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St. John's Worship Service - Advent 1, November 27, 2022
Pastor Wende Bleam
Pastor Wende Bleam
Sunday, November 27, 2022
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St. John’s Lutheran, Folcroft
Worship Service November 27, 2022 - Advent 1

https://stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org


WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:    

PRELUDE Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning  (African American Spiritual). 

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be God’s name forever. Amen.

Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep. Let us confront our sins,
and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.

God of new beginnings,
we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign. We have strayed from your paths. We prepare for war instead of peace.
We dishonor one another and your creation. Purify us with your refining fire and set us again on your way of love, that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance, and welcome your coming among us.
Amen.

People of God, a new thing is growing in our midst, a tender branch,
a living sign. By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder.
You have put on  Christ, and your sins have been washed away.
Rejoice in the way of the Lord.
Amen.
    
* PRAYER OF THE DAY: 
Let us pray. 
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

* indicates please stand as you are able

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13


* GATHERING SONG   Hark, the Glad Sound! (ELW 239)

FIRST READING: Isaiah 2:1-5
1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2In days to come
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
5O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD!

ADVENT 1 CANDLE LIGHTING

CONGREGATIONAL SONG   HE CAME DOWN  (ELW 253)  Verse 1

SECOND READING: Romans 13:11-14
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

* GOSPEL:  Matthew 24:36-44
The holy gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

The gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, O Christ.

MEDITATION:                                   Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY   Somebody's Knockin' at Your Door (TFF 44)

* NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
   the Father, the Almighty,
   maker of heaven and earth,
   of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
   the only Son of God,
   eternally begotten of the Father,
   God from God, Light from Light,
   true God from true God,
   begotten, not made,
   of one Being with the Father;
   through him all things were made.
   For us and for our salvation
       he came down from heaven,
       was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
       and became truly human.
       For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
       he suffered death and was buried.
       On the third day he rose again
       in accordance with the scriptures;
       he ascended into heaven
       and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
       He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
       and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
   who proceeds from the Father and the Son,*
   who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
   who has spoken through the prophets.
   We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
   We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
   We look for the resurrection of the dead,
       and the life of the world to come. Amen.
       
OFFERING

Offerings 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.

Those who are worshipping in person can place their offerings 
in the plate at the door as they enter or leave.
* PRAYERS OF THE INTERCESSION: 

As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.

God of all, your children everywhere cry out for mercy. Awaken the global church to the urgent needs of our time. Break down barriers of culture and custom and unite people of all faiths in your redemptive and healing work. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of wonder, the earth’s beauty and abundance is your gift. Teach us your ways of sharing resources and caring for life. Guard fragile habitats, preserve the wild places, and protect endangered plants and animals. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of peace, you judge the nations. Beat our weapons into tools for serving the neighbor. Strengthen the resolve of all who work for an end to war. We pray for lasting peace in the land of Jesus’ birth. God, in your mercy, 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, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

God of lovingkindness, you desire fullness of life for everyone. Fill those who hunger. Comfort the grieving and attend to those near death. Bring help and hope to any who are sick or needing your care.  We pray especially for the family and friends of Lillian, Kathy and Rich McLaughlin, Carol, Connor, Ana, Helen, Arlene, Jose, Hoon, 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, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of community, you are present when we gather in your name. Guide congregations in transition or conflict. Give wisdom to congregational councils, call committees, and ministry leaders. Keep us alert to unexpected opportunities for mission. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of promise, your goodness is everlasting. We give thanks for the lives of the faithful who now rest in you. We trust that you will bring us into the company of all the saints with rejoicing. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

* 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.

* BLESSING:    
God the eternal Word, 
who dwells with us in Jesus, 
and who holds us in the grace of the Holy Spirit, 
 bless you now and forever.
Amen.

* SENDING SONG Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (ELW 244)

* DISMISSAL:   Go in peace. Christ is near. Thanks be to God. 

We hope that this service was meaningful for you and brought God’s peace and comfort into your homes.  Continue to wear a mask and wash your hands frequently and to love others as yourself.  Pray, trust, believe and wait. See you next week.

POSTLUDE:      Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying (Walther)

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.

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of November by the Modge and Snell families in loving memory of William J. Reese Sr.

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  (October)   
CURRENT
Budgeted costs per month                     $   9,048.05
Offering last month                         $   6,117.74

Budget required to date (10 months)             $  90,480.50
Total received to date                         $  54,359.10

MISSION SUPPORT
Budget required to date (10 months)             $   5,000.00
Total received to date                         $   4,886.11

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.