St. Luke's

United Church of Christ

 

 

 

No Matter Who You Are Or Where You Are On Life's Journey, You Are Welcome Here!

Weekly Bulletin

ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

727 N. Main St., Independence, Missouri 64050  

Rev. E. Paul Emily, Pastor  

Pastor’s Phone: 816-379-5726   Church Phone:  461-0302       

stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org   www.stlukesuccindep.org

Margie Foley, Organist/Pianist

Matthew Bennett, Conductor/Violinist

Nanette Moore, Administrative Assistant/Director of Christian Education
Pastors Emeriti:  Rev. David Lyon & Rev. Ralph Koch

*If comfortable doing so, you are invited to stand.
The hymns today come from The Methodist Hymnal.

 

NOVEMBER 10, 2024                                                                                  

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SILENT MEDITATION: “How do we make goodness attractive? By doing whatever we can to bring courage to those whose lives move near our own. By treating our neighbor at least as well as we treat ourselves. And

allowing that to inform everything we produce.” Fred Rogers

 

GATHERING MUSIC  

GREETING  

PRELUDE "Taste and See"                                                    

Bob Hurd

 

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 378 “Amazing Grace” (vs 1-4)                                         

AMAZING GRACE

 

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

 

 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

 

 Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

 

 The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 146)

One: Happy are those whose hope is in God, maker of heaven and earth--

All: For God keeps faith forever!

One: God executes justice for the oppressed and gives food for the hungry.

All:God sets the prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind.

One: God lifts up those who are bowed down.

All:God watches over the strangers and upholds the orphan and the widow.

One: People of God, sing praise to the One who is your help—

All: For God keeps faith forever!

 

CALL TO CONFESSION


PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

We confess, O God, that the burdens which weigh us down also narrow our vision. Uncertainty of the future makes us focus on our own survival. We regard strangers with suspicion and find it difficult to trust them, much less share with them. We speak words that we regret and keep silent when we need to speak.  Weariness and discouragement sap our energy and our faith. We wonder how there could be good news that is not of our own making. Forgive us and renew our faith in you. Amen

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
 

GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.

 

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE

PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC "We Bow Down”                                           

Arr. Mark Hayes

 

SCRIPTURE: Ruth 3:1-5

 

SERMON:“Good Widows’ Sunday”

 

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 586 “Let My People Seek Their Freedom” (vs 1,2,4)                

EBENEZER

 

“Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile,

from the slave pens of the Delta from the ghettos on the Nile.”:

so God spoke from out of Sinai, so God spoke and it was done,

and a people crossed the waters toward the rising of the sun.

 

“Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile,

from the aging shrines and structures, from the cloister and the aisle”:

so the Son of God has spoken, and the storm clouds are unfurled,

for God’s people must be scattered to be servants in the world.

 

In the maelstrom of the nations, in the journeying into space,

in the clash of generations, in the hungering for grace,

in our agony and glory, we are called to newer ways by the Lord of our tomorrows

and the God of earth’s todays.

 

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS
"Arietta”                                                   

Vincenzo Bellini

 

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)       

God of all Blessing, may our lives give evidence that we understand the care and compassion you have for all people. Let our response to others’ needs be always in the spirit of Christ. Bless the offerings we bring today as we invest our gifts and our lives in the work kindness, sharing in the work of your eternal realm.  Amen

 

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 130 “God Will Take Care of You”                                                    

MARTIN


Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you;
beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

 

Refrain: God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way;
he will take care of you, God will take care of you.

 

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;
when dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you. [Refrain]

 

All you may need he will provide, God will take care of you;
nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you. [Refrain]

 

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; lean, weary one,

upon his breast, God will take care of you. [Refrain]

 

BENEDICTION  

 

POSTLUDE "Love Lifted Me"                                        

Arr.  Howard E. Smith

 

The Liturgist today is Jeff Ruoff.

Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

95TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Frances Heman’s 95th Birthday Celebration will be held
Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 3:00 PM—5:00 PM
at St. Luke’s UCC (No gifts please)

 

ADVENT MOVIE

On November 17th, after worship, we will have a freewill dinner followed by the Advent Movie. The movie’s
theme is used throughout the Advent Season. There is a sign up sheet in the hallway.
If you can’t attend and would like a link to the movie, please contact the church office.

 

HOLIDAY HELPERS
We are again participating in the Independence School District’s Holiday Helper Campaign.
We will collect money through Sunday, December 1st.
The donations will go to families in need that aren’t helped by other programs.
A family from our congregation will be matching all our gifts up to $500.
Look for a Holiday Helper can in the sanctuary.
 

FOOD WAGON
We are collecting Holiday foods for the food wagon (in the east coat closet). Any types of dressing mixes, cranberries, canned vegetables, etc. are appreciated. All of the food will be donated to Community Services League. We will collect the foods through December 8th.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Men’s Fellowship will meet on Monday, November 11th, at Noon

Soup and dessert will be served. It is a time for men and their friends to gather for a time of fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Larry Franciskato.

 

SAVE THE DATES
There are many things coming up that you want to add to your calendars.
More details will be put in the bulletin and Glimpse closer to time.

 

POINSEITTIAS
Poinsettias will be available to be purchased on Sundays, November 17th and 24th. They will be $10 each or $11 if paid for online.

HANGING OF THE GREENS
November 30th, 9:30 AM Save the date and plan on helping decorate for the Advent Season

 

90th BIRTHDAY CELBRATION
December 1st—Ron Ritter’s 90th Birthday Celebration, immediately following worship

 

CHECK IN, SHARE AND COMMENT If you are worshiping in person, please “Check-in” on Facebook, then, share the service, comment on it and like it. You are encouraged to have your device out during the service. If the music inspires you, tell Matthew and Margie by commenting about how wonderful it was or say thank you. If the sermon speaks to you, comment with how it touched you. If there is a great story during Children’s Moment or a kid makes you laugh, comment and tell what it was. If someone makes a comment, reply to them. We encourage you to connect with those online as well as in person. If you are worshiping online, share and comment on the service. Comment on the things listed above, reply to and/or like other people’s comments. It is so important to stay connected & these are simple ways to do that.

 

INSTAGRAM Use this QR code to follow St. Luke’s UCC on Instagram!

 

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES 

10:45 AM Online & In person Worship followed by in person fellowship

Monday—Friday, 9:45 AM Live with Pastor Paul in Windows Facebook Group

Monday & Wednesday, 6:30 PM NA Meeting

Wednesday, 9:30 AM ABC Quilting For more information about any of these, please email the church office at stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org

 

GIVING OPTIONS If you wish to make a donation to St. Luke’s, there are several options available: 1. Check mailed to church office at 727 N. Main, Independence, MO 64050 2. Internet donation – you may now donate from a secure site by clicking on the Give Now button on the website.   3. Electronic funds transfer – your offering can be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. To sign up, click here.  After completing the form, contact the church office stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org for instructions. 4. Vanco Mobile App - download the free app on Google Play or the App Store. Enter St Lukes (without punctuation) as the church name Select St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Independence. From there you can create an account and use the app for donations. 5.  Text the word GIVE to 816-312-5053 and you will be directed to a secure site for giving. CONNECT If you are visiting today we would love to connect with you. Text

 

CONNECT to 816-312-5053 or use the QR code to the right.

 

PHOTO/VIDEO POLICY May it be understood that any pictures/videos taken during any church event may be used for promotion. Church events, including but not limited to, worship services may be broadcast live on Facebook. If you are not in agreement with this notify the church office.