Christ’s Reformed Church – United Church of Christ

~ growing people of faith who live in Jesus, love one another and bear abundant fruit ~

November 19, 2023

TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE Trio on “Ash Grove” Arranged by Douglas Wagner

CALL TO WORSHIP
Holy One, you have been our God from generation to generation. Before the universe exploded and the
earth was without form, you have been with us.
Creator, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
We enter your presence to worship and praise your holy name.
Mighty One, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Teach us to count the days with joy and appreciation for all your marvelous works and steadfast love.
Everlasting God, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

INVOCATION
Generous God, you pour your Spirit into us. You bless us with your love. In your presence, there is
fullness of joy, comfort for those in despair, and peace in the midst of chaos and confusion. You do not
abandon us in time of need or of celebration. We turn toward you now seeking to receive your message,
to give you honor, and to commune in your presence. Make yourself known among us, O God, make
yourself known to us. Amen.

*HYMN OF PRAISE Now Thank We All Our God (See Attachment)

WORDS OF CONFESSION
Sovereign God, we confess that life is hard. We don’t always make the best choices, and all too often
we realize the options before us are lacking. We are overwhelmed with the enormity of the world’s
problems. Sometimes, we turn away completely. Sometimes, we respond with our tribal allegiances
first in mind. Bitterness and resentment are easy guides. Help us seek wisdom and clarity, compassion
and presence, hope and peace over shallow victories, material gain, and violence of the mind, body, or
spirit. Bless us to be peacemakers, hope sharers, and love spreaders in the world for our neighbors and
for your glory. Moment of Silence.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Friends, God is merciful and journeys with us as we navigate uncertain terrain. God is still at work in us
and through us that we might have flourishing and abundant lives in community with one another.
Receive the grace God grants to begin anew when our journey stalls or diverts from the path of the
kindom. That grace is yours.

PRAYER RESPONSE Sanctuary (See Below or Attachment)

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, Pure and holy tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living Sanctuary for You

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to

one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went
away. At once 16 the one who had received the five talents went off and traded with them and made
five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But
the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s
money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then 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.’ 21 His 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.’ 22 And 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.’ 23 His 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.’ 24 Then 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, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the
ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But 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? 27 Then you ought to have
invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with
interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For 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. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

GOSPEL LESSON Mark 10:17-31

17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher,

what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good
but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not defraud. Honor your father and
mother.’ ” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him,
loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money[a] to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and
went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
 “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were
perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom
of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter
the kingdom of God.” 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another,[c] “Then who can be
saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things
are possible.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus
said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or
children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news[d] 30 who will not receive a hundredfold
now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and
in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

The word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God

CHILDREN’S TIME

SERMON Rev. Mary Jane Norville

*HYMN OF RESPONSE Come, O Thankful People, Come (See Attachment)

PSALM 90 - PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on
which our lives turn. Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on
earth, just as it is in heaven. We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day. Forgive us
the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Rescue
us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil. For you are the King who rules with power
and glory forever. Amen. The Passion Translation (TPT)

OFFERING (Final Collection for November Change 4 Change – Micah’s Backpack)

*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication for Offering

Generous God, we bring the gifts of ourselves and our abundance. Magnify and multiply these offerings
to meet the needs before us. Continue to cultivate the spirit of generosity among us and make us good
stewards as we allocate the use of these gifts in your name. Amen.

*HARVEST HOME DEDICATION

*HYMN OF SENDING Bringing in the Sheaves (See Attachment)

*BENEDICTION
As you go on your journey…
Trust in God.
Use your talents.
Multiply the impact of your gifts.
Enter the Holy One’s joy.

*BENEDICTION SONG Seek Ye First (See Attachment)

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you, Allelu alleluia

POSTLUDE Come, Thou Fount Arranged by Cindy Berry

(In the setting of Peter Tschaikowsy’s Concerto Op. 23)

*Please stand in body or in spirit.

Please lift the people below in your prayers.

Lisa Price Clare (Friend of Plume Family)

Paul & Becky Corderman
Geraldine Cromer
Bob Demuth
Darrin & Cara Eichelberger
Jennifer Hamilton (Neighbor of Sandy Duffy)
Web & Betsy Harbaugh
Larry Hoeck
Mary Jane Keller (Friend of Geraldine Cromer)
Dave Kolenc (Betty Spessard's Cousin)
Kristi Lawson (Daughter of Martin & Kathy Fisher)
Robert Miller
Teresa Miller (Friend of Sandy Duffy)
Jack Mills (Gertie Mill’s husband)
Ginger Nichols
Gary Price (Friend of Plume Family)
Traci L. Ross (Friend of Jackie P. & Becky L.)
Jose Mata Shipp (Nephew of Jackie Plume)
Linda VanMetre
 Welcome to our Guests: We gather to praise “the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29). Because of Jesus, you can be at peace in
the assurance of God’s forgiveness and love.
Welcome to worship!! If you have come as a visitor,
we hope that you’ll leave as a friend who’s been
blessed by worshiping in this house of God. We look
forward to seeing you again.
November 22 11 AM Lectionary
November 23 Office Closed – Happy Thanksgiving
November 26 Hanging of the Greens
November 26 Sunday School – High School Youth and Adults
November 27 7 PM ATS Meeting
November 29 11 AM Lectionary
December 2 8:30 AM Women’s Breakfast
December 3 First Sunday of Advent
December 3 Sunday School – High School Youth
December 6 11 AM Lectionary
December 10 Second Sunday of Advent
December 10 Sunday School – High School Youth and Adults
December 13 11 AM Lectionary
Liturgist: Tom VanMetre
Altar Preparation: Cindy Murray
Flower Deliverers Martin Fisher
Ushers: Jim Morris, Bob Barkdoll, Steve Lohr, Faye Metz
Financials for October 2023 YTD Jan-October 2023
Samaritan Acct Balance $574.88
Offerings $8,365.38* Offerings $107,656.43*
ATS Repayment $0 ATS Repayment $0
Endowment Interest $10,000.00 Endowment Interest $120,000.00
Expenses $23,917.71* Expenses $233,448.31*
Net Profit/Loss $5,552.33 Net Profit/Loss $5,791.88
*Elevator check from insurance company has been removed from these numbers.
Christ's Reformed Church Church Staff
Phone No: 301-733-4144 Margaret Bussard – Custodian
Fax No. 301-733-4145 Thomas Greenawalt - Technology Support
Church General email: Larry Hoeck - Consistory President
crc1854@myactv.net Rev. Mary Jane Norville - Minister
Website: www.crcucc.org Cheryl Wilson - AA/Organist
Morning Worship 9:30 am Charlotte Trout – ATS Board President
YouTube: CRC Christ’s Reformed Church