GREENFIELD LUTHERAN CHURCH 23rd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sunday, November 16, 2025 ~ 9:00 AM

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

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

(Silence for reflection)

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

 

CHILDREN’S CHOIR: THY WORD

 

APOSTOLIC GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.   And also with you. 

 

KYRIE page 147-148 (front of hymnal)

HYMN OF PRAISE page 149-150

 

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.

 

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. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

 

PSALM: PSALM 98(please read responsively)

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, rejoice, 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 peoples 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. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

 

GOSPEL:  LUKE 21:5-19

The Holy Gospel according to Luke the 21^st Chapter. 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.

 

SERMON                                                                                                                                                                                           PASTOR KURT BOCKOVEN

 

HYMN OF THE DAY: 785 WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER (v.1-3)

 

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 (please answer “Hear Our Prayer”)

PASSING OF THE PEACE

 

OFFERATORY

 

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray: God of healing and hope, you bless those who are hungry, promising to fill them with good things. Fulfill that promise through us and these your gifts. Nourish us with the abundance of your feast and unite us into the blessed body of Jesus Christ our Savior, now and forever. Amen.

 

HOLY COMMUNION / LORD’S PRAYER

The Lord be with you.   And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.   We lift them 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… and join their unending hymn: (Please sing:153)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

In the night he was betrayed…. Do this for the remembrance of me… Our Father who art in heaven….

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

There is a place for you at the table of God. Come, receive the food that does not perish, a taste of life eternal.

(All who hunger for God’s grace are welcome at this meal. White grape juice and gluten free wafers are available for those who need them. Children who have not had first communion training are welcome to come for a blessing.)

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray: God of field and flower, wheat and grape, you have nourished us with the bread of heaven that gives life to the world. Strengthened by the body and blood of your Son, send us out to gather your good gifts for all who hunger and thirst, and embolden us to love and serve in Christ’s 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

 

CLOSING HYMN: #439 SOON AND VERY SOON (v.1, 2 and 4)

SINGING

 

DISMISSAL Go in peace. Share the harvest. Thanks be to God.

 

 

Welcome Guests! We’re so glad you’re here!

A BIG THANK YOU to our fantastic Holiday Bazaar Committee!

And to all who donated, helped or contributed to the 2^nd Annual Holiday Bazaar!

We appreciate all your dedication and hard work.

 

• ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE Nov. 22 AT 4 PM. Greenfield hosts this special service that will include Special Music from the duo Weber/St. John, piano and violin. All are Welcome!! Please come enjoy this special service.
• CONFIRMATION Wednesdays 6 pm meal, 6:30 pm class.
• BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays at Gabby Lou’s 8:15 am.
• We love when you share your musical talents. It is always so appreciated, and with the holidays just around the corner we are asking you to share your talents, vocally, instrumentally, and really anything musically. We would love to make our 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Service extra special with your help. Please reach out to Reagan with your thoughts, ideas and inspiration!

 

 

 

Thank You to Our Assistants: Blagsvedt Family as Ushers/Helpers with Charlie as Acolyte. Krage Family as Ushers/Helpers with Cullen as Acolyte. Ross Kiehne as Video, Matt Anderson and MaryBeth Ostrom for Offering Counters. Reagan Rose Piano. Drucie Milne and Susan Haugland for Altar Guild.

 

Please Remember Our Homebound and Senior Care Residents: Merle Roelofs, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Mel Mikkelson.

 

Please Keep in Prayers: Carole Engen, Lu Ommen, Amy Timmerman, Jim Harstad.

 

Liturgy taken from sundaysandseasons.com.  Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress.  All rights reserved.  Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB134626.  CCLI Streaming License #20959486

 

GREENFIELD LUTHERAN CHURCH ~ 507-886-3272  office@greenfieldlutheran.com