11/17/24

As We Gather

 The Last Sunday of the Church Year is about the last things, the day of judgment when Jesus Christ “will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,” Christ, “whose kingdom will have no end” (Nicene Creed). With the vision of the prophet Daniel, we are given a fascinating “apocalyptic” revelation. The four nations of Daniel chapter 7 are progressively more evil than the ones before: Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires. Not all earthly kingdoms or nations are evil, of course. Yet evil and the devil’s madness appear here and there everywhere. Christ is the king not only over all the ancient nations of the world but also over our own! With great and glad celebration, therefore, we gather to rejoice over our assurance that Jesus Christ rules over all things for our good, healing, and our salvation in the day of resurrection.

Activity Bags We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, a closed-circuit TV to watch the worship service, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station on a small rack. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.

Holy Communion The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused ( 1 Cor: 11:27), and that participation in the Lord’s Supper is an act of confession of faith, we ordinarily commune those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. If you have a question, please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.

 Either Progress or Retrogression “He who does not go forward on the way of God, goes backward; and he who does not continue to seek, loses what he had successfully sought; for there is no standing still on the way to God, and “when we not to want to become better, we cease being good,” as St. Bernard says. What Luther Says # 2040

Last Sunday of the Church Year

November 24, 2024

Welcome 

Opening Hymn                           Built on the Rock                          LSB 645 vs 1, 3, 5

Invocation, Confession and Absolution            (Psalm 100)

P:   We gather in the name and at the invitation of our great and gracious triune God;

C:   In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P:   Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 

C:   Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 

P:   Know that the Lord is God. 

C:   It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

P:   Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

C:   give thanks to him and praise his name. 

P:   For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; 

C:   his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

C: Most merciful Lord, who gave Your life for our sin that we might be called the children of God, grant that our joy would be multiplied as we rely on Your triumph over sin and death through Your sacrifice on the cross and resurrection. From Your exalted throne at the right hand of the Father You live and reign over all creation, ordering all things for the good of Your people. Receive our humble plea for mercy, and grant us Your enlivening grace by speaking Your liberating words of truth. Amen.

(Moment of Silence for Meditation)

P: As we come to God in great humility, but also with confidence to His throne of grace, know that the sin cleansing grace of God is yours in Christ Jesus, and all your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C:   Amen.

Hymn of Praise                        The Lord, My God, Be Praised                         LSB 794

Prayer of the Day

All:  Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

O T Lesson           (The Ancient of Days gives dominion to the Son of Man.) Daniel 7:9–14

⁹ “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. ¹⁰ A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. ¹¹ “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. ¹² (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.) ¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. 

NT Lesson                           (“I am the Alpha and the Omega.”)                  Revelation 1:4b–8

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶ and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. ⁷ Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. ⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 

Holy Gospel                                  (We are to keep watch!)                         Mark 13: 24-37

²⁴ “But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; ²⁵ the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ ²⁶ “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

 ²⁷ And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. ²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. ³⁰ I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. ³² “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. ³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ” 

Message Song                                        Jesus Messiah                                                    Tomlin 

He became sin, who knew no sin    That we might become His righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross      Love so amazing, love so amazing

Chorus:           Jesus Messiah, name above all names     Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven    Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

His body the bread, his blood the wine     Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn

                          Love so amazing, love so amazing                Chorus

                          Bridge:            All I hope is in You, all I hope is in You
                                  All the glory to You, God, the light of the world    (2X)

His coming is soon, His bride prepared.     Adorned in His grace, His love to share

Willing and able, we live by His Word    His Spirit released our lives are made whole!   Chorus

Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

CCLI Song # 5183443© 2008 Rising Springs Music | Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs | Wondrously Made SongsFor use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI License # 11390779

Message                                             Being Watchful, Not Wasteful

1.      (Not) Wasting the ___________________        .

2.     (Not)  Wasting the ______________________       .

3.      Working with the _______________________         God is supplying.

Notes:

The Apostle’s Creed                                      

C:   I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  

And in Jesus Christ His 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 into hell. The third day He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Offering 

Offertory                       Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow                      LSB 805                             

Prayers of the Church  

After each petition:

 P:  Lord, in your mercy,

 C:  hear our prayer.   

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 Lord’s Supper

Preface                                                                      page 194 in the hymnal

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  ♪ And with thy spirit.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  ♪ We lift them up unto the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  ♪ It is meet and right so to do.

P:  It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And with the host of heaven we sing:

Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy                                          page 195 in the hymnal

P:  ♪ Ho -ly, ho-ly, ho-ly Lord God of Sa – ba – oth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.   

          Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is

          He who cometh in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)

Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord                    page 197 in the hymnal

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.C:  ♪ Amen.

Agnus Dei – Lamb of God                                                             page 198 in the hymnal                                      

C:  ♪ O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.

         O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.

         O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world; 

         grant us Thy peace.  A – men.

Distribution Hymn                                 Precious Lord, Take My Hand                LSB  739

                                                                         How Beautiful          Ascension Choir      (10:30)

Nunc Dimittis                                                                                  page 199 in the hymnal        

C: ♪ Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.                                                                                                                                          

 Post Communion Collect

All:   Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. May the days before us reflect the goodness and grace You have so wondrously poured upon Your people. May our witness of Your mercy through Christ our Lord be effective to winning of more souls for Your kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Benediction                                                                                                     

P:   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.

C:    Amen.

Sending Hymn                                Onward, Christian Soldiers                             LSB 662

Announcements

Dismissal 

P:   Go in peace as you serve the Lord.

C:   Thanks be to God.

Postlude