The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

 Gathered In To Be Called Out

Pentecost begins with a rush–the rushing, life-giving wind of God’s Spirit. Now the latter part of the season of Pentecost centers on the lush green of growth and glorious yellow of harvest. We are constantly reminded that God has inexorably linked the experience of grace to the life and work of human beings.  It is ordinary for the community of faith to be about the work of God’s reign.  It is extraordinary that this labor bears the very power of the cross and resurrection.  This part of the Pentecost season pushes us to see our work as sacramental, an incarnational expression of Christ’s own life, death, and resurrection.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

We remember our baptisms, confess our faithlessness, 

and hear God’s faithful promise of forgiveness

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Pastor: Before God, our rock, our refuge, and our dwelling place,

let us confess our sin.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most Holy and Most Merciful God,

People: you know our failings better than we do.

Some of our sins we know —

the thoughts and words and deeds

against our sisters and brothers.

We are more ready to be forgiven than to forgive others.

Turn us again toward you and toward others.

Guide us again to the water of life,

and renew in us the grace of baptism,

that we may live for you and die in you,

for the sake and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Pastor: You are all children of God.

In the mercy of almighty God,

Jesus Christ was given to die for you,

and through Christ God forgives you all your sin.

With all the faithful in heaven and on earth,

rejoice and be glad,

your sins are forgiven!

People: Amen.

GATHERING

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE

GREETING

Pastor: The grace given to us in Christ Jesus,                                                                          the rich presence of the Holy Spirit living in us,                                                      and the power of God who calls us with a holy calling be with you all.

People: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY        

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 Saviour and Lord.  Amen.

First Reading

Malachi 4:1-2a

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. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 

Second Reading                                                                                              

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13                                                                                                     

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

Gospel Reading                                                                                                Luke 21:5-19                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘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.’ 

They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ 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. 

‘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.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 

‘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. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. 

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“When Peace Like a River”

[click on the link below]

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, 

When sorrows like sea billows roll; 

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say: 

“It is well, it is well, with my soul.” 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 

let this blest assurance control, 

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, 

and hath shed His own blood for my soul. 

He liveth the bliss of this glorious thought; 

my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, 

and I bear it no more. 

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul. 

Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight, 

the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; 

the trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend, 

even so, it is well with my soul. 

 Refrain: It is well, (it is well), 

With my soul, (with my soul) 

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

NICENE CREED  (recited on festival Sundays)

Pastor: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.

All: 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.

TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS

Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Audrey Hedlin,  Mona Neher, Oma Ywo, Owen Peterson, Helga Halldorsdottir, Evaline Sanders, the family of Norm Gregory,  the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of Helen Neher (Carol Sarich’s mother), the family of John Beaven (Bev Gregory’s brother), and the family of Carl Rausch.  Lakeland Lutheran Church in Coldlake, AB whose building was damaged by fire.

We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the children and people buried in unmarked graves at residential schools and First Nation lands, and all those who have suffered the trauma of residential schools, the victims, injured, families and communities of James Smith Cree Nation and the village of Weldon who have experienced tragic murders and stabbings, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the Palestinians and Israelis, Ethiopia, Myanmar and the Rohingya Muslim refugees, Lebanon, the 36 children and adults murdered at a Daycare Centre in Thailand and their families and community, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the 100 million refugees and displaced persons, the people of Haiti suffering from earthquake, hurricane, and political disasters, Pakistan devastated by torrential rains and flooding, the people of Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada and Newfoundland pummeled by hurricane Fiona, those in Cuba, Florida, North and South Carolina buffeted by hurricane Ian.,those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community still threatened by the coronavirus and the omicron variant.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH

 [The congregational response after each petition is:“CAUSE YOUR FRUITS OF LOVE TO ABOUND.”]

Pastor:  With confidence in God’s saving grace, let us pray to the Lord of the Harvest for the Church, the world, and the needs of all people everywhere, saying, “God, in your goodness,” and responding, “Cause your fruits of love to abound.”

Petitioner:  Loving God, we do not know the way to you, but in Christ, through your Word, through baptism, and through your Supper you conform us to Christ and call us into the world for faithful service.  Without your grace we are left with only our own efforts.  Release us from all attempts to save ourselves, and renew in us a trust in the death and resurrection of Christ for us and for our salvation.   God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:   Faithful God, without the pervasive presence of your Spirit we are left with only ourselves.  Motivate and equip us to use your gifts and our abilities to the fullest, inspire our serving and care-taking, that we might be trustworthy in all things and that the goodness of your creation will be made to multiply for all people and all creation.  God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  God of reconciliation, you call us to be agents of reconciliation in a divided world.  Help us to cherish, celebrate and restore your life-giving gift of creation, to heal relationships that have been broken through our neglect, and to love all people, and to dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made.  God, in your goodness …

Pastor:   God of healing, without your abundance we are left with only our need.  Fill the emptiness of all who suffer illness, pain, loneliness, depression, addictions, conflict, abuse, or grief.  We remember especially before you …   Fill them with your overflowing compassion, deliver them from their distress and restore them to serve and praise you.  God, in your goodness…

Petitioner:  God of justice and wisdom, without your mercy we are left with only our fear.  Look upon the efforts of local, provincial, national, and international leaders to bring security, peace, and solace to all caught in war, violence, unemployment and financial despair.   God, in your goodness…  

Petitioner:  Good and gracious God, we pray for all people who struggle daily for food, employment, shelter, and safety.  We remember especially the displaced and the refugees  ravaged by violence, lovelessness, and injustice.  Give to all guidance in uncertain times, endurance in hardship, and hope in a future when the needs of life will be met.  God, in your goodness …

Petitioner:  Sustaining God, we pray for your Spirit as we count our days together in this community.  Without your generosity we are left with only our own resources.  Encourage and support us in our weekly gathering around your means of grace. Open our hearts to your extravagance in our lives, that our mission would be uplifted by cheerful givers and faithful stewards.  God, in your goodness…

Pastor: Teach us to pray, O God, and grant us wisdom in our asking, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

People:  Amen.

THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE

Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you always.

People: And also with you.

(The congregation greets one another with a gesture of peace, using these or similar words:
“Christ’s peace be with you.”)

THE OFFERING

(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Pastor:: Let us pray.
God of harvest,

People: to your table we bring wine and bread,

and gifts from the labor of our hands.

Receive the offering of our lives,

and feed us with your living bread from heaven,

that our lives may proclaim your care for all creation,

and that we may serve others in your name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Pastor: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Saviour gave us:

People: Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

  on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

  who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Almighty God, 

who makes all things new in Jesus Christ,

uphold you by the Spirit in times of trial, 

and give you peace, now, and always.

People: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

“Soon and Very Soon”

[click on the link below]

DISMISSAL 

Pastor: Go in peace.

Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you

People: Thanks be to God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY AT KOG  

THIS WEEK AT KOG

COMING UP AT KOG                                                                                                                                                                 – Sunday, November 20, Blessing of Quilts                                                                          – Wednesday, November 23, Church Council meeting 7:30 p.m. via Zoom                        – Saturday, November 26, Men’s Breakfast Out, 8:30 a.m.                                            – Sunday, December 4, Advent Potluck at 5:00 p.m.                                                     – Sunday, December 4,  Congregational Budget meeting

October, November, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG

2022 Budget:  $48,854       Monthly Budget:  $4,071.17     Weekly Budget:  $939.50

2022 income/expenses: $3,954.06

September income/expenses: -$2,046.31

Weekly contributions for October:  October 2: $940  October 16: $460.00

October 30 : $620.00

Weekly contributions for November:  November 6: $1170.00

Thank you Pat and Carol Sarich for hosting the Coffee Social on November 6.

One of King of Glory’s service projects for the year is support of the Alzheimer’s Society.  Church Council has designated the Sundays in November for  a free will offering to be collected for the Alzheimer Society.  Please give generously.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are calling on Canadians to pray for those affected by the flooding in Pakistan, and to give generously to support their urgent humanitarian needs, as the Government of Canada announces a special matching fund for donations in response to this tragedy. 

Please give what you can by donating at clwr.org/pakistan or by calling 1-800-661-2597 (office hours Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm), and pray for all those who are affected by the flooding. 

Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are calling on all Canadians to pray for those suffering from the war in Ukraine and through the current hunger crisis, and to give generously in support of the needs of all those affected. You can donate at clwr.org/hungercrisis or by calling 1-800-661-2597 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm CST) and with the 1:1 matching fund provided by the Canadian government, the impact of your gift will increase further still. 

Offerings.  

Even though we are not all meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them.  Church Council has decided that the best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.

Send your contributions to:  King of Glory Lutheran Church

    3318 Merritt Street

    Saskatoon, SK  S7M 3P6

Thank you for your generosity.

Checklist and Guidelines for Worship Services

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc before the service

Disinfect/sanitize washrooms if used

One person preps worship materials [pastor]

Six feet distancing recommended

No sharing of pencils, pens, etc.

Open doors and windows if possible

Use/wear face masks, optional, but recommended

Hand sanitizer available

No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)

Communion procedure: distribution in a way that maintains physical distancing

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service