Sunday Devotional for November 24, 2024 - Christ the King Sunday

Christ the King Sunday
November 24, 2024
SILENT MEDITATION: “Christ’s kingdom is not just a figure of speech. Christ is alive, He lives as a man, with the same body He took when He became man, when He rose after His death, the glorified body which subsists in the person of the Word, together with His human heart. Christ, true God and true man, lives and reigns. He is the Lord of the universe. Everything that lives is kept in existence only through Him.” - St. Josemaria Escrivá
The musical prelude invites us to become
quiet and reverent in God’s house.
PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Christ comes to be our King.
People: We are here to be Christ’s people.
Pastor: Clothed in righteousness, Christ comes to save us.
People: Let the faithful shout for joy.
Pastor: Adorned with the glory of the rising sun,
People: Christ disperses our gloom with holy light.
Pastor: Let all God’s people proclaim the Prince of Peace.
All: Amen!
*HYMN OF PRAISE:
God Himself Is with Us
PROFESSION OF FAITH The 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.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God our King, we confess we have given idols power over us, the idols of power and wealth, fame and security. We confess that we have fallen into the ways of this world, and have forgotten our kindred in Christ.
We have lost sight of the reign of God here on earth, and instead have allowed the idols of the world to rule over us.
Forgive us.
Call us into your reign, to declare you the One who has power over us, because your power is love. Call us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to work for justice, show mercy, and love one another, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
SILENCE FOR REFLECTION AND CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE
CHILDREN’S TIME
*HYMN:
Rejoice the Lord Is King
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
*OUR LORD’S PRAYER (debts)
READING OF THE SCRIPTURES
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4-8
MESSAGE: What Kind of King IS Jesus?
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY RESPONSE
We Give Thee But Thine Own
We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN OF DEDICATION:
Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
THE COMMISSION
Pastor: The Mighty One of Israel is faithful.
People: God’s promises are sure.
Pastor: The rock of our salvation is strong and true.
People: Christ’s kingdom never ends.
Pastor: The Spirit guides and guards us.
People: The Spirit’s love leads us home.
THE BENEDICTION
CLOSING RESPONSE
God Be with You (insert)
God be with you till we meet again;
By his counsels guide, uphold you,
With his sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet.
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
POSTLUDE
Thoughts for Reflection:
1. Just as we may not always be happy with elected officials, we may not always be happy with Christ as our King. But remember that Christ always knows and does what is truly best for us.
2. Think of a time when you totally disagreed with God’s will in a situation. Did things make sense later, or did God at least provide comfort along the way?
3. Are you in a situation now where you don’t want to follow God’s will? How might remembering that Christ really is our King - our Ruler - affect your decision?