WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, and a special
welcome to any who are visitors to our church. Visitors are asked to sign our guest book in the narthex and introduce themselves to the pastor. May God bless you with His love and strengthen you in your faith. Please return whenever the opportunity presents itself.
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Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost November 8, 2020
Liturgy: Matins (pages 219-228)* Hymns: #811, #514, #729
*Hymn 941 in place of the canticle
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THE PSALM—-Ps. 84:1, 9-12; antiphon: Ps. 84:5
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may / lay her young,
at Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King / and my God.
How lovely is Your / dwelling place, O / Lord of hosts!
Behold our shield, / O God;
look on the face of Your a- / nointed!
For a day in the courts is better than a thousand / elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of / wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and / honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk up- / rightly.
O / Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the one who / trusts in You!
Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit;
as it was in the be / ginning,
is now, and will be forever. / Amen.
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may / lay her young,
THE OLD TESTAMENT READING—- Amos 5:18-24 (ESV)
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though
you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look open them. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
THE EPISTLE —-1 Thessallonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. with these words. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
THE HOLY GOSPEL —-Matthew 25:1-13(ESV)
[Jesus said:] “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also saying, “Lord, Lord open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Pastor: Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son to lead home His bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Congregation: AMEN.
* * ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *
ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the Glory of God.
TRI-PARISH CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE MEETING – will be held on Wednesday,
November 11th at 7pm at Bethel.
DRIVE THRU COMMUNION. - We will be offering a drive-thru communion for members of the Tri -Parish who have been worshiping online but who are uneasy about attending in person worship or having the pastor visit their home with the Sacrament. The opportunity will be offered on Monday, November 16th from 1-3pm at Bethel. No appointment is necessary. Arrangements can be made for another time or for a home visit by calling the pastor.
What to expect: You will remain in your car. The pastor, masked, will remain at a distance. You will be given a paper outlining a brief service which will include: Confession and Absolution; Scripture; A Brief Devotional Reflection; Creed; Prayer; and Holy Communion. The elements will be extended to you in a way that maintains distancing. This brief service will be roughly 10minutes in length.
BETHEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS—is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th at 7pm. TRI-PARISH COMMITTEE MEETING - (large group) will meet on Wednesday, November 18th
at 7pm at St. John’s.
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE –is scheduled for Wednesday, November 25th at 7pm at St. John’s. The Tri-Parish “Joyful Noise” Handbell Choir will be performing. Come and hear the beautiful sound of the bells!