Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
14722 Morris Ave, Allen Park, MI 48101 (313) 429-3085
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - English District
Rev. Joel M. Holls, Pastor
christourredeemerlutheran.com
THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
November 19, 2023
Divine Service Setting Three - Page 184
PROPER 28
As We Gather: The Last Day may come soon, but in the meantime, many people are neglecting to use their abilities and opportunities for God’s purposes. Zephaniah writes that it will be a day of wrath and mourning. But for those who have realized God’s blessings over the years, as Psalm 90 recalls, though the times are mean, each day is an opportunity to “encourage one another and build one another up” (I Thessalonians 5:11). Today is an opportunity to hear God’s very gracious Word, “well done!” and be strengthened to respond by using the talents He has loaned to us.
Prayers for Worship: Inside the front cover of our hymnal are short prayers to use before and after worship, before confession, before and after communing, and for blessing on the Word. We encourage you to look to these prayers as another way to enhance your relationship with our Lord.
The Opening Hymn:
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” LSB 338
The Confession and Absolution page 184
The Introit Psalm 143:2,5-6,10-11; antiphon: v.1
LORD, listen to my prayer, hear my plea;
You are faithful and righteous - answer me!
Do not bring Your servant into court
because no one living is righteous before You.
I remember the days of long ago, think of all You have done,
and meditate on what Your hands have made.
I spread out my hands to You,
longing for You like thirsty ground.
Teach me to do what You want - You are my God.
May Your good Spirit lead me on even ground.
To honor Your name, Lord, give me a new life.
You are righteous - get me out of trouble.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
LORD, listen to my prayer, hear my plea;
You are faithful and righteous - answer me!
Continue with the Kyrie page 186
The Old Testament Reading Zephaniah 1:7-16
Be silent before the LORD God, because the day of the LORD is near, and the LORD has prepared a sacrifice. He has invited guests and consecrated them..
On the day of the LORD'S sacrifice I will punish the officials, and the king's sons, and all who dress in foreign fashion.
On that day I will punish all who jump over the threshold to fill their masters’ palace with crime and cheating.
On that day, says the Lord, a cry will come from Fish Gate and a wailing from the new part of the city, and a loud crash will echo from the hills.
“Weep, you who live in the Mortar because all the merchants will be wiped out and all who weigh out silver will be destroyed.
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those the men who feel satisfied with their dregs, thinking that the LORD does not do anything good or bad.
Their wealth will be taken as plunder, and their homes turn to ruins. They built houses, but they will not live in them. They planted vineyards, but they will not drink any wine from them.”
The Lord’s great day is near. It is near and coming closer. The sound of the day of the Lord is bitter, the shriek of the warrior is horrible.
That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and anguish, a day of wreck and ruin, a day of darkness and
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gloom, a day of clouds and fog, a day of trumpet blowing and battle cries against the fortified towns and the corner towers.
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
The Gradual Revelation 7:14b; Psalm 84:5
These are the people who have come through great suffering, who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Blessed are those whose refuge is in You; their minds are on the road that leads to You.
The Epistle Reading: I Thessalonians 5:1-11
You do not need anyone to write and tell you exactly when things will happen, my fellow Christians, because you know very well the Lord’s day will come just like a thief in the night. When people say, “All is well and safe!” then destruction will come on them suddenly like pains on a woman who is going to have a baby, and they will not escape. But you, my fellow Christians, are not in the dark that you should let that day take you by surprise like a thief. You are all the children of light and of the day. We have nothing to do with night and darkness. Let us not sleep, then, like others, but be awake and sober. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But let us who live in the daylight be sober and put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. God did not appoint us to be punished by His anger but to be saved by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we may with Him. Then encourage one another and strengthen one another just as you are doing.
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
The Alleluia
The Holy Gospel Reading Matthew 25:14-30
P: The Holy Gospel selection is recorded by the Gospel writer Matthew, in the 25th chapter, with the 14th verse.
C: Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
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Jesus said, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a man going on a trip. He called his servants and put his money in their hands. He gave one man $10,000, another $4,000, and another $2,000, each according to his ability. Then he left.
“The one who received $10,000 immediately went out and put it into business and made another $10,000. The one who had $4,000 did the same and made another $4,000. But the one who received $2,000 went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
“After a long time the master of those servants came and had them give an account. The one who received $10,000 came and brought another $10,000. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you let me have $10,000. See, I made another $10,000.'
“Well done, good and faithful servant!’ his master answered him. You proved you could be trusted with a little. I will put you in charge of something big. Come and share in your master's happiness.'
“The one who received $4,000 came and said, ‘Master, you let me have $4,000 dollars. See, I have made another $4,000.'
“Well done, good and faithful servant!’ his master answered him. You proved you could be trusted with a little. I will put you in charge of something big. Come and share your master's happiness.'
“Then came also the one who received $2,000. “Master,’ he said, ‘I found out that you are a hard man. You get grain where you did not sow, and gather where you did not scatter. I was afraid, so I went and hid your $2,000 in the ground. There is your money!'
“‘You wicked and lazy servant!’ his master answered him. You knew I get grain where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter. Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and when I came back, I could have
received my money back with interest. Take the $2,000
away from him and give it to the one who has $10,000. Whoever has anything will receive, and so he will have more and more. And from him who does not have what he should have, even what he has will be taken away. Throw this good-for-nothing servant out into the dark, where there will be crying and grinding of teeth.'
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P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
The Creed The Apostles’ Creed page 192
The Hymn of the Day:
“The Day Is Surely Drawing Near” LSB 508 vs.1-4, 7
The Sermon
The Offering & the Offertory page 192
The Prayers of the Church
We pray for those in need.
(After our petitions) Lord in Your mercy hear our prayer.
We give thanks to You, O Lord, and call upon Your name.
We sing Your praises as we tell of Your wonderful works.
We seek Your strength and desire Your presence continually.
We remember the wonderful works You have done and the judgments You have uttered.
Again and again You have demonstrated in the world’s history that nations who forget You and act contrary to Your will fall under Your judgment.
We confess, O Lord, that our nation is not without guilt.
If You were to deal with us in justice,
we too would fall under Your judgment.
Therefore we do not ask that You deal with us justly, but we appeal to Your mercy.
For the sake of Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ, we ask You to blot out our transgressions and remember our sins no more.
You have not revealed the day and the hour when Christ
will come again to judge the world.
Keep us steadfast in the faith by Your Spirit.
Give us zeal to proclaim the Gospel of Your kingdom throughout the world as a testimony to all nations.
May we be among those who will endure unto the end and thus be saved.
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Extend Your healing hand to the sick, Your presence to the lonely, Your hope to the discouraged, and Your comfort to the bereaved.
May Your peace spread throughout the councils of nations.
Grant harmony to Your Church on Earth that Your will may be accomplished.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Continue with the Service of the Sacrament page 194
Hymn during The Distribution:
“Your Table I Approach” LSB 628
The Nunc Dimittis page 199
The Closing Hymn:
“Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” LSB 563
Welcome to Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
We are happy that you have joined us today. Our hope is that you enjoyed the service and were inspired by God’s Word, that you will join us again very soon. If you are interested in membership, please talk to Pastor Holls or
one of our Elders.
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Daily Readings this week are in our hymnal, page 303, beginning today. If you can’t be with us, follow Divine Service 3 on page 184.
Lectionary Readings for next Sunday, the Twenty-sixth
Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 29, are on page xv, at the front of the hymnal. These are our Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel readings to preview for our worship next Sunday, November 26th.
Prayer List: Russ, Margie, Landon, Sheryl, Leda, Martha, Bill, Jody, Shirley W, Carrie, Glenn, Matthew, Scottie, Steve, Andy, Terry, Samson, Buddy, Vicki. If you need someone on this permanent prayer list or they can be taken off, please see Sarah Lange.
Free Will Offering Those who wish to give an offering,
The offering plate is located at the entrance by the organ. Offerings, donations, and envelopes can be placed there.