Sunday November 26, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — Scherzo & Meditation 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
Christ the King Sunday focuses our worship on the cosmic character of Christ’s reign over the world.  It is a proclamation to all that everything in creation and culture must submit to Christ and an invitation to actively and joyfully submit to his rule.  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.”

CALL TO WORSHIP
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice!
       Christ will reign forever and ever.
God has established the world, and God’s realm will never be shaken.
       Christ will reign forever and ever.
We respond in worship, to the truth that is our Lord.
       Christ will reign forever and ever.
The Kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord.
       Christ will reign forever and ever.

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*OPENING HYMN #267 — Come, Christians, Join to Sing — MADRID
(*Please stand, if you are able.)         

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

KYRIE ELEISON (#551) — “Lord, Have Mercy” — LAND OF REST
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.

 ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*GLORIA PATRI (#447) — “We Are Forgiven” — WE ARE FORGIVEN

WELCOME              
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 OLD TESTAMENT READING — Ezekiel 34: 11-15 — page 702 of the pew Bible                               
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

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 — “For the Beauty of the Earth” — John Rutter

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

 SCRIPTURE READING — Matthew 25: 31-46 page 807 of the pew Bible 
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON —“How Big is Your Family?” — Dr. Zieman

*PROFESSION OF OUR CHURCH’S 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.

*SANCTUS (#572) — “Holy, Holy, Holy” — (Pavlechko)

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” — arr. Mack Wilberg
Please join the choir on verse 4:

Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord and Judge shall come
And take his servants up to their eternal home:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

* 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 DEDICATION
Generous God, we bless your name because you have called us, claimed us, and sent us into the world to do your will. Receive now this offering, both of our money and our lives. Through these gifts, may the hungry be fed, the thirsty quenched, and the stranger welcomed.  Amen.

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #268 — Crown Him with Many Crowns — DIADEMATA

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION 

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE — “Amen” — John Rutter

POSTLUDE — Fanfare on “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” — Janet Linker