INTRODUCTION

The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS   Congregation Meeting December 7th

PRELUDE    Soon and Very Soon

* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity,   one God, whose home is heaven and earth,

whose salvation is sure. Amen.

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

Long-expected God, we confess that we look to ourselves for the peace and security only you can provide. We reach for swords and spears, reluctant to release our grip on the ways of war. We become impatient while waiting and weary of keeping awake. Free us from self-reliance, and teach us to live in harmony with our neighbors. Increase our trust in God’s timing, and awaken us to your advent among us, that we may abound in the hope you have promised. Amen.

God judges us not as we deserve, but according to God’s own righteousness.   You are freed and forgiven, saved by grace, and ready to welcome the Savior. 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.

* GATHERING SONG   My Lord, What a Morning (ELW 438)

FIRST READING: Isaiah 2:1-5

1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

 2 In 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.

  3 Many 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.

 4 He 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.

 5 O 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

11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, 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. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But 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. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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

MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam

* HYMN OF THE DAY Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying (ELW 436)

* 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 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

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

In our waiting and watching, we come to you in prayer, O God, trusting your promise to renew the church, the nations, and the whole creation.

God of the people, we come seeking wisdom and instruction. Uphold and strengthen lay leaders, teachers, deacons, pastors, and bishops. Teach us your ways and lead us in your paths. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of the earth, we seek your goodness in the grandeur of creation. Empower us to care for forests and oceans, as we see you in the world around us. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of the nations, grant wisdom to leaders, judges, and mediators. Cast out words of hate and transform them into words for building up community. Remake implements of war to sow peace. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of healing, bring comfort and strength. We pray for our kindred and companions who are ill or despairing. Surround all with care and consolation.   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. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of new possibilities, when addiction wounds, jealousy tears down, and relationships fray, show us how to journey with one another. Nurture therapists, counselors, and sponsors in their care for others. God of grace,

hear our prayer.

God of all time, build up our lives that we would reflect your grace. At the last, bring us with all the saints to your holy city where peace and goodness make a home. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Draw near to us, O God, as we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel.

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.

   

*BLESSING

May God who comes among us,

Father,   Son, and Holy Spirit,

grant you patience in waiting, peace in the darkness,

and good news to share today and always.

Amen.

* SENDING SONG Rejoice, Rejoice Believers(ELW 244) 

DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Keep awake. Thanks be to God.

There will be a CONGREGATIONAL MEETING following worship on Sunday, December 7.  The purpose of the meeting will be to adopt the budget for year 2026.

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

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.