INTRODUCTION
Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, the people still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though he is nothing like an earthly king. His authority comes from the truth to which he bears witness, and those who recognize the truth voluntarily listen to him. We look forward to the day he is given dominion, knowing his victory will be the nonviolent victory of love.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE We Have Come Into his House
* CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, our refuge, our delight, our beginning and our end. Amen.
Let us come in truth before the one who loves us and has freed us from
our sin.
Eternal One, robed in majesty and mercy, we confess that sin has taken hold of us and we are complicit in its power. We are disturbed in spirit and our hearts cannot rest. Unbind us and set us free. Lead us again to the waters of rebirth, that we may live just and generous lives for the good of your world and the care of our neighbors, following in the servant way of Jesus. Amen.
These words are trustworthy and true: Christ bore our sins once, for all, on the cross, swallowing up death forever. For his sake, you are forgiven
and God remembers your sin no more. Let your heart be glad again,
and rejoice in your salvation. 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 Crown Him with Many Crowns (ELW 855)
FIRST READING: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
9 As I watched, thrones were set in place,
and an Ancient One took his throne,
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames,
and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued
and flowed out from his presence.
A thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.
The court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
13 As I watched in the night visions,
I saw one like a human being
coming with the clouds of heaven.
And he came to the Ancient One
and was presented before him.
14 To him was given dominion
and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
that shall never be destroyed.
PSALM: Psalm 93
1 The LORD is king, robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and | armed with strength.
The LORD has made the world so sure that it can- | not be moved.
2 Ever since the world began, your throne has | been established;
you are from | everlasting.
3 The waters have lifted up, O LORD, the waters have lifted | up their voice;
the waters have lifted up their | pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers | of the sea,
mightier is the LORD who | dwells on high.
5 Your testimonies are | very sure,
and holiness befits your house, O LORD, forever and for- | evermore.
SECOND READING: Revelation 1:4b-8
4b Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
GOSPEL: John 18:33-37
The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
33 Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews ” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me ” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done ” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king ” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam
*HYMN OF THE DAY Rejoice, for Christ Is King! (ELW 430)
* 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
Rooted in God’s abundant love for the world, let us pray for our neighbors, the church, and all of creation.
Revive our congregations, synods, and national church body to reflect the love, justice, and kinship of your kingdom. Raise up diverse leaders who teach and serve your people. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Nourish parched lands and bring relief to flooded places. Protect wildlife habitats and endangered species, that the chorus of creation’s praise resounds with joy. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Grant wisdom to the leaders who govern, legislate, and deliberate on our behalf. Advance your nonviolent reign of justice-seeking love through their work. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Draw near to those who are detained, on trial, or incarcerated. Transform systems of retribution into systems of reconciliation and restoration. Empower activists who advocate for change. 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.
God of compassion and love, be with those who are suffering in mind, body or spirit and heal them; and be with those who mourn the loss o loved ones. 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.
Remind us of your enduring love in all seasons. Guide the planning efforts of worship leaders and volunteers who usher our congregation into a meaningful Advent. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
In your eternal presence the saints sing of your majesty. Join our voices with theirs in praise to the one who loves us and frees us from sin. 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 Prepare the royal Highway (ELW 264))
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*BLESSING
The Ancient One, enthroned, the Crucified One, now risen, the Indwelling One, poured out, bless you now and forever. Amen.
* SENDING SONG Lift High the Cross (ELW 660)
DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Encourage one another in Christ.. 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:
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. The food will be packaged following coffee talk for delivery to Mt. Zion Church, Sharon Hill.
Advent week 1: December 1
We will have coffee talk, sponsored by MaryAnne and Kim
view The Chosen: The Shepherd: A Story of the First Christmas,
following that we will decorate the church for Christmas.
Advent week 2: December 8
We will have a soup coffee talk,
view The Chosen: The Messengers: Special Christmas Episode,
and have a soup sale afterwards.
Advent week 3:December 15
We will have coffee talk, sponsored by Walt,
view The Chosen: Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night,
we 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,
everyone is invited to bring Christmas cookies to share.
We will also view The Chosen: Jesus Loves the Little Children.
December 24, Christmas Eve Worship at 7:00 pm
December 29, Lessons and Carols
