Feast of Christ the King
November 20, 2022
The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, Pastor
Last Sunday of The Church’s Year of Grace
WELCOME
A warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Today we gather around Word and Sacrament through which God equips, directs, and supports his people in the mission and ministry of his Kingdom. All that God has promised in his Son, Jesus Christ, comes together by the power of the Spirit as we worship. Guests and visitors, please honor us
by signing our Guest Book in the entrance hall of the church as you leave this morning’s worship. If you have no church home of your own, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. After this morning’s worship, join us for a cup of coffee and let us become better acquainted with you as you
get to know us better. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER A Servant King
Where does Christ reign in our world? Today’s Gospel answers the question with utter clarity. Christ reigns among us from the Cross, embracing our weakness and our death. Christ reigns among us in the word of mercy, in the font of life, in the supper of grace. Christ reigns among us in those who are needy, homeless, sick or dying. He does not conquer with force, but serves the people of the earth in peace, and invites us to do the same.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by their example, may persevere in the way of faith that is set before us, to
be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all your saints, to share in your eternal joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
+ THE ORDER OF CELEBRATING +
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
CHIMES
PRELUDE Thanks for the Blessings You Give — By John Turner
Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
SONG Crown Him with Many Crowns
1 Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity.
2 Crown Him the virgin’s Son,
The God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won
Which now His brow adorn:
Fruit of the mystic rose,
Yet of that rose the stem,
The root whence mercy ever flows,
The babe of Bethlehem.
3 Crown Him the Lord of love.
Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bend their wond’ring eyes
At mysteries so bright.
Text (sts. 1–3, 5): Matthew Bridges, 1800–94, alt.; (st. 4): Godfrey Thring, 1823–1903
Text: Public domain
ORDER OF CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Jesus Christ is the light of the world; the light no darkness can overcome.
If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses
us from all sin.
As subjects of Christ the King, let us confess our sins to God Almighty.
+ A Brief Silence for Reflection & Self-examination +
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in our thinking, in our speaking, and in our doing. We deserve your wrath and punishment. For the sake of Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our redemption, we beg your forgiveness, and seek the power to become more faithful servants of Christ the King. Amen
You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your minds on what is in heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Rejoice in the Lord, your sins are forgiven in the Name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share the peace of the Lord as we greet each other.
THE PASSING OF PEACE
[The congregation is encouraged to share the peace of Christ and greet one another with the words: “The Lord’s peace be with you.” The response: “And also with you.”]
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
GLORY TO GOD
Refrain: Glory to God, glory to God,
Glory to God in the Highest
And peace to his people on earth
- Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father, we worship
you we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.Refrain
- 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.Refrain
- 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.
Refrain: Glory to God, glory to God,
Glory to God in the Highest
And peace to his people on earth.
Amen, Amen, Amen
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things to your beloved Son, whom you anointed priest forever and King of all creation: grant that all the people of the earth, now divided by the power of sin, may be united under the glorious and gentle rule of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 23:1-6
[Today’s reading builds on the common ancient Near Eastern metaphor of the king as shepherd. Judah’s unjust rulers have caused their people, their “flock,” to be scattered. Nevertheless, the Lord will raise up a new and righteous shepherd who will rule a restored Judah.]
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning 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, 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. 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.
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. 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.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GRACE CHOIR This is the Day — By Scott Soper, Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
SECOND LESSON Colossians 1:11-20
[An early Christian hymn praises the mystery of the political, personal, and mystical Christ, the one who was present at creation and is eternally reigning with God.]
May 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 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints
in light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 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. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For in him all the fullness of God was please to dwell, 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.
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 23:33-43 Please rise to honor the reading of the Gospel.
The gospel according to Luke, the 23rd chapter.
ALLELUIA [Sung before the reading of the Gospel]
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Give the glory and the honor to the Lord!
[Amid scoffing and slander from those who sarcastically call him Messiah and king, Jesus is revealed to be a type of ruler (messiah) who is different from what many had anticipated. He has the power to welcome a despised sinner to paradise but will not use that power to save himself from death.]
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. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by and scoffed at him, saying, “He saves others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but his man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SONG Crown Him with Many Crowns
4 Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o’er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.
5 Crown Him the Lord of heav’n,
Enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the king to whom is giv’n
The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns
As thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
For He is king of all.
SERMON King of Kings — Pr. Josh Text: The Gospel
APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence 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 THE CHURCH
THE OFFERING is BROUGHT FORWARD
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord our God, all that we have is a sign of your love, all that we are is a gift from your hand. Receive these offerings along with our thanksgiving, that our lives may proclaim your love for all who are redeemed by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Praise Leader: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you
Praise Leader: Lift up your hearts
Congregation: We will lift them up to Him
Praise Leader: Let us give thanks always to the Lord our God.
Congregation: It is right, it is just, it is well
Praise Leader: Father, it is our duty and our salvation, always
and everywhere to give you thanks through your
beloved Son, Jesus Christ
Congregation: Holy, holy, holy, Lord
Praise Leader: For our sake He opened His arms on the cross,
He put an end to death and revealed the resurrection
Congregation: Holy, holy, holy, Lord
Praise Leader: In this He fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people. And so, we join the angels and the saints in proclaiming your glory as we sing:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes
in the Name of the Lord
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
WORDS of INSTITUTION
LORD’S PRAYER
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.
AGNUS DEI
O Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
O Lamb of God
You take away the sins of the world,
Grant us peace.
DISTRIBUTION of THE LORD’S SUPPER
DISTRIBUTION HYMN Seed Scattered and Sown
+ SENDING +
[Strengthened in faith and empowered for service, we leave with thanksgiving
and the Lord’s blessing.]
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING
We give thanks to you, faithful God, for feeding us with this one heavenly food. Transform us through this meal into the likeness of your Son, and unite us in
love for one another, that we may be your on-going incarnation to the world; in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
BLESSING
SONG Beautiful Savior
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
+ The Worship is Over. Let the Service Begin! +
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Today’s music is used by permission, ccli 540181.
THE PRESENCE of CHRIST is celebrated in The Lord’s Supper. He comes to us in a real and present way with his life-giving body and blood in the bread and wine of The Sacrament to assure us of our forgiveness and to strengthen us in faith and service. All who trust and believe the words “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” are welcome. Come, receive Christ’s presence in the meal prepared for you. Enjoy his presence. Children are encouraged to come forward with their parents and/or grandparents and receive a blessing.
TODAY is Mite Box Sunday — Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on" (Mark 12:41–43) Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite, the Mite Box is intended for regular contributions of "mites" — offerings above and beyond the support given to congregations and the LCMS. Mite Box contributions amount to millions of dollars that fund district and national mission grants and implement the LWML program.
WORSHIP ‘n WORK CLOTHES TODAY – Be ready to start working following a cup of coffee. Chores to be accomplished in and around the church are posted in the back of the Sanctuary. Choose a chore and accomplish it on Worship ‘n Work Clothes Day OR at your leisure after. We’ll finish up enjoying a pizza lunch.
"O Tannenbaum" — (German: "O fir tree") It’s time to get the Christmas tree out of storage and set up in the Sanctuary. This will take place as part of our Worship ‘n Work Clothes. There will be a Tree Decorating Party after Worship on the following Sunday, November 27th and refreshments will be served.
PRAISE GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYER! — We have selected Margaret Bohn’s replacement. Diann Engstrom has started as our new Administrative Assistant. Diann moved to Eagle Point from Arizona to be near family, and she’s very excited to become part of our staff here at Grace. When you have a chance, stop by and say “Hello!” Margaret will be at Grace for a while longer as she trains Diann in her new position.
This Week at Grace
TUESDAY the 22nd: Women’s Bible Study 10:00 am
THURSDAY the 24th: Happy Thanksgiving!
SUNDAY the 27th: First Sunday in Advent
Bible Discussions — Money Matters 8:45 am
Sunday School for All Ages 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Coffee Connection 11:00 am
Christmas Tree Decorating Party 11:15 am
Looking Ahead…
SUNDAY, December 4th: Tatsiana Asheichyk — Piano Recital 3:00 pm
Grace Lutheran Church
660 Frances Lane
Ashland, OR 97520
541-482-1661
Pastor Joshua Heimbuck — heimbuck@me.com