RUSHFORD LUTHERAN CHURCH
THANKGIVING EVE
NOVEMBER 26, 2025
7:00 PM Led by:
Pastor Steve Chellew
Scripture Reader:
Pam Nielsen
Organist:
Shary Evavold
Trumpet:
Karen Nelson
Projectionist:
Donny Kjos
Videographer:
June Vitse
Ushers:
David Brand, John Campe
Altar Guild:
Patty Ebner, Jody Culhane, Wanda Kopperud
PRESERVICE MUSIC Youth Praise Team
Rejoice
CCLI Song # 7206654, CCLI 11170614
Ben Shive | Bryan Fowler | Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Skye Peterson
© 2022 Getty Music Hymns and Songs
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREETING ONE ANOTHER
OPENING HYMN (Remain standing) All People That on Earth Do Dwell
Reclaim 17
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
Come ye before him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make.
We are His folk; he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
Oh, enter, then, his gates with praise;
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord, our God, is good:
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood
And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom heav’n and earth adore,
From us and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore.
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
People: For His steadfast love endures forever.
Pastor: Give thanks to the God of gods,
People: For His steadfast love endures forever.
Pastor: Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
People: For His steadfast love endures forever;
Pastor: To Him who alone does great wonders,
People: For His steadfast love endures forever.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Pastor: The fool says in his heart,
People: “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
Pastor: When we fail to acknowledge and give thanks for all that God does for us in his love and mercy, we too are foolish at heart.
People: “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Forgive us, Lord, for the sins we have committed in thought, word, and deed. We deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity.
Silence for reflection
Pastor: I have good news for you as we celebrate and give thanks to God for all He has done this year. He has given us the greatest thing to be thankful for today—the forgiveness of all our sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Amen.
RESPONSIVE PSALM Psalm 65 (ESV)
Pastor: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed.
People: O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.
Pastor: When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.
People: Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!
Pastor: We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
People: By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
Pastor: O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;
People: The one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;
Pastor: Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,
People: So that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
Pastor: You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
People: You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water;
Pastor: You provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.
People: You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
Pastor: You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
People: The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,
Pastor: The meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain,
People: They shout and sing together for joy.
SPECIAL MUSIC (Please be seated) Youth Praise Team
Good And Gracious King
CCLI Song # 7073329, CCLI 11170614
James Ferguson | Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren
© 2016 CityAlight Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
OLD TESTAMENT Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (ESV)
Lector: A reading from Deuteronomy chapter twenty-six, verses one to eleven.
1 “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God. 5 “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV)
Lector: A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four to nine.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HOLY GOSPEL (Please stand) Luke 12:13–21 (ESV)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twelfth chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
CATECHETICAL REVIEW (Martin Luther’s Explanation of the Lord’s Prayer – The Fourth Petition)
Pastor: What is the Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
People: Give us this day our daily bread.
Pastor: What does this mean?
People: God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
Pastor: What is meant by daily bread?
People: Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Please be seated) Sing to the Lord of Harvest
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Sing to the Lord of harvest,
Sing songs of love and praise;
With joyful hearts and voices
Your alleluias raise.
By him the rolling seasons
In fruitful order move;
Sing to the Lord of harvest
A joyous song of love.
God makes the clouds drop fatness,
The deserts bloom and spring,
The hills leap up in gladness,
The valleys laugh and sing.
God fills them with his fullness,
All things with large increase;
He crowns the year with goodness,
With plenty and with peace.
Bring to this sacred altar
The gifts his goodness gave,
The golden sheaves of harvest,
The souls Christ died to save.
Your hearts lay down before him
When at his feet you fall,
And with your lives adore him
Who gave his life for all.
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The Parables of Jesus: The Bigger Barn
Luke 12:13-21 (ESV)
THANK-OFFERING AND OFFERTORY
Our offerings tonight include food items for the food shelf, RLCW thank offering, and regular offerings to the church. Please come forward during this time and place your gifts on the altar.
RESPONSIVE PRAYERS (Please stand)
Pastor: With great thanksgiving for all God has given us, we pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and all people according to their needs.
People: We come before the Lord with thankful hearts for all He has done. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: Almighty God, we come before You on this evening before our national holiday of Thanksgiving, confessing that You have given us all we have,
People: Yet we often foolishly think what we have is of our doing. Forgive us for our foolishness. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: We remember those in our church family who need prayer… and well as those we name in our hearts who are sick and suffering, O Lord,
People: We lift them up to the great heavenly physician, asking You, dear Lord, to bring healing and health, bringing remedies as only You can and according to Your will. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: We recall that You have called us in Scripture to pray for kings and all in authority that we might live peaceful lives.
People: We lift up every ruler in every land; especially this day, we lift up our President, Congress, and all government officials. Guide all by Your Holy Spirit to accomplish Your will on this earth, that Your kingdom may truly come. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: We are also reminded by Your Word to pray for those who are persecuted.
People: We ask that You would be with them in their hour of trial; strengthen their faith and remind them of their great reward. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: Your Word calls us to remember the poor and those in need.
People: By Your Holy Spirit, open our eyes that we may see those who are poor and in need that we can serve them. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: Lord Jesus Christ, You have sent Your Holy Spirit into our hearts, by which we have believed Your Word and are members of Your kingdom,
People: But we know there are those who do not believe in You. Use us by Your Spirit, according to Your will, that these ripe fields may bring a great harvest for Your glory. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor: We lift these and all the prayers of our hearts before Your throne, almighty God.
People: We pray in the name of Jesus, who with You and the Holy Spirit is one God, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
And the power and the glory,
Forever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION (Numbers 6:24-26)
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.
People: Amen.
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
CLOSING HYMN (Please be seated) Now Thank We All Our God
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Now thank we all our God,
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms,
Hath blessed us on our way,
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
Oh, may this bounteous God,
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts,
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills,
In this world and the next!
All praise and thanks to God,
The Father now be given,
The Son, and him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore!
OFFERING THANK YOU FOR WORSHIPPING WITH US TODAY
All songs and hymns CCLI 11170614. Parts of the liturgy © Creative Worship, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO, 1994 to today; or © Lutheran Book of Worship, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN, 1978, or © Reclaim Resources, St. Paul, MN, 2013 Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The following individuals have requested prayer:
Family of John Hoegh, Family of Deanna Honsey upon the death of her mother, Family of Barb Laumb, Eldon Jonsgaard, Pat Volkman, Arlene Wenzel, Deanna Stennes
Prayer Concerns: Please contact Pastor Steve by emailing steve.chellew@gmail.com or calling 507.703.1221. You may also call the church office at 507-864-7152
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas in Fillmore County: RLC is sponsoring this again this year, the tree is in the upper Narthex, gifts are due back December 5th. If you were unable to get a gift card off the tree and would like to donate items for families like toys, clothing in all sizes, blankets, books, pajamas, board & card games, stocking stuffers, gift cards please no food items, a box will be located by the tree.
Christmas Poinsettias: It’s that time of the year, Root River Floral will be offering several sizes and colors this year. Confirm your order by December 2nd. 4.5” pot red $9.00, 6.5” pot red or white $16.00, 7.5” pot red or white $27.00, 10” pot red or white $49.00, Please let the church office know how you would like it listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
RLCW meets on Wed. Dec 3rd at 1:30, special speaker, all circles serving plus provide 1 worker per circle, circle financial reports, “Bring a $10 gift-Get a gift”
Thanksgiving Dinner: A community Thanksgiving dinner will be held on Thursday, November 27th at RLC. The meal is open to the public; all are welcome. Doors open at 10:00 AM, and serving will go from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Bring a dish to pass if you’d like! RSVPs are helpful but not required. 507-459-0731; kristinburdey@gmail.com
Pie Sale: RLC Youth Student Leadership is holding a Thanksgiving pie sale. Please order by Sunday, November 23rd. Pie pick up will be at church Wednesday, November 26th from 4:00-6:00 PM, or Thursday morning.
Christmas at Good Shepherd: RLC Youth is looking forward to delivering Christmas gifts to our friends at Good Shepherd, Bremmer Suites, and the Good Shepherd Apartments. Each gift bag costs approximately $10, and there are 90+ residents to shop for. If you would like to sponsor a gift for $10, please reach out to someone from the youth committee
Cookie Walk will be taking place Sunday, December 7th in the narthex. Families are asked to bring two dozen cookies each for the sale. Cookies will be $5/dozen and proceeds will support youth activities.
Adult Music: The adult choir and praise team would love to have YOU share your talents! If you are interested in serving in any way, talk to Bruce Darr, Abby Stocker, Brittany Agrimson, or Kristin Burdey for how to get involved!
Endowment Committee meeting on Wednesday, December 17th at 5pm in the Quilting Room.
Chaperones are needed for the youth lock-in taking place Friday, December 26th-Saturday, December 27th. The event will go from 8:00 PM-6:00 AM; take a shift or stay the whole night. Great opportunity for young adults, college students, parents, and grandparents to be there for our teenagers this holiday season. Contact Kristin to help out!