Sunday, November 20, 2022

The Holy Communion on the Feast of Christ the King, 10:30 a.m.

 The livestream may be found here.

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


HYMN OF PRAISE

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

           

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 Lord2Therefore 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 Lord3Then 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.

 

Sit

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


PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH 

 

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

 

PEACE

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.

 

Stand

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.    

 

 

Blessed are you,

  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


GREAT THANKSGIVING



It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and ever-living God; You anointed your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the oil of gladness as priest forever and universal King, so that, by offering himself on the altar of the cross as the pure sacrifice that brings us peace, he might accomplish the mystery of our redemption; and, having made all things subject to himself, might present before your glory an eternal and universal rule; a rule of truth and life, a rule of holiness and grace, a rule of justice, love, and peace. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 


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.

 

Christ is in our midst.

                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

 

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

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!


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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

www.ststephenpittsburgh.org

 

Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am