Be Ready for His Arrival

Matthew 24:36-44 | November 27, 2022 | Rev. Henry F. Curtis IV

Digital Bulletin

The Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Call to Worship

Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)

People: For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Psalm 84:10)

Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122:9)

People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God.
(Psalm 92:13)

Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)

People: For the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 2:20)

Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord; all the earth sing praises. (Psalm 98:1, 4)

Matthew 24:36-44 (RSV)

The Necessity for Watchfulness

36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

38 For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark,

39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man.

40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.

41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left.

42 Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The Abridged Decalogue

From all that dwell below the skies, Let thy Creator’s praise arise; Let thy Redeemer’s name be sung, Through every land by every tongue.

Minister: And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Nearer my God, to thee! Nearer to thee, E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be. Nearer my God to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.

Minister: Hear what Christ our Savior saith. Thou shall love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments, hang all the law and the prophets.

Online Digital Campus

• Conference Call Line: (267) 807-9659; Access Code: #843047
• Church School, Sunday at 8:45 a.m. in person and on phone.
• Bible Study, Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. via conference call line.

Midweek Prayer and Meditation (Virtual)

• Wednesday, October 12, 2022
• The premiere will air at 6:00 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook.

Come Visit Santa

  • Saturday, December 17th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  •  Santa will be at St. John AME Church in the Fellowship Hall.
  •  Donations are being accepted, please see any choir member.
  • Thanks to St. John’s Choir for sponsoring this event.

2023 Calendar Requests

  •  Please turn in all calendar requests for 2023 to Pastor Curtis
    by Sunday, December 18, 2022.
  • Hard copies of the forms are available in the Overflow.

Christmas Day Worship

  •  Sunday, December 25, 2022, worship will be VIRTUAL ONLY via St. John’s Facebook and YouTube channels at 10:00 a.m.
  •  There will be no in-person gathering on Christmas Day.

GCC Dues Campaign

Each year St. John renews our membership with GCC (Greater Cleveland Congregations) by paying our dues.

• We ask everyone to donate $20.
• You can use Givelify (there is a special tab) or put it in an offering envelope (note that it is for GCC).
• Checks should be written to St. John with a memo to GCC.

Justice for Our Children – A GCC Public Hearing

• To End Abuse of Discretionary Youth Bindovers.
• Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
• Olivet Institutional Baptist Church or via Zoom
• Youth bindovers have negative impacts – on our youth and
our whole community.

• Zoom link opens at 6:30pm; action begins at 7:00pm sharp.
• Join GCC in publicly calling for the end to abusive
discretionary youth bindovers.

ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County

• Don’t suffer in silence. Call for help!
• 24-Hour Hotline: (216) 623-6888; Text “4HELP” to 741741