarded what | others do;
at the word of your lips I have avoided the ways | of the violent. R
5 My footsteps hold fast to your | well-worn path;
and my feet | do not slip.
6 I call upon you, O God, for you will | answer me;
incline your ear to me and | hear my words.
7 Show me your marvelous | lovingkindness,
O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
from those who | rise against them.
8 Keep me as the apple | of your eye;
hide me under the shadow | of your wings,
9 from the wicked | who assault me,
from my deadly enemies | who surround me. R
SECOND READING:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
1 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. 5 Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?
13 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 For this purpose God called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (ELW 175)
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 20:27-40
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 15th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to [Jesus] 28 and asked him a question: “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.”
34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed, they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead but of the living, for to him all of them are alive.” 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Christ Is Living
ACS 934
Christ is living! Gone with sorrow!
Tears and terror, be no more.
Death and grave, you now are nothing;
Christ is free of ev'ry pow'r.
Why then seek the living Savior
in the haunts of death and fear?
Christ is risen! Shout the good news
so that all the world may hear.
For if Christ is not arisen
there is nothing to believe.
Jesus' promise is accomplished:
"Since I live, you too shall live."
Dust we are, to dust returning,
but in Christ we are restored.
Doubt dispelling, claim the triumph:
Jesus is the living Lord!
Death is swallowed up in vict'ry;
sin has lost its poison sting.
Life will blossom from the grain sown,
Christ the first fruits of the spring.
For the sureness of salvation
let us sing, "Thanks be to God!"
Christ is risen! We are living!
Spread the word of grace abroad.
APOSTLES CREED
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 INTERCESSION
Gathered with one voice, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
God our Redeemer, bless your Church universal and its leaders. Set all hearts on you from generation to generation, in anticipation of Christ’s return.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of life, we give thanks for the fruits and grains of harvest, for rivers and streams, for all that is made of rock and iron. Renew the earth’s natural resources and the lands from which they come. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of justice, we give thanks for the service of our veterans and pray for those needing support for wounds of any kind. Strengthen those charged with the governance and protection of vulnerable populations. Bring an end to war throughout the world. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God who leads us to belief and truth, we give thanks that you are always and already here. Nurture and support those who are unsteady in mind, unsafe in spirit, or unwell in body, especially Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Ann, Julie, Rita, Carol, Anne, Judy, Gloria, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Barbara, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Avery, Doris, John, Abby, Mike, Tim, Arleen, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Natalie, Henry, Gary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max & Michelle. Comfort those who suffer from trauma and exposure to traumatic events. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God who gathers us together, we give thanks for our pastor and lay leaders, worship assistants and musicians, Kandyn, our Parish Administrator, and all who help care for our buildings and grounds at Grace Lutheran. May all find joy in mutual service as we grow in faith together. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of all the saints, we give thanks for all who have died in faith. Uplift us as we honor their memory and await your coming in glory. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We offer these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your grace and unyielding love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
GRATITUDE
+ 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.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Amen (Because He Lives)
Ed Cash, et. al.
OFFERING SONG
If We Live, We Live to the Lord
ACS 1025
If we live, we live to the Lord.
If we die, we die to the Lord.
So that whether we live
or whether we die,
we are the Lord's.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God of healing and hope,
you bless those who are hungry,
promising to fill them with good things.
Fulfill that promise through us and these your gifts.
Nourish us with the abundance of your feast
and unite us into the blessed body
of Jesus Christ our Savior,
now and forever.
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:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (ELW 192)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heav'n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
you have brought us this far along the way.
In times of bitterness you did not abandon us,
but guided us into the path of love and light.
In every age, you sent prophets
to make known your loving will for all humanity.
The cry of the poor has become your own cry;
our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire.
In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant
to preach good news to the afflicted,
to break bread with the outcast and despised,
and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin.
In the night in which he was handed over,
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.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
LORD'S PRAYER (sung)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and 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 pow'r,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
There is a place for you at the table of God.
Come, receive the food that does not perish,
a taste of life eternal.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION
This holy meal is for all the baptized children of God. We commune at the altar rail. The ushers will direct you down the center aisle. Please go to an open spot at the altar rail. After you have received the host, the first chalice is for intinction and the second chalice is for drinking. A third chalice of grape juice is also offered. Please let the Pastor know if you wish to receive gluten-free wafers. 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.
LAMB OF GOD (ELW 195)
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, grant us peace.
HYMNS DURING COMMUNION
Taste and See
ELW 493
Refrain
Taste and see, taste and see
the goodness of the Lord.
Oh, taste and see, taste and see
the goodness of the Lord, of the Lord.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
Praise shall always be on my lips;
my soul shall glory in the Lord;
for God has been so good to me. Refrain
Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us all praise God's name.
I called the Lord, who answered me;
from all my troubles I was set free. Refrain
Worship the Lord, all you people.
You'll want for nothing if you ask.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
in God we need put all our trust. Refrain
Let Us Break Bread Together
ELW 471
Let us break bread together on our knees;
let us break bread together on our knees.
Refrain
When I fall on my knees,
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees;
let us drink wine together on our knees. Refrain
Let us praise God together on our knees;
let us praise God together on our knees. Refrain
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
POST COMMUNION SONG
Blessed Be God, The Source of All Life
ELW 210
Blessed be God, the source of all life,
the word of salvation, the spirit of mercy.
(sing twice)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray together:
God of field and flower, wheat and grape, you have nourished us with the bread of heaven that gives life to the world. Strengthened by the body and blood of your Son, send us out to gather your good gifts for all who hunger and thirst, and embolden us to love and serve in Christ’s name.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Let All Things Now Living
ELW 881
Let all things now living
a song of thanksgiving
to God the creator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God's banners are o'er us,
God's light goes before us,
a pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
till shadows have vanished
and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.
God rules all the forces:
the stars in their courses
and sun in its orbit obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We too should be voicing
our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise
till all things now living
unite in thanksgiving:
"To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!"
BENEDICTION
The love of God the Sovereign strengthen you,
God the Son save you,
and God the Holy Spirit anoint you for the work ahead.
The holy Trinity bless you
and grant you a faithful and courageous heart
now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Do not lose heart.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In
ACS 950
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.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Give Thanks, Words and music: Henry Smith, b. 1952. Words and music © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
All Creatures, Worship God Most High, Text: Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226; tr. composite Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Köln, 1623. Public domain.
Glory to God, Music: Thomas Pavlechko, b. 1962. Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Psalm 17A Refrain, Words: from Lectionary for Mass© 1969, 1981, 1997 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. Music: Jeffrey Honoré, b. 1956. Music © World Library Publications.&Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Psalm 17A Tone © 2011 Faith Alive Christian Resources. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Psalm 17 Text: NRSVUE © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Alleluia 7, Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994 and the Taizé Community. Music ©1984 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Christ Is Living, Text: Nicholás Martínez, 1917-1972, Spanish text © 1962 Blanca Staude de Martínez. Tr. Martin A. Seltz, b. 1951. English text © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Tune © 1962 GIA Publications, Inc., Arr. © 1999 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Amen (Because He Lives), Words & Music: Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram,Matt Maher, Daniel Carson, William J.Gaither, & Chris Tomlin. Words & music © 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon | Rising Springs Music | S. D. G. Publishing | Twelve Lions Music | Worship Together Music | worshiptogether.com songs | Be Essential Songs | I Am A Pilgrim Songs | Open Hands Music | So Essential Tunes | Hanna Street Music. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
If We Live, We Live in the Lord, Text and Music: Rolf Vegdahl, b. 1955. Text and Music © 2009, 2016 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: Richard Proulx, 1937-2010. Music © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Lord's Prayer (major key version), Music: Jack S. Upton, Jr., 1944-2013, Used by permission.
Lamb of God, Music: Bread of Life, Jeremy Young, b. 1948. Music © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Taste and See, Text and Music: James E. Moore Jr., b. 1951, Text and music © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let Us Break Bread Together, Text and music: African American spiritual. Public domain.
Blessed be God, The Source of all Life, Text: Holy Baptism and Related Rites, Renewing Worship 3, Text © 2002 Augsburg Fortress. Music: Carl Schalk, 1929-2021. Music © 2003 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let All things Now Living, Text: Katherine K. Davis, 1892-1980, alt. Text © 1939, 1966 E.C. Schirmer Music Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music:Welsh folk tune.. Public domain.
Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In, Text: African American spiritual, Public domain. Music: African American spiritual, arr. hymnal version. Arr © Augsburg Fortress. Arr. reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
