Sunday, November 16, 2025 -- 10:30am Worship Service
Welcome to Maxwell Street! We hope you will consider wearing a nametag so that we might get to know one another better. They can be found in the lobbies outside the sanctuary. You can find more helpful information inside this bulletin.
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prelude - Thanks be to God, G. F. Handel
Call to Worship
Surely God is our salvation;
we will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God is our strength and our might;
God has become our salvation.
Sing praises to the Lord, for God has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
+ HYMN 2 - Come, Thou, Almighty King
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession
Gracious and loving God, we confess that we are troubled by the events of our lives and the state of this world. Headlines are full of wars, insurrections, suffering, earthquakes, famines, and death. These things are enough to shake our faith and undermine our confidence in your promise. Deliver us from speculation that distracts us from faithful living and loving service. Forgive us when we doubt your promises. Help us to endure that we may gain our souls, always bearing witness to your love and grace in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hear now our silent prayers of confession.
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 581, (Gloria Patri)
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
Prayer for Openness
God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us. Amid all the changing words of our generation, speak your eternal word that does not change. Then may we respond to your gracious promises with faithful and obedient lives; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture Reading -2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, NT pg 206 (NRSVUE)
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem - Let Thy Merciful Ears, O Lord, Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623), Chancel Choir
Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open unto the prayers of Thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them ask such things as shall please Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading - Luke 21.5-19, NT pg 85
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Sermon - This Is Your Chance - Rev Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - A portion of The Brief Statement of Faith
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ HYMN 361 - O Christ, the Great Foundation
(A note from Pastor Matt: I know these aren’t the “right” words. If you noticed this, I hope you’ll compare these lyrics with those of the more familiar Hymn 321.)
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - Hostias from Requiem, Gabriel Fauré, Will Jones, bass
Hear our prayer and let our cry come unto thee; God our Father bow thine ear:
We pray thee this day for all the souls departed. O remember them, Lord, we pray.
Grant them deliverance from death unto life. As of old thou hast promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed.
• Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessing flow Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
• Prayer of Dedication
+ HYMN 263 - All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
Charge & Benediction
Benediction Response - Hymn 541“God Be with You Till We Meet Again” vs. 1 & 3
1 God be with you till we meet again; loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you: God be with you till we meet again.
3 God be with you till we meet again; when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you: God be with you till we meet again.
Postlude - Voluntary on Coronation, Diane Bish
GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prelude - Thanks be to God, G. F. Handel
Call to Worship
Surely God is our salvation;
we will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God is our strength and our might;
God has become our salvation.
Sing praises to the Lord, for God has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
+ HYMN 2 - Come, Thou, Almighty King
+ Call to Confession
+ A Prayer of Confession
Gracious and loving God, we confess that we are troubled by the events of our lives and the state of this world. Headlines are full of wars, insurrections, suffering, earthquakes, famines, and death. These things are enough to shake our faith and undermine our confidence in your promise. Deliver us from speculation that distracts us from faithful living and loving service. Forgive us when we doubt your promises. Help us to endure that we may gain our souls, always bearing witness to your love and grace in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hear now our silent prayers of confession.
• Assurance of Pardon
• Response to Forgiveness: Hymn 581, (Gloria Patri)
Passing of the Peace
Children’s Message
Prayer for Openness
God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us. Amid all the changing words of our generation, speak your eternal word that does not change. Then may we respond to your gracious promises with faithful and obedient lives; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture Reading -2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, NT pg 206 (NRSVUE)
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
This is the written testimony to the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem - Let Thy Merciful Ears, O Lord, Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623), Chancel Choir
Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open unto the prayers of Thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them ask such things as shall please Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading - Luke 21.5-19, NT pg 85
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Sermon - This Is Your Chance - Rev Matt Falco
Statement of Faith - A portion of The Brief Statement of Faith
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ HYMN 361 - O Christ, the Great Foundation
(A note from Pastor Matt: I know these aren’t the “right” words. If you noticed this, I hope you’ll compare these lyrics with those of the more familiar Hymn 321.)
Prayers of the People & THE LORD’s PRAYER
Offering
• INVITATION
• Offertory - Hostias from Requiem, Gabriel Fauré, Will Jones, bass
Hear our prayer and let our cry come unto thee; God our Father bow thine ear:
We pray thee this day for all the souls departed. O remember them, Lord, we pray.
Grant them deliverance from death unto life. As of old thou hast promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed.
• Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessing flow Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
• Prayer of Dedication
+ HYMN 263 - All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
Charge & Benediction
Benediction Response - Hymn 541“God Be with You Till We Meet Again” vs. 1 & 3
1 God be with you till we meet again; loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you: God be with you till we meet again.
3 God be with you till we meet again; when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you: God be with you till we meet again.
Postlude - Voluntary on Coronation, Diane Bish