St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Sunday, November 22, 2020 – website

Christ the King Sunday

Prelude: Meditation on “Ville du Havre”  

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “O Worship the King” LBW # 548, vs 1 - 6

Confession & Forgiveness

Greeting & Kyrie

Canticle of Praise: “Glory to God…”

Prayer of the Day

First Reading, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Psalm # 95:1-7a

Second Reading, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Holy Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: “This Is My Father’s World” – LBW # 554, vs 1 - 3

Nicene Creed

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Dismissal

Sending Hymn: “Crown Him With Many Crowns” - LBW # 170, vs 1 – 6

Postlude: Voluntary on “Coronation”

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Service Supplement

(Congregational responses are in bold print)

The community of faith comes together in worship to praise God and be nurtured by His Word and Sacrament. As the prelude begins, prepare to worship, use opportunities during the service to practice silence, to focus upon God, and to offer prayer.

 

Prelude                                              Meditation on “Ville du Havre”

 

Welcome and Announcements            Pastor John

 

Gathering Hymn “O Worship the King”              LBW # 548, vs 1 - 6

Oh, worship the King, all-glorious above. Oh, gratefully sing his pow'r and his love; Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

 

Oh, tell of his might; oh, sing of his grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

 

The earth with its store of wonders untold, Almighty, your pow'r has founded of old; Established it fast by a changeless decree, And round it has cast, like a mantle, the sea.

 

Your bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light, It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

 

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In you do we trust, nor find you to fail; Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end, Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.

 

O measureless Might, ineffable love, While angels delight to hymn you above, The humbler creation, though feeble their lays, With true adoration shall sing to your praise.

 

Confession & Forgiveness                  (Pastor)      

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

 

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Greeting                                            (Pastor)               

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.

 

Kyrie                                                (Worship Assistant)

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

 

Canticle of Praise  “Glory to God…” (Worship Assistant)        

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Day                               (Pastor)

Let us pray…Almighty and everlasting God, you have crowned your Son as King and, by him, will renew your whole creation. May the families of the earth now torn apart and yoked by sin find liberty in him and be subjected to his gentle rule. Grant this, we pray, through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24(Worship Assistant)   

The Shepherd God of Israel will seek out his flock and bring them home, into their own land. He will seek those that are lost, gone astray, injured or weak and bring them unto himself, where they will be fed and kept safe from harm.

 

11“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

 

20“Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.” This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm # 95 - read responsively     (Worship Assistant)

The psalmist encourages the congregation to sing songs of praise to the Lord, saying, “He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture.” He praises God’s wonderful works of creation, urging all to bow down in grateful worship.

 

Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (Worship Assistant)  

Paul explains that by one man, Adam, all humans have died because of sin. By the one man, Jesus, all shall be made alive through his resurrection. Everything comes in the proper order, Paul says. First Christ will bring home those who belong to him, then the end shall come and all earthly authority shall be destroyed.

 

20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

 

Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46         (Pastor)

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 25th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

 

Jesus speaks to his followers about the final judgment of God saying that whenever they serve someone who is hungry or thirsty, visit the imprisoned, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger and so forth, they serve him. When they neglect to serve others, they are also neglecting to serve him. The life of discipleship is one that puts others ahead of self. This is the defining characteristic of righteousness, to serve those who are the “least.”

 

31Jesus said to the disciples, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon                                             Pastor John

 

*Hymn of the Day “This is My Father’s World” LBW # 554 vs. 1 - 3

This is my Father's world, And to my list'ning ears All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.

 

This is my Father's world; The birds their carols raise; The morning light, the lily white, Declare their maker's praise. This is my Father's world; He shines in all that's fair. In the rustling grass I hear him pass; He speaks to me ev'rywhere.

 

This is my Father's world; Oh, let me not forget That, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world; Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is king, let the heavens ring; God reigns, let the earth be glad!

 

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; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. 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                        (Worship Assistant)

(P): Remembering the saints who have gone before us and giving thanks for God’s blessings, we pray for the church, all in need, and God’s good creation. A brief silence.

(W): Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Another year in the church has ended, reminding us that our time in the present world will also end in you.  Give us courage in the face of trials, both physical and spiritual, that we may be found faithful on that last day when you come to judge the living and the dead. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Heavenly Father, Jesus said that whatever we do to those who are the “least,” we also do to him. Make us generous in our words, actions, and with our resources, that we would follow Jesus in loving discipleship all our days. Let us not look past those in need or neglect those who are suffering, rather let us give of ourselves and trust that God will use us to care for his people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Lord of the Sabbath, be with all of us this day that we would find rest and regeneration. Help us to hear and know you in our keeping of the Sabbath so that we might be renewed for work in your kingdom, each and every day. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Life-giving Spirit, transform our communities into places of welcome for those who have been shunned or marginalized, are weak or weary. Help us to see in them the very presence of our Lord Jesus. Fill us with your love that we would love one another and point to your saving power for all who believe. Be with all who suffer. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(P): Receive our prayers and hopes, Good Shepherd, and bring us safely into all joy and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer                   

Let us pray the prayer our Savior taught us…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.

 

Blessing                                            (Pastor)

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

 

Dismissal                                          (Worship Assistant)

Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Sending Hymn “Crown Him With Many Crowns” LBW # 170, vs 1 – 6

Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne; Hark, how the heav'nly 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.

 

Crown him the virgin's Son, The God incarnate born, Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now his brow adorn; Fruit of the mystic rose, Yet of that rose the stem, The root whence mercy ever flows, The babe of Bethlehem.

 

Crown him the Lord of love - Behold his hands and side, Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified. No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bend their burning eyes At mysteries so bright.

 

Crown Him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o'er the grave And rose victorious in the strife For those he came to save. His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high, Who died, eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

 

Crown him the Lord of peace, Whose pow'r 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 pierced feet Fair flow'rs of paradise extend Their fragrance ever sweet.

 

Crown him the Lord of years, The potentate of time, Creator of the rolling spheres, Ineffably sublime. All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me; Thy praise and glory shall not fail Throughout eternity.

 

Postlude                                   Voluntary on “Coronation”