24th Sunday after Pentecost

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, from whose own abundance all gifts and abilities are lavishly bestowed, encourage us to use our resources 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, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“What the Lord Has Done in Me” – The Acappella Company

Let the weak say, “I am strong” Let the poor say, “I am rich” Let the blind say, “I can see”
It’s what the lord has done in me

Hosanna, hosanna to the Lamb that was slain
Hosanna, hosanna Jesus died and rose again

Into the river I will wade, there my sins are washed away
From the heavens mercy streams of the Savior’s love for me

I will rise from waters deep into the saving arms of God
I will sing salvation songs, Jesus Christ has set me free
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Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)

Parable of the Three Servants

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.  To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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Intercessory Prayer

Gracious God, You have given us gifts, abilities, and resources to advance Your Kingdom. Give us a spirit of wisdom and generosity as we attend to the needs of the least among us during this holiday season –

+ For the poor – that we may give as generously as we have received…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the hungry – that we may feed them, body and soul…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the suffering in war zones – that You may protect them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the homeless – that we may remember their vulnerability during the winter…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the needy around us – that we may willingly serve them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those mourning the death of loved ones in Christ – that we may be comforted by the certain hope of our resurrection in eternity…. Lord, hear us.

Gracious God, You bless those who trust You: hear our prayers and bless Your people, we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“”We Give You Thanks”” – All Sons & Daughters

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Blessing – Revelation 7:12 (NLT)

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!