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Prelude

 

Greetings

 

Open Scripture                                                             

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.   

 

Call to Worship (responsive)                             

"Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

With our lamps in our hands, we come to worship.

At midnight there was a shout: "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”

Our souls wait for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.

The bridegroom is delayed, the night is long, and our lamps burn low.

Yet we gather to trim our lamps and fill them with praise.

Come, wise and foolish, sleeper and watcher - all who carry a lamp are welcome here.

The kingdom of heaven is like this: a people waiting together for their Lord. Let us worship God!

 

Hymn of Welcome

All for Jesus

  

Psalter           

Psalm 78:1-7  

 

Opening Prayer (unison)

God of Abraham, of Joshua, and of Jesus Christ: as your people gathered at Shechem (SHIK-um) to choose whom they would serve, so we gather this morning. Remind us of what you have done. Put the story in our mouths to tell our children. Fill our lamps for your coming. And when we are tempted by the lesser gods of this age, give us courage to choose this day to serve you alone. We pray in the name of Jesus, the bridegroom who comes. Amen.

 

Call to Confession    

 

Prayer of Confession (unison)        

Faithful God, we confess that we have chosen you with our lips and served other gods with our lives - the gods of comfort, of money, of our own importance. We have been foolish in the small hours, storing up nothing for the times when your voice calls. We have hidden your deeds from the children instead of telling them. And we have grieved without hope, as if death had the last word. Forgive us, God of steadfast love. Incline our hearts to you, fill our lamps with your grace, and teach us to choose you again this day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

Assurance of Pardon                       

 

Gloria Patri

 

Passing of the Peace

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

 

Prayer for Illumination (unison)

Living God, your word is a lamp to our feet. As we hear the old covenant renewed at Shechem, the psalmist's charge to the generations, the promise of resurrection, and the parable of the ten lamps, pour out your Spirit upon us. Wake us from every slumber, that we may hear and keep your word. Amen.

 

Second Reading                                                          

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel Reading                                                                      

Matthew 25:1-13

This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

Sermon                                  

Ready                                    

Rev Tony DeLucia

 

Hymn of Response               

The Sweetest Name I Know                                         

 

Affirmation of Faith                                    

The Apostles' Creed - Ecumenical

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, 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.

 

Call for the Offering

 

Doxology

 

Prayer of Dedication (unison)

God of the covenant, receive these gifts and the lives behind them. Prosper the telling of your story in this place; make this congregation a lamp that burns until the bridegroom comes; and use what we give to set hope in children yet unborn, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Hymn of Sending                         

I Will Serve Thee (2x)           

           

Charge and Benediction                                                                  

 

Response to the Benediction

Because He Lives, refrain

 

Postlude     

 

November Birthdays

  • Richard McCullough, 11/12 - 39th

  • Ciara Kolat, 11/19 - 21st

 

Anniversaries

 

Upcoming Events:

  • Coffee Hour after Worship - November 7, 2026

  • Bible Study - November 18, 2026, Wednesday at 6:30 pm

  • Newell Community Dinner - November 21, 2026, Saturday from 3p to 5pm at American Legion in Newell with: Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Mixed Vegetables, a Roll, and a Dessert

  • Communion - November 1, 2026

  • Decorating the Sanctuary after Worship - November 22, 2026

  • First Sunday of Advent - November 29, 2026

 

Prayer Requests of the Congregation

  • Brent - strength and healing

  • Dave Lyons - healing and strength

  • Frank Friend - biopsy is not cancer

  • Jeannie, (Peggy’s sister) - prayers continue to do well

  • Man from Community Dinner - heart procedure

  • Nancy, friend of Frank’s - heart arrhythmia

  • Pastor Tony - 11/11 - Colonoscopy

  • Ryan, Anita son - scratched cornea

  • Bruce Frogge - fighting MDS

  • Derek Terry and his family

  • Matt Camlin - fighting MS

  • Shelly friend - prayers for healing

  • Sue son - prayers for healing

  • All affected by the storms of nature and of life, especially by the paths of floods and other natural disasters

  • Continued prayers for the latest victims of the tornadoes and severe storms, flooding and wildfires hitting our nation.

  • Prayers for the people of Iran, Israel, and US Servicemen and Women being sent into the latest conflict.

  • Prayers for keeping the students, bus drivers and all staff safe

  • Prayers for those victims of the Measles outbreak