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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82730716739?pwd=javTba0kt5Zak5jN1rOo5Q9MaQIzSU.1

 

Meeting ID: 827 3071 6739

Passcode: 514679

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November 23, 2025

Christ the King Sunday

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                                                                                                GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

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SILENT PREPERATION: Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”                                                  Revelation 11:15

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PIANO PRELUDE                            “Glorify Thy Name”  by Donna Adkins, arranged by Mark Hayes                  

CHIMES

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Please join responsively)

Leader:    Bless God, all people of faith and hope.  God has looked on us with great favor.

People:    God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.  God is our guide and inspiration when things go well.

Leader:    God gives light to those who live in the shadows.  God offers stillness amid the turbulence of our times.

People:    We live in covenant with God, who gives us the best.  We are eager to give our best to God in gratitude.

Leader:    By the tender mercy of our God, we meet again for worship.  God has brought the dawn of a new day for our use.

People:    Praise God for the signs and wonders all around us.  Praise God for the gifts of peace and reconciliation.

 *HYMN                                           “At the Name of Jesus”                                                     #351

PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)

We worship you with gladness, Great God, our Shepherd, for you have gathered us as your flock.  You have sent a mighty Savior, who has

demonstrated – over the centuries, and among us today – the power of love.  Send your Spirit now, to remind us of your gifts, and to strengthen us for our tasks.  May we show loyalty to Christ our King, by the way we live today –and every day.  Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Many times you have rescued us, O God, yet we continue to wander away from your vision for us.  We claim to be followers of Jesus, but we do not speak up when he is mocked.  We do not respond when he summons us from the perilous byways we have chosen.  Our words and deeds deny the faith we proclaim.  Great God of all peoples and nations, deliver us from misplaced loyalties and unacknowledged sin.  Forgive our foolish ways....

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

                                                                         

                                                                                     PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

 

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING          Luke 23:33-43  NT p. 91

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 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!"  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 sentence of condemnation?  “And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom."  He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

                                                               This is the Word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God!

SCRIPTURE RESPONSE                         “Thy Word”                       by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING       Colossians 1:11-20  NT p. 213

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 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the 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 pleased 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.                            

                                                         This is the Word of the Lord:  Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM                                              “Give Thanks”    by Henry Smith, arranged by John Wilson

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

SERMON                                       “Thankful for the Right Reasons”

                                                           Rev. Dr. David Lovelace

*HYMN                                           “For the Beauty of the Earth”                                           #1

 

                                                                           RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

 

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison)                       Adapted from the Shorter Catechism  (1647)

One:       What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?

All:          Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king.  He executes the office of a prophet in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.  He executes the office of a priest in his offering up of himself as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.  He executes the office of a king in calling out of the world a people to himself; and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, preserving and supporting them under all temptations and sufferings; restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good.

PRAYER ANTIPHONE             “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”  by Ken Medema

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD'S PRAYER            

OFFERING INVITATION

OFFERTORY                             “What Shall I Render to the Lord"     by Hugh Wilson

*DOXOLOGY                                                                                                                         #382

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)

For the saving faithfulness of Jesus Christ, we give thanks. For the privilege of being part of his church – which seeks to extend his ministry of love and justice – we are humbly grateful. Today we ask your blessing, not only on these tithes and offerings, but on our pledges toward our 2026 ministries, here at the Green Hill Presbyterian Church, and through our outreach. As we invest ourselves in joyful response to your promises, may these promises bear fruit in our lives, and in the lives of all of those touched through our giving. Hear our prayer – and empower our ministries – for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

                                                                                      GOING IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN                                    “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”                                         #325

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE         “Go, My Children, With My Blessing”

                                                             Welsh Melody, lyrics by J. Vajda

                                                                      Sung by choir

*POSTLUDE                                  “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart"     by Arthur Messier