NOVEMBER 26th SERVICE Passcode required: NH^YP*A2
or click on SERMON below, in the Order of Service, to hear weekly sermons
Zoom Meeting, Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83025269997?pwd=VW1ZUXlsSTdkcWl0SC90SWRvK2dHUT09
For those not using computer for the worship service:
PhoneNumber: 1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 830 2526 9997
Password: 958432
November 26, 2023
“I am the good shepherd,
and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.
I am the good shepherd.
I know my sheep, and they know me.”
Worship Theme: Matthew’s parable of the sheep and the goats is known throughout the world, even by people who are not Christian. Jesus moves us to both trust him as the compassionate judge and care for others who see doom.
Pastor: Nathan Whittaker
First Reading: Merlean Locke
Second Reading: Orelia Jarrow
Assisting Minister: Clato Barnes
Musician: Anita Tucker
We pray that you are blessed with the Word of God today.
May the spirit of the living God abide with you always!
Welcome
Please stand, as able
P: Blessed be ✝ God, who creates and sustains all life; who redeems and restores us to new life; and who works within us and this world,
C: Amen.
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Before God and in the company of our siblings in Christ, let us confess our sin.
Silence for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: we have sinned 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. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, 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.
P: God’s love for you is total and complete. No matter who you are, no matter what happens, and no matter what you do, God still loves you. Even more, in God’s good pleasure and in the name of Jesus Christ ✝ your sins are forgiven now and forever.
C: Amen.
You may be seated
Opening Hymn TFF 214 – In Christ, There is No East or West
In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere
their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be.
All children of the loving God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are joined as one
throughout the whole wide earth.
Greeting
Please stand, as able
P: The grace of God that is Christ’s gift to all, the love of God that sustains us all, and the unity of the Spirit who binds us in peace be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Call to Worship TFF p.72-76
AM: Church of God, are you ready?
C: We’re ready!
AM: Are you ready to meet the Lord? Church of God, are you ready?
C: We’re ready!
AM: Are you ready to greet the Lord? Church of God, get ready!
C: We’re ready!
AM: Get ready and wait for the Lord. Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall soar with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not grow faint.
C: Amen!
Kyrie TFF pp. 26-27
AM: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace.
C: Give us the wisdom to know what is good and the strength to serve the world you have made, in Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
You may be seated
First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
11 The Lord God proclaims: I myself will search for my flock and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out the flock when some in the flock have been scattered, so will I seek out my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered during the time of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will gather and lead them out from the countries and peoples, and I will bring them to their own fertile land. I will feed them on Israel’s highlands, along the riverbeds, and in all the inhabited places. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their sheepfold will be there, on Israel’s lofty highlands. On Israel’s highlands, they will lie down in a secure fold and feed on green pastures. 15 I myself will feed my flock and make them lie down. This is what the Lord God says. 16 I will seek out the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the wounded, and strengthen the weak. But the fat and the strong I will destroy, because I will tend my sheep with justice.
20 So the Lord God proclaims to them: I will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 You shove with shoulder and flank, and with your horns you ram all the weak sheep until you’ve scattered them outside. 22 But I will rescue my flock so that they will never again be prey. I will even judge between the sheep! 23 I will appoint for them a single shepherd, and he will feed them. My servant David will feed them. He will be their shepherd. 24 I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be their prince. I, the Lord, have spoken.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm of Response Psalm 95:1-7a
AM: Come, let’s sing out loud to the Lord!
C: Let’s raise a joyful shout to the rock of our salvation!
AM: Let’s come before him with thanks!
C: Let’s shout songs of joy to him!
AM: The Lord is a great God, the great king over all other gods. Let all the peoples praise you.
C: The earth’s depths are in his hands; the mountain heights belong to him;
AM: the sea, which he made, is his
C: along with the dry ground, which his own hands formed.
AM: Come, let’s worship and bow down!
C: Let’s kneel before the Lord, our maker!
AM: He is our God,
C: and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep in his hands.
Second Reading Ephesians 1:15-23
15 Since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, this is the reason that 16 I don’t stop giving thanks to God for you when I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, 19 and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers. This power is conferred by the energy of God’s powerful strength. 20 God’s power was at work in Christ when God raised him from the dead and sat him at God’s right side in the heavens, 21 far above every ruler and authority and power and angelic power, any power that might be named not only now but in the future. 22 God put everything under Christ’s feet and made him head of everything in the church, 23 which is his body. His body, the church, is the fullness of Christ, who fills everything in every way.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand, as able
Gospel Acclamation TTF 98 – Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Gospel Matthew 25:31-46
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 25th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
21 “Now when the Son of Man comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left.
34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. 35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ 45 Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.”
P: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
You may be seated
Hymn of the Day LBW 328 – All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all!
O seed of Israel's chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Let ev’ry kindred ev’ry tribe
on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all!
Sermon
Passcode: NH^YP*A2
Apostles’ Creed
Please stand, as able
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 Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. 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 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.
Music Group Selection
Prayers of the Congregation
Please stand, as able
AM: Let us turn our hearts to God, our breath and life, as we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
Silence
Holy God, from Christ we receive our call to feed, clothe, and welcome.
C: Direct your church to respond to this call with faithfulness and generous love in all corners of the world.
AM: In Christ, the rock of our salvation, we are brought into union with all of creation.
C: With mountains, seas, dry lands, and animals of the field, we seek your guidance and protection.
AM: In Christ we know merciful judgement. Guide rulers of every nation in ways of humble leadership and wise-decision making.
C: Allow aid to come to all who are underserved and care to any who are neglected.
AM: In Christ we are welcomed home. We praise you for the witness of those who served you in faithfulness.
C: As you welcome them into your embrace, send us your love so that we may be united as one body together.
AM: In Christ we feel the depth of your love and care toward us. We pray for those who suffer in sickness, isolation, and more, especially those in our congregation: Norma, Jerelene, Caryee, Ruby, Sharee, Rosa, Jeanie, and Ella.
C: Nourish all who hunger, connect all who are isolated, and surround all who experience such pain with your compassion.
AM: For what else do the people of God pray? We invite those joining us via zoom to offer their prayers first.
(Prayers to consider:
- Peace in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Palestine, and all in armed conflict
- Women’s rights
- LGBTQ+ safety and care
- End of racism in America
- Ceasing of gentrification in the Central District
- Low Income Housing Institute Project
- Those impacted by weather and nature)
AM: We now invite those in the sanctuary to offer up their prayers.
After the petitions:
AM: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, Jesus Christ our Savior,
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(We now greet one another with: “Peace be with you.”)
Gathering of Offerings
Offering Prayer
Please stand, as able
P: Let us pray. God of abundance, as we bring gifts to your altar, we confess that we still worry that we might not have enough – not just in our own lives but also as part of your church eternal.
C: Forgive us when we have been afraid to believe that you are with us in both scarcity and plenty. Grant us the peace to trust you no matter what. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and proper that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our brother; who will come again soon. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy TFF p.38
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might.
Heaven 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.
P: We give thanks that on the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Lord’s Prayer
P: Let us pray, with confidence, the words our brother gave us:
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Communion Hymn TTF 39 – Lamb of God
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
You may be seated
Communion
Wine is served in individual glasses.
Grape juice is available in the center of the tray.
Prayer after Communion
Please stand, as able
P: Let us pray. God of our ancestors and of all people, we thank you that as the broken bread was gathered into one loaf, the broken fragments of our history are gathered up and healed by this redeeming act of Christ.
C: Send us forth in peace and form us into what we just received: your love and grace for all people. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessing
P: Beloved in the Lord, God has shown you what is good. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Do so with the love, grace, and power of the Father, Son ✝, and Spirit given to you.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn LBW 170 – Crown Him with Many Crowns
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark, how the heav'nly anthem drowns
All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of love -
Behold his hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bend their burning eyes
At mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those he came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died, eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.
Crown him the Lord of peace,
Whose pow'r a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
Absorbed in prayer and praise. His reign shall know no end,
And round his pierced feet
Fair flow'rs of paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.
Announcements (see below)
Dismissal
We’ve Come This Far by Faith
We’ve come this far by faith
Leaning on the Lord
Trusting in His holy word.
He’s never failed me yet.
Oh……. Can’t turn around,
We’ve come this far by faith!
Closing Blessing
Acknowledgments
All songs come from This Far By Faith: An African American Resource for Worship (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1999) reprinted with permission under onelicense.net license #A-738102, unless otherwise acknowledged. All Scripture passages are from Common English Bible © 2012. Elements taken from sundaysandseasons.com.; Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
In Christ, There is No East or West (TFF 214) Text: John Oxenham, 1852-1941; Tune: MCKEE, Harry T. Burleigh, 1866-1949, African American spiritual. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (TFF 267), Text by Edward Perronet, 1726-1792; Tune by DIADEM, James Ellor, 1819-1899. Crown Him with Many Crowns (LBW 170), Text: Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894, Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903; Tune: DIADEMATA, George J. Elvey, 1816-1893.
Announcements for November 26, 2023
- Welcome to our visitors. Please take a moment to sign our guest book in the narthex. You are always welcomed here!
- Young children are invited to be a part of The Lamb’s Club in the library/office during the worship service.
- Good Shepherd Story: Mark your calendars for a conversation with Dr. Amy Koehlinger on the progress and future of the development of this story. Lunch will be provided as we meet after church on December 10th.
- LCGS will be donating to the Lutheran World Relief organization who supports disasters worldwide (i.e. Maui, Libya, Turkey). Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd the funds collected will be match.
- A song of praise has been added to our worship service, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith”, to be sung by all following the annoucements. Praise the Lord!
Prayer Requests –
To update/add prayer requests,
please contact us at (206) 325-2733
or lcgs22un@outlook.com
_____________________
Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit,
the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is to give glory to God
for the building of His Kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.