LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR November 21, 2021
ORDER OF WORSHIP: LSB — Divine Service Setting Three, pgs. 184ff
HYMNS: 693 - 516 - (619 - 663) - 525
SERMON: “Stay Awake” TEXT: Mark 13:37
With You, O Lord, I cast my lot;
O faithful God, forsake me not,
To You my soul commending.
Lord, be my stay,
And lead the way
Now and when life is ending.
(LSB, #734, st. 4)
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:
“Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits Your house,
O Lord, forevermore” (Psalm 93:5).
▪ Thanksgiving to God for His mercy to us for Jesus’ sake and for every gift of daily bread to us.
▪ For healing from the Lord for Cindy Fowler as she recovers from surgery last week; for the Lord’s strength and help for all who are in times of weakness, illness, or injury.
▪ For the peace of Jesus the Savior upon those who are lonely, and those in depression, distress, or despair, and for His help for those struggling with addiction.
▪ For safety in travel as many will be visiting family and friends for an observance of Thanksgiving.
THANKSGIVING EVE VESPERS . . . Worship will be held at St. Paul this Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.
WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD with Jim Jorns as he celebrates his 90th birthday on Friday of this week. Cards may be sent to him at: 2261 Meadowlark Rd., Manhattan, KS 66502.
THE ANNUAL LADIES' AID Christmas Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 2nd, 11:45 a.m. at St. Paul. All ladies are welcome. If you have a friend or neighbor who would enjoy a meal and hearing God’s Word from Luke chapter 2, please consider bringing her with you! Ham, bread, and drinks will be provided. Attendees are welcome to bring a favorite family Christmas dish to share. Please call or text if you have any questions--Donna, 620-546-4764 or Barb, 620-388-1385.
THIS MORNING IN THE DIVINE SERVICE we celebrate the Sacrament of the Altar in which the Lord gives the gifts to us of His body and blood for our forgiveness, life, and salvation. With deep love for God’s Word and respect for the fellowship of faith in confessing His Word, we practice closed communion.
As the Scriptures teach, we receive in this Sacrament both the bread and wine and the true body and blood of Jesus Christ given and shed on His cross (1 Cor. 10:16; 11:27). We are also instructed: “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28).
Visitors to our congregation today who desire to receive the Lord’s Supper should speak with the pastor before the service. To those joining in Holy Communion from a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and having visited with the pastor, please fill out an attendance card that we may inform your congregation of your communion with us.
ATTENDANCE/COMMUNION CARDS are located in the hymnal racks on the back of the pews. Please fill out appropriate information on the front and back of the card and leave in the offering plates at the back of the church. Thank you.
What? Cookie Walk for Missions - When? Sunday, December 5th . . . You are invited to come downstairs after worship and fill a box with delicious homemade cookies. This year's "Adopt a Student" is David Schotte, Fort Wayne Seminary. Volunteer Cookie Bakers--please put 2 cookies in each ziploc bag and take them to the church basement by 9:45 a.m. on that day. Thank you. History of the "Ladies' Aid Cookie Walk—For many years the Ladies' Aid group baked the cookies and members supported this mission by purchasing a plate of cookies. Over the years as our group number grew smaller, the Bethany Guild group and other ladies at St. Paul joined our efforts baking cookies for missions. What a BONUS! More delicious varieties! Thank you to all cookie bakers for continuing to support this worthy project. You are appreciated.
THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY of St. Paul Church is just around the corner. There have been some suggestions that our church home could use some sprucing up before the anniversary. It would be helpful if in the next couple of months a proposal for updates can be put together so priorities can be set. From such proposals a plan including a timeline and budget can be set and submitted to the church membership for consideration. On December 7, 2021 at 6 pm in the church basement there is going to be a "brainstorming" session where ideas can be submitted for consideration. Supper will be served. If you have ideas for what needs to be updated, but cannot be at the meeting on December 7, write out your ideas and leave them in the church office. Hope to see a good crowd on December 7.
HEAD USHER: Gary McGuire ALTAR COMMITTEE: Jan Jorns
USHERS: Lisa Petrowsky Heather Van Slyke
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH EQUIPS, ENABLES, AND ENCOURAGES ITS MEMBERS TO GROW IN FAITH AND SHARE CHRIST’S LOVE WITH ALL PEOPLE.
TODAY - 8:00 am – The Lutheran Hour, KGNO (Dodge City, 1370 AM)
8:00 am – The Lutheran Hour, KCVW (Wichita, Hutch., 94.3
8:25 am – The Lutheran Hour, KMMM (Pratt, 1290 AM)
8:30 am – The Lutheran Hour, KWBW (Hutchinson, 1450 AM)
10:00 am – St. Paul Radio Broadcast, KMMM (Pratt, 1290 AM)
6:00 pm – The Lutheran Hour, KREJ (88.1FM)
MONDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am – Secretary’s office hours
TUESDAY - 9 am - 2 pm - Ladies Quilt Group
5:00 - 6:30 pm – Bread of Life Community Kitchen open – Pratt
WEDNESDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am – Secretary’s office hours
7:00 pm - Thanksgiving Eve Worship
FRIDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am - Secretary’s office hours
SUNDAY - 9:00 am - Combined Sunday School Breakfast
10:00 am - Divine Service
THE LUTHERAN HOUR – “Between Now and Eternity There Is Much to Do!” In Christ, God forgives our past and secures our future. Guest speaker Dr. Hector Hoppe says, here in the present, there is much we can do. (Jude 1:20-25)
COME FOR BREAKFAST next Sunday at St. Paul during our Sunday School hour at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome.
LADIES OF ST. PAUL please come gather at Kathie Thurman’s house at 316 Grove in Pratt, on Thursday, December 2nd, 5-8 pm, to celebrate the Advent of our Lord. Bring a friend to enjoy the food and fun with us.
THANK YOU to Shan and Shelley Hullman for welcoming the Midweek students, parents and congregation to their home for an enjoyable evening of bonfire, hot dogs and s’mores. Also, thank you to Marianne McGuire for a fun hayride through the countryside. The evening was clear and the weather, time in devotion and friendship so pleasant. Thanks be to God!
About the Cover: On the Last Sunday of the Church Year, we turn to the Last Day, when the Lord will bring to completion all things. This is not a day to dread, however. It is the day that we long for with eager anticipation. It is the sight all will behold as our crucified and risen Lord and King comes in glory. Every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). As Martin Luther said in his explanation of the Third Article, “On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.”
OLD TESTAMENT READING - Isaiah 51:4-6
EPISTLE - Jude 20-25
HOLY GOSPEL - 13:24-37