FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
November 23 , 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be hosted by First Presbyterian today Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4:00 PM. Please join us!
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will not be meeting this Thursday
-CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED November 27 & 28 in observance of Thanksgiving
-PC(USA) CHRISTMAS JOY SPECIAL OFFERING ‘Prepare the Way’ donations will be accepted Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 2025. Envelopes will be by the offering plates. Thank you for your generosity!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is King! He rules not with force, but with love.
We come to worship the One whose crown is mercy and whose throne is grace.
Christ reigns over all creation, over every heart and every life.
We lift our voices and our lives to the King of kings, who calls us to justice, peace, and hope.
Let us worship the Lord, our Sovereign and our Savior!
Amen.
*OPENING HYMN #2 (red) “Come, Thou Almighty King”
Come, thou almighty King, help us thy name to sing;
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious, o'er all victorious,
come, and reign over us, Ancient of Days.
Come, thou Incarnate Word, merciful, mighty Lord,
our prayer attend.
Come, and thy people bless, and give thy Word success:
Spirit of holiness, on us descend.
Come, holy Comforter, thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art, now rule in every heart,
and ne'er from us depart, Spirit of power.
To thee, great One in Three, eternal praises be,
hence, evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see,
and to eternity love and adore.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, You reign over all creation with justice and mercy, yet we confess that we often live as if we are in charge. We seek our own power, honor, and comfort, and fail to follow the ways of Christ, your humble and faithful King. We have ignored the cries of those in need, neglected your word, and relied on our own strength rather than your grace. Forgive us, we pray. Turn our hearts toward you, that we may serve your kingdom with courage, humility, and love, and live as faithful citizens of your reign. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and *GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON Fruit – Faithfulness
SPECIAL MUSIC Bless the Lord (10,000 Reasons) Choir
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Jeremiah 23:2–6 (NIV)
2 “Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord.
3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.
4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
Luke 1:68–79 (NIV)
68“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
70 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us--
71 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
72 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
73 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
74 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
75 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
76 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Colossians 1:13–18 (NIV)
13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Luke 23:33–43 (NIV)
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished 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 into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
SERMON Christ Reigns: Yesterday, Today, Forever
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #363 (red) “Rejoice, The Lord is King”
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Our Savior, Jesus reigns, the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above.
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o'er earth and heav'n;
the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given.
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Christ, the Judge, shall come
and gather all the saints to their eternal home:
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Mike M, Marlys M, Duane & Kris, Bob O
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Janet T, Nancy T, Arlyce T, Steve & Carrie VB
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #192 (red) “Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”
Jesus, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining:
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me; shine on me.
Refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness;
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
November 23 , 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be hosted by First Presbyterian today Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4:00 PM. Please join us!
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP at 9:30ish AM at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will not be meeting this Thursday
-CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED November 27 & 28 in observance of Thanksgiving
-PC(USA) CHRISTMAS JOY SPECIAL OFFERING ‘Prepare the Way’ donations will be accepted Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 2025. Envelopes will be by the offering plates. Thank you for your generosity!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is King! He rules not with force, but with love.
We come to worship the One whose crown is mercy and whose throne is grace.
Christ reigns over all creation, over every heart and every life.
We lift our voices and our lives to the King of kings, who calls us to justice, peace, and hope.
Let us worship the Lord, our Sovereign and our Savior!
Amen.
*OPENING HYMN #2 (red) “Come, Thou Almighty King”
Come, thou almighty King, help us thy name to sing;
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious, o'er all victorious,
come, and reign over us, Ancient of Days.
Come, thou Incarnate Word, merciful, mighty Lord,
our prayer attend.
Come, and thy people bless, and give thy Word success:
Spirit of holiness, on us descend.
Come, holy Comforter, thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art, now rule in every heart,
and ne'er from us depart, Spirit of power.
To thee, great One in Three, eternal praises be,
hence, evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see,
and to eternity love and adore.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, You reign over all creation with justice and mercy, yet we confess that we often live as if we are in charge. We seek our own power, honor, and comfort, and fail to follow the ways of Christ, your humble and faithful King. We have ignored the cries of those in need, neglected your word, and relied on our own strength rather than your grace. Forgive us, we pray. Turn our hearts toward you, that we may serve your kingdom with courage, humility, and love, and live as faithful citizens of your reign. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON and *GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON Fruit – Faithfulness
SPECIAL MUSIC Bless the Lord (10,000 Reasons) Choir
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Jeremiah 23:2–6 (NIV)
2 “Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord.
3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.
4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
Luke 1:68–79 (NIV)
68“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
70 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us--
71 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
72 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
73 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
74 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
75 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
76 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Colossians 1:13–18 (NIV)
13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Luke 23:33–43 (NIV)
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished 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 into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
SERMON Christ Reigns: Yesterday, Today, Forever
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #363 (red) “Rejoice, The Lord is King”
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Our Savior, Jesus reigns, the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above.
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o'er earth and heav'n;
the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given.
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Christ, the Judge, shall come
and gather all the saints to their eternal home:
Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Mike M, Marlys M, Duane & Kris, Bob O
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), JoAnn G, Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (Please reach out)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Janet T, Nancy T, Arlyce T, Steve & Carrie VB
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #192 (red) “Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”
Jesus, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining:
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me; shine on me.
Refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
so our faces display your likeness;
ever changing from glory to glory,
mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
