November 10th and 11th, 2018
Women’s Thankoffering
Lectionary 32b
Holy Communion (Now the Feast)
INTRODUCTION
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.
Widows are visible everywhere in today’s readings. Jesus denounces those
scribes who pray impressive prayers but devour widows’ houses. He
commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major
donors. Jesus doesn’t see her simply as an object of compassion or charity.
She, like the widow of Zarephath who shares her last bit of food with
Elijah, does something of great importance.
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
O Jesus, our great high priest, be present with us as you were present with
your disciples and make yourself known to us in the breaking of bread.
Amen.
THE ORDER OF WORSHIP
WELCOME AND COLLECTION OF PRAYERS
PRELUDE Gather Us In Marty Haugen
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.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy
and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gracious gift of baptism.
Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty, you are the river of life, you
are the everlasting wellspring, you are the fire of rebirth.
Glory to you for oceans and lakes, for rivers and streams, for (the
Great Lakes; for the Ohio, Olentangy and Scioto Rivers).
Honor to you for cloud and rain, for dew and snow.
Your waters are below us, around us, above us: our life is born in you.
You are the fountain of resurrection.
Praise to you for your saving waters: Noah, his family, and the animals
survive the flood; Hagar discovers your well.
The Israelites escape through the sea, and they drink from your gushing
rock.
Naaman washes his leprosy away, and the Samaritan woman will never
be thirsty again.
Praise to you for the water of baptism and for your Word that saves us in
this sacrament.
Breathe your Spirit into all who are gathered here and into all your
beloved creation.
Illumine our days. Enliven our bones. Dry our tears.
Wash away the sin that is within us, and drown the evil that surrounds
us.
Satisfy all our thirst with your living water, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
GATHERING SONG: Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading (ELW 401)
GREETING son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father
of Jesse, the father of David.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all! The word of the Lord.
And also with you! Thanks be to God.

PRAYER OF THE DAY PSALM 127

Let us pray. Refrain:

O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us
in mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust in your
promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Tone:
Please be seated.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN Sarah Bender

1
Unless the LORD builds the house, their labor is in | vain who build it.
FIRST READING Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Unless the LORD watches over the city, in vain the senti- | nel keeps
vigil.
Naomi has lost her husband and sons, but is blessed by the love and 2
It is in vain to rise so early and go to | bed so late;
support of her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi is resourceful in
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil; for you, LORD, give sleep to | your
arranging the marriage of Ruth to her wealthy kinsman, Boaz; and Ruth,
beloved. R
the Moabite, becomes the great-grandmother to that greatest of Israelite
kings, David. 3
Children are a heritage | from the LORD,
1
Naomi said to [Ruth,] “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, and the fruit of the womb | is a gift.
4
so that it may be well with you. 2Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with Like arrows in the hand | of a warrior
whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley are the children | of one’s youth.
5
tonight at the threshing floor. 3Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on Happy is the one whose quiver is | full of them!
your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make Such a one will not be put to shame when contending with enemies | in
yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4When the gate. R
he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet
and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” 5She said to her, “All that SECOND READING Hebrews 9:24-28
you tell me I will do.” The letter to the Hebrews describes Christ as a high priest who offers
4:13 himself as a sacrifice for our sin. Christ does not die again and again each
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came
together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. 14Then the year. He died once, is alive with God, and will reveal himself on the last
women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day day.
without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15He shall be 24
Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the
to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-
true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high
him.” 16Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his
his nurse. 17The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A
own; 26for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the
foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end
of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is
appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28so Christ,
having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second
time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for
him.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
We invite you to please stand.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Verse: The LORD raises up the poor | from the dust,* to make
them inherit a | seat of honor. (1 Sam. 2:8)
GOSPEL: Mark 12:38-44
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
my lips, and in my heart.”
The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.
After engaging in a series of public arguments with religious leaders in the
temple, Jesus contrasts the proud and oppressive ways of those leaders
with the sacrificial humility and poverty of the widow.
38
As [Jesus] taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk
around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the
marketplaces, 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of
honor at banquets! 40They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of
appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting
money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42A poor
widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a
penny. 43Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this
poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the
treasury. 44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she
out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON Reverend Dr. Cheryl Meese Peterson
Silence for reflection and then we invite you to stand and sing:
HYMN OF THE DAY Remember and Rejoice (ELW 454)
CREED
As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
words “born of the virgin Mary,” until the words “he descended to the
dead.”
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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.
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
The congregation responds to each petition by singing the verse of the
hymn at ELW 401. In the course of the silence after each bidding, the
people offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
Called together into the Spirit’s loving embrace, let us pray for the renewal
of the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
Please sit or kneel as you are able.
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.
We invite you to please stand and sing.
OFFERTORY HYMN: Praise and Thanksgiving (ELW 689)
OFFERING PRAYER
God of grace, You have showered us with abundance and entrusted to us
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,
affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and
action and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and
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.
DIALOGUE

PEACE

Please rise and greet one another in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.
Please be seated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 church’s 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.
PREFACE
OFFERTORY Here I Am, Lord Daniel L. Schutte
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
Worshippers are invited to bow through to the words “Hosanna in the forever and ever. Amen.
highest!”
FRACTURE AND INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.

Lutherans believe, teach and confess that we receive the true Body and
Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If you desire to pick up the cross and
live in Christ, we hope you will receive with us. Even if you do not feel
prepared to receive the sacrament today we hope you will join us at the
table. Simply hold your hands over your heart and the pastor will give you
a blessing. Pastor will be glad to discuss Holy Communion and Holy
Baptism with you!

LAMB OF GOD Please sing all invocations.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s 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…
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
COMMUNION HYMN Let Us Break Bread Together (ELW 471)
We invite you to stand.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank you, gracious God, for loving all your family with a mother’s
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.
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 We Are Called (ELW 720)
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Prelude in C J. S. Bach
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in
honor of Thankoffering Sunday.
Presented by the Women of Trinity Lutheran Church
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in
honor of the shared November 10th birthday of Martin Luther
and Beth Tucker.
Presented by the Tuckers
Today’s bulletin cover is given to the glory of God.
Presented by the WTLC Board
Upcoming Commemorations
Martin, Bishop of Tours, died 397
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Martin's pagan father enlisted him in the Roman army. Approached by a
beggar, Martin cut his cloak in half and gave part to the man, whom he later
understood as representing Christ. He asked to leave the army, but was
jailed instead. After his release, he became a preacher, and later a bishop.
Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, teacher, died 1855
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Kierkegaard was a Danish theologian whose writings also gave rise to the
modern philosophy of existentialism. He frequently attacked the
complacency of the state church of his day, as well as its desire to be
accepted by polite society rather than be a stumbling block.
Elizabeth of Hungary, renewer of society, died 1231
Saturday, November 17, 2018
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.