ORDER OF WORSHIP
Christ the King Sunday
November 23, 2025
Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth as the King of the Jews. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of death Jesus opens the door to paradise.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Christ the King Medley
arr. Christine Sullivan Robbins
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
+ All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Faithful God,
you have shown us the ways of your heart, yet we stray from your paths.
We are stuck in sinful systems of oppression, and do not embrace the freedom of your faithful promises.
We ignore our neighbors. We exploit the earth.
We reject your abundance,
trusting our impulses instead of your steadfast love.
Repair our relationships, restore what we have broken,
renew our hearts, and bring us to new life.
Amen.
Hear the good news:
God the Faithful One loves you,
+ in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit you are set free.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
At the Name of Jesus
ELW 416
At the name of Jesus
ev'ry knee shall bow,
ev'ry tongue confess him
king of glory now.
It is God's good pleasure
we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word.
At his voice creation
sprang at once to sight,
all the angel faces,
all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations,
stars upon their way,
all the heav'nly orders
in their great array.
Humbled for a season,
to receive a name
from the lips of sinners
unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it
spotless to the last;
brought it back victorious
when from death he passed.
In your hearts enthrone him;
there let him subdue
all that is not holy,
all that is not true.
Crown him as your captain
in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you
in its light and pow'r.
Christians, this Lord Jesus
shall return again
on the clouds of glory,
with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire
meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him
king of glory now.
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE (page 193)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heav’nly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God;
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen, amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY.
Let us pray together.
O God, our true life, to serve you is freedom, and to know you is unending joy. We worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory. Abide with us, reign in us, and make this world into a fit habitation for your divine majesty, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST 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 no longer fear 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.”
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 46 (We will read the Psalm responsively by whole verse)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the mountains shake in the depths of the sea;
3 though its waters rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be shaken;
God shall help it at the break of day.
6 The nations rage, and the kingdoms shake;
God speaks, and the earth melts away.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
8 Come now, regard the works of the Lord,
what desolations God has brought upon the earth;
9 behold the one who makes war to cease in all the world;
who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, then, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
SECOND READING: Colossians 1:11-20
11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 198)
Alleluia. alleluia.
Alleluia. alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. alleluia.
Alleluia. alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 23:32-43
The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 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. 35And 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 in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Holy God, Holy and Glorious
ELW 637
Holy God, holy and glorious,
glory most sublime,
you come as one among us
into human time,
and we behold your glory.
Holy God, holy and powerful,
power without peer,
you bend to us in weakness;
emptied you draw near,
and we behold your power.
Holy God, holy and beautiful,
beauty unsurpassed,
you are despised, rejected;
scorned, you hold us fast,
and we behold your beauty.
Holy God, holy and only wise,
wisdom of great price,
you choose the way of folly:
God the crucified,
and we behold your wisdom.
Holy God, holy and living one,
life that never ends,
you show your love by dying,
dying for your friends,
and we behold you living.
APOSTLE’S CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Gathered with one voice, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
We pray for the church in the world, its leaders, and its mission to share the good news of healing and restoration. Inspire us to embody the beloved community in ways that faithfully witness to the Holy Spirit. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for the trembling mountains and glad streams of creation. Preserve and renew your coastlines, deep seas, forests, and grasslands. Guide all who tend flocks or care for creatures of all kinds. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for leaders and advocates in government, civic life, and public safety. Support equity across the globe, and heal division with accountability and truth. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for any who are hungry, living in poverty or desperation, weary in body or spirit, or sick, especially Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Ann, Julie, Rita, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Barbara, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Avery, Doris, John, Abby, Mike, Tim, Arleen, Betty, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max & Michelle. Comfort all in need of your tender care. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for this part of the body of Christ gathered around word and sacrament. Bring us into authentic community where all ages are valued and experience God’s faithfulness together. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give thanks for all who have died in faith. May we remember them faithfully until we are gathered with you in the paradise you promise. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We offer these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your grace and unyielding love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
GRATITUDE
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
OFFERTORY
Crown Him with Many Crowns
Elvey/Wilson
OFFERING SONG
If We Live, We Live to the Lord
ACS 1025
If we live, we live to the Lord.
If we die, we die to the Lord.
So then, whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord's.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of healing and hope,
you bless those who are hungry,
promising to fill them with good things.
Fulfill that promise through us and these your gifts.
Nourish us with the abundance of your feast
and unite us into the blessed body of Jesus Christ our Savior,
now and forever.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (page 199)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ;
who on this day overcame death and the grave,
and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
you have brought us this far along the way.
In times of bitterness you did not abandon us,
but guided us into the path of love and light.
In every age, you sent prophets
to make known your loving will for all humanity.
The cry of the poor has become your own cry;
our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire.
In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant
to preach good news to the afflicted,
to break bread with the outcast and despised,
and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin.
In the night in which he was handed over,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
LORD'S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
There is a place for you at the table of God.
Come, receive the food that does not perish,
a taste of life eternal.
Thanks be to God.
DISTRIBUTION
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
LAMB OF GOD (page 201)
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace, grant us peace.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Jesus, Remember Me
ELW 616
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Let All Things Now Living
ELW 881
Let all things now living
a song of thanksgiving
to God the creator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us,
protected and stayed us,
who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God's banners are o'er us,
God's light goes before us,
a pillar of fire shining forth in the night,
till shadows have vanished
and darkness is banished,
as forward we travel from light into light.
God rules all the forces:
the stars in their courses
and sun in its orbit obediently shine;
the hills and the mountains,
the rivers and fountains,
the deeps of the ocean proclaim God divine.
We too should be voicing
our love and rejoicing;
with glad adoration a song let us raise
till all things now living
unite in thanksgiving:
"To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!"
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
God of field and flower, wheat and grape,
you have nourished us with the bread of heaven
that gives life to the world.
Strengthened by the body and blood of your Son,
send us out to gather your good gifts for all who
hunger and thirst,
and embolden us to love and serve in Christ’s name.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW 679
For the fruit of all creation,
thanks be to God.
For these gifts to ev'ry nation,
thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth's safekeeping,
thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labor,
God's will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor,
God's will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God's will is done.
For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION
The love of God the Sovereign strengthen you,
God the Son save you,
and God the Holy Spirit anoint you for the work ahead.
The holy Trinity bless you
and grant you a faithful and courageous heart
now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Share the harvest.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Joy to the World / Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
arr. Marilyn Reimer
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Christ the King Medley, Tunes: AXMON, Carl G. Gläser, 1784-1829, DIADEMATA, George J. Elvey, 1816-1893, DUKE STREET, John Hatton, 1710-1793, CORONATION, Oliver Holden, 1765-1844. Setting: Christine Sullivan Robbins. Setting © 2012 Christine Sullivan Robbins. All rights reserved.
At the Name of Jesus, Text: Caroline M. Noel, 1817–1877. Public domain. Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872–1958. Music from Songs of Praise © 1925 Oxford University Press. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Holy God, Holy and Glorious, Text: Susan R. Briehl, b. 1952. Text © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: Robert Buckley Farlee, b. 1950. Music © 2001 Robert Buckley Farlee, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Crown Him with Many Crowns, Text: Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894 and Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903. Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893. Setting: John F. Wilson, 1929-2014. Setting © 1967 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
If We Live, We Live in the Lord, Text and Music: Rolf Vegdahl, b. 1955. Text and Music © 2009, 2016 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, Text: James W. Johnson, 1871-1938. Public domain.
Jesus, Remember Me. Text: Luke 23:42; Taizé Community. Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994. Text and music ©1981 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274. All rights reserved.
Let All things Now Living, Text: Katherine K. Davis, 1892-1980, alt. Text © 1939, 1966 E.C. Schirmer Music Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music:Welsh folk tune. Public domain.
For the Fruit of All Creation!, Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Text © 1970 Hope Publishing Company Music: Welsh traditional, arr. Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1872-1958. Arr. © Oxford University Press., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Joy to the World with Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Tunes: George Frederick Handel, 1685-1759, and Ludwig van Beethover, 1770-1827. Arr. Marilyn Reimer. Arr. © 2010 Lillenas Publishing Company, admin. The Copyright Company. All rights reserved.
