We are worshiping at 11 am.
November 14, 2026
Join us! All are Welcome!
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.
The peace of Christ be with you today and always.
And also with you.
Congregation members greet each other by saying:
Peace be with you.
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,
our dwelling place for all generations,
whose compassion never slumbers.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God
and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy God,
we confess that we have trusted in our preparation
instead of your invitation.
We prioritize our piety over care for your beloved.
We trust the voice of our shame and fear,
which keeps us from entering fully
into relationship with you and others.
We are not awake to the coming of your reign.
Rouse us and rescue us,
that we may enter into your joy.
Amen.
Inherit the riches of God’s grace.
☩ Jesus, the good shepherd, feeds you with his mercy.
You are forgiven.
Blessed are you.
Amen
Gathering Hymn “Lord of Light”
1 Lord of light, your name outshining
all the stars and suns of space,
use our talents in your kingdom
as the servants of your grace;
use us to fulfill your purpose
in the gift of Christ your Son:
Refrain
Father, as in highest heaven,
so on earth your will be done.
2 By the toil of faithful workers
in some far outlying field,
by the courage where the radiance
of the cross is still revealed,
by the victories of meekness,
through reproach and suff'ring won: Refrain
3 Grant that knowledge, still increasing,
at your feet may lowly kneel;
with your grace our triumphs hallow,
with your charity our zeal;
lift the nations from the shadows
to the gladness of the sun: Refrain
4 By the prayers of faithful watchers,
never silent day or night;
by the cross of Jesus, bringing
peace to all and healing light;
by the love that passes knowledge,
making all your children one: Refrain
Text: Howell E. Lewis, 1860-1953, alt.
Text © Union of Welsh Independents
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit who unites us, be with you all.
And also with you.
Canticle of Praise
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,
Righteous God, our merciful master, you own the earth and all its peoples, and you give us all that we have. Inspire us to serve you with justice and wisdom, and prepare us for the joy of the day of your coming, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
The assembly is seated.
First Reading Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
A reading beginning with the 1st chapter of Zephaniah.
7 Be silent before the Lord God,
for the day of the Lord is at hand!
The Lord has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated his guests.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the people
who settle like dregs in wine,
those who say in their hearts,
“The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do harm.”
13 Their wealth shall be plundered
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.
14 The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the warrior cries aloud there.
15 That day will be a day of wrath,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
17 I will bring such distress upon people
that they shall walk like the blind;
because they have sinned against the Lord,
their blood shall be poured out like dust
and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the Lord’s wrath;
in the fire of his passion
the whole earth shall be consumed,
for a full, a terrible end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 90:1-8, 12 Read Responsively
1 Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born, from age to age you are God.
3 You turn us back to the dust and say, “Turn back, O children of earth.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past and like a watch in the night;
5 you sweep them away like a dream, they fade away suddenly like the grass:
6 in the morning it is green and flourishes; in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7 For we are consumed by your anger; we are afraid because of your wrath.
8 Our iniquities you have set before you, and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
A reading from 1 Thessalonians beginning with chapter 5.
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So, then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober, 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
Congregation stands
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 25:14-30
The holy gospel according to Matthew the 25th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. At once 16 the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Congregation is seated
Sermon
Hymn of the Day “Christ, Be Our Light”
1 Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Refrain
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
2 Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow'r to save us.
Make us your living voice. Refrain
3 Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed. Refrain
4 Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone. Refrain
5 Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
signs of your kingdom come. Refrain
Text: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957
Text © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Duplication in any form prohibited without permission or valid license from copyright administrator.
Apostles’ Creed
With the whole church, let us confess our faith 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
United with the great cloud of witnesses, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
You build up the church as a community of faithful witnesses throughout the generations. Enliven the worship, outreach, and service work of our congregations and ministries with the hope of your good news. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
As the nights grow longer in the northern hemisphere, make us mindful of the earth’s need for rest. Provide for fallow fields and hibernating animals; show us how to curb human impact on vulnerable lands and species. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Rescue all nations and peoples from violence, displacement, or famine. Disrupt complacency among national and local leaders. Recommit our communities to transforming the systems that divide and oppress into those that empower and unite. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
In your embrace, we find refuge from all trials and troubles. Care for families who are separated or estranged, accompany all undergoing medical procedures or mental health treatment, and reassure any who are ill or despairing especially Lucas, Jason, Aubrey, Joe, Mark, Ron, Ann, Ruth, Pastor Van Gundy, Bernard, Fritz, Sue, Ed, Lynne, Margaret, Rillys, and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Bless all who serve in congregational leadership: council members, finance committees, volunteer coordinators, and property teams. Encourage healthy stewardship of time, talents, and resources for the mission of the gospel. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
The faithful of every age trust in the hope of your saving grace. In thanksgiving for the ways our ancestors have journeyed before us, we remember all who have entered eternal life in you. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your steadfast love, faithful God, we entrust all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus, your beloved.
Amen.
Offertory “This Is Christ's Body” sing twice
This is Christ's body, broken and blest.
Feed us with mercy and love. (with mercy and love.)
We are Christ's body, broken and blest.
Heal us and make us one.
Text: Anne Krentz Organ, b. 1960
Text © 2020 Augsburg Fortress
Duplication in any form prohibited without securing permission from copyright administrator or reporting usage under valid license.
Offertory Prayer
We pray,
Eternal God,
our time, talents, and treasures are gifts from you.
Receive what we offer,
and all that you entrust to us,
until hungry no more, all the world is fed,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
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.
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 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.
Eucharistic Prayer
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,
who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
who preached good news to the poor,
and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
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.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord,
and unite the wills of Christians throughout the world who share this heavenly food,
the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord;
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. (Spoken)
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
In bread and cup the reign of Christ is breaking in.
Come, receive what Christ has prepared.
Congregation is seated
Pastor COMMUNION INSTRUCTION
We commune at the rail, in our seats and online. We will begin by communing those online and in their seats. …
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.
Distribution at the rail.
Communion
The body of Christ, given for you. Amen
The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen
Congregation stands
Prayer after Communion
Holy God,
we have received your never-ending mercy in this meal.
You continuously seek the lost,
bind the injured,
and feed your people abundantly.
Now send us out,
awake to your presence,
now and forever.
Amen.
Benediction
The holy Trinity,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you with wisdom to welcome the reign of God,
today and always.
Amen.
Sending Hymn “This Little Light of Mine”
1 This little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
this little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
this little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
2 Ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
3 Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Text: African American spiritual
Dismissal
Go in peace. Encourage one another.
Thanks be to God.
Permission for liturgies by Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS004206
Sundays and Seasons 2026
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-717005. All rights reserved