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UID:20260416T002503UTC-0657573ofX@https://messiahofthemountains.org/
DTSTAMP:20260416T002503Z
DESCRIPTION:We are a small church\, but big on Grace. We gather each Sunday
  at 11:00 am for worship by singing hymns\, hearing readings from the bibl
 e\, praying together and a celebration of Holy Communion. Communion is the
  spiritual bread our bodies need to live. All are invited to join us at th
 e Lord's table to be fed by his heavenly food\, There are no strangers in 
 God’s house\, and if you choose to worship with us\, we would be honored b
 y your presence.\nIntroduction\nThe end is near. There is no doubt about i
 t. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the ba
 ptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for
  the living of these days in word and sacrament. The baptized rally around
  the invitation of the apostle: “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”
 \n \n \nPrayer of the Day\nO God\, the protector of all who trust in you\,
  without you nothing is strong\, nothing is holy. Embrace us with your mer
 cy\, that with you as our ruler and guide\, we may live through what is te
 mporary without losing what is eternal\, through Jesus Christ\, our Savior
  and Lord.\nAmen.\nFirst Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a\nMalachi\, whose name mea
 ns “my messenger\,” warns that “the day is coming.” On that day\, the evil
  will be destroyed like stubble in a fire\, but the “sun of righteousness”
  will shine on those who honor God.\n \nPsalm:98\nIn righteousness will th
 e Lord judge the world. (Ps. 98:9)\n \nSecond Reading:  2 Thessalonians 3:
 6-13\nSome members of the Thessalonian community\, because of their belief
  in the nearness of Christ’s return\, had ceased to work\, living off the 
 generosity of other members of the community. The writer of this letter wa
 rns them bluntly that if they want to eat\, they need to work.\n \nGospel:
   Luke 21:5-19\nAs history moves toward God’s fulfillment there will be fr
 ightening signs and events. Before the end\, believers will draw strength 
 from their relationship to God and will be given the words they need to te
 stify and to endure without fear.\n5  When some were speaking about the te
 mple\, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God
 \, [Jesus] said\,\n6  “As for these things that you see\, the days will co
 me when not one stone will be left upon another\; all will be thrown down.
 ”\n7 They asked him\, “Teacher\, when will this be\, and what will be the 
 sign that this is about to take place?”\n8  And he said\, “Beware that you
  are not led astray\, for many will come in my name and say\, ‘I am he!’ a
 nd\, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.  \n9  “When you hear of war
 s and insurrections\, do not be terrified\, for these things must take pla
 ce first\, but the end will not follow immediately.”\n10  Then he said to 
 them\, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom\;\n11 
  there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues
 \, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.  \n12 
  “But before all this occurs\, they will arrest you and persecute you\; th
 ey will hand you over to synagogues and prisons\, and you will be brought 
 before kings and governors because of my name.\n13  This will give you an 
 opportunity to testify.\n14  So make up your minds not to prepare your def
 ense in advance\, 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of y
 our opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betr
 ayed even by parents and siblings\, by relatives and friends\, and they wi
 ll put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my nam
 e. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you wi
 ll gain your souls.”\n*****************************************\nAfter the
  Sermon\, Holy Communion will be offered. Come as you are\, the gift of th
 e Table of the Lord has been prepared as Jesus has requested and now we ar
 e invited to the meal. Come to the table like Peter\, with m ore enthusias
 m than resolve and like James and John\, disappointed and the priorities o
 f God’s reign. Come to the table like Martha\, hosting and leading with co
 nfidence like Mary\, full of love and grief. Come to the table like Judas\
 , disillusioned and rebellious and like Mary Magdalene\, faithful till the
  end. Come to the table\, because it is God who invites us and it’s God’s 
 will that those who want to should meet God here.\n \nBlessing for the day
  (Our blessing is an adaptation of a Franciscan Prayer)\nMay God bless us 
 with discomfort at a Easy answers\, half truths and superficial leadership
 s so that we may live out God’s will deep in our heartland in our world.\n
 May god bless with anger at injustice\, oppression and exploration and the
  environments that we may work for justice\, freedom and peace.\nMay God b
 less us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain\, rejection\, hu
 nger and war so that we may reach out with hands and hearts to help them\,
  walk with them and turn their pain into hope and joy.\nAnd may God bless 
 us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in thi
 s world\, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. To bring jus
 tice\, peace\, hope and love to all children\, the poor and all others in 
 any need.\nGod be your comfort\, your strength\;\nGod be your hope and sup
 port\;\nGod be your light and your way\; and the blessing of God Creator\,
  Redeemer and Giver of Life\, remain with you now and forever. https://mes
 siahofthemountains.org/events/event/597-23rd-sunday-after-pentecost-year-c
 -worship-service-11-00-am-service-pastor-rosemary-peek
DTSTART:20251116T160000Z
DTEND:20251116T170000Z
LOCATION:Messiah Of The Mountains Lutheran Church (3690 US-19E\, Burnsville
 \, NC 28714\, USA)
SUMMARY:23rd Sunday after Pentecost - Year C - Worship Service - 11:00 AM S
 ervice  --  Pastor  Rosemary Peek
URL:https://messiahofthemountains.org/events/event/597-23rd-sunday-after-pe
 ntecost-year-c-worship-service-11-00-am-service-pastor-rosemary-peek
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