Welcome to ICYMI Worship! ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.

At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians:
We GATHER with songs and prayer,
We HEAR God’s word,
We SHARE a meal of bread and wine,
We are SENT into the world to love and serve.

Let us know how this format works for you.

TODAY IS THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

GATHERING SONG

“Open the Eyes of My Heart”

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us in
mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust in your promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THIS WEEK’S READINGS

Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Naomi has lost her husband and sons, but is blessed by the love and support of her widowed daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi is resourceful in arranging the marriage of Ruth to her wealthy kinsman, Boaz; and Ruth, the Moabite, becomes the great-grandmother to that greatest of Israelite kings, David.

Psalm 146 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)

Hebrews 9:24-28 The letter to the Hebrews describes Christ as a high priest who offers himself as a sacrifice for our sin. Christ does not die again and again each year. He died once, is alive with God, and will reveal himself on the last day.

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL

Mark 12:38-44 Jesus announced and enacted in history the new reality of God’s surprising activity. These two stories demonstrate this new reality: Women and children are accepted and valued, not dismissed as inferior to adult men.

PASTOR JUDY’S SERMON SNAPSHOT:

Widows are visible everywhere in today’s readings. Jesus denounces those scribes who pray impressive prayers but devour widows’ houses. He commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major donors. Jesus doesn’t see her simply as an object of compassion or charity. She, like the widow of Zarephath who shares her last bit of food with Elijah, does something of great importance.

SONG OF THE DAY

“Take My Life That I May Be”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Coming soon!

COMMUNION SONG

“Remembrance”

On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” – This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION SERIES TAKES A BREAK TODAY – with Pastor Dave out of town. We’ll restart our series on the exciting, action-packed book of Acts next Sunday. Adult Faith Formation normally meets from 10:15 to 10:55 am, in the Library, between worship services.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL – for kids ages 4-10 will meet in the Youth Room between services and is designed for any child to drop in at any time. Come join the fun this week or any Sunday!

PASTOR DAVE IN ARIZONA – officiating the wedding of a very special family friend. Pastor will return to the office on Tuesday. Pastor Judy will be responding to pastoral emergencies until then.

CALLING ALL LECTORS! – Please consider signing up online to read a lesson in one of our upcoming worship services. Over the past several weeks there have been many unfilled opportunities to read God’s word in worship. It greatly adds to our worship, and helps with planning, when a variety of voices volunteer to be lectors. To save your spot, go to http://www.crossofchristbellevue.org/volunteer-sign-up/. Thanks!

ADVENT READERS & CANDLE LIGHTERS – One very meaningful tradition for Sundays in Advent is the lighting of the candles on the Advent Wreath. This year, an original Advent-themed liturgy – “Home Coming” – has been created for this special part of our worship. Readers and candle lighters are needed for all services on the Sundays in Advent: December 2 (10 am only), 9, 16 and 23. Please connect with Pastor Dave to be a part of this year’s beautiful Advent celebrations.

SAVE THE DATE FOR ADVENT SMORGASBORD – Our annual fun and festive Advent Smorgasbord will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following a single 10 am worship service on the First Sunday in Advent, December 2.

MEMORIAL FOR REV. WINSTON BONE – will be held at Cross of Christ on Saturday, December 8, at 11 am, in the Sanctuary, followed by a luncheon reception in the Fellowship Hall. Rev. Bone was an ELCA pastor for more than 50 years. He was father to member Alma Constable, wife of Brian. Please keep the family in your prayers.

SOPHIA WAY EMERGENCY WOMEN’S SHELTER AT CofC – The Women from Sophia Way will be with us through the month of November. They need the following items: umbrellas, rain slickers, tampons, Poise products, and handwarmers. There is a collection box for these items at the Information Desk. They also need breakfast items. If you would like to help, please bring 3 dozen hard boiled eggs on Sundays through November 25, with date clearly marked. These can go in the refrigerator in the Fellowship Hall. You can also sign up to provide a meal at: http://signup.com/go/tMaKqVQ or contact Dorinda Otto to sign up for you. Thank You!

“SUGAR FOR SHELTER” FUNDRAISER FOR PERMANENT FAMILY & WOMEN SHELTER – is a family-friendly fundraiser featuring games and desserts. Donations will help build a permanent, year-round shelter that will take the place of families and women staying in local churches on a rotating, emergency basis. This fun event will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm with the main program starting at 7:30 on November 15 at Overlake Christian Church, 9900 Willows Road, Redmond. Everyone will have the opportunity to make a donation of any size and there will be naming opportunities for groups. For example, if you come with 10-14 people (think Cross of Christ attending as a group!) your name will be placed on the Recognition Wall. You can register now and up to the day of the event at https://tinyurl.com/sugarforshelter

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION – Pastor Judy is collecting box tops for the PTA of her children’s school throughout the year. They can be found on various boxes, like Cheerios, Kleenex, etc. Just clip them out and stick them in her mailbox. Thanks!

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, and Norman Stromer.

ICYMI Worship, 11-11-2018