Sunday November 24, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
Christ the King Sunday bridges Ordinary Time and Advent, inviting us to shift our attention to preparation for the Incarnation, even as the retail commercials are already pushing us headlong into Christmas.  The day is normally scheduled on the last Sunday before Advent. It helps worshipers, who are already thinking about Christmas, to remember that Christmas is about much more than a baby in a manger—it is about a sovereign Christ who came to be the “Prince of Peace.”

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Fanfare & Adagio from “Variations on ‘All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name’” — Janet Linker                                   
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. — Henry Ward Beecher

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP — Thanksgiving! — John Ness Beck

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN #336 — We Gather Together — KREMSER
(*Please stand, if you are able)

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Shepherding God, you have called to us, but we have not answered. You have sought us out, but we have continued to wander. Forgive us. Remind us. Teach us. Set us free from sin that we might turn toward your love and justice for the whole world. May we learn to walk in your way. Amen.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON #575 — Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us KYRIE ELEISON — (Pardini)                                                                         

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (#447) — We Are Forgiven  —  WE ARE FORGIVEN

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

A READING FROM THE PSALMS — Psalm 145: 10-21 — page 506 of the pew Bible

*HYMN #270 — O Lord, You Are My God and King — JERUSALEM

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The 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 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, forever. Amen.

ANTHEM — Now Thank We All Our God — Marianne Forman

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON — Genesis 27: 1-29 — page 20 the pew Bible

SERMON — “Abe and the Boys” — Rev. Dr. Richard C. Meyer, HR

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Our World Belongs to God, st. 1-2, 29, 56
As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world—which some seek to control, but which others view with despair—we declare with joy and trust:  Our world belongs to God!
From the beginning, through all the crises of our times, until his kingdom fully comes, God keeps covenant forever.  Our world belongs to him!
God is King! Let the earth be glad!  Christ is Victor; his rule has begun. Hallelujah!  The Spirit is at work, renewing the creation.  Praise the Lord! 
Jesus ascended in triumph to his heavenly throne. There he hears our prayers, pleads our cause before the Father, and rules our world.  Blessed are all who take refuge in him.  Our hope for a new earth is not tied to what humans can do, for we believe that one day every challenge to God’s rule and every resistance to his will shall be crushed.  Then his kingdom shall come fully, and our Lord shall rule forever.

*GLORIA PATRI #581 — Glory Be to the Father — GLORIA PATRI

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — Meditation — Janet Linker                                           

*DOXOLOGY (#607) — “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” — OLD HUNDREDTH
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 THANKSGIVING
God of grace, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us.  Give us grace, that in everything we may yield ourselves, our wills, and our works, a continual thank-offering to you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

*HYMN #260 — Alleluia! Sing to Jesus — HYFRYDOL                                                          

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE — Amen — Peter Lutkin                                                 

*POSTLUDE — Toccata — Janet Linker