ZION LUTHERAN MINISTRIES

Church + School + Childcare

M e nom on ee Fa l l s , W I ( LC MS )

www. z i on i n t he fa l l s .o r g

Second-Last Sunday of the Church Year (The Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost)

9:00 AM

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Z I O N L U T H E R A N M I N I S T R I E S CH U R C H + SC H O O L + CH I L D C A R E

N48 W18700 Lisbon Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

www.zioninthefalls.com (LCMS) 262-781-8133 (Church)

262-781-7437 (School) / 262-781-6719 (Child Care)

Rev. Michael D. Pfingsten, Pastor

“Extending the Mission and Ministry of the Risen Christ to All People”

Second-Last Sunday of the Church Year (Proper 28 A) 9:00 AM, Sunday, November 15, 2020

WE WELCOME you to our service today, we THANK you for worshipping with us, and we INVITE all of

you -- most especially our visitors – to return here each and every Sunday as we worship and glorify the God of our salvation! If you are new to the area and/or do not now have a church home, we invite you to speak with Pastor concerning church membership.

ABOUT TODAY’S SERVICE: Next Sunday is the LAST Sunday of the Church Year. In these final weeks the emphasis of our readings

switches from the Pentecost teachings of Jesus to the End Times last coming of Jesus. See how today’s readings reflect this: The OT lesson says “The great day of the Lord is near, and hastening fast;” the Epistle reading says “sudden destruction will come;” and the Gospel lesson is the Parable of the Talents … a reminder that God is returning and we are to be found using the gifts He has entrusted to us.

ORDER OF WORSHIP

PART ONE -- PREPARATION

Bells, Pastoral Welcome, Announcements

OPENING HYMN: “O Worship the King” # 804 (vss. 1-4)

1 O worship the King, all-glorious above. O gratefully sing His pow’r and His love; Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2 O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

3 This earth, with its store of wonders untold,

Almighty, Thy pow’r hath founded of old, Established it fast by a changeless decree, And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

4 Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light, It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Public domain

INVOCATION: [spoken]

Leader: In the name of the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People: Amen.

CONFESSION: [spoken]

Leader: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us and cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

Leader: So let us then confess our sin to God our Father...

People: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Leader: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People: Amen.

PART TWO – SERVICE OF THE WORD

INTROIT (Entrance Psalm): Psalm 143:1, 5-6, 10-11 (antiphon: Rev. 714b, Ps. 84:5)

Pastor: Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! People: In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

Pastor: Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. People: I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of

your hands.

Pastor: I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

People: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Pastor: For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! People: In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!

Pastor: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; People: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Pastor: Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! People: In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

KYRIE (“Lord, Have Mercy”) ♪♪ p. 168-169

Pastor: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Pastor: For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.

Pastor: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity

of all let us pray to the Lord.

Pastor: For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the

Lord.

Pastor: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

HYMN OF PRAISE: “Glory to God in the Highest” ♪♪ p. 170

Pastor: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

Continued on next page

SALUTATION and COLLECT [Prayer] OF THE DAY: ♪♪ p. 172

Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray....

Almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Dispel from us the works of darkness and grant us to live in the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, that our faith may never be found wanting; this we ask through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Zephaniah 1:7–16 The Last Day will be a day of judgment and wrath

7Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.

8And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice— “I will punish the officials and the king’s sons and all who array themselves in foreign attire. 9On that day I will punish everyone who leaps over the threshold, and those who fill their master’s house with violence and fraud.

10“On that day,” declares the LORD, “a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, a loud crash from the hills. 11Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar! For all the traders are no more; all who weigh out silver are cut off.

12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.’

13Their goods shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them.”

14The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.

15A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

EPISTLE LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Destruction will come, but God wants to save us

1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

ALLELUIA & VERSE p. 173

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 25:14–30 The Parable of the Talents – This will be the sermon text

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-fifth chapter. People: Glory to you, O Lord. ♪♪

14“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

22And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’

26But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

28So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, O Christ. ♪♪

SERMON HYMN: “Saints, See the Cloud of Witnesses” # 667 (vss. 1, 4-6)

1 Saints, see the cloud of witnesses surround us; Their lives of faith encourage and astound us. Hear how the Master praised their faith so fervent: “Well done, My servant!”

4 Come, let us fix our sight on Christ who suffered,

He faced the cross, His sinless life He offered; He scorned the shame, He died, our death enduring, Our hope securing.

5 Lord, give us faith to walk where You are sending,

On paths unmarked, eyes blind as to their ending; Not knowing where we go, but that You lead us — With grace precede us.

6 You, Jesus, You alone deserve all glory!

Our lives unfold, embraced within Your story; Past, present, future—You, the same forever— You fail us never!

© 1997 Stephen P. Starke. Used by permission: Zion Lutheran, no. 10005689.

SERMON

Service of Response

(Please place your Offerings in the plate at the door to the Sanctuary)

CONFESSION OF FAITH: The Apostles Creed (also found on inside back cover of hymnal) p. 175

ALL: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERTORY: “Create in Me” (LSB # 956)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Brief silence

Almighty Father, as the great day of the Lord draws ever nearer, when Your Son will return to judge the living and the dead, we pray that You would grant Your people to remain faithful to the end. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Gracious Lord, though we do not know the day or hour of Your Son’s appearing, grant that we would always be prepared by sending us faithful pastors and teachers who will boldly proclaim Your Word of Law and Gospel to us, that we may be constantly encouraged and built up in the faith. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Lord God, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us always to be good and faithful servants who are diligent stewards of all that You so graciously provide. Especially grant us to be generous in speaking of the salvation that You provide for all through Your Son. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Everlasting Father, You have given us the gift of Your creation, and though this world is passing away due to sin, we pray that You would preserve it for our use and provision until You usher in the new creation to come. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Merciful Lord, we pray that You would grant healing and relief to all who are afflicted in mind, body or soul [especially _____________]. Give them the peace and comfort that only comes through Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Blessed Lord, we give thanks to You for all the faithful departed. Grant comfort to all who mourn, [including _____________,] that they may find peace and hope in the resurrection of the dead. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

Pastor: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray. (LK.11:1) People: Our Father who art in heaven … (MT.6:9-13)

BENEDICTION p 183

Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us bless the Lord! People: Thanks be to God!

Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and grant you peace. People: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN: “Savior, Again, to Thy Dear Name We Raise” # 917

1 Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise With one accord our parting hymn of praise; Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease, Then, lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.

2 Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way;

With Thee began, with Thee shall end, the day. Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame, That in this house have called upon Thy name.

3 Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;

Turn Thou for us its darkness into light. From harm and danger keep Thy children free; For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

4 Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,

Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife; Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease, Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

Silent Prayer and Postlude

GO IN PEACE, “SENT FORTH BY GOD’S BLESSING” TO DO EVERY GOOD WORK!

Agnus Day, the Lectionary Comic Strip www.agnusday.org

Please join us for THANKSGIVING WORSHIP next week!

Services will be Wednesday Evening (11/25) at 6:30 PM and Thursday Morning (11/26) at 9:00 AM.