Prelude: "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love"
(Peter Scholtes/arranged Mark Hayes)
The Welcome Hymn: (
Hymnal 1982) #596 "Judge eternal, throned in splendor"
Opening Sentence Officiant: I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
-Psalm 122.1 Confession of Sin Officiant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Officiant and People Most merciful God, we confess that 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 are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. The Officiant says Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen. The Invitatory and Psalter Officiant: Lord, open our lips.
People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Officiant and People Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
Come let us adore him. Venite Psalm 95:1-7 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land. Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
Come let us adore him. Psalm 70 Deus, in adjutorium
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O Lord, make haste to help me.
2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed
and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
draw back and be disgraced.
3 Let those who say to me "Aha!" and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
"Great is the Lord!"
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
6 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O Lord, do not tarry.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The First Lesson: Amos 5:18-24 Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
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.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
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.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. Canticle C: The Song of Hannah 1 Samuel 2:1-8 My heart exults in you, O God; *
my triumph song is lifted in you.
My mouth derides my enemies, *
for I rejoice in your salvation. There is none holy like you, *
nor any rock to be compared to you, our God.
Do not heap up prideful words or speak in arrogance; *
Only God is knowing and weighs all actions.
The bows of the mighty are broken, *
but the weak are clothed in strength.
Those once full now labor for bread, *
those who hungered now are well fed.
The childless woman has borne sevenfold, *
while the mother of many is forlorn.
God destroys and brings to life, casts down and raises up; *
gives wealth or takes it away, humbles and dignifies.
God raises the poor from the dust; *
and lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with the rulers *
and inherit a place of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are God's *
on which the whole earth is founded.
The Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
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. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For 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. For 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. Then 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. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God. Canticle H: A Song of Hosea Hosea 6:1-3 Come, let us return to our God, *
who has torn us and will heal us.
God has struck us and will bind up our wounds, *
after two days revive us, On the third day restore us, *
that in God's presence we may live.
Let us humble ourselves, let us strive to know the Lord, *
whose justice dawns like morning light, its dawning as sure as the sunrise.
God's justice will come to us like a shower, *
like spring rains that water the earth.
The Third Lesson: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus said, "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But 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.' And 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. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God. The Sermon The Apostles' Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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. The Prayers Officiant: The Lord be with you.
Officiant and People: And also with you. Let us pray.
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, for ever and ever. Amen. Suffrages (A) V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation. V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy. V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth. V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations. V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit. The Collect of the Day O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen. A Collect for Social Justice Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. A Collect for the Poor and the Neglected Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. Hymn: (
LEVAS II) #218 "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know"
The Prayers of the People Gracious God, in Jesus Christ you taught us to pray, and to offer our petitions to you in his name. Guides us by your Holy Spirit, that our prayers for others may serve your will and show your steadfast love.
Hear us, O Lord, as we pray for all who are in special need of your grace:
We pray for the sick and the anxious; for the dying and those who stand in the fear of death. Teach us that neither life nor death can separate us from the love God. Hear us, O Lord, as we pray for the poor, the homeless, the hungry and those who are alone in the world.
We remember before you, O Lord, all those who stand in solidarity with the poor and the excluded, seeing generosity and justice. Hear us, O Lord, as we lift up before you, our nation. We have come through a divisive and bitter season.
We pray that you would break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love, and help us to be people seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. Hear us, O Lord, as we ask your blessing upon the leaders of our nation, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves, and a blessing to others,
We pray for our President-elect, for newly elected senators and representatives, for all those in authority, grant them wisdom and grace in the exercise of their responsibility. Hear us, O Lord, as we pray for the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
(
The people may add their own petitions) Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great. O Lord, look with favor upon this congregation of your people,
gathered together from many places, called into service and seeking to know your will more perfectly. Instruct us in your work,
inspire us by the cloud of witnesses which compass us about, the seers and prophets, the saints and martyrs, of every age, and above all, by your holy spirit in Jesus Christ. Give us grace to learn of each other in the spirit of humility,
to pursue our several tasks with diligence, to bear with each other in patience, so that our love may grow in all knowledge and discernment. We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
For the beauty of the earth, for seed time and harvest, for those who work on land and sea. We pray for all who have died,
That they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. We pray that all will be made whole,
And so we join hands in the light of your promises for the redemption of the world. Loving God, whose word we trust, whose Spirit enables us to pray: accept our requests and further those which will bring about your purposes for the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. The General Thanksgiving Officiant and People Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen A Prayer of St. Chrysostom Officiant Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting.
Amen.
Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.
Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14 Hymn: (
Hymnal 1982) #690 "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah"
Postlude: "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" (Doris Akers/arranged Mark Hayes)
* The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. Participants
Officiant: The Rev. Scott Planting
Litanist and Intercessor: Maude March, Jayne Ashworth
Organist and Pianist: Kimberly Haller
Readers: Jim Vallette, Sally Merchant
