LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR November 23, 2025
ORDER OF WORSHIP: LSB - Divine Service, Setting Three, pgs. 184ff
HYMNS: 594 - 534 - 515
SERMON: With Jesus, We Live in These Last Days
TEXT: Colossians 1:13-20
A PRAYER FOR TODAY:
O God, let us hear when our Shepherd shall call
In accents persuasive and tender,
That while there is time we make haste, one and all,
And find Him, our mighty defender.
Have mercy upon us, O Jesus!
(Lutheran Service Book, #510, stanza 2)
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1)
◦ Thanks be to God that He has never left us nor forsaken us, that He has given us daily good gifts, and that He still does.
◦ For the peace of Jesus Christ to be with the family of Elwood McGuire since the time of his death last Sunday, November 16th.
◦ That with these last days of the Church Year, the Holy Spirit will use His Word to lead us always to be prepared for the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Last Day.
◦ For strength and wisdom for families in their desire to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ and grow together in His Word, that families will live in His grace and peace, that mothers with babies will be protected from harm and danger, that fathers will be godly and loving heads of their homes, and that children will honor and love their parents.
◦ For Rev. Michael and Deaconess Shanna Hageman as they begin their work for the sake of the Gospel in the mission field of Tanzania.
THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM, God receives into His kingdom of grace Jens Wesley Houtwed, the son of Brian and Samantha Houtwed. Jens was born on November 5th and receives the gift of new birth and new life today in the gift of this Sacrament. His sponsors are Erin Schwertfeger and Luke and Megan Schroeder. We ask the Lord for His continued protection upon the Houtwed family, and for peace in Christ Jesus as we grow together in His Word.
A CHICKEN NOODLE DINNER and Holiday Craft and Bake Sale will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Nashville today, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. This is sponsored by the Dorcas Society at St. John. A free will donation will be received.
THE FUNERAL SERVICE for Elwood McGuire will be held tomorrow morning at Larrison Mortuary Chapel at 10:30. Burial follows at Greenlawn Cemetery in Pratt.
A THANKSGIVING EVE Vespers Service will be held at St. Paul this Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1).
DATES TO REMEMBER AT ST. PAUL:
• First Sunday in Advent, November 30th
• First Wednesday Midweek Advent activities, December 3rd—Worship at 6:30, followed by supper in the church basement, evening concludes with Midweek School classes until 8:00 pm
• Remaining Wednesdays in Advent - December 10th and 17th - worship at 6:30 followed by supper in the church basement, evening concludes with Midweek School classes until 8:00.
GROW IN GOD’S WORD . . .
• Sunday mornings – Sunday School for children and Bible Class for youth and adults at 9:00 am; worship at 10:00 am
• Midweek School for children in grades 3-8 each Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm
• Thursday evening Bible Class at 6:30 pm
NOTE - Thursday evening Bible Study will not meet this week on Thanksgiving Day. Class will resume on December 4th.
UPCOMING EVENT you don't want to miss! St. Paul ladies will have a Christmas luncheon on December 4, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. starting with appetizers, and a meal following at 12:00 noon. All ladies of all ages are invited, please bring a neighbor and friend! Come celebrate the birth of Christ in song and Scripture, and enjoy the day together.
OPEN DOOR HEALTH SERVICES in Hutchinson (315 W. 1st Ave.) will hold its Christmas Open House on Monday, December 1st, from 6 to 8 pm (come and go). See details and requested needed items on posted fliers.
KFUO Radio, the broadcast voice of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, shares Christ for you anytime, anywhere on KFUO.org via worship services, Bible and theology studies, practical talk programs, and sacred music. Find programs on demand at kfuo.org and wherever you get your podcasts.
HEAD USHER: Gary McGuire ALTAR COMMITTEE: Gayla Schwertfeger
ELDERS: Derek Liggett, Shan Hullman, Samantha Houtwed Amanda Riggs
Lee Van Slyke Sharon Schwertfeger Erin Schwertfeger
TODAY - 8:00 am - The Lutheran Hour, KGNO (Dodge City, 1370 AM)
8:00 am - The Lutheran Hour, KCVW (Wichita, Hutch., 94.3 FM)
8:25 am - The Lutheran Hour, KMMM (Pratt, 1290 AM)
8:30 am - The Lutheran Hour, KWBW (Hutchinson, 1450 AM)
10:00 am - St. Paul Radio Broadcast, KMMM (Pratt, 1290 AM)
6:00 pm - The Lutheran Hour, KREJ (88.1 FM)
MONDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am - Secretary’s Office Hours
TUESDAY - 9 am-2 pm - Quilters meet
WEDNESDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am - Secretary’s Office Hours
6:30 pm - Thanksgiving Eve Vespers
FRIDAY - 8:00 - 11:00 am - Secretary’s Office Hours
SUNDAY - 9:00 am - Combined Sunday School Breakfast
10:00 am - Worship
THE LUTHERAN HOUR - “An Unlikely King” (Philippians 2:5-11). Christ is the King of an unlikely kingdom. Dr. Chad Lakies describes that kingdom’s seemingly upside-down, illogical logic. Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies.
2026 KANSAS DISTRICT LIFE CONFERENCE . . . This will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Topeka (901 SW Fillmore St). The Conference will once again be in conjunction with the 2026 Kansas March for Life. Registration is now open. Visit the Life Conference webpage on the District website at https://kslcms.org/2026-life-conference to register and find more information. There is no cost to register for the Life Conference. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Mark Preus, pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and Campus Center in Laramie, Wyoming.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS based on Colossians 1:18a – “And he is the head of the body, the church.” We are part of the Body of Christ; He is our Head. Where He goes, we follow. His thoughts direct our actions. This is how the people of God learn how to give and why they give. Because Jesus gives, indeed He gives all He has. (lcms.org/stewardship)
About the Cover: On the day of judgment, the Lord will make no mistakes as He plucks up the righteous from among the wicked. Those who are in Christ need not fear. Our deeds are not the basis for our righteousness. Our righteousness depends only on Jesus, who gave us righteousness by dying on the cross to save us from our sins. Because our lives are in Him, we have been set apart as people gifted with His righteousness.
OLD TESTAMENT READING - Malachi 3:13-18
EPISTLE - Colossians 1:13-20
HOLY GOSPEL - Luke 23:27-43