November 24, 2024 Service

27th Sunday after Pentecost
Christ The King Sunday
We welcome you to EPC!
May the love and warmth of God’s grace be with you as you worship.
We Gather Before God
Chimes
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude Christ the King Reigns arr. Ben Logan
*Call to Worship
Around the world this day, the universal church celebrates the “The Reign of Christ.” Come to worship Jesus Christ, Alpha and Omega, the one who is, who was, and is to come (Rev. 1:8).
We come to worship the one who rules justly (2 Samuel 23:34).
Come to worship Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth! (Rev. 1:5)
Bread of Heaven, God with us! (John 6:51, Mt. 1:23.)
Good Shepherd, True Vine! (John 10:11, John 15:1.)
Eternal Word, Great I AM (John 1, John 8:58).
Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace! (Isaiah 9:6.)
We come to worship Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords! (Rev. 19.16.) To him be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen. (Rev. 1:6.)
*Hymn No. 151 Crown Him with Many Crowns Diademata
1 Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark, how the heavenly 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 Lord of love;
Behold His hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified:
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye
At mysteries so bright.
3 Crown Him the Lord of peace;
Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
Absorbed in prayer and praise:
His reign shall know no end;
And round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.
4 Crown Him the Lord of years,
The Potentate of time;
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise shall never, never fail
Throughout eternity.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we are intoxicated by power - the power to dominate, the power to control, the power to punish, the power to reward, the power to have our own way. We live in a powerful country with powerful leaders and a powerful military. Forgive us when we lose sight of what true power is all about. Forgive us when we forget that Jesus is our true and only King. Help us refasten our gaze on Christ’s kingdom, that we might work to bring this kingdom here on earth. In the name of the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, we pray. Amen.
(~ a time of silent prayer)
Assurance of Grace
Even though we have often failed to do as our Lord Jesus has asked, there is eternal forgiveness and a chance to again follow his ways. Be assured, beloved, that the love of Jesus Christ will never leave you. Be his witnesses throughout the world. Thanks be to God. Begin again. Amen.
*Congregational Response Majesty Jack Hayford
Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory and praise!
Majesty, kingdom authority, flow from His throne unto His own, His anthem raise.
*Passing the Peace of Christ (please share the peace as you feel comfortable)
Peace be with you!
And also with you.
We Listen to God’s Word
Musical Offering O Give Thanks Joseph M. Martin
Chancel Choir
O give thanks unto the Lord, sing His praise forevermore,
Praise the Lord for the things that He has done.
Come and call upon His name, every nation now proclaim,
O give thanks. Give your honor to the Lord, O give thanks.
O give thanks to Him who rides upon the wind. Glory in His holy name.
Recall the miracles, the wonders He has done.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth lift her voice,
Let the people give thanks to the Lord.
Scripture Colossians 1:11-20 NRSVUE
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 God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon