THE TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST NOVEMBER 15/16, 2008
“CONNECTING PEOPLE
TO JESUS AND TO ONE ANOTHER TO SERVE THE WORLD”
Blessed to Give
Is it truly more blessed to give than to receive? Let’s face it, we are a consumer-driven society. We like stuff! But God encourages us to discover the joy of giving! Today we’re going to talk about Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Pray that God would open our hearts to this important message of giving to and caring for others – and to find joy in doing it!
Holy
Communion
Holy Communion is being celebrated today. It is the belief of the
PRELUDE (8:00 am service) “We Gather
Together” Praises Ring
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING
ANTHEM (10:45 am service) “Seek Ye First” Joyful Noise &
Cheerful Chimes
OPENING HYMN: “With the Lord Begin Your Task” Hymn #869
THE INVOCATION
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
THE CONFESSION
OF SINS AND ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God,
who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
(Please
kneel)
Most merciful God,
We confess that we are by nature sinful
and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by
what we have left undone. We have not
loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our
neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present
and eternal punishment. For the sake of
Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy
name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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HYMN OF PRAISE: “This Is the Feast”
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
Everlasting God, You did not hesitate to give Your all for us. Awaken in us the desire to give our all for You and for Your kingdom, that we may be faithful stewards of all Your gifts; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
(Please be
seated)
THE OLD TESTAMENT
7 Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for
the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has
consecrated those he has invited. 8 On the day of the LORD's
sacrifice I will punish the princes and the king's sons and all those clad in
foreign clothes. 9 On that day I will punish all who avoid
stepping on the threshold, who fill the temple of
their gods with violence and deceit. 10 "On that day," declares the
LORD, "a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills. 11 Wail, you who live in the market district;
all your merchants will be wiped out, all who trade with silver will be
ruined. 12 At that time I will search
THE EPISTLE
1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do
not need to write to you, 2 for you know
very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and
safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a
pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so
that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of
the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who
are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep
at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be
self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of
salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did
not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are
awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
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THE ALLELUIA VERSE:
THE HOLY GOSPEL IS
ANNOUNCED:
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the twenty-fifth chapter.
THE GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30 (Jesus compares the wait for Judgment Day to
a master who gives his servants various amounts of “talents” to be stewards of
until His return.)
14 "Again, it will be like a man going
on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted
his property to them. 15 To one he
gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent,
each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents
went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents
gained two more. 18 But the man
who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his
master's money.
19 "After a long time the master of
those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents
brought the other five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents.
See, I have gained five more.'
21 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
master's happiness!'
22 "The man with the two talents also
came. `Master,' he
said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have
gained two more.' 23 "His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your
master's happiness!' 24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a
hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not
scattered seed. 25 So I was
afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what
belongs to you.'
26 "His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I
have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on
deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back
with interest.
28 " `Take the talent from him and give
it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will
be taken from him. 30 And throw
that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.'
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This is the Gospel of the Lord.
THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
THE HYMN OF THE
DAY: “Freely, Freely”
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name; I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you to share His love as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received; Freely, freely give.
Go in My name and, because you believe, others will know that I live.”
All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name; in earth and heav’n in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you to share His pow’r as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received; Freely, freely give.
Go in My name and, because you believe, others will know that I live.”
Words & Music by Carol Owens © 1972 Bud John Songs,
Inc. Used by permission, CCLI 1629398
THE MESSAGE “More Blessed to Give” based on Acts 20:35
THE NICENE CREED:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the
only-begotten son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God,
Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one
substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for
our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the
virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius
Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to
the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the
Father, and he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the
dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord
and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the
Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the
prophets. And I believe in one holy
Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of
sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to
come. Amen.
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THE PRAYERS: After each petition, the Worship Leader will say, “Lord in Your mercy,” and the congregation will respond, “Hear our prayer.”
THE GATHERING OF THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS
++ For Personal Reflection ++
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)
VOLUNTARY (8:00 am service) “Simple Gifts” Praises Ring
OFFERTORY: “We Give Thee But Thine Own” (Hymn #781)
We give Thee but
Thine own, whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is
Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we Thy bounties
thus as stewards true receive
And gladly, as Thou
blessest us, to Thee our firstfruits
give.
THE ORDER OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE PREFACE
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 Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:
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THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
THE DISTRIBUTION (The
center cup in each tray is white grape juice for
those allergic to alcohol
or pregnant moms.)
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THE DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: “Just As I Am” (8:00 am service) Praises Ring
“Forgive Us, Lord, for Shallow Thankfulness” Hymn #788
“You Are the Way; through You Alone” Hymn #526
“Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness” Hymn #636
THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
THE CLOSING HYMN: “Abide, O Dearest Jesus” Hymn #919
A MOMENT FOR SILENT PRAYER
THE POSTLUDE
Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book © 2006
Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.
Divine Service Two, First Setting from
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.
All scripture quotations are
from The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1984 by
International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder ©
2006 Concordia Publishing House.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pledge Sunday – This weekend we are collecting all of our 2009 pledges. You may place your Pledge Card in the sealed envelope in the offering plate. If you forgot your Pledge Card or did not receive one in the mail, there are extras on the table by the mailboxes at the main entrance. You may fill one out and bring it next weekend, which is when we will dedicate our pledges to the Lord.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service – We will gather for worship on Wednesday evening, November 26th (Thanksgiving Eve) for a 7:00 pm worship service to give thanks to God for the many blessings He has showered upon us over the past year. Don’t miss this opportunity to return thanks to God!
Thanksgiving Offering – Please bring nonperishable food items to the service on Thanksgiving Eve. We will receive these food items as part of our offering during the worship service and bless their use to God’s glory. It appears that local food pantries may be in great need this holiday season and this is one opportunity for us to care for our neighbor!
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Is Your Church Membership Directory information correct? We’re doing a new pictorial directory and will also be doing one of the non-pictorial (free) ones. If you need to correct anything, please be sure and let the church secretary (Jack) know pretty soon.
This week’s Altar Flowers are provided by Pruett & JoAnn Burge
in honor of the birthdays of their son Brian, their grandson Tyler and their granddaughter
Ava.
Social Ministry will be
giving out Thanksgiving "baskets" to those in need in our community on
November 22nd. If you would like to donate money, please make the
check out to
The
Progressive Dinner is coming! Set aside Sunday,
December 7th to spend with your church family. The
Board of Fellowship will begin selling tickets after all services on Sunday,
November 16th. You may also get tickets in the church office from Jack.
Menu: Baked Swiss Chicken, Ham, Garlic Potatoes, seasoned Green beans, fresh
rolls. Slow down for the Christmas season and spend some time connecting with
one another. Hope to see everyone there.
HELP NEEDED:
The Board of Fellowship needs host homes for the Progressive Dinner on December 7th. You can
select either appetizers or dessert to host. If you have any questions,
or if you would like to be a host home, please call Carrie Riley @ 329-9610 or
e-mail her at criley6@cox.net .
BAZAAR Information: Friday, November 21st is
the date to drop off labeled baked goods & white elephant items for the
bazaar. Items should be brought to the
Michael Fellowship Hall. If you can't bring items on Friday, early Saturday
morning will be okay. The bazaar will be
from 8:30 am til 1 pm, so the early attenders get first choice and the best selections. You can have breakfast or lunch there and help
our Youth get some practice in the kitchen.
If you have a problem dropping off items, please call any member of the
Ladies Guild. Questions call: Maureen Young: 987-5821
PROJECT LINUS thanks everyone who donated
blankets/quilts.
The costume committee for
Rough Wood and Rusty Nails needs clothes hangers to hang costumes on. There will be a box
close to the mailboxes to put the hangers in. Please do not leave
the hangers anywhere else. The box will be there two Sundays only
– Nov 23rd and 30th. Thank You
Adult Senior Fellowship - Hey retirees and seniors: come join us
this Thursday November 20th
at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall for a great
time. We will listen to God speak to us
through His Word. We will enjoy talking
with each other and have fun playing a game or an ice breaker. We’ll have a great potluck lunch. Come and bring a special friend. You’ll all be welcome.
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The Prime Timers annual Christmas Dinner Party will be held
on Thursday, December 18th at Robins Horizon Club (formerly The
Officers' Club) in the
PRAYER
CONCERNS
Sue Glaser, who had knee surgery Thursday
Cynthia
Nelson, who had a biopsy
following a mammogram.
Family of Esther Shaw (Joe Shaw’s mother), who died this past
Tuesday.
Bill
Zeuner, for healing of a staph infection in his leg.
Janice Houston, Jim Aden’s sister, who is very ill.
Jean Keefer, Jack Morse’s sister, who is recovering
from surgery.
Joan Bareither, for continued healing of incisions and
brain tissue, restoration of communication
skills, an uplifted spirit and renewed strength.
Dominic Luppino, who has heart and liver problems.
Jay Locke, who is
undergoing chemotherapy.
Keep
in your prayers: Jim Zeitler (brother-in-law of Melinda Hopf), Suanne Conner (Fred & Barb Pirkle’s
daughter), Nell Tallent (Judy Watson’s mother), Lynn
Warner, Wilma Fishbeck, Carol Combs, Lyn Schultz, Delores Lewis, Richard
O’Daniel, Naomi Clark (friend of Pat
Hickman), Betty Kroeger (Nancy Hoar’s
mother), Jean Dimeler, Scarlette Harper (friend of
the Dawsons), Joe Hill (Cynthia Nelson’s
father), Kim Gourley, Paul Rider, Roger
Webb (Cynthia Nelson’s uncle), Brad Squires (friend of Linda Shaw), David &
Jonathan McLendon (friends of Christi Haas), Jo Ann
Smith, Annamarie VonDebschitz, Charleen
Beahm, Robbie Hooley, John Gerstenberger, Dottie Skogen, Tom Willey (Sydney
Williams’ uncle), John Lewis (Julie Dimes’ father), Joan McNeer, Sam Meador
(neighbor of Sue Glaser), Melinda Hopf, Jo Nelson, Sonya Popken, Gail Calhoun
(Sonya Popken’s mom) and R. P. Rider (Paul’s grandson), that help may be found
for their continuing health problems.
All those battling cancer, including Anne Engle, Kathy King (daughter of former
member Mary Jean Boyette), Kim Wilkinson (Deb Fingle’s cousin), Beth Mastenbrook, Danny Grube, Pastor
Gerhard Michael (District President), Pat Wacker, Karen Sudduth
(Pastor Brighton’s cousin), Jan Hatcher (co-worker of Linda O’Donnell), Barbara
Arnold (Cindy Schafer’s sister), Sam Jackson, Bruce Oswalt
(Krystal Ferguson’s father).
Denver
Yarbrough, Lance Mabee, Michael Brummage, Gil
Holcomb, Brandis Holcomb, John McIlvoy, Tim
Tucker, Robbie Lehane, James Robinson,
David Fitzgerald, Jason Rigby & Mark Ellis for safety and good health as
they serve our country in dangerous areas.
SERVING US THIS WEEK
PREACHER: Pastor David Brighton. ELDERS: Jim
Speer (Sat 7 pm), Bob Yeager (8 am) & Steve Soisson (10:45 am). ORGANISTS:
Sat – Joseph O’Berry, Sun – Debi Cole. USHERS: Early – Laird Van Gorder, Ron Combs, Arland Schulz &
Louis Foss. Late – Alan Griswold, Don Netzinger, DJ Nelson,
James Easterling & Gary Schafer.
ACOLYTES: Cameron Mastenbrook
(Sat 7 pm), Joshua LeBorious (8 am) & Taylor Peterson (10:45 am). ALTAR
GUILD: Deb Fingles, Jeannie Hawkins,
Kim McQueen & Pat Aldredge. LAY READERS: Stephanie Lopez (Sat 7
pm), Bob Yeager (8 am) & Cindy Schafer (10:45 am).
SERVING US NEXT WEEK
ELDERS: Jim Speer
(Sat 7 pm), Van Bareither (8 am), Bob Yeager (10:45 am)
& Dave Miller (11 am)
ACOLYTES: Layne Kesler (Sat 7 pm), Ashlyn West (8 am) &
ALTAR GUILD: Deb Fingles, Jeannie Hawkins, Kim McQueen & Pat
Aldredge
GREETERS: Jack &
Janet Morse (8 am) and Barb Mabee (10:45 am)
LAY READERS: Bob Zuntag (Sat 7 pm), Kathy Robinson (8 am), Roger
Moeller (10:45 am)
& Felipe Gamboa (11 am)
NEXT WEEK’S
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK
Saturday – 39
Early – 86 Late – 143 Contemporary – 61 Total - 329
THIS WEEK AT MOUNT CALVARY
Today Pledge Sunday
8:30
– 10:45 am Omelette
Brunch (MFH)
12:15
– 3 pm 8th Grade Confirmation
Workshop
12:15
pm RW Town Scene Rehearsal (MFH)
6:15 pm ChristCare Leader Training
6:30 pm High School TAG Night
Monday
6:20 pm Evangelism Callers (Education Wing)
7:00 pm Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
Tuesday 11:45 am Prayer Group (Bride’s Room)
7:00 pm “Fan Into Flame” Teleconference
Wednesday
9:30 am Craft & Chat
12:15
pm Prayer Group (Bride’s Room)
5:30
– 8 pm Olympic
7:30 pm Festival Choir Rehearsal
Thursday 10:00 am Ladies Bible Study (Cry Room)
11:00
am Senior
Fellowship (MFH)
Friday
8:00 pm High School Lock-In thru Sat 8 am (Annex)
Saturday 8:30 am – 1 pm BAZAAR
Next
Sunday NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
9:15 am Town
Scene Rehearsal (MFH)
6:30
pm SLDT #3 Meeting