November 11th and 12th, 2017
Womens Thankoffering
Lectionary 32a
Holy Communion (Now the Feast)
INTRODUCTION
The tone of the texts this entire month is ominous. The end is near. But the
baptized know how to live in the meantimes. Paul urges us to encourage
one another with the promised coming of the Lord. Jesus tells the parable
of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. We celebrate Christs coming in our
midst as we prepare to finally celebrate the marriage feast of the lamb. The
baptized keep our lamps filled by hearing the Gospel, receiving the Lords
Supper, building up others, and rejoicing in our baptism. Today we do so
with Reverend Libby Buuck, who will formally join Trinity Lutheran
Church by affirming her baptism.
Lutheran women have gathered in the setting of Thank Offering worship
since the early 1900s. To this day, many women practice the Thankoffering
daily by setting aside coins or small offerings to give thanks for blessings in
the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. The Thankoffering Service
grounds this gratitude in a community of women, gathering together
joyfully to give thanks and praise for what God has given to them.
Propers of the liturgy today has been provided by the Women of the ELCA.
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags
and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed.
An usher will gladly provide you with assistance. As a worship courtesy,
we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all cellular telephones
and pagers during the worship service.
We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so
that we may record your presence with us.
PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every
day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give
thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; through your
son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
WELCOME AND COLLECTION OF PRAYERS
PRELUDE Fairest Lord Jesus
INVOCATION
Blessed be the Holy Trinity: Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, who
creates and redeems and renews the face of the earth.
Amen.
LITANY FOR GATHERING
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very great.
Today brings all we need to praise our loving God.
Creator, you have made us in your image.
Today brings all we need to live in peace and purpose.
Redeemer, you have called us to new life.
Today brings all we need to live abundantly.
Renewer, you have brought us together to sing your praise.
Today we celebrate women of many generations as we grow together in
faith and affirm and support one another.
Companion, you guide us to your beloved community.
Today brings a world in need of healing and wholeness.
Healer, you inspire us to ministry and action.
For the church, the society and the world,
Lord our God, we humbly enter into worship.
Prepare our hearts. Amen.
GATHERING SONG: Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading (ELW 401)
GREETING God.
19
But Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or
the Holy Spirit be with you all! your sins. 20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will
And also with you! turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you
good. 21And the people said to Joshua, No, we will serve
PRAYER OF THE DAY the LORD! 22Then Joshua said to the people, You are witnesses against
yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him. And they said,
Let us pray. O God of justice and love, you illumine our way through life We are witnesses. 23He said, Then put away the foreign gods that are
with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, and awaken us to among you, and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel. 24The
the needs of others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. people said to Joshua, The LORD our God we will serve, and him we will
Amen. obey. 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made
statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.
Please be seated.
The word of the Lord.
MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN Christiane Buuck Thanks be to God.

FIRST READING Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 PSALM 8:1-7

In this farewell speech, Joshua exhorts the people to serve only the Lord.
Joshua erected a stone monument to serve as a witness to the solemn Refrain:
promise the people had made to serve the Lord.
1
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the
elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented
themselves before God. 2And Joshua said to all the people, Thus says
the LORD, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestorsTerah and his sons
Abraham and Nahorlived beyond the Euphrates and served other
gods. 3aThen I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led
him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many.
14
Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in Tone:
faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River
and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15Now if you are unwilling to serve
the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your
ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites
1
in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will Hear my teaching, | O my people;
serve the LORD. incline your ears to the words | of my mouth.
16
Then the people answered, Far be it from us that we should forsake 2
I will open my mouth | in a parable;
the LORD to serve other gods; 17for it is the LORD our God who brought us I will declare the mysteries of | ancient times
3
and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, that which we have heard and known, and what our fore- | bears have told
and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the us, we will not hide | from their children.
4
way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and
passed; 18and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites the power | of the LORD, and the wonderful works | God has
who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our done. R
5
The LORD gave a decree in Jacob and established a | law in Israel, GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
commanding our ancestors to teach it | to their children;
6
that the generations to come might know, and the children | yet
unborn; that they in their turn might tell it | to their children;
7
so that they might put their | trust in God, and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep | Gods commandments. R

SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Some of the Thessalonians are worried that dead Christians will be

excluded from the resurrection to eternal life when Christ comes again.
Paul reassures them with the word of hope that all Christians, living or
dead, will be raised into everlasting life with Christ.
13
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those
who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no GOSPEL: Matthew 25:1-13
hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, Jesus tells a parable about his own second coming, emphasizing the need
through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15For this we for readiness at all times.
declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
died. 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangels praying, May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
call and with the sound of Gods trumpet, will descend from heaven, and my lips, and in my heart.
the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will
be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air;
and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another The holy gospel according to Matthew.
with these words. Glory to you, O Lord.

The word of the Lord. [Jesus said to the disciples:] 1Then the kingdom of heaven will be like
Thanks be to God. this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the
We invite you to please stand for the reading of the gospel. foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took
flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them
became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, Look! Here
is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him. 7Then all those bridesmaids got
up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, Give us some of
your oil, for our lamps are going out. 9But the wise replied, No! there will
not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy
some for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom
came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet;
and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying,
Lord, lord, open to us. 12But he replied, Truly I tell you, I do not know
you. 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON Reverend Libby Buuck
Silence for reflection and then we invite you to stand for the hymn.
HYMN OF THE DAY Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty (ELW 777)
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we give thanks for the gift of baptism
and for Libby Buuck one with us in the body of Christ, who are making
public affirmation of her baptism.
Those making affirmation are presented by a sponsor or another
representative of the congregation:
I present Libby who desires to make public affirmation of her baptism.
The presiding minister may continue with prayer.
Let us pray. Merciful God, we thank you for Libby whom you have made
your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called her to
yourself, enlightened her with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished her in
the community of faith. Uphold all your servants in the gifts and promises
of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth.
We ask this in the name of Christ.
Amen.
The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of
baptism. The assembly may stand and join in the responses.
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the
faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God,
the powers of this world that rebel against God,
and the ways of sin that draw you from God?
Response:
I renounce them.
The presiding minister addresses the candidate and the assembly.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, Gods 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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own
prayers, either silently or aloud.
Called together into the Spirits loving embrace, let us pray for the renewal
of the church, those in need, and all of Gods creation.
A brief silence.
Each petition ends with:
Gracious Spirit, fashion us all anew.
(sing) Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your
care through Jesus Christ. Amen
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Libby, you have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to
continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among Gods faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lords supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
Each person responds:
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
The minister addresses the assembly.
People of God, do you promise to support this sister and pray for her in
their life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Those making affirmation may kneel. The presiding minister prays for
Gods blessing.
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you
give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life.
The blessing may be repeated for each person. The minister may lay both
hands on the head of the person and say:
Father in heaven, for Jesus sake, stir up in Libby the gift of your Holy
Spirit; confirm her faith, guide her life, empower her in her serving,
give her patience in suffering, and bring her to everlasting life.
Amen.
Those making public affirmation stand and face the assembly. A
representative of the congregation addresses the assembly.
Let us rejoice with this sister in Christ.
We rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks
and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.
Please rise and greet one another in the peace of the risen Christ.
PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
Please be seated.
OFFERING
As we give our Thankofferings today, we share in a tradition that goes back
at least to the 1800s, when Christian women formed mite or cent
societies to support the mission of the church. When others said there was
not enough money to carry out the churchs work, the women believed
otherwise and acted together. In these societies, each woman collected
offerings at home. On occasion, they would gather as we do today to
worship and make their offerings with thanks and praise. When Women of
the ELCA was formed 30 years ago, we committed to continue this tradition
of giving in gratitude for blessings. Each year, in thousands of
congregations, Thankofferings are given to support the life-changing
ministries of Women of the ELCA. Together, we do more than we could
ever do apart. In gratitude for all God has given to us, and with hope for
all that is to come, let us now give our Thankoffering.
OFFERTORY Jesus, the Very Thought of You
We invite you to please stand.
OFFERTORY HYMN: Praise and Thanksgiving (ELW 689) DIALOGUE

OFFERING PRAYER

God of grace, You have showered us with abundance and entrusted to us PREFACE
the ministries of the Church, including those of the Women of the ELCA.
Accept these offerings to further your mission. Help us to grow in faith, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and Worshippers are invited to bow through to the words Hosanna in the
action and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and highest!
the world. Nurtured by your Word, filled with your Spirit, and fed at your
table, we may share with gladness all that you have shared with us until all
creation is satisfied.
Amen.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lords body
and blood, each time the words Do this for the remembrance of me, are
spoken.
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In
great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick
and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross,
opened his arms to all.
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.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await
his coming in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and
unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of
Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor
and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
Make us bold, O merciful God, to address you as our loving parent as we
pray:
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.
FRACTURE AND INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
All baptized people are welcome to the table to receive Christs body and
blood. If you have not been baptized, you are also welcome to the table as
Gods guest; we are honored by your presence. We recognize the Body of
Christ as the community of the baptized, so if you would like to become part
of the Body of Christ, we encourage you to seek baptism. If you cant or
dont wish to receive today, we encourage you to hold your hands over
your chest for a blessing as you come forward.
LAMB OF GOD
Please sing all invocations.

COMMUNION MUSIC Let Us Break Bread Together
We invite you to stand.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank you, gracious God, for loving all your family with a mothers
tender care, and feeding us in a way our hearts can understand, with the
saving body and blood of Jesus Christ. Renew and enliven us by your
presence in this meal, that we may be your presence in the world, through
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANKOFFERING BLESSING
For all the faithful women who served in days of old,
To you shall thanks be given, to all their stories told.
they served with strength and gladness in tasks your wisdom gave.
To you their lives bore witness, proclaimed your power to save.
O Christ, send us, your Body, where people are in pain,
To bless and heal the hurting, to make them whole again.
To shelter those without a home, to feed the hungry, too,
For what we do for others we truly do to you.
All praise to God the Father! All praise to Christ the Son!
All praise to God the Spirit, who binds the Church as one!
With saints who went before us, with saints who witness still,
We sing glad alleluias and strive to do your will.
In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN Blessed Assurance (ELW 638)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE This Is My Fathers World
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and
in honor of Thankoffering Sunday.
Presented by the Women of Trinity Church
Todays bulletin cover is presented to the glory of God and in honor of
Thankoffering Sunday.
Presented by the WTLC Board
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, died 1231
Friday, November 17, 2017
Born in Hungary, Elizabeth was betrothed to the son of the
Landgrave of Thuringia, and at age four was taken to be raised with
him at the Wartburg Castle. Ten years later they were married. She
was very generous to the poor, and after her husband's death she
lived in cruel hardship until her own death at age twenty-four.