We are worshiping at 9 am.

November 16, 2025

Introduction & Welcome

Pastor -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,

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.

HYMN “How Firm a Foundation”

1 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?

2 "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."

3 "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."

4 "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."

Text: J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, alt.

Pastor - 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

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,

whose blood set us free to be people of God.

Power and riches and wisdom and strength,

and honor and blessing and glory are his.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God

and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor and glory and might

be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God,

for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Pastor - Prayer of the Day

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.

Congregation is seated

Assistant-First Reading Malachi 4:1-2a

A reading from Malachi beginning with the 4th chapter.

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.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 98 Read responsively

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.

Assistant-2nd Reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

A reading from 2 Thessalonians beginning with chapter 3

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.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

Pastor - Gospel Luke 21:5-19

The holy gospel according to Luke, the 21st chapter.

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.

Congregation is seated

Sermon

Congregation stands for Hymn of the Day

Hymn of the Day “Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow”

1 Through the night of doubt and sorrow,

onward goes the pilgrim band,

singing songs of expectation,

marching to the promised land.

Clear before us through the darkness

gleams and burns the guiding light;

pilgrim clasps the hand of pilgrim

stepping fearless through the night.

2 One the light of God's own presence

on the ransomed people shed,

chasing far the gloom and terror,

bright'ning all the path we tread.

One the object of our journey,

one the faith which never tires,

one the earnest looking forward,

one the hope our God inspires.

3 One the strain that lips of thousands

lift as from the heart of one;

one the conflict, one the peril,

one the march in God begun.

One the gladness of rejoicing

on the far eternal shore,

where the one almighty Father

reigns in love forevermore.

4 Onward, therefore, sisters, brothers;

onward, with the cross our aid.

Bear its shame, and fight its battle

till we rest beneath its shade.

Soon shall come the great awak'ning;

soon the rending of the tomb!

Then the scatt'ring of all shadows,

and the end of toil and gloom.

Text: Bernhardt S. Ingemann, 1789-1862; tr. Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924, alt.

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.

Assistant-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, guide and protect the leaders of your church as they share your good news with courage and understanding. Help all who are baptized to follow your ways and to live faithfully in response to Christ’s call. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

God of the roaring seas, in a world shaken by earthquakes, famine, and disease, use your great power to care for the earth and all who live on it. Bring healing and renewal to people and places affected by disaster, and give strength to all who work to bring help and hope in times of crisis. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

God of victory, in a world that often seeks power and control, guide all who serve in government, the courts, law enforcement, and the military. Turn their hearts from conflict and violence toward compassion and actions that strengthen communities. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

God of healing, where injustice leads to people 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 Joy, Sue, Ed, Candy, Lynne, Margaret, Cork & Cheryl, Rillys, and for those who we name aloud or silently in our hearts (pause for people in the congregation to add their prayers here). 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 community where all are valued. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

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.

Offertory

“Build a Longer Table”

1 Build a longer table, not a higher wall,

feeding those who hunger, making room for all.

Feasting together, stranger turns to friend,

Christ breaks walls to pieces; false divisions end.

2 Build a safer refuge, not a larger jail;

where the weak find shelter, mercy will not fail.

For any place where justice is denied,

Christ will breach the jail wall, freeing all inside.

3 Build a broader doorway, not a longer fence.

Love protects all people, sparing no expense.

When we embrace compassion more than fear,

Christ tears down our fences: all are welcome here.

4 When we lived as exiles, refugees abroad,

Christ became our doorway to the reign of God.

So must our tables welcome those who roam.

None can be excluded; all must find a home.

Text: David Bjorlin, b. 1984

Duplication in any form prohibited without securing permission from copyright administrator or reporting usage under valid license.

Offertory Prayer

Together we 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 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.

By the witness of your saints

you show us the hope of our calling

and strengthen us to run the race set before us.

And so, with those we have named today,

with the choirs of angels and all the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Eucharistic Prayer

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 all 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. (Sung)

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 debts,

as we forgive our debtors;

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.

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.

Communion

The Body of Christ, given for you. Amen

The Blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen

Post Communion Blessing

The Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and forever keep you in his grace. Amen.

Prayer after Communion

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.

Benediction

May God our Sovereign strengthen you,

God the Son save you,

and God the Holy Spirit anoint you for the work ahead.

May the holy Trinity bless you ☩

and grant you a faithful and courageous heart

now and forever.

Amen.

HYMN “When Peace like a River”

It Is Well with My Soul

1 When peace like a river attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll,

whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

it is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

It is well (it is well)

with my soul, (with my soul,)

it is well, it is well with my soul.

2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

let this blest assurance control,

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

3 He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;

my sin, not in part, but the whole,

is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

4 Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight,

the clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

the trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend;

even so it is well with my soul. Refrain

Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888

Dismissal

Go in peace. Share the hope of your faith.

Thanks be to God.

Permission for liturgies by Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS004206

Sundays and Seasons 2025