Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
November 12, 2017
American Lutheran Church
“Committed to Love and to Serve”
905 East First Street u Gibson City, Illinois 60936 u (217) 784-4841
Pastor Jim Davis
Parsonage: (217) 784-5444 u Cell: (309) 826-4968
Krysti Brucker, Organist u Gerry Gallagher, Secretary
A member of Servant’s United Parish u God’s work ~ Our hands!
Community Lutheran, Cornell & St. Peter’s Lutheran, Dwight
Primarily Served by Pastors Jim Davis and Ed Hudelson
Trinity Lutheran, Chenoa & St. John’s Lutheran, Anchor
Primarily Served by Pastor Ed Hudelson
St. John’s Lutheran, Sibley
Primarily Served by Pastor Jim Davis
“P” indicates Pastor / “A” indicates Assisting Minister / “R” indicates Reader
Bold text with a “C” indicates Congregational response
PRELUDE
WELCOME
Please stand in body or in spirit.
HYMN – My Lord, What a Morning – Blue 627
GREETING
A: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.
KYRIE
KYRIE
PRAYER OF
PRAYER OF THE DAY
A: Let us pray: C: O God of justice and love, you light our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, and awaken us to the needs of others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A: Please be seated and have the children come forward for their sermon.
SERMON FOR CHILDREN
PSALM 70
R: Let’s read Psalm 70 responsively:
1Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
2Let those who seek my life be put to shame and confounded; let those who take pleasure in my misfortune draw back and be disgraced.
3Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me, turn back because of their shame.
4Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation say forever, “Great is the Lord!”
5But as for me, I am poor and needy; come to me quickly, O God. You are my
helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.
R: Word of God, word of life! C: Praise to you, O Christ!
GOSPEL READING – Matthew 25:1-13
R: Please stand in body or in spirit . . . Our Gospel Reading is from the
Twenty-Fifth Chapter of Matthew:
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
R: This is the Word of our Lord. C: Thanks be to God! R: Please be seated.
SERMON – Prepare for the Worst – or the Best?
HYMN – When Peace, like a River – Green 346
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
A: Welcoming God’s reign of righteousness and mercy, let us pray with people of every time and place.
A: Lord, in your mercy ...... C: hear our prayer.
A: Receive these prayers and the hopes and concerns of our hearts, O God, as we entrust into your loving care all for whom we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen.
PEOPLE IN OUR PRAYERS
Dick Anstrom, father of Rich Anstrom is a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
Jerry Biggart, nephew of Bette Mohart continues to recover from a motorcycle
accident and 3 subsequent surgeries.
Carol Boyle is undergoing physical therapy at Heartland Healthcare in Paxton.
Adam Brerhorst, an 18-year-old good friend of Gary & Sharon Stroh’s grandson
Adam, is recovering from a foot amputation and undergoing chemotherapy.
Carrie Breum, grand-daughter of Frank & Margaret Stocker is teaching in Asia.
Isaac Brucker is serving in the U.S. Army in Fort Lee, Virginia.
Lisa Buhs, daughter-in-law of Judy Buhs is battling MS.
David Carstens, brother of Carol Carlson suffers from heart and COPD problems.
Carly Chase is an 8-year-old girl on maintenance chemo. Her twin brother is a former
student of Kelly Tompkins.
Kim Cooper, granddaughter of Camilla Lohmeyer is fighting an aggressive cancer.
Emma Couillard, mother of Jeanette Bartells has health concerns.
Mandy Darbutt, an employee of Holly Brook, is preparing for additional foot surgery.
Cynthia Davis is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
Larry Dodds, President of Servants United Council, is recovering from knee
replacement surgery.
Heather Eisenhardt, grand-daughter of Bette Mohart is serving in the U.S. Navy at
Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago.
Judy Friedlein, a long-time friend of Pastor Jim is battling cancer.
Brian Grady, past Scoutmaster of Isaac Brucker, has pancreatic cancer.
Herb Green has health concerns.
Alex Happ, grandson of Carol Carlson is serving in the U.S. Marines, and suffers
from constant migraines.
Chuck Hay continues physical therapy on his broken knee and lower leg bones. His
wife, Nancy, is caregiver for Chuck and her father, Lou Wahls.
Pastor Kurt & Barbara Hoover as they relocate to Iowa.
Dwayne & Barb Horsch continue to restore their home from a house fire.
Denise Horton, a family friend of Molly Schroader is fighting cancer.
Dale Jones is a resident of Heritage Healthcare battling dementia.
Ada Kennedy is a resident of Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
Liz Zalaker Laurie, sister of Mike Zalaker is fighting illness.
Curtis Lindsey, grandson of Becki Reinhart has health concerns.
Patricia Lindsey, a neighbor of Gary Keim, is battling cancer.
Nancy List is a resident of the Gibson Area Hospital Annex.
Leona Mulvaney, grandmother of Amy Doman, suffers from congestive heart failure
and depression.
Pastor Dennis Norton of First Baptist Church is fighting a rare lung disease. He is
raising 4 young children with his wife, Linda.
Joann Reinhart is a resident of Heritage Healthcare battling dementia.
Marilyn Riblet is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
Servants United Parish as it is being formed to the glory of God.
Jim Spangler has health concerns.
Gary Stroh continues to undergo physical therapy for his healing femur and knee.
Mary Timm has health concerns.
Joan Tjarks is recovering from a fall at Heartland Healthcare in Paxton.
Daelin Tolan, a grade school student from Colfax, has an inoperable brain tumor.
Ericka Wahls, niece of Chuck and Nancy Hay, is battling heart problems.
Lou Wahls, father of Nancy Hay is a resident of Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.
SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
A: May the peace of our Lord be with you always! C: And also with you!
A: Let us share a sign of God’s peace with one another . . .
Please be seated for our offering.
Please fill out an Attendance Card and place it in the offering plate!
This will help us keep accurate records. It is also an opportunity to share notes or prayer requests with Pastor, and to update your contact information.
OFFERING – All we have is from God. We respond by sharing what God has
given us.
Please stand in body or in spirit as our offerings are brought forward.
OFFERING RESPONSE – As the Grains of Wheat
Refrain: As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
So may all your people from all the ends of earth,
be gathered into one in you.
1. As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain
Text: Didache, 2nd cent.; Marty Haugen, b. 1950
OFFERING PRAYER
A: Let us pray together: C: Creator God, you made everything, and you provide for every need. The bread we break and the wine we pour come from you. As we eat and drink with thanksgiving, fill us with your love; let that love flow through us to others; and join us to the saints before us in a holy and boundless communion; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave
thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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 glory, forever and ever. Amen
Please be seated.
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
COMMUNION ANTHEM – A Mighty Fortress – Promise Keepers
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
P: Let us pray together: C: Sovereign God, in this meal you give us a foretaste of the great feast to come. Keep us faithful to you, that we, with all your saints, may at length celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Announcements – Please use the microphone!
blessing
P: The love of God surround you; the grace of ☩ Christ release you; and the Holy Spirit be your guide and strength, now and forevermore. C: Amen.
HYMN – This Little Light of Mine
1. This little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
this little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
this little light of mine, I'm goin'-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
2. Ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin'-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
3. Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine;
Jesus gave it to me, I'm goin'-a let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Text: African American spiritual
DISMISSAL
A: Led on by the saints before us, go in peace to serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Worship Assistants – November
Head Usher – Kevin DeFries / Assistant Usher – Dave Gregerson
Altar Guild – Lisa Gregerson, Mary Tompkins, Julie DeFries
Nov. 12th Nov. 19th – Thankoffering Sunday
Coffee/Refreshments – Jan Gill Coffee/Refreshments –
Acolytes – Lindsey & Halie Heinz Acolyte – Willy Stevenson
Greeters – Gary & Sharon Stroh Greeters – Tobie & Darcy Thompson
Asst. Minister – Margaret Stocker Asst. Minister – Kim Brucker
Reader – Jewel Lewis Reader – Jan Gill
Comm. Assts. – Jewel Lewis and Comm. Assts. – Willy Stevenson and
Rodney Schrack Sharon Nunamaker
Offering Counter – Jan Gill Offering Counter – April Nettleton
Sound Tech – Ron Andris Sound Tech – Tom Brucker
Upcoming Events for this week:
November 12 Ponderosa 4-H Club – Parish Hall – 3:00 pm
Confirmation – Trinity, Fairbury – 4:00 – 6:00 pm
November 13 December Newsletter Deadline – noon
November 14 Bible Study – Villas of Holly Brook – 2:30 pm
ELCA Mission Support Symposium – St. John’s, Bloomington –
6:30 – 8:30 pm
November 15 Community Round Table – Moyer Library – 1:00 pm
Worship with Holy Communion – Heritage Healthcare – 2:00 pm
Church Council Meeting – 6:30 pm
November 16 Community Pastor’s Meeting – 8:00 am
November 17-18: ELCA Leadership Conference for New Parishes – Chicago
November 18 Lighted Christmas Parade
November 19 Moments of Grace – WGCY Radio – 106.3 FM – 7:30 – 7:45 am
Worship – WELCA Thankoffering Service / Baptism of
Arabella Elizabeth Spinelli – 10:30 am
We will soon be printing a new Church Directory – so please provide Gerry with any updates – street addresses, cell phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. – so we have your current contact information. Thank you!
Foundations of Faith (Sunday School) is meeting on the following Sundays from 9:15 – 10:15 am: November 12th; and December 3rd & 17th, 2017. January 21st; February 4th & 25th; March 11th; April 8th & 22nd; and May 6th, 2018.