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Christ the King Sunday

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, November 24, 2024

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CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY

November 24, 2024 10:00 a.m.

Generations of Generosity: All power in the Church belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ, its head. All actions of this congregation are to be carried out under his rule and authority.

Nature of the Church: in First

Lutheran’s Constitution

PRELUDE He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands arr. Margaret Bond

Marion Anderson performed the spiritual again at the Lincoln Memorial in the 1963 March on Washington when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. It became one of the signature songs of her career: “This spiritual reminds us not to lose sight of the fact that we have our times of extremity and that there is a Being who can help us at such a time. . . It is all there in that spiritual. I chose it not alone because I thought the audience would like it, but because it had a cry, an appeal, a meaning to me. It is much more than a number on a concert program”

She added text to the third Stanza to her performance:

He’s got the lying man right in his hands, | He’s got the gambling man right in his hands,

He’s got the crap-shooting man in his hands, | He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He's got everybody here in his hands, | He's got everybody there in his hands,

He's got everybody everywhere in his hands, | He's got the whole world in his hands.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

SOLA GRATIA +

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, our refuge, our delight, our beginning and our end. Amen.

Let us come in truth before the one who loves us and has freed us from our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Eternal One, robed in majesty and mercy, we confess that sin has taken hold of us and we are complicit in its power.

We are disturbed in spirit and our hearts cannot rest.

Unbind us and set us free.

Lead us again to the waters of rebirth, that we may live just and generous lives

for the good of your world and the care of our neighbors, following in the

servant way of Jesus. Amen.

These words are trustworthy and true: Christ bore our sins once, for all, on the cross,

swallowing up death forever. For his sake, you are forgiven and God remembers your sin no more. Let your heart be glad again, and rejoice in your salvation.

Amen.

OPENING HYMN All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!

5) Let ev'ry kindred, ev'ry tribe

on this terrestrial ball

to him all majesty ascribe

and crown him Lord of all.

Text: Edward Perronet, 1726-1792, sts. 1-4; J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, sts. 5-6

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Almighty and ever-living God, you anointed your beloved Son to be priest and sovereign forever. Grant that all the people of the earth, now divided by the power of sin, may be united by the glorious and gentle rule of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SOLA SCRIPTURA +

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

To the community for whom this passage was written, it seemed as though the oppression they were experiencing would never end. Daniel’s message is: It shall end. The Ancient One, who is judge, will call all nations to account and will give dominion to “one like a human being,” the Messiah.

9 As I watched, thrones were set in place,

and an Ancient One took his throne,

his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool;

his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.

10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence.

A thousand thousands served him,

and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him.

The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

13 As I watched in the night visions,

I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven.

And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.

14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship,

that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away,

and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: 93 refrain

1 The Lord is king, robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and | armed

with strength.

The Lord has made the world so sure that it can- | not be moved.

2 Ever since the world began, your throne has | been established;

you are from | everlasting. / R

3 The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted | up their voice;

the waters have lifted up their | pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the sound of many waters,

mightier than the breakers | of the sea,

mightier is the Lord who | dwells on high.

5 Your testimonies are | very sure,

and holiness befits your house, O Lord, forever and for- | evermore. / R

EPISTLE LESSON: Revelation 1:4b-8

The book of Revelation begins by celebrating the Almighty God, who spans all of time. Similarly, Jesus is celebrated as the firstborn from the dead who rules over the world’s rulers. He is the one whose return we eagerly await.

4b Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;

every eye will see him,

even those who pierced him;

and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.

So it is to be. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION FOR CHRIST THE KING

Behold, the King comes. Alleluia!

O come, let us worship and bow down. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Rejoice greatly, for Christ is your King.

Blessing and honor and glory be unto him.

Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the universe; you have delivered us from sin

and death.

By your blood, you have brought your people into your kingdom.

Therefore God has highly exalted him:

And bestowed on him the name which is above every name;

That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow:

And every tongue confess him the King of glory.

Behold, the King comes. Alleluia!

O come, let us worship and bow down. Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: John 18:33-37 Glory to you, O Lord.

In John’s gospel, the story of Jesus and Pilate presents two different ways of exercising power: through force or with love.

33 Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Pastor Kurt

HYMN OF THE DAY The God Some May Imagine

First verse sung by the choir

SOLA FIDE +

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

the response after each petition: Merciful God, Receive our prayer.

NICENE CREED

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. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly

human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who 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.

GENERATIONS OF GENEROSITY

With thanksgiving for the generosity of those who came before us, in reflection and deep relationship with Jesus who, in generosity, gave his life for us, we, in turn, lay our lives and our commitments before his throne of grace, the Cross.

This morning, after singing a verse of “Come Ye Thankful People Come” you are invited to bring your offerings and Estimate of Giving Cards forward to the Altar.

We praise you, O God, our redeemer, creator;

in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.

We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;

we bless your holy name; glad praises we sing.

Give online using the button at the top right

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

OFFERING MUSIC

Kremser (Traditional Netherlands Melody) arr. Gerre Hancock

Eduard Kremser was born in 1838 in Vienna and was a choir director, conductor, composer and musicologist. The tune Kremser owes its origins to a 16th century Dutch folk song “Ey,wilder den wilt.” The tune set the music to the hymn We Gather Together to ask the Lord’s Blessings originally translated by Theodore Baker, born 1831, in Dresden Germany, and who studied music in Leipzig Germany. He wrote a dissertation on the music of the Seneca people in NY State, one of the first studies of music of the American Indians.

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known;

the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His name, He forgets not his own.

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us Pray…Holy God, the earth is yours and everything in it, yet you have chosen to dwell among your creatures. Come among us now in these gifts of bread and wine, and strengthen us to be your body for the world through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

PROPER PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ;...

And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, …

… Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

AGNUS DEI

COMMUNION HYMN The King of Love My Shepherd Is

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Lord Jesus, in this simple meal you have set before us a banquet.

Sustain us on the journey, strengthen us to care for the least of your beloved children, and give us glad and generous hearts as we meet you on the way.

Amen.

SENDING SONG Crown Him With Many Crowns

BLESSING & BENEDICTION The Aaronic Blessing: Numbers 6:22–27

Go in peace. You are the body of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Come Ye Thankful People Come arr. James Kasen

With the upcoming celebration of Thanksgiving, people will sing the traditional harvest song, “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,” by Henry Alford (1810–1871). At FLC we give thanks not only for our daily bread, but also for the gifts of Grace and promise that we received at our Baptism, the font of every blessing.

Come, ye thankful people, come, | Raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in, | Ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide | For our wants to be supplied;

Come to God’s own temple, come, | Raise the song of harvest home.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, | Bring Thy final Harvest-home!

Gather Thou Thy people in, | Free from sorrow, free from sin;

There, forever purified, | In Thy garner to abide:

Come with all Thine angels, come, | Raise the glorious Harvest-home!

- printed in the authors original language and punctuation

Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director and Organist

Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone

Trevor Patricia Watkin, Flute

Jan Neuhaus, Cantor

Eric Sloniker, Lector

Richard Phillips, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Paul Engel, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Joann Masters, and Randy & Joyce Sensmeier, Singers

Brian Jensen, Genette McGowan, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Tech team

Ruth Clayton, Dan Kjonegaard, Melinda Person, Paula Gutterud, Ushers

prayer of the day, offering prayer, and dismissal

from Sundays and Seasons 2021, Year B

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

gospel acclamation, preface, eucharist, sanctus, agnus dei, nunc dimittis

from All Creation Sings setting 12

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE,

License A-710629.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Today after Worship: The Advent of God in a Consumer Society

Advent is a season of promise. The Christmas shopping season, which coincides with Advent, is also filled with promises--spoken or unspoken promises of how consumer purchases will fulfill our dreams. What can we learn by comparing the promises of these two overlapping seasons? What makes Advent profoundly more promising than consumerisms appeals to our hopes and dreams?

The Rev. Dr. John Hoffmeyer, Retired Professor of Systematic Theology, taught at United Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia for 24 years. He is in San Diego this weekend as part of the Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Religion.

FLC Night at TACO: December 2

Fellow FLC volunteers, December 2nd is the first Monday of December and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday December 2, please let Joann Masters know, either at church or by email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and she'll take care of signing you up. Come join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there.

Welcome the Babe Items Needed

If you are able, please consider donating any amount to help fund our Welcome the Babe, baby care kit project. Please go to our website at: firstlutheransd.org, go to “Give,” then to the drop-down menu to “Welcome the Babe.” If you would rather pay by check or cash, Joann will be available after church on Sunday. Make checks payable to First Lutheran Church, with “Welcome the Babe” in the memo. Thank you so much for considering this important ministry. Kits will be assembled after church on December 29 and blessed on Epiphany, January 5.

Children, Youth, and Families Corner

Grab a bag! Children’s worship bags will be available to grab on your way into the sanctuary, filled with quiet activities to do during worship. Those marked with a heart are for children under 5. Those marked with a star are for older children.

Children’s Church: We invite children up to age 12 to a special time in the library during worship, from the scripture readings until the sharing of the peace.

TACO Bites

TACO cordially invites members of FLC to a special holiday celebration to be held downtown on December 6. Cost to attend is $50 per person. Additional info can be found in the Heartbeat email. Scan the QR code to the right to RSVP.

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal and free clinics
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship