ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE   Lord, Receive This Company    (Hornberger)

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity,  one God, who is eager to forgive
and who loves us beyond our days. Amen.

Dear friends, together let us acknowledge our failure to love this world as Jesus does.

God of mercy and forgiveness,
we confess that sin still has a hold on us. We have harmed your good creation. We have failed to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Turn us in a new direction. Show us the path that leads to life.
Be our refuge and strength on the journey, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend. Amen.

Beloved of God:
your sins are forgiven  and you are made whole. God points the way to new life in Christ, who meets us on the road. Journey now in God’s abiding love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. 
Benevolent, merciful God: When we are empty, fill us. When we are weak in faith, strengthen us. When we are cold in love, warm us, that with fervor we may love our neighbors and serve them for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

* indicates please stand as you are able
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

*GATHERING SONG Come Down, O Love Divine (ELW 804)

FIRST READING: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
1The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw.
2O LORD, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not listen
Or cry to you “Violence!”
and you will not save
3Why do you make me see wrongdoing
and look at trouble
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.
4So the law becomes slack
and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous—
therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
2:1I will stand at my watchpost,
and station myself on the rampart;
I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,
and what he will answer concerning my complaint.
2Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so that a runner may read it.
3For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
it will surely come, it will not delay.
4Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them,
but the righteous live by their faith.

PSALM: Psalm 37:1-9
1Do not be provoked by | evildoers;
do not be jealous of those | who do wrong.
2For they shall soon wither | like the grass,
and like the green grass | fade away.
3Put your trust in the LORD| and do good;
dwell in the land and | find safe pasture.
4Take delight | in the LORD,
who shall give you your | heart’s desire. 
5Commit your way to the LORD; put your trust | in the LORD,
and see what | God will do.
6The LORD will make your vindication as clear | as the light
and the justice of your case like the | noonday sun.
7Be still before the LORD and wait | patiently.
Do not be provoked by the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in | evil schemes.
8Refrain from anger, leave | rage alone;
do not be provoked; it leads on- | ly to evil.
9For evildoers shall | be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD shall pos- | sess the land.R

SECOND READING: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my beloved child: 
 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
8Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, 12and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. 13Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

* GOSPEL:  Luke 17:5-10
The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
7“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’ 8Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’ 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”
The gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, O Christ.

MEDITATION:                             Pastor Wende Bleam    

* HYMN OF THE DAY My Faith Looks Up to Thee (ELW 759)

* APOSTLES' CREED

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 INTERCESSION  

As scattered grains of wheat are gathered together into one bread, so let us gather our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of God’s good creation.

We pray for your holy church in every place and for those who serve following the example of Christ. Help them to live by faith and walk by the light of your gospel. God of grace, hear our prayer.

For parts of the world ravaged by natural disaster: relieve those affected by floods, wildfires, droughts, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. God of grace, hear our prayer.

For every nation and for those entrusted with authority: grant our leaders self-discipline in all things, and inspire them with love for your people. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the Ukrainian people that they be surrounded by your love and protection against the attacks on their country.  Lift them up and protect them, end this war against them and let your peace reign.   God of grace, receive our prayer.

For victims of violence, abuse, and neglect: heal those who have been harmed and protect those who are vulnerable. For all who are sick.  We pray especially for Ana, Lillian, Helen, Arlene, Jose, Hoon, the Melendez family, Connie, Pat, Hazel, Deb, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Bill, Rick, Dick, Alisia, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, Jim and those we now raise before you in our hearts.  We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit.  Grant them healing and wholeness.  God of grace, receive our prayer.

For this and every congregation: rekindle your gifts within your people, and inspire councils, committees, and individuals to plan and work together that all may know your love. God of grace, hear our prayer.

In thanksgiving that you have abolished death, and for the saints who have died. Bring us all to eternal life with you. God of grace,
hear our prayer.

Gathered together in the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, gracious God, we offer these and all our prayers to you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

* LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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.

PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
Offerings may be placed in the tray as you leave the sanctuary, or on line using the donate button on our website, or mailed to the church. All gifts are welcomed and appreciated.  Thank you for supporting our ministry as we bring God’s Word to people and help provide for their needs.

* OFFERING PRAYER
Gracious God,
in your great love you richly provide for our needs. Make of these gifts a banquet of blessing, and make us ready to share with all in need; through Jesus Christ, who sets a table for all. Amen.

* DIALOGUE (SPOKEN)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
It is right to give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

* PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
offer thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave,
and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way to everlasting life.
And so with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

* THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION 

Christ invites you to this table.
Come, taste and see.

COMMUNION SONG

CONGREGATIONAL SONG   As the Grains of Wheat (ELW 465)

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. 
The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you 
and keep you in his grace. Amen. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of the abundant table, 
you have refreshed our hearts in this meal
with bread for the journey.
Give us your grace on the road 
that we might serve our neighbors with joy; 
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

* BLESSING
God, who gives life to all things 
and frees us from despair, 
bless you with truth and peace. 
And may the holy Trinity,  one God, 
guide you always in faith, hope, and love. Amen.

* SENDING SONG Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises (ELW 535)

* DISMISSAL  Go in peace, with Christ beside you. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE   In Christ Alone    (Getty/Townend)
The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of October by the Shortt family in memory of .Warren Lewis and Edwin and Beatrice Shortt.

COMING UP:

Halloween Candy Scramble on October 22 at 11:00 am.
All children 10 and under are able to participate.

YOU CAN HELP!  You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done.  Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards.  Please see Ruth Weaver if you wish to purchase and gift cards.  Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry. 

Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON.  Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.  Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. 

The following items are suggestions for our November Food Drive:

November 6  - Breakfast cereals
November 13 - Canned vegetables
November 20 - Tuna and Spam
November 27 - Noodle, rice or potato packets

We are registered as Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church for Amazon Smile.  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible smile.amazon.com purchases to the charities selected by customers. To register your charity designation, you will need to go to Smile.amazon.com.  Then you select our name as your charity.  Again, the name is registered as Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church.  You will only have to register once.  Next time you plan to shop online, go first to smile.amazon.com and you will be redirected to your own Amazon account.  Your charity designation will be listed on the top left.  So far, we have received over $156, just by doing your shopping through Smile.amazon.
Our Financial Response  (September)   
CURRENT
Budgeted costs per month                     $   9,048.05
Offering last month                         $   5,480.04

Budget required to date (9 months)             $  81,432.45
Total received to date                         $  48,241.36

MISSION SUPPORT
Budget required to date (9 months)             $   4,500.00
Total received to date                         $   4,398.00

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month even if we are not all worshipping together inside our building.

Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our  website:   stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org  or sent by mail to
St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.

You are welcome to watch the live service at 10:15 am at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnslutheranfolcroft
Or you can watch live streaming on the St. John's website:  https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org
If you are having trouble accessing, please let us know.