INTRODUCTION

November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again. It is fitting, then, that the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised forgiveness. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love.

ANNOUNCEMENTS   

PRELUDE We Have Come Into his House

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity,  one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

Let us confess our sin and come to God for healing.

Gracious God,

have mercy on us. We confess that we have honored you with our lips,

but have harmed our neighbors with our tongues. The cravings at war within us cause conflicts and disputes. In our desire to be first we make distinctions among ourselves. We place the needs of the poor and the suffering last. In your great mercy, forgive us our sins. Draw near to us with grace in time of need, and turn us to follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God promises to forgive our iniquity and to remember our sin no more.

By grace you have been saved. In the name of  Jesus Christ, the source of eternal healing, your sins are forgiven. Amen.

* PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. 

Almighty God, your sovereign purpose brings salvation to birth. Give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, trusting that your kingdom comes and your will is done through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

GATHERING SONG     Jesus, Still Lead On (ELW 624)

FIRST READING: Daniel 12:1-3

1“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

PSALM: Psalm 16

1Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;

I have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.”

2All my delight is in the godly that are | in the land,

upon those who are noble among the people.

3But those who run after | other gods

shall have their troubles | multiplied.

4I will not pour out drink offerings | to such gods,

never take their names upon my lips. 

5O LORD, you are my portion | and my cup;

it is you who up- | hold my lot.

6My boundaries enclose a | pleasant land;

indeed, I have a | rich inheritance.

7I will bless the LORD who | gives me counsel;

my heart teaches me night | after night.

8I have set the LORD always before me;

because God is at my right hand, I shall | not be shaken. 

9My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;

my body also shall | rest in hope.

10For you will not abandon me | to the grave,

nor let your holy one | see the pit.

11You will show me the | path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for- | evermore. 

SECOND READING: Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25

11Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” 13and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

 19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

GOSPEL: Mark 13:1-8

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

1As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

 3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY O God of Every Nation (ELW 713)

*APOSTLES'CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

       

*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Rooted in God’s abundant love for the world, let us pray for our neighbors, the church, and all of creation.

O God, in the washing of water you set us free from the power of sin and death. Unite all the baptized in the covenant you have made with us, as we strive for your justice and peace in all the earth. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

By your merciful might you sustain all creation. Stir us from complacency with the harm we inflict on the earth, and urge us to adopt sustainable ways of life that protect and restore our planet. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

With a selfless power you protect all who take refuge in you. As nations rise against nations, defend all who are displaced or affected by war or violence. Empower all people and nations to pursue peace. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

God of mercy, be with the people who have lost family, friends, homes or been injured from hurricanes, tornadoes and seas.  Comfort them as they grieve and as they rebuild in their lives from this disaster. Merciful God,

receive our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the people of Israel and Palestine, for those the Gaza Strip who are suffering the ravages of war, send your peace into their hearts and let their fighting end,  We also pray for the Ukrainian people that they be surrounded by your love and protection against the attacks on their country.  Lift all these people up, protect them, and end this war against them.  Lord, let your peace reign.  Merciful God, receive our prayer.

In your presence you give fullness of joy. Care for all for whom joy feels distant. Be present with persons experiencing depression, anxiety, addiction, or any mental illness. Bring them healing and wholeness. We pray especially for the family of Lewis, the Family of Lynn Bozman, Carol, Talayia, Tiana, Vince, Danielle, Barbara. Scarlet, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Rich, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Bill, Curt, Calvin, Robin, Ana, 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. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

In your presence you give fullness of joy. Care for all for whom joy feels distant. Be present with persons experiencing depression, anxiety, addiction, or any mental illness. Bring them healing and wholeness. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Through the years you have gathered your church and this community for worship, fellowship, formation, and service. Enable us to look beyond the walls of our building to perceive where you are calling us forward. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

With thanksgiving we remember saints and angels who delight in your everlasting presence. As their lives inspire ours, provoke us always to love, holding fast to the confession of our hope in you. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

We offer our prayers to you, gracious God, trusting in your boundless love for all that you have made, 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

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

* 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 HYMN When Peace like a River  (ELW 785)

*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

*BLESSING

God all mighty, God most merciful  bless you, keep you, and give you peace. Amen.

* SENDING SONG  O God, Our Help in Ages Past (ELW 632)

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Follow Jesus . Thanks be to God.

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

The sign-up sheet for sponsorship of the ETERNAL CANDLE is now available on the hallway table.  The cost this year has increased more than usual due to a change in providers which now includes the cost of delivery.  Sponsorship for one month is now $26.

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.

Our Financial Response  (October) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month       $   8,443.07

Offering last month       $   5,045.14

Budget required to date (10 months)       $  84,430.70

Total received to date       $  53,934.56

MISSION SUPPORT

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

Total received to date       $   3,540.26

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.

Upcoming St. John's Events:

Advent week 1: December 1 - We will have coffee talk, sponsored by MaryAnne and Kim and following that, we will decorate the church for Christmas.

Advent week 2: December 8 - We will have a soup coffee talk and soup sale afterwards.

Advent week 3:December 15 - We will have coffee talk, sponsored by Walt and will package up the food for Mt. Zion and write Christmas cards to send along with the food.

Advent week 4: December 22 - We will have coffee talk, sponsored by Martie, and everyone is invited to bring Christmas cookies to share.

Fall Food collection:

November 24 - vegetable oil, potato flakes

December 1 - flour, sugar, biscuit mix

December 8 - tuna fish, spam, canned meat

December 15 - shelf stable milk, juice

You are welcome to bring in any food , not just what is on the list! Thank you in advance for your donations.