Worship Guide
November 20, 2022
Reign of Christ Sunday
Creating Disciples of Jesus who Transform the World
ENTRANCE WITH PRAISE
Greetings:
Minister: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
People: And also with you!
Special: “Even If” Charles
Centering Words:
Christ takes care of us, as a shepherd takes care of the sheep, offering love and redemption, mercy and grace.
*Call to Worship:
Leader: Our blessed God has gathered us here, looking on us with loving eyes.
People: May we dwell in the tender mercy of God as we sing songs of praise.
Leader: Let us pray
ALL: Tender Shepherd, you gather us here to dwell in your love and grace. You comfort and guide us. You heal and redeem us. As we sing your songs of praise, send your light into our lives. As we commit ourselves to the ways of Christ, our guide, ruler, and savior, bless us with your presence. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Hymn: “Light of the World”
You are the Light of the World, O Lord,
and you make your servant shine.
So how could there be
any darkness in me
if you are the Light of the World?
You are the Light of the World.
You are the Bread of Life, O Lord,
broken to set us free.
So how could there be
any hunger in me
if you are the Bread of Life?
You are the Bread of Life.
You've overcome the world, O Lord,
and given us victory.
So why could I fear
when trouble is near
if you've overcome the world?
You've overcome the world.
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
Words of Assurance
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Brothers and sisters, siblings in Christ, rejoice, for Christ’s love and forgiveness is for you!
Amen.
*Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Leader: This is the Word of God, for the People of God
People: Thanks be to God!
WORD AND RESPONSE
Time with Young Friends: “Jesus Loves Me”
Children’s Message “Jesus Reigns”
Hymn: “Jesus, the Light of the World”
See the bright and Morning Star,
Jesus, the Light of the World!
He has risen in our hearts,
Jesus, the Light of the World!
Walk in the light, beautiful light;
come where his love and his mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the World.
He's the lamp that lights our way,
Jesus, the Light of the World!
Step by step and day by day
Jesus, the Light of the World!
Walk in the light, beautiful light;
come where his love and his mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the World.
No more darkness, no more night -
Jesus, the Light of the World!
He will shine forever bright,
Jesus, the Light of the World!
Walk in the light, beautiful light;
come where his love and his mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the World.
Sermon: “Scoffers On a Hill” Luke 23:33-43
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Prayers of the People: Joys and concerns
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer
THE SACRAMENTS OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation, Prayer of Confession and Pardon:
Christ our Lord invites to his table
all who love him,
who earnestly repent of their sin
and seek to live in peace with one another.
Therefore, let us confess our sin before God
and one another.
Merciful God,
we confess that we have not loved you
with our whole hearts.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love,
we have not loved our neighbors,
and we have not heard the
cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners;
that proves God's love toward us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Glory to God. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere
to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, creator of
heaven and earth.
You formed us in your image and
breathed into us the breath of life.
When we turned away, and our love failed,
your love remained steadfast.
You delivered us from captivity,
made covenant to be our sovereign God,
and spoke to us through your prophets.
And so,
with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son
Jesus Christ.
Your Spirit anointed him
to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
and to announce that the time had come
when you would save your people.
He healed the sick, fed the hungry,
and ate with sinners.
By the baptism of his suffering,
death, and resurrection,
you gave birth to your church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant
by water and the Spirit.
When the Lord Jesus ascended,
he promised to be with us always,
in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Take, eat; this my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
When the supper was over, he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Drink from this all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it
in remembrance of me."
And so,
in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other,
and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory,
and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father,
now and forever. Amen
And now with the confidence of children of God, let us stand and sing the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
hallowed be thy name.
On earth as it is in heaven.
hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread.
hallowed be thy name.
Forgive us our trespasses
hallowed be thy name.
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
hallowed be thy name.
And lead us not into temptation
hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from all that is evil.
hallowed be thy name.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
hallowed be thy name.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, it shall be so
hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, it shall be so
hallowed be thy name.
Sharing of the Cup and Loaf
Moment of Prayer and Meditation
We Remember You/Come Share the Lord
Prayer of Thanks
Eternal God, we give you thanks
for this holy mystery
in which you have given yourself to us.
Grant that we may go into the world
in the strength of your Spirit,
to give ourselves to others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
SENDING FORTH
Hymn: “Love Lifted Me”
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
but the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help Love lifted me!
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help Love lifted me!
Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves;
he will lift you by his love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows his will obey,
he your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help Love lifted me!
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help Love lifted me!
Benediction