Worship Bulletin

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
EUCHARIST
NOVEMBER 16, 2025 | 10:15 AM

Welcome to St. John’s! If you are new, please sign our Guest Book in the back of the church and join us for Coffee Hour in our Parish Life Center. Please let an usher know if you require hearing assistance.

This is a family friendly congregation. If you have toddlers, please feel free to sit to the front right where we have a “soft space,” and a nursery room is available in the back as needed. Please let an usher know if you require hearing assistance.

Today we celebrate Holy Communion. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, all are welcome to receive at the Lord’s Table.

PRELUDE If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee Georg Böhm

PROCESSIONAL HYMN   Thou, Whose Almighty Word– Blue Hymnal #371

Flowers given by Becky & J. T. Thompson in thanksgiving for their anniversary.

OPENING ACCLAMATION Book of Common Prayer p.355

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant & People: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS Blue Hymnal #S-279

COLLECT OF THE DAY (PROPER 28) Book of Common Prayer p.236

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

FIRST READING ISAIAH 65:17–25
Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
or the cry of distress.
No more shall there be in it
an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain,
or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—
and their descendants as well.
Before they call I will answer,
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
but the serpent-- its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

FIRST SONG OF ISAIAH Surely it is God Who Saves Me– Blue Hymnal #679

SECOND READING  2 THESSALONIANS 3:6–13

Reader: A reading from the second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle 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 in idleness, 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.

Reader:  The Word of the Lord
People:  Thanks be to God.

SEQUENCE HYMN “Thy Kingdom Come,” on Bended Knee#615 v. 1–4

THE HOLY GOSPEL  LUKE 21:5-19

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory be to you, Lord Christ.

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus 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 brothers, 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.”

Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

SEQUENCE HYMN Blue Hymnal #615 v. 5

SERMON Rev. Tammy Smith-Firestone

NICENE CREED Book of Common Prayer p.358
We 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:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
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.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic 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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FORM II Book of Common Prayer p. 385
In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
Leader: I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world; for our Bishop Megan; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.
Silence
Leader: I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people.Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
Leader: I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Silence
Leader: I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence
Leader: I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.
Silence
Leader: Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Silence

CONFESSION OF SIN
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Celebrant and People:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

THE PEACE
Celebrant    The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People        And also with you.

The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE LITURGY OF THE TABLE

OFFERTORY MUSIC Hail to the Lord’s Anointed Robert Powell

PRESENTATION HYMN Come, ye Thankful People, Come– Blue Hymnal #290, v. 3
For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take his harvest home;
from his field shall in that day
all offenses purge away;
give his angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast,
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Eucharistic Prayer A Book of Common Prayer p. 361
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is truly right, and a good and joyful thing…

…Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

SANCTUS  
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Celebrant: …Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
People: Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Celebrant: And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you…

…By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Celebrant:    And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

FRACTION HYMN ALLELUIA, PASCHA NOSTRUM
The Celebrant breaks the bread.

Celebrant: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia

Blue Hymnal #S-166

THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION
Please follow the directions of the ushers. We go to the communion rail to receive. Respond to the words: “The Body of Christ, the Bread of Life” and “The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation” with a hearty “Amen.” After receiving Communion it is appropriate to return to your seat to kneel or sit in silence for personal prayer and thanksgiving.
There are two options for reception. First is drinking from the common cup. When approaching the priest giving the bread or host, raise cupped hands to receive the bread. Consume and then take the cup by its base to tip to your lips to drink. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
The second option for reception is intinction (bread dipped into the wine). As the clergy person approaches, point to the chalice that the priest may take a wafer, intinct it in the wine, and give to you to consume. Return to your seat by way of the side aisles.
If you are unable to come forth to receive Communion, simply make it known to the usher and the clergy will come out to you to bring the bread and wine. The priest will instinct the bread into the wine and give it to you to consume.
If you are not communing, please consider coming forth for a blessing. As you approach the priest, cross your arms across your chest to indicate you desire a blessing. 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON MIHI AUTEM ADHERERE

COMMUNION HYMN If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee – Blue Hymnal #635

POST COMMUNION PRAYER Book of Common Prayer p. 366
Celebrant: Let us pray. Eternal God,
Celebrant and People: heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

BLESSING

FINAL HYMN O God of every Nation – Blue Hymnal #607

DISMISSAL
Celebrant:Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
People: Thanks be to God.

VOLUNTARY If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee (BWV 642) J. S. Bach

       

   St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2341 Floral Avenue, Chico, CA 95926
(530) 894-1971 · office@stjohnschico.org
The Very Reverend Tammy Smith-Firestone, Rector
Jeffrey Cooper, Director of Music

Hymn permission used by Rite Song a one-time use reprint license for congregational use
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License # A-735293. All rights reserved.”