INTRODUCTION

Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of death Jesus opens the door to paradise.

ANNOUNCEMENTS  

PRELUDE In my Life, Be Glorified

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity,   one God, who forgives all our sin,

whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Faithful God, you have shown us the ways of your heart, yet we stray from your paths. We are stuck in sinful systems of oppression and do not embrace the freedom of your faithful promises. We ignore our neighbors. We exploit the earth. We reject your abundance, trusting our impulses instead of your steadfast love. Repair our relationships,

restore what we have broken, renew our hearts, and bring us to new life. Amen.

Hear the good news: God the Faithful One loves you,   in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven, and by the power of the Holy Spirit you are set free. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. 

O God, our true life, to serve you is freedom, and to know you is unending joy. We worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory. Abide with us, reign in us, and make this world into a fit habitation for your divine majesty, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*GATHERING SONG   Jesus Shall Reign (ELW 434)

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 23:1-6

1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.

  5 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.”

PSALM: Psalm 46

 1 God is our refuge and strength,

  a very present | help in trouble.

 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,

  and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea;

 3 though its waters | rage and foam,

  and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult.

 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

  the holy habitation of | the Most High.

 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;

  God shall help it at the | break of day.

 6 The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;

  God speaks, and the earth | melts away. 

 7 The LORD of | hosts is with us;

  the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.

 8 Come now, regard the works | of the LORD,

  what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth;

 9 behold the one who makes war to cease in | all the world;

  who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the | shields with fire.

 10 “Be still, then, and know that | I am God;

  I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted | in the earth.”

 11 The LORD of | hosts is with us;

  the God of Jacob | is our stronghold. 

SECOND READING: Colossians 1:11-20

11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

  15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

*GOSPEL: Luke 23:33-43

The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.

33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 [[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

  39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah  Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation  41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY  Beautiful Savior (ELW 838)

* 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.

*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Gathered with one voice, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

We pray for the church in the world, its leaders, and its mission to share the good news of healing and restoration. Inspire us to embody the beloved community in ways that faithfully witness to the Holy Spirit. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

We pray for the trembling mountains and glad streams of creation. Preserve and renew your coastlines, deep seas, forests, and grasslands. Guide all who tend flocks or care for creatures of all kinds. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for leaders and advocates in government, civic life, and public safety. Support equity across the globe, and heal division with accountability and truth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for any who are hungry, living in poverty or desperation, weary in body or spirit, or sick. Comfort all in need of your tender care. We pray especially for the Folcroft Police and Fire Company members, Bill, the family of Tiona, Pastor Wende, Ray, Richie, Derek, Chris, Donna, Trena, Keyasi, Sorie, Carol, Vince, Danielle, Barbara, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Curt, Calvin, Robin, Helen, Hoon, Pat, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, 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. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for this part of the body of Christ gathered around word and sacrament. Bring us into authentic community where all ages are valued and experience God’s faithfulness together. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We give thanks for all who have died in faith. May we remember them faithfully until we are gathered with you in the paradise you promise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We offer these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your grace and unyielding love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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

Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. 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.

* OFFERING PRAYER

Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world,

through Jesus Christ, our true vine. Amen.

* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.  We lift the to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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

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

Come and be nourished by the gift of our Lord and know the God of life and love.

COMMUNION SONG

May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.  Amen.

CONGREGATION SONG Jesus, Remember Me (Taizé) (ELW 616)

 

*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

God of field and flower, wheat and grape, you have nourished us with the bread of heaven that gives life to the world. Strengthened by the body and blood of your Son, send us out to gather your good gifts for all who hunger and thirst, and embolden us to love and serve in Christ’s name. Amen.

*BLESSING

The love of God the Sovereign strengthen you, God the Son save you,

and God the Holy Spirit anoint you for the work ahead. The holy Trinity bless you   and grant you a faithful and courageous heart now and forever. Amen.

*SENDING HYMN   Crown Him with Many Crowns (ELW 855)

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Share the harvest. Thanks be to God.

The ETERNAL CANDLE is sponsored for the month of November by the Modge and Snell families in loving memory of Willam 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 MaryAnne Rossi 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. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.

The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!

With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.

We are going to do a mitten tree again this year as a social ministry project.  On NOVEMBER 30, following worship, we will put up a Christmas tree on which to hang the following item: NEW winter hats, NEW or GENTLY USED scarves, NEW or GENTLY USED gloves and NEW athletic or other socks.  These items should all be for adults. These items will be given to the Welcome Church, which is a homeless ministry in Philadelphia.

UPCOMING EVENTS:  

12/2 Finance Meeting

12/7 Congregational Meeting followed by Coffee Talk and decorating the Church

Our Financial Response  (October) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month        $   7,263.55

Offering last month        $   4,618.14

Budget required to date (10 months)        $  72,635.50

Total received to date        $  54,354.40

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (10 months)        $   4,000.00

Total received to date        $   3,771.20

Please continue to support St. John's.  Our expenses continue each month. 

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.