~ Jeremiah 33:14

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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

We are a people of hope. Our hearts are full of anticipation for the coming of our beloved Christ Child. For God is with us and we will see a great light even in the darkest night.

Let us pray. Blessed are you, God of hope, for you promise to fill the darkness of the world with light, bring justice to the poor, and grant hope for all people. As we light this candle, transform our hearts to live in hope, and fix our eyes on the light of Christ who is the hope of all nations.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Lord be with you.

Let us pray. Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16

¹⁴The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ¹⁵In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ¹⁶In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Word of God. Word of life.

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

  

⁹How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? ¹⁰Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

 ¹¹Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. ¹²And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. ¹³And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Gospel   Luke 21:25-36

[Jesus said:] ²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 ²⁹Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 ³⁴“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who alone does wonders, who lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things.

Let us confess our sin, trusting in the tender mercy of our God.

God for whom we wait,

God, in Christ Jesus, has looked with favor upon you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, ☩ your sins are forgiven. You are children of the Most High, inheritors of the eternal promise, and recipients of divine mercy. God strengthens you anew to follow the way of peace.

The peace of Christ be with you always.

God of our waiting and watching,

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy... we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

as we forgive those

who trespass against us;

but deliver us from evil.

and the power, and the glory,

The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Let us pray. Most High God, you have come among us at this table. By the Spirit’s power, form us to be bearers of your word, sharing gifts of mercy and grace with all, through Christ Jesus, our host and our guest.

Go in peace. Christ is near..

Postlude

You will have the opportunity to grow the church, fight hunger, and change the world. Pretty tall order but Sunday mornings in the Library lounge members of Service Ministry will have ELCA Good Gifts available to purchase. This is a great way to give a gift that supports others. These gifts will provide items for a self-sustaining life. Items as simple as bees, chickens, ducks, pigs, cows, to items supporting education and health are available. If you want to see a complete listing you can visit ELCA.org/good gifts. Visit the display Sundays in

December.

Christmastime is just around the corner! Hopefully you all have been enjoying the music our choirs have been working on this fall. The sense of community and the joy for music we share really shines in our rehearsals. No prior choir experience is needed to join!

We are looking for people who play instruments, especially strings and woodwinds. We will begin working on Christmas music the week of November 29. Bell choir meets from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesdays and Senior choir meets from 7:00-8:30pm on Wednesdays. Christmas music will be worked on for the first 30-45 minutes of rehearsals. If you are interested in singing with the choir, ringing bells, or sharing your instrumental gifts for Christmas Eve please email music@immanuelwebster.org.

Winter will be barreling down from the north and hands, heads and bodies will need extra protection!! The mitten, hat, and scarf collection will take place November thru the first week in December. Donations can be left in the box by the back doors or drop them off with your food donation on November 20th, 10:00- Noon. They do not have to be wrapped-just warm!

There is great need in our community, but God also blesses us with great generosity!

You may support Immanuel's food ministries by dropping off food on Sundays that will support both the Backpack Program as well as the Little Pantry, or stop by the church during the week and leave food and toiletry items directly in the Little Pantry beside the parking lot at the rear of the church.

Items that are needed for the backpacks are kid friendly foods including items such as: mac and cheese, granola bars, canned pasta (such as ravioli or SpaghettiOs), soup, tuna fish, canned chicken, pasta sauce, pasta, peanut

butter and jelly, instant oatmeal, hot coco mix, canned fruit and vegetables.

Items for the Little Pantry are a little different in the winter please consider items that won’t freeze including: feminine hygiene items, soap bars, deodorant, shampoo, tooth paste and brushes, diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, cake mixes, boxed cereal, soup mixes, rice and other grains, tuna pouches, snack items (dried fruit, granola, beef jerky, nuts), paper products Kleenex, toilet paper and paper towels.

Please share this invitation with others. This is a continued reminder of the hunger issues that exist, even in Webster.!

Join the conversation today at 10:30. The class will continue the study, Introduction to the Gospels. Even if you didn’t participated in the spring, you are welcome to join the class—each gospel overview stands on its own. We will be starting with an overview of the gospel of Matthew, sharing the background and context for the writing of that gospel.

Join us on Sundays at 10:30, in person in the fellowship hall. Bring your favorite version of the Bible. Should you be more comfortable joining remotely, Zoom log-in is:

Meeting ID: 892 4142 0205

Passcode: 891269

or click the link below.

Join in the fun each Wednesday morning at 9:00 when we talk about the upcoming lessons for Sunday, digging more deeply into God’s story of love and grace. No prior bible study experience is necessary. Our mornings are filled with conversation, laughter, questions, and fun. Plan to be a part of this wonderful way to grow in our faith! We meet on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 854 6566 1417

Passcode: 987872

or click the link below:

Now the Feast and Celebration © 1990, GIA Publications. Reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.

Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying  Text © 1999, Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.

Fling Wide the Door Text © 1978, Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.