St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Sunday Worship

The livestream may be found here.

The order of worship is below.

OPENING MUSIC Lord of Light

I. Kimberly K. Paterson

II. Richard Proulx

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:

1 Lord of light, your name outshining

all the stars and suns of space,

use our talents in your kingdom

as the servants of your grace;

use us to fulfill your purpose

in the gift of Christ your Son:

Refrain

Father, as in highest heaven,

so on earth your will be done.

2 By the toil of faithful workers

in some far outlying field,

by the courage where the radiance

of the cross is still revealed,

by the victories of meekness,

through reproach and suff'ring won: Refrain

3 Grant that knowledge, still increasing,

at your feet may lowly kneel;

with your grace our triumphs hallow,

with your charity our zeal;

lift the nations from the shadows

to the gladness of the sun: Refrain

4 By the prayers of faithful watchers,

never silent day or night;

by the cross of Jesus, bringing

peace to all and healing light;

by the love that passes knowledge,

making all your children one: Refrain

Text: Howell E. Lewis, 1860-1953, alt.

Text © Union of Welsh Independents

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:8-9)

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are in bondage to sin

and cannot free ourselves.

We have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name. Amen

In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake the Father forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.

Amen

THE HOLY COMMUNION

APOSTOLIC GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

KYRIE ELEISON

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen

HYMN OF PRAISE

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

(Luke 2:14)

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:

We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

O God, from your own abundance

all gifts and skills are lavishly bestowed.

Encourage us to use our talents

as generously as you have allotted them,

so that, being faithful to your purpose,

we may become sharers in your glory.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit;

one God, now and forever.

Amen

CALL TO THE WORD

Wisdom! Let us attend.

Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Eastern Orthodox call to the Word

Sit

First READING Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

⁷Be silent before the Lord God!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
the Lord has prepared a sacrifice,
he has consecrated his guests.
¹²At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the people
who rest complacently on their dregs,
those who say in their hearts,
“The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do harm.”
¹³Their wealth shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.
¹⁴The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter,
the warrior cries aloud there.
¹⁵That day will be a day of wrath,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
¹⁶a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
¹⁷I will bring such distress upon people
that they shall walk like the blind;
because they have sinned against the Lord,
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
¹⁸Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the Lord’s wrath;
in the fire of his passion
the whole earth shall be consumed;
for a full, a terrible end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM HYMN O God, Our Help in Ages Past

After each stanza is read an interlude will be played.

1 O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast,

and our eternal home:

2 Under the shadow of your throne

your saints have dwelt secure;

sufficient is your arm alone,

and our defense is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood

or earth received its frame,

from everlasting you are God,

to endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in your sight

are like an evening gone,

short as the watch that ends the night

before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

soon bears us all away;

we fly forgotten, as a dream

dies at the op’ning day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

still be our guard while troubles last

and our eternal home!

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt.

SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. ²For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! ⁴But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; ⁵for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. ⁶So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; ⁷for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE

Alleluia. The Lord says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Alleluia.

Revelation 22:20

Gospel Matthew 25:14-30

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Glory to you, O Lord.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] ¹⁴“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ ²³His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ ²⁶But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.

²⁹For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY God Whose Giving Knows No Ending.

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

1 God, whose giving knows no ending,

from your rich and endless store:

nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom,

costly cross, grave's shattered door,

gifted by you, we turn to you,

off'ring up ourselves in praise;

thankful song shall rise forever,

gracious donor of our days.

2 Skills and time are ours for pressing

toward the goals of Christ, your Son:

all at peace in health and freedom,

races joined, the church made one.

Now direct our daily labor,

lest we strive for self alone;

born with talents, make us servants

fit to answer at your throne.

3 Treasure, too, you have entrusted,

gain through pow'rs your grace conferred;

ours to use for home and kindred,

and to spread the gospel word.

Open wide our hands in sharing,

as we heed Christ's ageless call,

healing, teaching, and reclaiming,

serving you by loving all.

Text: Robert L. Edwards, 1915-2006

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again 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

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Made one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence is kept.

For the whole Church, that, moved by love, we may become faithful stewards of your bounty, having confidence in your blessing and hope for the promised reward: Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For St Stephen Lutheran Church, that you would awaken us to be children of the day; sharing the light of Christ with all:

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the leaders of our country, for those newly elected to office, and for the members of our armed forces; that in strength tempered by mercy they may perform their duties: Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

For the peoples of the world; that unity and peace may rule among nations and that all may be protected from violence and greed:

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For those whose faith slumbers; for those who doubt your will for them; for those in pain, suffering from injury, disease or age; for all in need of your comforting light and for those we name before you:

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

In thanksgiving for those who have died in your peace, who have served you in this life and entered into the joy of their master; Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

God of all creation, all you have made is good,

and your love endures forever.

You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine.

Nourish us with these gifts,

that we may be for the world signs of your gracious presence

in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading into the Sanctus:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through your Son, Jesus Christ:

He calls us to our tasks until the day of his great revealing, when we will present to him what is his own and enter into the joy of our master.

And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory;

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest! (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

We praise and thank you, O God,

for in your infinite goodness you have created us

to receive and rejoice in your love and mercy.

In the fullness of time and according to your purposes

you sent your beloved Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ, born of Mary.

He came to proclaim the Kingdom;

He healed the sick and numbered Himself among sinners;

He poured Himself out in death,

giving His life as our ransom and our righteousness.

In the night in which He was betrayed

our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks,

broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my Body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, He took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my Blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Holy Father,

as we remember our Lord's life and passion,

His resurrection and ascension,

we give you our thanks and bless your holy name.

Because your Son has made us His fellow-servants,

a holy priesthood, a people set apart, we pray:

Send now His life-giving Spirit

upon this Bread of Life and this Cup of Blessing,

that we and all who partake

of Christ's body and blood

may find our unity in Him

and our lives defined by His cross,

as we await His final coming as Lord of love.

Through Him, with Him, in Him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father,

now and forever.

Amen

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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 from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen (Matthew 6:9-15)

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world;

happy are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word

and I shall be healed.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

Grant us peace.

(John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated, and please do not remove your mask until you have reached the table with the elements on it.

When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated. Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

Awake, O Spirit of the Watchmen

1 Awake, O Spirit of the watchmen

who never held their peace by day or night,

contending from the walls of Zion

against the foe, confiding in your might.

Throughout the world their cry is ringing still

and bringing peoples to your holy will.

2 O Lord, now let your fire enkindle

our hearts, that ev’rywhere its flame may go

and spread the glory of redemption,

that all the world your saving grace may know.

O harvest Lord, look down on us and view

how white the fields, the laborers, how few!

3 Send forth, O Lord, your strong evangel

by many messengers, all hearts to win.

Make haste to help us in our weakness,

break down the realm of Satan, death, and sin.

The circle of the earth shall then proclaim

your kingdom and the glory of your name.

Text: K.H. von Bogatzky, 1690-1774; tr. composite, alt.

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

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

Amen

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Almighty Father, you gave your Son

both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life.

Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving,

and to conform our lives to his;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.

Amen (Numbers 6:24-26)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

CLOSING MUSIC Crown Him with Many Crowns

Please maintain social distance and remain masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving the building.

OUR STEWARDSHIP of GOD’S GIFTS

Last Weekend’s Attendance: 10 + 12 = 22

Offering: 11/8/2020

Towards Budget: $ 870.00

Itemized Non Budget:

Flowers: $ 40.00

Water Mission: $ 10.00

Total: $ 920.00

The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God by Michelle Windsheimer in honor of her mother’s birthday.

V IN YOUR PRAYERS

Linda Armento, at home

Matthew Armento, at Jefferson Hospital

Mary Jo Bondi, at home

Ruth Duessel, at Concordia, Rebecca

Pastor Carl Hendrickson, at home

Elsie Kemmler and Bill Roth at Concordia, South Hills

David Noel, at Kane Rehab, Scott Township

Geneva Schrag, at Consulate Health Care, Canonsburg

William Wetzel at Concordia, Cabot

REMINDERS FOR THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND WORSHIP SERVICES

· If you wish to attend worship, you will need to pre-register every week by either calling the office or sending an email.

· Registration ends Saturday at 12 noon.

· Masks are required to be worn while in the building.

· Upon entering and leaving the church, you must sanitize your hands or wash them with soap and water.

· Everyone must sign in when entering the church. This way we can keep track of who was in the church and when.

WORSHIP SERVICES are held every Saturday evening at 6:30 PM and Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Pastor Frontz also livestreams Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day) on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. These can be accessed on the church’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ststephenpittsburgh).

THE CHURCH COUNCIL will meet this evening at 7 PM. Please pray for the council.

THERE WILL BE A PRAYER SERVICE for THANKSGIVING on Thanksgiving Eve livestreamed on Facebook Live on Wednesday, November 25, Thanksgiving Eve, at 7 p.m. Please take time to join in prayer with the Faith Family as we give thanks to God for his mercies even in the midst of troubled times.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS: Please order Christmas poinsettias by sign-up sheet at worship or by emailing or calling the church office. The poinsettias are available in white, pink, or red and the cost is $7 per pot. The deadline for placing your order is Sunday, December 6, 2020.

KINDLY REMEMBER TO PAY FOR THE FLOWERS you ordered for the weekend Altar and for the special occasions. Altar flowers are $20/vase. Checks can be made out to St. Stephen Lutheran Church with a notation “flowers” and placed in the offering plate.

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2021: Please see the sign-up sheet available in the Narthex for altar flowers. If you are unable to sign-up in person, you may call or email the office to make a request for a date(s). We will assign date(s) in the order in which the requests are received. The process will repeat until the slots are filled. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. The cost per arrangement will be $20.

DAILY DEVOTIONS, including THE WORD IN SEASON, PORTALS OF PRAYER AND CHRIST IN OUR HOME (October, November, and December 2020) are available on the table in the Narthex. Take one or more to share with family and friends. If you are able, a donation would be welcomed to help defray the cost to the congregation for these resources. Thank you!

2020 ‘DAILY TEXTS’ are available in the Narthex. A donation of

$10 per book would be appreciated to help cover the cost of the books. Thank you.

ST STEPHEN COUNSELING CENTER: A site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute/PPI). For marriage, family, teen and individual counseling – for first appointment call PPI at 412-661-1239. St. Stephen Center is

412-279-5452. Counseling opens doors to hope. Counselor: Caroline Graham-McGuire.

Text Box: THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY
Sun/Nov 15 WORSHIP 10:30 AM
Council Meeting 7:00 PM
Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM
Wed/ Nov 18 Evening Prayer (livestream) 7:00 PM
Sat/Nov 21 NA Meeting 11:00 AM
SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP 6:30 PM
Sun/Nov 22 WORSHIP 10:30 AM
Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Opening Prayers: Collects in Contemporary Language,

Eucharistic Prayer reprinted by permission from A Little Book of Canons by Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, 1997 and 2010.

Fortt, Annette Gandy. Parable of the Talents, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56021 [retrieved November 10, 2020]. Original source: annettefortt.com.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org