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Worship Service Guide
November 22, 2020
Welcome to all people: any shape, size, color, culture, gender, age, ability, sexuality, and family type. All God’s people are invited to worship together!
GREETING
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, in whose image we are made,
who claims us and calls us beloved. Amen.
Holy One,
we confess that we are not awake for you.
We are not faithful in using your gifts.
We forget the least of our siblings.
We do not see your beautiful image in one another.
We are infected by sin that divides your beloved community.
Open our hearts to your coming,
open our eyes to see you in our neighbor,
open our hands to serve your creation. Amen.
Amen.
Beloved, we are God’s children, and Jesus, our Beloved, opens the door to us.
Through ☩ Jesus you are forgiven, by Jesus you are welcome, in Jesus you are called to rejoice! Let us live in the promises prepared for us from the foundation of the world. Amen.
Gathering Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Prayer of the Day
O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to serve the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Scripture
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95:1-7a
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon: Tangled Roots
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
Prayers of Intercession
Longing for Christ’s reign to come among us, we pray for the outpouring of God’s power on the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Sovereign of all, train our ears to hear your cry in the needs of those around us. Bless all social ministries of the church through which we seek to serve others as we ourselves have been served. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You cause rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. Direct our use of creation to provide for the needs of all people in ways that are sustainable for the earth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Heal the sinful divisions we erect between us and release us from systems of oppression and prejudice. Restore our capacity to see your image in those whose dignity we have stripped away. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Pour out the gifts of your Spirit on children and youth throughout the church. Sustain those who work in children’s ministry, youth ministry, and campus ministry as they nurture the gifts of young people. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Thank you for saints now departed who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and tended to the sick. Inspire us by their example, that we may see your presence in those in need around us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Help us remember that we are trees in your forest of people, water, plants, animals and all of creation. This week of Thanksgiving we pray for those who are sick, mourning, caregivers and all who are struggling to give thanks. Hear us O’God. Your mercy is great.
Receive our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, until that day when you gather all creation around your throne where you will reign forever and ever. Amen.
The Offering: Now is the time to celebrate your financial stewardship and go online to give your offering. Myesperanza.org.
Offering Song: King of My Heart
Offering Prayer
God of all goodness, generations have turned to you, gathered around your table, and shared your abundant blessings.
Number us among them that, as we gather these gifts from your abundance,
and give thanks for your rich blessings, we may feast upon your very self
and care for all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Servant. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
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 our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God.
You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.
You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.
We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation.
In 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.
Again, 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 for the remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Distribution – Taste and See that the Lord is good.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, in this simple meal you have set a banquet.
Sustain us on the journey, strengthen us to care for the least of your beloved children, and give us glad and generous hearts as we meet you on the way. Amen.
Blessing
May the God of all creation, in whose image we are made,
who claims us and calls us beloved, who strengthens us for service,
give you reason to rejoice and be glad! The blessing of God,
Sovereign, ☩ Savior, and Spirit, be with you today and always.
Sending Song: Jesus You Are Lord
Worship Leaders
Presiding Minister: Pastor Paul Campbell
Assisting Minister: Deacon Connie Rose-Kamprath
Lector: Jim Nelson
Musicians: Brooklyn and Riley Hanania
Jim & Josie Nelson
Jim & Jane Gisselquist
Esperanza Lutheran Church
2601 R. Thunderhill Place
Phoenix. Arizona 85048
480.759.1436
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Holy Communion is celebrated as a community during our Zoom meetings every Sunday at 10 a.m. For security reasons, the Zoom invitation is sent in our weekly e-newsletter, Words of Hope. Anyone may sign up to receive the newsletter, which includes meditations and news about programs, services and members. Subscribe here.
