November 27, 2022 ~ 9:30 a.m.  

Welcome 

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers 

Confession and Forgiveness 

My Lord, What a Morning 

Prayer for the Day 

Children’s Message 

Welcome and Announcements 

 Romans 13:11-14 

 Gospel ~ Matthew 24:36-44 

 Message 

 Offering/There Is a Longing 

 Offering Prayer 

 Holy Communion Invitation 

 Words of Institution 

 Prayers of the Church 

 Lord’s Prayer 

 Distribution/What Feast of Love 

Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel 

 Blessing  

 He Came Down 

 Sending 

*Children's bulletins available at the Usher tables

Matthew 24:36-44 

[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” 

Happy New Year!  This coming Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year.  Advent is a time to focus on the coming of baby Jesus, but not at the exclusion of Jesus’ anticipated return at the end times.  Kinda odd that our first text about the coming of baby Jesus is about Jesus’ second coming.   

It is also another text rapture theologians use to piece together their end times puzzle.  We just spent the last three weeks in worship and video discussions on the rapture, and now we have another text.  As with all the other rapture texts, this passage is not about the rapture.  Instead, it is about living faithfully in awareness and preparation for Jesus’ return.  One of the dangers of rapture theology is people being preoccupied with finding those clues to tell them when the rapture is going to happen resulting in neglecting what faithful living and waiting is about.  Hint:  Matthew 25 “Sheep and Goats.” 

We pray:  We confess, O Lord, that we too easily and quickly get lulled into a sleepy faith existence.  Your reign ends up suffering because of our failure to be alert for your activity in our lives and relationships.  Stir up in our hearts your love the least, and in our wills to act.  Amen. 

Pastor Jim

Important Reminders

Community Food Rescue

You are welcome to stroll to the Education Wing after Sunday worship each week and take food offerings that you and your family will enjoy. Good for you, good for the environment!

Fall Family Schedule

Sunday: 9:30 am Worship, Sunday school for age 3-K begins in worship and are dismissed after children's message.

Wednesdays: Light Meal 5:30pm; Funday school/Confirmation 6:15-7 pm; Worship 7-7:15 pm; Sr. High Faith Formation 6:30-7:30 pm.

Happening at Rejoice



• Doors are open for walking 8-3:30pm Monday – Thursday. Please ring buzzer by door 1 (Office/Library door) 
• Intergenerational Sunday, November 27 during Fellowship. We will be making decorations and hanging them on our European Christmas tree. Lois Maas will be giving out samples of her delicious homemade breads too! 
• You are invited to a European Christmas Party December 3rd from 10 a.m. – noon and *Craft/Bake Sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Taste samples of Scandinavian treats and Christmas Goodies. Sign-up sheets available at the European table for crafts/baked goods/servers/help where needed. Crafters and Bakers please remember us during this busy holiday season. Your donations are gratefully appreciated.
• December 18 Noisy Offering supporting the European Christmas Tea  

Women's Bible Study

• Third Tuesday monthly
• 10:00 a.m.

Yoga for All

• Wednesday mornings
• 9:00 a.m.
• $10 per class or $32 per month
• Senior discount: $9 per class or $25 per month

Stitch and Pray

• Wednesday afternoons
• 1:00 p.m. in the Rejoice Good News Library
• Bring your knitting needles and crochet hooks to make prayer shawls for those that are experiencing health or spiritual challenges
• All levels of skill are welcome

Young @ Heart

• Third Thursday monthly
• Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for card playing and fellowship
• Lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by short program
• Mark your calendar and call Carol at 320.558.6851 to reserve your spot for a couple of hours of fun and fellowship! Don't forget to invite a friend to join you!

Prayer Concerns (* indicates member)

If you have a loved one or friend in need of prayer, please use one of the prayer concern requests located on the round table in Celebration Hall and in the Welcome pads. The star(*) in front of a name denotes a Rejoice member. Requests will be printed for up to four weeks; call the church office at 320.558.6851 to extend listing. If a name of a friend or loved one has been omitted please resubmit the name and/or concern using one of the prayer concern forms found in the red Welcome Pads in the worship area. 

Receiving Treatment for Cancer:

Vern Scott (friend, Lee & Rosemary Monk) 

Jim Lubke (cousin, Mary Wilson)

*Lorraine Bluhm 

Kim Hillson (friend, Lori Lanes),  

Michele and her husband Kerry (friends, Lori Lanes),   

Carolyn Bjelland (cousin, Duane & Darlene Johnson) 

Sami (neighbors’ friend, Jim & Lori Lanes) 

Karen Emberton (Kari Line) 

JoAnn Stegura (wife, Jerry Stegura) 

John Swan (friend, Ron & Lynn Schneider) 

Lester Dupont (father, Linda Painter) 

*Pete Lidberg 

Others:

Norb & Carol Litzau (friends, Duane & Darlene Johnson) 

Marlene-mother & Gary-son Hillson (friend, Lori Lanes), 

Kris (sister, Rosemary Monk) 

Elaine Maples (Lori’s sister Carolyn’s friend) 

Adelynn Murray (Linda Agre) 

Marcia (sister, Pam Bender) 

Kent Petersen (brother, Rhoda Senkler) 

Jeff Lamb family (friend, Mark & Karie Gohman) 

Cris Gears (friend, Linda Agre) 

Brad Johnson (son, Darlene & Duane Johnson) 

*Duane Johnson 

*Charlie Johnson

Active Duty:

Eli Mulqueen (son, Janet Moeller)

| 320.558.6851 | http://www.rejoicelutheranchurch.org |

Additional Links