ORDER OF WORSHIP
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
November 16, 2025
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 meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
If You But Trust in God to Guide You
arr. Paul Fey
*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
+ All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
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
How Firm a Foundation
ELW 796
How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in Christ Jesus, the Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
"Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismayed,
for I am your God and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."
"When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine."
"Throughout all their lifetime my people shall prove
my sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
and then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne."
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.
KYRIE (page 193)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heav’nly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
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.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
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, amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY.
Let us pray together.
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.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Malachi 4:1-2a
1 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. 2a But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 98 (We will read the Psalm responsively by whole verse)
1 Sing a new song to the Lord, who has done marvelous things,
whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
2 O Lord, you have made known your victory,
you have revealed your righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands;
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
5 Sing to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of song.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
shout with joy before the king, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it,
the world and those who dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
who comes to judge the earth.
9 The Lord will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
SECOND READING: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you, 8 and 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. 9 This 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. 11 For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, 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. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 198)
Alleluia. alleluia.
Alleluia. alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. alleluia.
Alleluia. alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 21:5-19
The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] 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.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And 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; 11 there 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. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So 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. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
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
Thine the Amen
ELW 826
Thine the amen thine the praise
alleluias angels raise
thine the everlasting head
thine the breaking of the bread
thine the glory thine the story
thine the harvest then the cup
thine the vineyard then the cup
is lifted up lifted up.
Thine the life eternally
thine the promise let there be
thine the vision thine the tree
all the earth on bended knee
gone the nailing gone the railing
gone the pleading gone the cry
gone the sighing gone the dying
what was loss lifted high.
Thine the truly thine the yes
thine the table we the guest
thine the mercy all from thee
thine the glory yet to be
then the ringing and the singing
then the end of all the war
thine the living thine the loving
evermore evermore.
Thine the kingdom thine the prize
thine the wonder full surprise
thine the banquet then the praise
then the justice of thy ways
thine the glory thine the story
then the welcome to the least
then the wonder all increasing
at thy feast at thy feast.
Thine the glory in the night
no more dying only light
thine the river thine the tree
then the Lamb eternally
then the holy holy holy
celebration jubilee
thine the splendor thine the brightness
only thee only thee.
APOSTLE’S CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the 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 of roots and branches, defend the leaders of your church as they proclaim the gospel using discernment, wisdom, and brave testimony. Keep all the baptized on righteous paths in response to Christ’s call. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of roaring seas, in a world of earthquake, famine, and plague, use your mighty power to nurture the land and all that lives upon it. Restore peoples and places experiencing natural disasters, especially Jamaica and Cuba. Strengthen organizations who provide aid to those in crisis. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of power, guide those in government, courts, law enforcement agencies, and militaries. Turn them from war and violence to actions of care that build up the common good. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of healing, where injustice and exploitation result in populations that are marginalized or underserved, accompany those abandoned by friends, hurt by family, and harmed by violence or oppression. Care for all who are ill, anxious, or in pain of any kind, especially Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Ann, Julie, Rita, Carol, Anne, Judy, 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, Henry, Gary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max & Michelle. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of new songs, in a congregation of faithful believers, energize us for compassionate service and delight us through worship and inspired prayer. Encourage your people in building equitable communities where all are valued. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of every generation, we remember the saints with steadfast love and faithfulness. Confident in Christ’s victory over death, may we be inspired by the example of the faithful. 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.
OFFERTORY
Rise Up, O Men of God
Walter
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 then, whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord's.
OFFERING PRAYER
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 (page 199)
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
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might;
heaven 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'S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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
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
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.
LAMB OF GOD (page 201)
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 sins of the world:
grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Bread of Life from Heaven
ELW 474
Refrain
Bread of life from heaven,
your blood and body given,
we eat this bread and drink this cup
until you come again.
Break now the bread of Christ's sacrifice;
giving thanks, hungry ones, gather round.
Eat, all of you, and be satisfied;
in Christ's presence the loaves will abound. Refrain
Seek not the food that will pass away;
set your hearts on the food that endures.
Come, learn the true and the living way,
that the fullness of life may be yours. Refrain
Love as the one who, in love for you,
gave himself for the life of the world.
Come to the one who is food for you,
that your hunger and thirst be no more. Refrain
Dwell in the one who now dwells in you;
make your home in the lifegiving Word.
Know only Christ, Holy One of God,
and believe in the truth you have heard. Refrain
Drink of this cup and declare his death;
eat this bread and believe Easter morn;
trust his return and, with ev'ry breath,
praise the one in whom you are reborn. Refrain
Soon And Very Soon
ELW 439
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah hallelujah
We're going to see the King
No more crying there
We are going to see the King
No more crying there
We are going to see the King
No more crying there
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah hallelujah
We're going to see the King
No more dying there
We are going to see the King
No more dying there
We are going to see the King
No more dying there
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah hallelujah
We're going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
POST-COMMUNION 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.
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
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
ELW 632
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all our years away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op'ning day.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last
and our eternal home.
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. Share the harvest.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
The Church's One Foundation
Don Hustad
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.
Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten (If You But Trust in God to Guide You), Tune: Georg Neumark, 1621-1681. Arr. Paul Fey, b. 1998. Arr. © 2022 Paul Fey. All rights reserved.
How Firm a Foundation, Text: J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, alt. Music: Early American. Public domain.
Thine the Amen, Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1926-2009, Music: Carl Schalk, 1929-2021. Text and music © 1983 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Rise Up, O Men of God, Words: William Pierson Merrill, 1867-1954. Music: William H. Walter, 1825-1893. Arr. Margaret Shelley, 1925-2008, and David Foltz, 1911-1992. Arr. © 1953 Mills Music, Inc. 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.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, Text: James W. Johnson, 1871-1938. Public domain.
Bread of Life from Heaven, Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952, Music: Argentine traditional, refrain; Marty Haugen, b.1950, stanzas. Text and music © 2001 GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Soon and Very Soon, Text and Music: Andraé Crouch, b. 1945. Words and Music © 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc.; Crouch Music Corp. admin Capitol CMG Publishing. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
O God, Our Help in Ages Past , Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt. Music: William Croft, 1678-1727. Public domain.
O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Tune: William Croft, 1678-1727, arr. H. Alexander Matthews, 1879–1973, in Twelve Choral Preludes on Familiar Hymn Tunes for Organ. Arr. © 1946 Oliver Ditson Company. Streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
