https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JR_RP03Wps

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST— November 12, 2023

ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS    700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016

We Do Not know the Day or the hour of our Saviors return!  Christ tells us simply to be prepared!

 Pastor Dan 1-(920)-341-2025     shepherdatzion@gmail.com

 Bulletin Announcement email: zionclyman@gmail.com

Guests.  Welcome to Zion.  We are glad to have you with us.  Please sign our guestbook located in the Narthex.  About Holy Communion:  We welcome to the Lord’s Table all who have repented of their sins and seek to amend their sinful life; all who believe that Jesus is truly present in, with, and under the bread and the wine; and all who believe that through the words “given and shed for you” forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given.  If this is your confession and you are a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, then come with a thankful heart and join us.   If you are a visitor and would like to commune, please talk with Pastor Dan before the service.  To help in preparing to receive Holy Communion open the front cover of the Burgundy hymnal or turn to pages 329 & 330.  Gluten free wafers are available, please talk with an Elder or Pastor before the service if you would appreciate them.  

 AS WE GATHER 

It’s not a big surprise that no one has accurately predicted the end of the world—not that it hasn’t been attempted. From religious sects to cult leaders to apocalyptic predictions made when we entered a new millennium, a fascination grows around those who claim they have it all figured out. We are wise to take the Lord at His word concerning the Last Day.  From Amos in the Old Testament proclaiming the day of the Lord, to Paul writing to the Thessalonians about Christ’s return, to Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, the Lord does not give us a date or a time of the end of this world as we know it.  What He continues to give us, though, are promises of His faithfulness, His continued care and providence, and His assurance that when that day comes, it will usher in a glorious blessedness in His perfect presence that will last forever.  We are simply to be prepared no matter when that last day comes.

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

Sun. Hymn vs 1 ONLY “All Christians who…”  LSB 596

We Celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism

 Today we Celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. We welcome into the family of Christ, Kendra Violet Miescher, daughter of Jeffrey and Kasandra.

Invocation – In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.    Amen

 Opening Sentences Amos 5:18, 20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16; Matthew 25:6, 10

Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD!  Why would you have the day of the LORD?     Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?     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 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.     At midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”     The bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

Confession and Absolution –   If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.      But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.     Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.      Merciful Lord, as we await the day when Christ returns, we grow impatient.  We become distracted by the things of this world that do not last, and have given our attention and even devotion to things that weaken our faith.  Heavenly Father, forgive us.  We have sinned against others and You in thought, word, and deed.  We have not loved You with our whole heart, nor loved our neighbors as ourselves.  Forgive us.  As we wait the day when Christ returns, we begin to think the day will never come when You will make all things new.  We have let  earthly temptations to cause our faith to waiver, our despair to increase, and to have doubts in our hearts and minds.  Heavenly Father, forgive us.     The Lord remains faithful to His promises, and His assurance of grace and forgiveness in Christ, His Son.  Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.     Amen.

Introit   Psalm 84 and Psalm 70 –   How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!    For a day in your 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.        O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!  May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!  May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”          

Hymn of Praise – Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204

Prayer of the Day –   Lord God, we do not know the day nor the hour of the coming in glory of the Bridegroom, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.      As we wait, continue to nourish our faith until we enter the eternal wedding feast, we pray this     through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Old Testament Reading   Amos 5:18–24 –   (The day of the Lord and justice)         Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord!  Why do you long for the day of the Lord?  That day will be darkness, not light.  It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.  Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light–pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?  “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.  Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.  Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.  Away with the noise of your songs!  I will not listen to the music of your harps.  But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

 Epistle  1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 – (The coming of the Lord)       Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Verse  Matthew 25:13 –    Alleluia.     Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.     Alleluia.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-fifth chapter.       Glory to You, O Lord.

Holy Gospel Matthew 25:1–13    (The parable of the ten virgins)       “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!’  “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’  “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.  “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’  “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.      This is the Gospel of the Lord.   Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn  “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”                     LSB 398

Sermon

Nicene Creed –    I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.     And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.     And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life X of the world to come.    Amen.

Prayers of the Church

** We gather our Tithes and Offerings **

Service of the Sacrament

Preface   2 Timothy 4:22     The Lord be with you.  And also with you.  Lift up your hearts.  We lift them to the Lord.  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Proper Preface –    It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, who alone knows the day and the hour of the last day to once and for all redeem Your creation through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  As we wait on Him, we receive Him now as He comes to us in His body and blood, for He has prepared this feast through His death and resurrection and will prepare the eternal wedding feast when the Son of Man returns.  Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:

Sanctus  LSB 208

Prayer of Thanksgiving –    Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth.  With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.    Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit.  Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament.   Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end.  Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us.  To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

The Words of Our Lord – Consecration of the Elements

Proclamation of Christ   1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20 –     As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.    Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.      O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment.  So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

The Lord’s Prayer – 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 the glory forever and ever.       Amen.

We Celebrate our Lord’s Supper

Distribution Hymns:  “Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray”  LSB 663     “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness”  LSB 636   “At the Name of Jesus”  LSB 512

Post-Communion Canticle –  Nunc Dimittis LSB 211

Post-Communion Thanksgiving –  Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.  We give thanks to You, gracious Father, that in our waiting upon You, we have been gathered together in fellowship at Your Table with sins forgiven and faith nourished.  We thank You for the foretaste of the wedding feast to come when the Son of Man returns and we will live with You the one true God forever.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Closing Response –    And we will always be with the Lord.     Therefore encourage one another with these words.     Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.     He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Benediction      Numbers 6:24–26 –  The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.       Amen.

Hymn  “Abide, O Dearest Jesus”      LSB 919

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*Announcements*

From the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism:    Matthew 25:4 – “But the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” Why did they take flasks of oil with them? Because they listened to the Bridegroom’s words and believed what He said. Our actions always start with and flow from our beliefs. What do your actions in the realm of stewardship say about what you believe?

The Pewpoint – THEME OF THE DAY – The Gospel Prepares Us for Our Heavenly Bridegroom’s Coming   The Day of the Lord is “darkness, and not light” (Amos 5:18, 20) for all who trust in their own righteousness and piety. The Lord will not accept their “burnt offerings and grain offerings,” nor will He look upon their “peace offerings” (Amos 5:22). Instead, He desires a heart of faith that trusts in Him, which lets “justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24) in love for the neighbor. In order for the “lamps” of our lives to burn brightly with such love, we must be filled with the “oil” of forgiveness through faith in our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:1–4). Therefore, as we await His coming, wisdom directs us “to the dealers” (Matt. 25:9), that is, to the ministers of His Gospel. Thus we wait upon the Lord, and we “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18). Waking or sleeping, we are prepared to meet Him when He comes “with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God,” and “we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17).

YES IN CHRIST  —  Saying Yes With Our Treasures     Needed per week to make budget: $3,072                            Sunday Envelopes $2,165   Plate $20   Cemetery Memorial – Eli Dornfeld Fund $ 50                                                    Discretionary Fund – Ava Finger, for the blessings from the members of Zion during my accident $25

Attendance:  Sunday Service: 43   Communed:   41     Mid-Week Service: 11  Communed:   11     Bible Study  10

Brothers and sisters in Christ to lift up in prayer!

1)    Jennifer and Dan Ruppel’s family as he received his crown of life Thursday Nov. 2nd.  His celebration of life was November 7th.

2)  Those in the congregation in need of healing and strength.  Felix and Janet Ortega, Betty Hoeft, Karen Fredricks

3)  Those is in the congregation dealing with cancer or cancer treatment.

-Kris Kohlhoff whose last scheduled treatment is soon.

-Serene Seufzer who recently found out about her cancer.  She and Chris are preparing for surgery.

4) Carol, mother of member Erica Tyler whose body had not been responding well to her cancer treatments.

5) A relative of Nancy Basol who was diagnosed with cancer and was scheduled to have surgery this past week.

Wish these members a Happy and blessed Birthday!

Caroline J	11/14
Beth B	11/16
Scott N	11/17
Felix O	11/20
Lillian J	11/22
Layla A	11/26
Jacob S	11/27
Dick W	11/27
Andrea H	11/30

Wish these members a Blessed Anniversary!

David & Pennie H	11/14
Chris & Dana L	11/21

The Chosen Bible Study meets at 6pm in church.  Mark your calendars as classes will also be held November 21st, December 5th, and 19th! Class will then take a break until the new year!

Dates to Remember:  TODAY – Last day for Shoe boxes

Nov. 15^th 6pm Voice Choir and Mid-week service following

Nov 22^nd – 6pm Voice Choir

Nov 22^nd – 7pm Thanksgiving Service

Nov 25th – 9am Decorating Christmas Tree

Nov 29th – 7pm Advent Services start

November Lutheran Witness has arrived. Pick up a copy in the narthex or back of church.

Our Advent Series! – Prepare a Place for the Coming King!  Each Wednesday, starting November 29^th, we will be looking at those things which were used and in place when Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem!  Things God had prepared for His coming King, to remind us how to prepare for the King who comes into our hearts and lives each day.  Hoe to prepare for the King who will return again as the Judge of the world.  On Wednesday November 29^th we will look at the hard, cold, stone of the manger.  Our Lord’s cradle and how it was warmed by the promised King who was born that night.  On Dec. 6^th, we will look at the straw bedding, a byproduct of the grain God blessed His people with.  Something left over which He intended to be used as a blessing, not kept for yourself.  On Dec. 13^th, we will look at Olive Oil.  The oil of life!  Oil used for light, food, medicine, and for anointing, the setting aside of someone for a special purpose, by God.  On Dec. 20 we will talk about swaddling clothes!  The diapers, the Son of God, our Lord wore as one of us in flesh and blood.

Consider yourself invited!  I hope to see you at the special mid-week services, as well as our Sunday services!  Together they prepare us to celebrate the Birth of our King!  Jesus Christ our Lord!  Pastor Dan