INTRODUCTION

The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS  

PRELUDE Gift of Love

* 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, the protector of all who trust in you, without you nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Embrace us with your mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we may live through what is temporary without losing what is eternal, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

*GATHERING SONG   If You But Trust in God to Guide You (ELW 769)

FIRST READING: Malachi 4:1-2a

1 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2a But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

PSALM: Psalm 98

 1 Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done | marvelous things,

  whose right hand and holy arm have | won the victory.

 2 O LORD, you have made | known your victory,

  you have revealed your righteousness in the sight | of the nations.

 3 You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the | house of Israel;

  all the ends of the earth have seen the victory | of our God.

 4 Shout with joy to the LORD, | all you lands;

  lift up your voice, re- | joice, and sing. 

 5 Sing to the LORD | with the harp,

  with the harp and the | voice of song.

 6 With trumpets and the sound | of the horn

  shout with joy before the | king, the LORD.

 7 Let the sea roar, and | all that fills it,

  the world and those who | dwell therein.

 8 Let the rivers | clap their hands,

  and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, who comes to | judge the earth.

 9 The LORD will judge the | world with righteousness

  and the peo- | ples with equity. 

SECOND READING: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

*GOSPEL: Luke 21:5-19

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

5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

 7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place ” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

  9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

  12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

*HYMN OF THE DAY  My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (ELW 597)

* 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

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

God of roots and branches, defend the leaders of your church as they proclaim the gospel using discernment, wisdom, and brave testimony. Keep all the baptized on righteous paths in response to Christ’s call. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of roaring seas, in a world of earthquake, famine, and plague, use your mighty power to nurture the land and all that lives upon it. Restore peoples and places experiencing natural disasters. Strengthen organizations who provide aid to any in crisis. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of victory, among quests for power, guide those in government, courts, law enforcement agencies, and the military. Turn them from war and violence to actions of care that build up the common good. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

God of healing, where injustice and exploitation result in populations that are marginalized or underserved, accompany those abandoned by friends, hurt by family, and harmed by violence or oppression. Care for all who are ill, anxious, or in pain of any kind.  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.

God of new songs, in a congregation of faithful believers, energize us for compassionate service and delight us through worship and inspired prayer. Encourage your people in building equitable community where all are valued. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of every generation, we remember the saints with steadfast love and faithfulness. Confident in Christ’s victory over death, may we be inspired by the example of the faithful. 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 give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ.  You reveal your glory as the glory of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit: equal in majesty, undivided in splendor, one Lord, one God, ever to be adored in your eternal glory.  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  When Peace like a River  (ELW 785)

*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Mothering God, you gathered us to your table and we drank deeply of your grace. Send us out by your Spirit to love our neighbors as ourselves

and proclaim your love in Jesus’ 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.

*CONGREGATION HYMN   O God, Our Help in Ages Past (ELW 632)

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.

Our Financial Response  (September) 

CURRENT

Budgeted costs per month        $   7,263.55

Offering last month        $   5,131.14

Budget required to date (9 months)        $  65,371.95

Total received to date        $  49,736.26

MISSION SUPPORT

Budget required to date (9 months)        $   3,600.00

Total received to date        $   3,427.48

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 EVENTS: 

12/7 Congregational Meeting