3rd Sunday of End TimeSaints Triumphant

November 17, 2019

SERVICE THEME:Waiting for the Lord

WELCOME — We are so pleased that you have joined us for worship today! If you are a guest with us, please sign our guest register, which is located in the center entryway of the church. We welcome and encourage children to join our worship services! Enclosed “cry rooms” are available in the back of the church near the restrooms, if your child becomes restless. Pictorial children’s Bibles are available for children to use, on the table in the back of church. Please let us know if there is any other way we can be of service to you. Again, welcome! OUR MISSION — The mission of St. Andrew Lutheran Church is to guide people to know Jesus as their Savior, to grow in their faith, and to show Jesus to others. OUR BELIEF — We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the only source of all Christian doctrine and teaching. We believe that the only true God is the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that we are saved not by anything we do, but only through faith in Jesus Christ, who gave his life for our sins. We will be happy to tell you more about what we believe! OUR HISTORY — St. Andrew Lutheran Church was established in 1888 and is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a confessional Lutheran church body with over 1,200 congregations in North America and with more than 30 sister church bodies worldwide.

Church Office: 3650 S. Honore St., Chicago, IL 60609 (next door to church)Website: www.standrewchicago.org Office Phone: 773-376-5370Office Email: churchsecretary@standrewchicago.orgFacebook Page: www.facebook.com/standrewchicago/

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Pastor: Adam Gawel, pastor@standrewchicago.org, cell: 773-383-2395

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Death is ugly. It does not matter if someone dies after a long, protracted fight with some illness or if they die peacefully in their sleep. Either way, the body goes into the ground and begins to decay. Either way, that person is gone, and their absence is constantly noticed. Death would be overwhelming if it were not for the fact that, for the believer, Christ has completely transformed death. Death is not the end. For those who are part of Christ’s family, death is the beginning of a new and better life, one where the deceased person has triumphed over sin and all its consequences. We thank God for this beautiful gospel truth—that Christians have an everlasting family! When Christian loved ones die, they are not “lost.” Something is only lost when: a) you don’t know where it is, and therefore b) you will not see it again. But we know exactly where our deceased Christian loved ones are, and we look forward to being reunited with them soon, by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus as our Savior.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO TODAY’S SERVICE

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS – At this time, anyone may share special prayer requests with the pastor, which he will then pray about later in the worship service, during the Prayer of the Church.  If you prefer to submit a written prayer request, you may do so before the service or hand it to an usher during the offering.  As a family of believers, we want to know each other’s joys and struggles, so that we can pray for each other.

OPENING HYMN – 551, stanzas 1-3 – For All the Saints

INVOCATIONM: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the

fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:13)C: And also with you.M: I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who

die in the Lord."C: "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their

deeds will follow them." (Revelation 14:13)M: For the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will

possess it forever —C: yes, for ever and ever! (Daniel 7:18)

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CONFESSION OF SINS

M: Beloved in the Lord, we desire to one day join the saints triumphant in heaven. Yet we have disobeyed God and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen! M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

After a brief musical introduction, the congregation sings from hymn 551 (For All the Saints, stanzas 4-6):

ALL (sung): Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!We feebly struggle; they in glory shine,Yet all are one within your grand design. Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,And hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;Soon, soon, to faithful warriors comes their rest.Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty God and Savior, you have set the final day and hour when we shall be delivered from this world of sin and death. Keep us ever

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watchful for the coming of your Son that we may sit with him and all your holy ones at the marriage feast in heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON – Isaiah 65:17-25 (EHV)

17Watch this! I am about to create new heavens and a new earth.The former things will not be remembered.They will not come to mind.18Instead, rejoice and celebrate forever, because of what I am creating.Watch this! I am about to create Jerusalem to be a source of gladness,and her people will be a source of joy.19I also will be glad because of Jerusalem,and I will rejoice over my people.The sound of weeping will not be heard in her again,nor will the sound of crying.20There will never again be an infant there who lives for only a few days,or an elderly man who does not fill out all his days,for one who dies at a hundred will be considered a young man,and one who fails to attain the age of one hundred will be regarded as cursed.21Then they will build houses and live in them.They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.22They will not build a house and have another person live in it.They will not plant and have another person eat the crop,for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree,and my chosen ones will enjoy all the work of their hands.23They will not labor only to receive nothing,and they will not give birth to children doomed to disaster,for they will be offspring who are blessed by the LORD,and their descendants will be with them.24Then even before they call, I will answer.While they are still speaking, I will hear.25The wolf and the lamb will graze together,and lions will eat straw like cattle,but the serpent will eat dust as its food.They will not harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain,

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says the LORD.PSALM OF THE DAY – Psalm 150 (NIV) – read responsively

M: Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary;C: praise him in his mighty heavens.M: Praise him for his acts of power;C: praise him for his surpassing greatness.M: Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,C: praise him with the harp and lyre,M: praise him with timbrel and dancing,C: praise him with the strings and pipe,M: praise him with the clash of cymbals,C: praise him with resounding cymbals.M: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.C: Praise the Lord.

After a brief musical introduction, the congregation sings from hymn 551 (For All the Saints, stanza 7):

ALL (sung): But then there breaks a yet more glorious day:The saints triumphant rise in bright array;The King of glory passes on his way.Alleluia! Alleluia!

SECOND LESSON – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 (EHV)

13But we are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings that were passed along to you, either by word of mouth or by a letter from us. 16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us so that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be glorified just as it was among you. 2Pray also that we may be rescued from evil and wicked people. For not everyone has faith. 3Still, the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and protect you

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from the Evil One. 4We also have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we are telling you. 5May the Lord continue to direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s patient endurance.

VERSE OF THE DAY

M: Alleluia. They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. Alleluia. (Revelation 7:15, NIV)

After a brief musical introduction, the congregation sings from hymn 551 (For All the Saints, stanza 8):

ALL (sung): From earth’s wide bounds to ocean’s farthest coastThrough gates of pearl streams in the countless host,Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL – Luke 20:27-38 (EHV)

After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:

27Some of the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him. 28They asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, his brother should take the wife and raise up children for his brother. 29So there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died childless. 30The second took her as a wife, 31and so did the third, and in the same way the seven died and left no children. 32Finally the woman died too. 33So in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”

34Jesus said to them, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are considered worthy to experience that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36In fact, they cannot die any more, for they are like the angels. They are sons of God, because they are sons of the resurrection.

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37“Even Moses showed in the account about the burning bush that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord: ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”

After the reading of the Gospel, the congregation sings: 

NICENE CREEDWe believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven

and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally

begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY – 728 – Jerusalem the Golden

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SERMON – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 – Waiting for the Lord

After the sermon, the congregation sings:

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OFFERING

Members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church use this time to respond to God’s goodness with gifts of thanks and love.  Our giving is guided by this Word of God: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8, NIV).  If you are a guest with us today, please do not feel obligated to participate.  Online giving is also available; please see the announcement on page 18 of this service folder for more information.

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

M: With thanksgiving and praise, O Lord, we remember all your faithful servants who throughout the ages have witnessed to your name: the mighty and the lowly, great leaders and humble men and women, those who have served you in prosperity and those who in the day of trouble have not failed. We rejoice that they now rest from their labors in your presence.

C: You are the rest of the blessed dead. We thank you for all who have died in the peace of Christ. We thank you for those whom you gave to our congregation for a time as a blessing but have now called home.

M: Heavenly Father, we recall with gratitude what you have done for us and for your Church through these saints. May their good works, which were prompted by your love in Christ and performed to your glory while here on earth, encourage us to live for you. As we join our worship and work with theirs, may we acknowledge ourselves to be part of that great cloud of witnesses from every age and place.

C: Unite all your people in the true faith, in the hope of an eternity at your side, and in the love that reveals us to be your children.

M: Through your Word, remind us who have not yet reached heaven that we remain part of the saints militant. Fill us with your Spirit, so that we continue to wage war for you, as our Christian forebears did—battling against our sinful flesh, winning souls for Christ, and combating the deadly influence of Satan in this world.

C: Uphold your promise to use your Word and Sacraments to keep us in the faith so that, when our work on earth is done, we may join the saints triumphant.

Special prayers and petitions may follow, including the following special prayer:

for Christmas evangelism:Our Savior Jesus Christ, we cannot go shopping at this time of the

year without being reminded that Christmas is coming. We know that this holiday is the celebration of your birth, our God who became fully human to take away the sins of the world. Sadly, we realize that not everyone knows this good news even though it is for all people. Bless our congregation and our synod as we strive to bring this good news of salvation to the people living around us. Empower each of us to invite

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someone to worship Christ, the newborn King, along with us. By your grace, bring many more to hear the true message of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring true joy to the people of this world. We pray in your name, Lord Jesus, who became our brother to save us all. Amen.

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 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.

THE SACRAMENT

Our Lord Jesus has given us a holy Supper in which we receive his true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith. In this Supper, we celebrate the gift of his redemption, we bear witness to the fellowship we share as confessors of the truth, and we proclaim his death until he returns.  Following the teaching of the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:17; 11:27-29; etc.), St. Andrew practices “close communion.”  We ask that only those who are communicant members of St. Andrew or another congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) partake of the sacrament today.  Our pastor would be happy to speak with you about receiving the Lord’s Supper with us in the future!

M: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.M: Lift up your hearts.C: We lift them up to the Lord.M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.C: It is good and right so to do.M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who preserves his Church to the end of time when he will come again as king to judge all people and take his own to glory. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.C: Amen.

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DISTRIBUTIONThose receiving the common cup are invited to assist the minister in guiding the cup to their lips.  Those who need to receive grape juice instead of wine may take the purple individual cups in the center of the tray.  Gluten-free wafers are available for those who need them; please 

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speak with the pastor before the service, or with an usher, to request one.

M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.C: And his mercy endures forever.

M: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen.

M: The Lord bless you and keep you.The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

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The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN – 417 – I’m But a Stranger Here (Heaven Is My Home)THIS WEEK AT ST. ANDREW

November 17-24, 2019

Today 9:30 AM Worship Service w. Communion10:45 AM Sunday School & Bible Study

Tuesday 6:30-8:30 PM Youth Confirmation Class

Wednesday 7:00 PM 中文圣经学习 (Chinese BibleStudy)

Friday 10:30 AM Adult Bible Study

Sunday 9:30 AM Welcome Home Worship Service 11:00 AM Lunch & Fellowship

The paraments are white for Saints Triumphant and Christ the King Sundays.  White is the color of purity and completeness. This color assists in bearing the message that "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). Christ's purity before his Father becomes our purity. White reinforces that message of joy.

WELCOME, GUESTS! – We are happy to have you with us today! Please sign the guest register in the church entryway so that we have a record of your visit. Our pastor, Adam Gawel, would be happy to meet with you if you would like. Please join us for worship or Bible study again!

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADULT BIBLE STUDY TOPICS TODAYIn today’s Sunday school lesson from the series I Spy Salvation’s Story, students investigate “The Case of the Old Bed: Jesus Heals at Bethesda.” Jesus is the one who brings healing, not only from sickness but also from sin and death. Parents, consider discussing with your child at home: “How does God heal people today? How can you help someone who needs healing?” In adult Bible study, we continue a series entitled Sing 

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to the Lord: A Study of Lutheran Hymnody. This Bible study covers many of the great hymns that express the truths of Scripture with beautiful lyrics set to timeless melodies, which make great tools for Christians to confess their faith and sing praises to God. Adults meet for Bible study in the back of the church sanctuary, and children meet for Sunday school in the ministry center next door to church. All are welcome!

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP AT ST. ANDREWWe will have a worship service on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28) at 9:30 a.m. Please join us to give thanks to God for all of his many blessings to us – most importantly the gift of his Son Jesus as our Savior.

MEMBER INFORMATION UPDATE FORMIf you have not done so yet, please fill out a member information update form for yourself, your spouse, and your children under 18 / other dependents, so that we can update our records and be able to contact you when needed. Forms and pens are available in the church entryways, and completed forms can be returned to an usher or church secretary Margie Hendricks. Thank you!

GIFT CARDS (SCRIP) ORDER FORMS AVAILABLEThe St. Andrew Mission Society has gift card (scrip) information packets available in the center entryway. We will receive a small percentage of each purchase, which will be used to support mission work affiliated with our church body. The deadline to order is yet to be determined, but will be set with enough time so that the cards will be available by Sunday, Dec. 22. You may turn in your order to an usher or to our church secretary, Margie Hendricks. Please contact Debbie Halderman with any questions.

BE PART OF “C19” (“Christmas 2019” outreach)One million souls. That is the goal. To share the gospel with one million souls prior to and on Christmas Eve. That goal is part of WELS Congregational Services’ “C19” program (“Christmas 2019” outreach). The only way to achieve that goal is for all WELS members, young and old, to embrace the privilege and responsibility of sharing Christ with unchurched friends, relatives, and neighbors. A simple way to do that: invite them to come with you to our Christmas Eve worship service (Dec. 24, 7:00pm). A recent survey found that 80% of unchurched adults would seriously consider accepting an invitation, extended by a friend, to 

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attend a Christmas Eve service!  C19 seeks to encourage every member of our WELS family to do just that. Please fill out the “My Personal Mission Field” form (bulletin insert) for your personal use; pray about those people; and then invite them during the month of December.CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-SALE BAKING, BASKETSSt. Andrew Mission Society will hold its annual Christmas cookie bake sale on Sunday, Dec. 22, after the worship service. Proceeds will be used to support mission work affiliated with our church body. To make this a success, we are asking for donations of homemade cookies during the week of Dec. 16-21. Cookie baskets will be packed on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10:00 a.m. Cookies may be dropped off at the ministry center (the house next door to church) on Dec. 16-20 from 9:00 to 3:00, or at church on Dec. 21 by 10:00 a.m. If you have baskets from previous years’ cookie sales and are willing to bring them to be used again, please bring them in to church/office at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLESt. Andrew Lutheran Church is set up to receive online donations. There are a number of ways to do that. Step-by-step instructions with screen-shots are available in the center church entryway, for both the mobile app “Give+” (from Vanco) and the giving page through our church website (go to standrewchicago.org and click on the “Giving” tab). Or, scan this QR code with your smartphone. Please contact St. Andrew’s elder for stewardship, Sam DeLaurentis delaurentis.sam@gmail.com, with any questions.

“EVERY MEMBER VISITS” WITH PASTOR GAWELThis year Pastor Gawel would like to meet individually with all the adult members of St. Andrew (or with married couples together), so that he can get to know everyone better and to see if there is any way that he or the church can serve you better spiritually. Pastor Gawel is willing to meet with you at your home, at a coffee shop or other venue near your home or workplace, or at our ministry center (next door to church). Please speak with Pastor Gawel, or call or text him at 773-383-2395, to schedule a time for a visit.

PASTORAL CARE

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Pastor Gawel is available for pastoral care. If you are sick, grieving, having surgery, hospitalized, or in need of any spiritual care or counseling, please call or text Pastor Gawel on his cell phone: 773-383-2395.

SERMONS AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING, DOWNLOAD, AND PODCASTINGIf you miss the Sunday sermon, would like to listen to it again, or would like to share it with a friend, audio recordings of the sermons are archived on our church website, posted weekly to our church Facebook page, and are available for podcasting (quick links and instructions available on our website). Go to http://standrewchicago.org/sermons/ to listen! Service folders are also available for download on our church website: http://standrewchicago.org/bulletins

WEDNESDAY EVENING CHINESE GROUP BIBLE STUDYOn Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the ministry center (the house next door to church), there is a Chinese group Bible study. New friends are always welcome to join! Please invite any Chinese friends or neighbors. You may share with them the following invitation: 每周三晚上 7:00，圣安得烈基督教路德宗教会之福音事工中心（教堂隔壁的房子）有成人中文圣经学习。欢迎您参加！事工中心楼上设有活动间供儿童使用；欢迎小孩跟家长一起来！地址是 3650 S. Honore St.（在麦金利公园区）。高乐仁牧师的电话号码是 773-383-2395.

MEDITATIONS DEVOTION BOOKLETS AVAILABLEMeditations daily devotion booklets are available in the information rack in the center entryway. Feel free to take one for use in your personal devotions.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASSIn Bible Information Class, we study the main teachings of the Christian faith. Adults and teens who would like to become members of St. Andrew are encouraged to attend this class to learn what St. Andrew teaches according to God’s Word. This class is also open to anyone who is interested in learning more about what the Bible teaches and what Christians believe, with no requirement to join the church after the course is finished. Pastor Gawel is able to teach the class in English and Chinese, and course materials are also available in Spanish and other languages, as an aid for those whose first language is not English or

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Chinese. If you or someone you know are interested in starting this class, please contact Pastor Gawel to set up a time.

Equipping Christian WitnessesEquipping Christian Witnesses, the new campaign from Martin Luther College, focuses on recruitment, financial aid, and facilities. By enrolling more future ministry workers, helping them fund their Christian education, and enhancing their learning environments across the campus, WELS strengthens the foundation for its future. Learn more at mlc-wels.edu/mlc-campaign.

Worship attendance last Sunday: 27(adults: 26; children: 1)

Adult Bible study attendance last week: 32(Friday: 2; Sunday: 10; Wednesday: 2, 6, 12)

Youth Confirmation Class: 2

Income needed each month Offerings received in October$11,840.00 $9,537.93

Offerings received last week: $2,007.24(needed each week: $2,732.31)

Offerings received so far this month: $4,574.75

November head usher: Tom PindelskiAssistant ushers: Jason Cheng & Frank ThompsonMusic and liturgy printed under OneLicense # A-714339Scripture readings are from the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2018 by the Wartburg Project, www.wartburgproject.org

PLEASE GREET THOSE AROUND YOUIf you are able, please stay for a time of fellowship after the worship service concludes; greet those around you and introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

Please take this service folder with you! Continue to meditate on the Bible readings throughout the week, and pray for God’s blessing on the mission and ministry of the church!

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God bless your week, as you live and witness for him!

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