Download Report

Sunday—Pentecost 22
November 9, 2014 * 10:00am
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church
700 Pleasure Road * Lancaster, PA 17601
717-394-9607
Welcome to the St. Matthew
faith community.
We’re glad that you have joined us for worship.
Today the prophet Amos calls for
justice to roll down like waters.
Paul urges us to encourage one another
with the promised coming of the Lord.
Jesus tells the parable
of the wise and foolish bridesmaids.
Surrounded by the faithful
of every time and place,
we celebrate Christ's coming in our midst
in the word of life and the feast of victory—
the marriage feast of the lamb.
Pentecost 22
November 9, 2014 * 10:00am
PRELUDE
Awake, Awake, for Night is Flying
Tune: “Wachet auf”
Dr. Wayne L. Wold
* Please stand
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister
begins.
Minister: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Sovereign over all the
earth, the Wisdom from on high, our merciful Judge and Savior.
People: Amen.
Minister: Let us boldly approach the throne of grace,
trusting in God's mercy and love.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Minister: Generous and faithful God,
People: we confess to you all the ways,
known and unknown,
that we reject and undermine your steadfast love.
Though you made us your people,
we treat strangers with suspicion.
Though you forgave our debts,
we collect without mercy.
Yet we are quick to pass judgment on others.
Have mercy on us, O God,
and remember your promise to us,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Minister: The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Through the living Word, + Jesus Christ,
God forgives your every debt, your every sin,
and gives you a new heart and a new spirit.
People: Amen.
GATHERING
GATHERING HYMN
GREETING
Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun
#557
Minister: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.
KYRIE
HYMN OF PRAISE
p.203
p.204a
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Minister: O God of justice and love,
you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son.
Give us the light we need,
and awaken us to the needs of others,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
People: Amen.
* Please be seated
CHILDREN’S SERMON - All children are encouraged to come forward.
WORD
FIRST READING: AMOS 5:18-24
18
Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD!
Why do you want the day of the LORD?
It is darkness, not light;
19
as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
20
Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
21
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
23
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
24
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
PSALM 70
1
Spoken in unison
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
O LORD, make haste to help me!
2
Let those be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life.
Let those be turned back and brought to dishonour
who desire to hurt me.
3
Let those who say, ‘Aha, Aha!’
turn back because of their shame.
4
Let all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation
say evermore, ‘God is great!’
5
But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay!
I THESSALONIANS 4:13-18
13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about
those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no
hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so,
through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15For this we
declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left
until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have
died. 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call
and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the
dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be
caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and
so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with
these words.
Reader: The word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
* Please stand
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
p.205a
Minister: The Holy Gospel of our Lord, according to St. Matthew.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL: M ATTHEW 25:1-13
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their
lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five
were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with
them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom
was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there
was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7Then
all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to
the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9But the
wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better
go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10And while they went to
buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into
the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids
came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I
do not know you.' 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor
the hour.
Minister: The gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
* Please be seated
SERMON
* Please stand
HYMN OF THE DAY
Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
APOSTLES’ CREED
#802
Spoken in unison
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 GOD’S PEOPLE
Between each petition the following is said:
Minister:
People:
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
Minister:
Receive these our prayers, O God, and give us all we
need for this day and the days to come, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
People:
SHARING OF THE PEACE
Minister:
People:
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
* Please be seated
MEAL
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
OFFERTORY MUSIC
The Prayer, with Lead Us, Lord
Chancel Choir
* Please stand
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Asst. Minister: Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills
were gathered together to become one bread,
so let your church be gathered together
from the ends of the earth into your kingdom,
for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever.
People:
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
p.206
Proper Preface
SANCTUS
p.207
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
Spoken in unison
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
Minister:
The reign of God is at hand.
Come, taste the joy prepared for you.
* Please be seated
SHARING OF THE SACRAMENT
Please follow the direction of the ushers as you approach the communion rail. You may
take a small glass for the reception of wine, or you may drink or intinct from the common
chalice. If you prefer not to partake of the Sacrament today, you may cross your arms
and receive a blessing. We offer gluten-free wafers; please ask the pastor as you approach the railing.
During Communion, the congregation will sing the following hymns as time allows:
Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)
Come, We That Love the Lord
When Peace like a River
The Lord Is My Song (sing 3 times)
p.208
#625
#785
#751
* Please stand
TABLE BLESSING
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Asst. Minister: O God, the host at every meal,
at this table you spread out a feast for all peoples,
the bread of life and the cup of salvation.
Send us from this banquet
to invite others into these good things,
to let justice roll down like waters,
and to care for the least of our sisters and brothers;
through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and our Savior.
People:
Amen.
SENDING
BENEDICTION
Minister:
People:
The blessing of almighty God,
the Father of glory, + Jesus Christ our peace,
and the Spirit of truth,
be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN
SENDING
Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
#789
Asst. Minister: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
People:
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE:
Soon and Very Soon
TUNE: “VERY SOON”
Andre Crouch/Keith Hampton
MUSIC NOTES: The “wedding feast” is a biblical image for our life with
God, and Christians have used the image as one way to describe holy
communion. Philipp Nicolai’s hymn, “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying, “
ELW #436, honored by some Christians with the title the Queen of
Chorales, is a fine example of the use of marriage imagery. In biblical
times, a wedding was not about personal choice and lavish expense, but about
the communal celebration of the promise of new life and commitment.
...from SS, Year A 2014
 We remember in our prayers: Jacqui Sams, Rich Syvertson, Judy
Miller, David Miller, Shirley Christian, Shirley Bear, Paulette Fisher,
Bhanu Dhimal, Meena & Yam Dhital, Nir Dhungana, Larry Birunas,
Ellie Wackernagel, Bob Martin, Barb Elsen, Man Gurung, Christian
Pezzino & Claire Greenawalt

Confirmation/Catechumenate 2014-2015
(grades 5-8)
St. Matthew has joined with three Lancaster area Lutheran churches for a
new opportunity! On the second Sunday of each month, we will gather for
a joint confirmation program to allow youth to engage the Bible, Small Catechism, and other aspects of daily Christian living. This will be a significant
component of faith formation and an opportunity for interactive learning
along with Lutheran youth from neighboring congregations. Our next gathering will be held here at St. Matthew TODAY from 1—3 PM. Contact
Pastor Riddle for more information.

Congregational Meeting—November 16th
In the Sanctuary following Worship
Pot Luck Luncheon after the meeting.
You will find a Sign-up Sheet in the church foyer.
There are advance copies of the 2014 Annual Report in
the narthex for your perusal. One per household, please.
And don’t forget to bring your copy along to the meeting
next Sunday, November 16th.

Remember to sign up in the foyer
for your turn to bring the
snacks for Sunday morning!
The chancel flowers are presented by Jen
Piersol in honor of her parents’
49th wedding anniversary.

St. Matthew will be returning to
the single box of envelopes for
the year 2015. They will be available for pick-up in the narthex
in early December. Any questions, please contact Sue in the
church office at 394-9607 or
[email protected].
 We are still accepting contributions to offset the cost of the School Kits and
Care Kits prepared and shipped from St. Matthew. There are some LWR KIT
SUPPLIES envelopes in the pews, or you may make a designation on your
check memo for LWR KITS.
Thank you.
 There is a need for volunteers to launder the Children’s
Choir Robes. If you would be willing to help with this project,
please come to the Choir Room after the service OR contact
the church office. No Ironing is needed—follow directions on
the label. Very easy project. If you have questions/concerns,
please contact Nancy Maurer ([email protected])
OR cell phone 203-1357.
A Friendly Reminder . . .
As I have assumed the task of assigning Worship
Assistants I have been contacting many of you
and you have willingly responded. Many thanks to
all of you. For those of you who may still be thinking about it, or if you have questions, please give
me a call. This is a great opportunity to serve and
share your God-given gifts with your fellow
parishoners. Please give some prayerful consideration to serving once a month or every couple months in one or more
capacities. We need , Greeters, Ushers, Acolytes, Readers, Presenters,
Nursery Care, Flower Delivery and Counters. Talk to you soon!
Sue Cooke-Krackow

At the November 16th Annual Meeting we will be electLooking for
ing new Council Members. Five cur r ent member s ar e
New Council
outgoing.
Members. Could
Our constitution calls for no more than twelve members. that be YOU ???
However, at this meeting , we will discuss the possibility of
lowering that number to fewer members; this may facilitate
more timely and productive decision-making processes in the
future. Your opinion will be a valuable asset to this discussion.
Council terms are three years. However, if your circumstances would only allow a commitment of a lesser term, you
may still be considered.
Mary Miller 575-0901
Please give this your prayerful thought and [email protected]
tion. As we here at St. Matthew look toward the future, we
count on God’s Spirit leading us through our dedicated con- Pastor Riddle 394-9607
[email protected]
gregational members.
CONTACT 

Ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 26th at 7:30 PM
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lititz Pike & Delp Road,
To sing in combined choir, see Nancy Maurer

If you have any contributions for the
December/January issue of The WORD,
please submit it to the office
by Monday, November 17th. Thanks!
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
 FOOD COLLECTION: BASKET IS LOCATED IN THE NARTHEX. Instead of having a specific Sunday designated as Food Col-

lection Sunday, we’ll happily accept food any Sunday of the month.
The food basket will stay in the narthex. Food
bank needs are: Ham, Jelly, Peanut Butter,
Oatmeal, Baking Mixes, Beans, Canned Meat - i.e.
Tuna, Chicken, Dry and Canned Potatoes, Soups,
Skillet Dinner / Helper Meals, Macaroni & Cheese.
The LCCC Food Bank is also accepting all
the fixins’ for Thanksgiving Dinners, i.e.
canned sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, boxed mashed potatoes, vegetables, pumpkin pie filling, Stove Top stuffing,
frozen turkeys, etc.
The Congregation
The Ministers
The Rev. Jillian Riddle
Sue Cooke-Krackow
Pastor
[email protected]
Parish Secretary
[email protected]
Nancy Maurer (426-1888)
Director of Music
[email protected]
Mary Miller (575-0901)
Council President
[email protected]
Church Office (394-9607) * Hours: Monday - Friday * 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Website: www.stmatthewelc.com
Council Member in Charge:
Altar Care:
Greeter:
Ushers:
Acolyte:
Reader:
Assisting Minister:
Communion Assistant:
Presenters:
Nursery:
Flower Delivery:
Counters:
Brenda Stauffer
Lunda & Ray Shaub
Peggy Atkins
TBD
TBD
Shirley Wertz
Mary Miller
Brenda Stauffer
Lunda & Ray Shaub
Ned Dixon
Jen Piersol
Jean Schweers & Barb Elsen
THIS WEEK AT ST. MATTHEW
11/09
Sunday
9:00am
Sunday School
10:00am
Worship Service
1:00-3pm
Confirmation at
St. Matthew
*6:30pm
Girl Scouts
11/11
Tuesday
*8:30 am
Bridge Buddies
7:00pm
Committee Mtgs.
11/13
Thursday
7:00pm
Chancel Choir
11/15
* Events scheduled for outside
groups that use our facility. You are
welcome to attend or sign up for all
other events on the calendar .
Scripture Readings—
November 16, 2014
Zephaniah 1:7, 12—18
Psalm 90:1—12
I Thessalonians 5:1—11
Matthew 25:14—30
Saturday
5:00pm Worship Service
11/16
Sunday
9:00am
Sunday School
10:00am
Worship Service
11:00am
Congregational
Mtg. and Pot Luck
November 11—13,
Pastor Riddle at FCTE Conference