Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - November 15, 2020
“I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
refrain:
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard
You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord,
If you lead me.
I will hold
Your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
‘Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
(refrain)
”
Today we celebrate, the One who calls us in the night, and holds us in his heart, takes every risk to share God’s signs of love, so we give all thanks for God’s saving grace, and we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
People of God: Look to the Lord and be radiant. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to risk answering the call of discipleship; to boldly say, here I am, Lord.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ: Give thanks for every sign of God’s love, for God takes the risk to grace us in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Take a new risk in faith today: The Lord has answered you and delivered you. Go anew; trust anew; offering praise and thanksgiving!
Loving God, today we thank you, for you do all the giving, blessing us with every good gift, sent from heaven above. By your grace, increase our faith, keep us strong and ready to see you, to answer you, to call on you, to take the risk to make you and our neighbors first. To you alone, for every sign of your love, we offer our praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Jesus said, “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew, did you, that I reap where I do not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless servant, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
(New Revised Standard Version)
ZEPHANIAH 1: 7, 12-18; I THESS. 5:1-11; MATTHEW 25:14-30
Are you a risk taker? Are you willing to give something new a try? If someone gave you something to care for, how would that feel? If God gave you something, would you tuck it away, or would you risk putting it to use? Today, Jesus tells a parable about the need to risk as we give thanks, serve and care for all we have freely received. What we are promised is God will continue to take risks for our salvation. God took a risk to send Jesus. God takes the risk to forgive and save us. God takes the risk to promise his return. When you look at every sign of God’s love, when you think it best to tuck them away to quietly care for them or protect them, when you wonder whether or not it is worth the risk to share them or to tell others about them; give thanks for every sign of God’s love, and trust the Lord of your life faithfully walks with you, taking the risk to turn what already is, into what will become even more!
1. God in Jesus gives much to us. We are not to hide it, protect it, tuck it away. What we do with every sign of God’s love can be risky, risky, risky. Zephaniah 1:12,18; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11; Matthew 25:16-17,21, 23, 27
A. Being a child of God, is risky.
B. Being a disciple, is risky.
C. Sharing the story, telling others, inviting a friend, is risky.
D. Using our God-given talents, is risky indeed. Celebrating the gifts of others, can be risky as well.
E. Easy to fear failure. God is willing to risk helping us to become a blessed sign of love, and even more.
2. God, in every sign of love, takes the biggest risks. Matthew 25:14-15
A. God risked sending his Son.
B. God risks saving us and putting so much in our care.
3. Believing can feel risky. Believing, trusting, surrendering to, every sign of God’s love, may feel incredibly risky. Matthew 25:14-15, 21,23
A. Inviting someone, is risky. Trusting your neighbor or friend enough to talk about Jesus can feel risky.
B. Coming to worship, is risky.
C. Expanding ministries and opportunities, is risky.
D. Trusting what God has given will become even more, is risky.
E. We have been asked to face and to overcome many risks, there will be more risks this church, we, will be asked to face.
F. Every risk brings some level of uncertainty and discomfort, yet, no risk is wasted when we trust who is with us and who took the risk first. What will God help us to become, or to do, next?
4. Think about one more thing, `maybe God is no risk taker at all.' Maybe God, in every sign of love, did not risk anything at all to save you, to count on you; after all, God knows the final outcome! God is that certain, that absolute, that final, that faithful. Trusting God is risk free! Now thank we all our God! 1 Thessalonians 5:4-10; Matthew 25:14,21-29
Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.
“vs. 1
Praise and thanksgiving,
Father, we offer,
For all things living,
Created good:
Harvest of sown fields,
Fruits of the orchard,
Hay from the mown fields,
Blossom and wood.
vs. 3
Father, providing,
Food for your children,
By your wise guiding,
Teach us to share;
One with another,
So that, rejoicing,
With us, all others,
May know your care.
vs. 4
Then will your blessing,
Reach ev’ry people,
Freely confessing,
Your gracious hand.
Where all obey you,
No one will hunger;
In your love’s sway you,
Nourish the land.”
..as we pray to you, Jesus,
Thanks be to you, God, for every sign of your love and grace.
All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place after the singing of “Better Is One Day.” If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.
In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
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.
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 give you peace, as you give thanks for every sign of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ! In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, giving thanks for every sign of love, together serving The Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
“refrain:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul;
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before,
O my soul;
I’ll worship Your holy name.
vs. 1
The sun comes up,
It’s a new day dawning,
It’s time to sing
Your song again.
Whatever may pass,
And whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing
When the evening comes.
(refrain)
vs. 2
You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness,
I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find.
(refrain)
vs. 3
And on that day,
When my strength is failing,
The end draws near,
And my time has come;
Still, my soul will sing
Your praise unending
Ten thousand years,
And then forevermore!
(refrain twice)
Worship Your holy name;
Lord, I’ll worship
Your holy name.
”
At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.
For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.
We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.
“vs. 1
Ev’ryday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes,
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears.
refrain:
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams,
He’s the open door.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
When will we realize
People need the Lord?
vs. 2
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the words
Of life only we can share
(refrain)
People need the Lord!”
“Lord,
Listen to your children praying,
Lord,
Send your Spirit in this place;
Lord,
Listen to your children praying,
Send us love,
Send us pow’r,
Send us grace.
”
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Join us next Sunday, November 22, as we share and celebrate Christ the King Sunday and the season of thanksgiving, “Thanks Be to God for Every Sign of Love In Our King!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion!
As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!
For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary. For those who wish to volunteer to serve on future Sundays, please see the SignUpGenius links in the LINK, and on our Facebook page. Thank you for giving in this blessed way!
For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.
We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.
In this time of social distancing, please trust that we are committed to doing everything possible to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and yet, please also trust that we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!
A most holy and blessed Sunday to each of you and your loved ones! From everyone on every level of leadership and service, please know during these days, days filled with new opportunities, possibilities, information to process and evaluate, and yet, still so many questions, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org
We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every sign of God’s love and grace!
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Litany Giving Thanks to God for Every Sign of Love – written based on Psalm 145. “Here I Am, Lord” “Praise & Thanksgiving” “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” © 2011 SHOUT! Publishing, CCLI #6016351 “People Need The Lord” © 1983 River Oaks Music CCLI #18084 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.