November 12, 2023
TIME AFTER PENTECOST—LECTIONARY 32

INTRODUCTION
Today the prophet Amos calls for justice to roll down like waters. Paul urges us to encourage one another with the promised coming of the Lord. Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. Surrounded by the faithful of every time and place, we celebrate Christ's coming in our midst in the word of life and the feast of victory—the marriage feast of the lamb.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
in whose image we are made,
who claims us and calls us beloved.
Amen.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy One,
we confess that we are not awake for you.
We are not faithful in using your gifts.
We forget the least of our siblings.
We do not see your beautiful image in one another.
We are infected by sin
that divides your beloved community.
Open our hearts to your coming,
open our eyes to see you in our neighbor,
open our hands to serve your creation.
Amen.

Beloved, we are God's children,
and Jesus, our Beloved, opens the door to us.
Through + Jesus you are forgiven,
by Jesus you are welcome,
in Jesus you are called to rejoice!
Let us live in the promises prepared for us
from the foundation of the world.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God of justice and love, you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, and awaken us to the needs of others, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Keep awake | and be ready,* for you do not know on what day your | Lord is coming. Alleluia. (Matt. 24:42, 44)

READINGS AND PSALM
Amos 5:18-24
Wisdom 6:12-16 (Alternate)
Psalm 70
You are my helper and my deliverer; O LORD, do not tarry. (Ps. 70:5)
Wisdom 6:17-20 (Alternate)
The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction. (Wis. 6:17)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

FIRST READING: Amos 5:18-24
In the days of Amos, people thought that the day of the Lord would be a time of great victory, but Amos announced that it would be a day of darkness, not light. He said liturgy is no substitute for obedience. The Lord demands justice and righteousness in the community.

18Alas for you who desire the day of the LORD! Why do you want the day of the LORD? It is darkness, not light; 19as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake. 20Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? 21I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. 23Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. 24But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

FIRST READING (ALTERNATE): Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom is part of the structure of the universe and is easily accessible to those who want to find her. Wisdom actually seeks people out. People who are wise are free from care.

12Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. 13She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. 14One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. 15To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, 16because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.

PSALM: Psalm 70
You are my helper and my deliverer; O LORD, do not tarry. (Ps. 70:5)

1Be pleased, O God, to de- | liver me;
	O LORD, make | haste to help me.
2Let those who seek my life be put to shame | and confounded;
	let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
	draw back and | be disgraced.   R
3Let those who say to me "Aha!" and gloat | over me
	turn back because | of their shame.
4Let all who seek you rejoice and be | glad in you;
	let those who love your salvation say forever, "Great | is the LORD!"
5But as for me, I am poor and needy; come to me quick- | ly, O God.
	You are my helper and my deliverer; O LORD, | do not tarry.   R

PSALM (ALTERNATE): Wisdom 6:17-20
The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction. (Wis. 6:17)

17The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire | for instruction,
	and concern for instruction is | love of wisdom,
18and love of wisdom is the keeping | of wise laws,
	and giving heed to wise laws is assurance of | immortality,
19and immortality brings one | near to God;
	20so the desire for wisdom leads | to a kingdom.   R

SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Some of the Thessalonians are worried that dead Christians will be excluded from the resurrection to eternal life when Christ comes again. Paul reassures them with the word of hope that all Christians, living or dead, will be raised into everlasting life with Christ.

13We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 15For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

GOSPEL: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells a parable about his own second coming, emphasizing the need for readiness at all times.

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
Let us turn our hearts to God, our breath and life, as we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
O God for whom we wait, come quickly to your people, bring your salvation, and center us in hope found only in you. Deepen our faith through meaningful worship and send us out with your justice and truth. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
O God for whom we watch, we glimpse your power in rushing water and your beauty in the darkening night. Restore this creation, and provide clean water to all people and animals. Save us from foolish, wasteful living. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
O God for whom we long, let justice roll down like waters on all nations. Bless citizens with wise leaders; save your children from war. We pray for the veterans of this community, that they are supported and loved. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
O God, in whom we hope, we pray for all who are in need. Provide for those who experience homelessness or hunger, support the under- or unemployed, and comfort any who are suffering this day (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
O God for whom we listen, inspire the music ministry of our congregation. Fill our worship with songs to proclaim your greatness. Help us to sing and dance with joy and tell boldly of your salvation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
O God, in whom we remain, we remember our loved ones who have died and now live in you (especially). Bring comfort and the assurance of new life to all who grieve. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We offer our spoken prayers and those held in our hearts trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
God of all goodness,
generations have turned to you,
gathered around your table,
and shared your abundant blessings.
Number us among them
that, as we gather these gifts from your abundance,
and give thanks for your rich blessings,
we may feast upon your very self
and care for all that you have made,
through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Servant.
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
There is a place for you at the banquet.
Come and feast at Jesus' table.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord Jesus,
in this simple meal you have set a banquet.
Sustain us on the journey,
strengthen us to care for the least of your beloved children,
and give us glad and generous hearts
as we meet you on the way.
Amen.

BLESSING
May the God of all creation,
in whose image we are made,
who claims us and calls us beloved,
who strengthens us for service,
give you reason to rejoice and be glad!

The blessing of God,
Sovereign, + Savior, and Spirit,
be with you today and always.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Beloved of God,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.