November 26, 2023

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

10:00am

 

 

 

WELCOME

 

OPENING PRAYER

Holy One, enthroned in glory over all creation, you are a shepherd to the lost and the least. Teach us to see your face among the poor— feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting those who are sick or in prison— so that we may share in your eternal realm prepared from the foundation of the world; through Jesus Christ, who is coming indeed, to reign with justice, compassion, and love. Amen.

 

PRELUDE

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed; it starts out as a small thing, but it grows and grows until it gives a home to the birds of the air.

Can we believe a new day is coming? As surely as the sun rises over the horizon God is creating a new world. 

Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like that someone who casts seed on the ground, and then sleeps and wakes, day after day, while the earth produces the fruit from the seed that was cast.

We do not know how God works out the fullness of redemption. But we know we are partners in that work. 

Praise the name of the Lord who still cares for the world!

Praise the name of the Lord who leads with power and grace. 

 

*HYMN No. 267                    “Come Christians Joy To Sing”

Come Christians join to sing

Alleluia amen

Loud praise to Christ our King

Alleluia amen

Let all with heart and voice

Before His throne rejoice

Praise is His gracious choice

Alleluia amen

 

Come, lift your hearts on high:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky:
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend;
to us he’ll condescend;
his love shall never end:
Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again:
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain:
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore
his goodness we’ll adore,
singing forevermore:
Alleluia! Amen!

 

*CALL TO CONFESSION

They are the promises stretching back into the dim recesses of time, yet as new as this very moment.  When we lose our way, God searches for us until we are found. When we hurt others, God brings healing to all.  When we sin, God forgives us. Let us hold these promises close to our hearts, as we confess those things we try to hide.

 

*PRAYER FOR CONFESSION

We stock the food pantries, but brush aside those who hunger for friendship.  We give our hand-me-downs away, but overlook those whose hopes have been stripped away.  We glad-hand those just like us, but turn a deaf ear to our neighbors who ‘talk funny.’ 

 

Forgive us, Hope of the ages.  You persistently search for us in the side streets of the world, gathering us up and bringing us home, so we may be drenched in the waters of your bottomless pool of  forgiveness, watched over by your Child, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

 

*SILENT PRAYER FOR CONFESSION

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God searches for the lost,
and finds us;
God invites the hungry to the table,
and feeds us;
God sends Jesus,
and frees us from death’s prison;
God forgives all who sin,
and heals us with mercy and grace.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

 

*RESPONSE No. 634            “To God Be The Glory”         v.1

1 To God be the glory;
great things he has done!
So loved he the world
that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life
an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate
that all may go in.

Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord;
let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord;
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father
through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory:
great things he has done!

 

*PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST

When Jesus left his disciples, he did not leave them alone. He promised that the Holy Spirit would be present in their lives, and he gave them an amazing gift: his peace, the peace of Christ. Through the Spirit, this gift lives still, and it is ours to share with others. May we be reminded of the gift Christ offers with these words:

“The peace of Christ is yours today!”

And also with you.

 

ANTHEM                   “This Is The Day The Lord Has Made”                   Mark Hayes

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

UNISON PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

Come, Spirit of the Lord, and speak through us.
Send your Holy Word to be upon our tongues
and your gospel upon our hearts.
Speak to us, speak through us, speak among us,
for we, your servants, are listening.  Amen.

 

SCRIPTURE   Ephesians 1:15-23

15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

Pause…

 

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!!

 

SERMON                   “Glorious Inheritance”

 

Commentary and Liturgy from the Book of Common Worship (PCUSA), “Call to Worship” Website, Jill Duffield,

 

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH           

This is the good news which we have received,

 in which we stand,
and by which we are saved,
if we hold it fast:

that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day,

and that he appeared

first to the women,
then to Peter, and to the Twelve,

and then to many faithful witnesses.

We believe that Jesus is the Christ,

 the Son of the living God.
Jesus Christ is the first and the last,

the beginning and the end;

he is our Lord and our God. Amen.

 

*HYMN No. 273                    “He Is King of Kings”

Refrain:
He is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.
O he is . . .

1 He built his throne up in the air;
no one works like him;
and called his saints from everywhere;
no one works like him.
O he is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.

Refrain:
He is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.
O he is . . .

2 He pitched his tents on Canaan ground;
no one works like him;
and broke oppressive kingdoms down;
no one works like him.
O he is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.

Refrain:
He is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.
O he is . . .

3 I know that my Redeemer lives;
no one works like him;
and by his love sweet blessing gives;
no one works like him.
O he is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.

 

Refrain:
He is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.

THE PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

Holy God, holy and gracious one
Fill us with a Spirit of Wisdom
Feed us with your justice,
Nurture us with your mercy and grace.

 

We pray for those who are struggling from
Famine, war, drought, and other causes of hunger,
That deplete humanity, and all the world
Of the bounty of your creation.

Help us God to fed as you do.

In thanksgiving for all the gifts of this life
May we give to those who, for whatever reason
Suffer for lack of food.

 

Holy God, holy and gracious one
Fill us with a Spirit of Wisdom
Feed us with your justice,
Nurture us with your mercy and grace.

 

Holy God, help us to see those who suffer
For want of clothing, warmth, safety, shelter,
Help us God, to care as you do.

In thanksgiving for all the gifts of this life
May we tend to those who, for whatever reason
Suffer for lack of clothing and housing.

 

Holy God, holy and gracious one
Fill us with a Spirit of Wisdom
Feed us with your justice,
Nurture us with your mercy and grace.

 

Holy God, seeker of the lost,
Help us to find you, see you, know you.

Holy God, bind up the injured,
these we carry in our hearts,
Those in need of your healing.

And, help us to be your hands,
Your compassion, your healing
Love, in all we do.

 

Holy God, holy and gracious one
Fill us with a Spirit of Wisdom
Feed us with your justice,
Nurture us with your mercy and grace.

We pray now as you taught your disciples, saying, “Our Father….”

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

OFFERING OF TITHES & OFFERINGS

In recognition of our loyalty to our God and our gratitude for all God has given to us, we make our offering with joy and thanksgiving. Let us seek to show our love for the God who relentlessly seeks us out and tenderly cares for us through the gift of our tithes and offerings.

 

OFFERTORY

 

*RESPONSE N0. 607

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Holy One, we pray for a spirit of wisdom, the wisdom to know whom to follow and how to treat one another, the wisdom to steward the gifts you have entrusted us in ways that bring you glory, the wisdom to worship you and you alone. Take these gifts, we pray, bless and use them that the least of these members of your family would be fed, visited, cared for and clothed in your name. Amen.

 

*HYMN No. 260                    “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”

1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone!
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of every nation
has redeemed us by his blood.”

2 Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him,
when the forty days were o’er,
shall our hearts forget his promise:
“I am with you evermore”?

3 Alleluia! Bread of angels,
here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
flee to you from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
earth’s redeemer, hear our plea
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.

4 Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heaven your throne.
As within the veil you entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest;
here on earth both priest and victim
in the eucharistic feast.

 

*BENEDICTION

Go forth into the world with compassion and justice in your heart
Give voice to the silent
Give strength to the weak

See one another

Hear one another
Care for one another
And love one another

 

It’s all that easy
And it’s all that hard

 

Now may the grace of God
The love of Christ
And the power of the Holy Spirit
Be with us all, now and forevermore
AMEN