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November 20, 2022
Christ the King
CHRIST THE KING
FIRST READING:
The prophet Jeremiah proclaims both the judging and the comforting Word of God.
Here Jeremiah tells of God’s wrath against the unfaithful shepherds (religious
leaders) who oppress the people. But he also speaks of God’s own determination
to act for the people, by raising up faithful religious leaders and a faithful
king who will reign in justice and righteousness. Christians see the
fulfillment of this promise in Jesus, in whom “all the promises of God find
their ‘Yes’” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
SECOND READING: The
first chapter of Colossians contains a hymn to Christ (vv. 15-20). Similar to
John 1:1-14 (‘In the beginning was the Word…’), Christ is depicted as the king
of creation, through whom it was made and for whom it was made. He is also the
Lord of the Church, the ‘head’ of a body made up of many members. Finally, he
is the one through whom God reconciled the world to himself through the cross.
GOSPEL: The
mocking sign placed above Christ’s head on the cross reads ‘The King of the
Jews’ (v. 38). The words are, ironically, true beyond measure. The world does
not recognize this bloodied, bruised, beaten man as powerful or innocent, but
one of his crucified brethren does. Jesus promise to the man is this: just as he,
the righteous One, shares the guilty man’s death, so the man will share in
Jesus’ everlasting and divine life.
OPENING MUSIC All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name - David Cherwien
Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor - George Pearsall
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Stand
WHymn Green LBW 172 Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
1 Lord, enthroned in
heav'nly splendor,
first-begotten from
the dead,
you alone, our strong
defender,
lifting up your
people's head.
Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia!
Jesus, true and
living bread!
Jesus, true and
living bread!
2 Though the lowliest
form now veil you
as of old in
Bethlehem,
here as there your
angels hail you,
branch and flow'r of
Jesse's stem.
Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia!
We in worship join
with them;
we in worship join
with them.
3 Paschal Lamb, your
off'ring, finished
once for all when you
were slain,
in its fullness
undiminished
shall forevermore
remain,
Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia!
cleansing souls from
ev'ry stain;
cleansing souls from
ev'ry stain.
4 Life-imparting heav'nly
manna,
stricken rock with
streaming side,
heav'n and earth with
loud hosanna
worship you, the Lamb
who died,
Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia!
ris'n, ascended,
glorified;
ris'n, ascended,
glorified!
Text: George H. Bourne, 1840-1925
In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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. 2 Corinthians
13:13
Amen
CALL
TO THE WORD
God
is our refuge and strength,
a
very present help in trouble.
Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Psalm 46:1
Sit
First READING Jeremiah 23:1-6
1Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep
of my pasture! says the Lord. 2Therefore
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. 3Then 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. 4I 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.
5The 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. 6In
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.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 46
Antiphon
1 God is our
ref- | uge and strength,*
a
very present | help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
though the | earth be moved,*
and
though the mountains be toppled
into the depths | of the sea;
3 though its waters | rage and foam,*
and
though the mountains tremble | at its tumult.
4 The Lord of | hosts is with us;*
the
God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
5 There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y
of God,*
the
holy habitation of | the Most High.
6 God is in the midst of her; she
shall not be | overthrown;*
God
shall help her at the | break of day.
7 The nations make much ado, and the king- | doms are
shaken;*
God
has spoken, and the earth shall | melt away.
8 The Lord of | hosts is with us;*
the
God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
9 Come now and look upon the works | of the Lord,*
what
awesome things he has | done on earth.
10 It is he who makes war to cease
in | all the world;*
he
breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
and burns the | shields with fire.
11 "Be still, then, and know that | I am God;*
I
will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted | in the earth."
12 The Lord of | hosts is with us;*
the
God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
Antiphon
SECOND READING Colossians 1:11-20
11May you be made strong with
all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to
endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks
to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in
the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and
transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom
we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all
creation; 16for 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. 17He
himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He
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. 19For
in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and
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.
Stand
VERSE Revelation 22:13 Setting
by Paul D. Weber
Alleluia. I am
the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Alleluia.
Gospel Luke 23:33-43
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
33When 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. 34Then 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!” 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering
him sour wine, 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews,
save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This
is the King of the Jews.”
39One of the
criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the
Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him,
saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of
condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for
we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing
wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into
your kingdom.” 43He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will
be with me in Paradise.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
SERMON
Stand
WHYMN OF THE DAY
Green
LBW 328 All
Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
1 All
hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!
Let
angels prostrate fall;
bring
forth the royal diadem
and
crown him Lord of all.
Bring
forth the royal diadem
and
crown him Lord of all.
2 Crown
him, you martyrs of our God,
who
from his altar call;
extol
the stem of Jesse’s rod
and
crown him Lord of all.
Extol
the stem of Jesse’s rod
and
crown him Lord of all.
3 O
seed of Israel’s chosen race
now
ransomed from the fall,
hail
him who saves you by his grace
and
crown him Lord of all.
Hail
him who saves you by his grace
and
crown him Lord of all.
4 Hail
him, you heirs of David’s line,
whom
David Lord did call--
the
God Incarnate, man divine--
and
crown him Lord of all.
The
God Incarnate, man divine--
and
crown him Lord of all.
5 Sinners,
whose love can ne’er forget
the
wormwood and the gall,
go
spread your trophies at his feet
and
crown him Lord of all.
Go
spread your trophies at his feet
and
crown him Lord of all.
6 Let
ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe
on
this terrestrial ball
to
him all majesty ascribe
and
crown him Lord of all.
To
him all majesty ascribe
and
crown him Lord of all.
7 Oh,
that with yonder sacred throng
we
at his feet may fall!
We’ll
join the everlasting song
and
crown him Lord of all.
We’ll
join the everlasting song
and
crown him Lord of all.
Text: Edward Perronet, 1726-1792, sts.
1-5; J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, sts. 6-7
CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene Creed
X At the words ‘For us and for our salvation,’ and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a solemn bow is appropriate to praise the incarnation of our Lord.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
X For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. X
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ
Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
A brief silence is kept.
Father, your Son Jesus is the head of the body, the
Church. Grant that our prayers and our ministry may bear witness to Christ's
reign in our time. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Grant our faith family wisdom to give first place to Jesus
Christ in everything we do, so that you may be exalted among the nations. Lord,
in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
You created all things through Jesus, whom you have
exalted over all creation as king. Hear the prayers we offer in his name for
the creation he cherishes and that you entrust to us. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for those who hold public office: that your
Holy Spirit would guide them into paths of justice and mercy. Lord, in your
mercy,
hear our prayer.
O Lord of hosts, a refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble, who hears those who cry to you; we pray for peace, comfort,
and courage for all threatened by violence, terror and war. Lord, in your
mercy,
hear our prayer.
Lord God, friend of those in need, your Son Jesus has
united our burdens and healed our spirits. We lift up the prayers of our hearts
for the poor in body, mind, and spirit; for those seeking healing, for those
who grieve, and for those whom we name before you.
The pastor reads the names submitted for prayer.
The congregation is invited to offer spoken or silent
intercessions and thanksgivings.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in
you, who now dwell with your Son in the paradise of the saints, forgiven and
cleansed by the blood of his cross. We pray in confidence that he will remember
us when He comes into the fullness of his kingdom. Until that day, give us your
peace, that we may serve you on earth and glorify you in heaven. Lord, in your
mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we
pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The peace
of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
The
people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
OFFERTORY 1 John 3:2-3 Setting by David Schack
Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet
appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is. And all
who thus hope in him purify themselves as he is pure.
O Lord, our
God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you
have blessed us
with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to
your service
and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all
that you have
made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us,
Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen
The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:
The pastor leads the people in praying the
Eucharistic canon:
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
Endless
is your mercy and eternal your reign.
You have filled
all creation with light and life;
heaven
and earth are full of your glory.
Through Abraham
you promised to bless all nations.
You
rescued Israel, your chosen people.
Through the
prophets you renewed your promise;
and,
at this end of all the ages, you sent your Son,
who
in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom
and
was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
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.
Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup
we remember the
life our Lord offered for us.
And, believing
the witness of his resurrection,
we await his
coming in power
to share with us
the great and promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,
the
spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,
that
we who receive the Lord's body and blood
may
live to the praise of your glory
and
receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.
Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Join our prayers with those of your servants
of every time and every place,
and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our
great high priest
until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.
By the power of the Spirit,
we pray to his Father, saying:
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 Matthew 6:9-15
The LORD of hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46:4
We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.
Sit
DISTRIBUTION
Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized. They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
WDISTRIBUTION HYMN
Choir
O Christ the Same - Text/ Timothy
Dudley-Smith
Music/
Carl Schalk
Please follow the text at Blue
WOV 778 as the choir sings
When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and
unite the wills of those who you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Amen
Sit
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE FAITH
FAMILY
Stand
Silence for meditation.
BENEDICTION
May God
the Father,
who has given his Son the name above every name,
strengthen you to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord.
Amen
May God
the Son,
our great high priest passed through the heavens,
plead for you at the right hand of the Father.
Amen
May God
the Holy Spirit,
who pours out his abundant gifts upon the Church,
make you faithful servants of Christ the King.
Amen
Almighty God, Father, XSon, and
Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen
WCLOSING HYMN
Green LBW 254 Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs
1 Come, let us join our cheerful songs
with angels round the throne;
ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
but all their joys are one.
2 “Worthy the Lamb that died,” they cry,
“to be exalted thus!”
“Worthy the Lamb,” our lips reply,
“for he was slain for us!”
3 Jesus is worthy to receive
honor and pow’r divine;
and blessings, more than we can give,
be, Lord, forever thine.
4 Let all creation join in one
to bless the sacred name
of him who sits upon the throne,
and to adore the Lamb.
Text:
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
DISMISSAL
Go
in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be
to God!
From
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted
by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.
New
Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Proper Preface from We Give You
Thanks and Praise: The Ambrosian Eucharistic Prefaces, tr. Alan Griffiths.
Sheed and Ward, 2000.
Weckmann, Niklaus, active 1490-1528.
Crucifixion, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the
Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57239 [retrieved
November 14, 2022]. Original source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Weckmann_(Werkstatt)_Kreuzigung.jpg.
Agnus
Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
St Stephen Lutheran Church
55 Forsythe Road
Pittsburgh PA 15220
(412) 279-5868
office@ststephenpittsburgh.org
Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am
