Worship Service for November 20, 2022

November 20, 2022 – Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, November 20, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6 PM on Sunday, November 20.

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Prelude

Introit – Choir

Welcome

Call to Worship

One: Say among the nations, The Lord reigns.
All: Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

One: The Lord is coming to judge the earth.
All: God will judge the world with righteousness and the people with truth.

One: Come let us worship God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All: Blessing and honour, glory and power be to our God now and always.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Opening Hymn

“Sweet is the solemn voice” (Book of Praise 1997 Hymn 444). Words by English Anglican divine and hymnwriter Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847). Music (1824; tune: “Hamburg”) Gregorian plainsong, arranged by American music director and banker Lowell Mason (1792–1872). Words and music in the public domain.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

God of majesty and mercy, we give you thanks and praise for your commitment to your creation. In Christ, you have turned the world upside down, revealing your strength through weakness, and your power through compassion. In the cross of Christ you taught us that no hopeless situation or frightening possibility is beyond your reach. We praise you for your love at work around us and within us, always able to do more than we can ask or even imagine. Receive our love and our loyalty this day, our Sovereign and our Saviour.

God of wisdom and warning, we confess that we often prefer our own plans to your purposes. We shrink from acts of service that seem too demanding. Forgive us when our commitment wavers and we think someone else will take up the challenges we face. Inspire us with the example of Jesus, and energize us with your Spirit to follow him as our Shepherd. wherever he leads.

We pray in Jesus’ name, and continue to pray as he taught:

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
.

Declaration of Pardon

All things have been made new in Christ and our sin is forgiven. Thanks be to God!

The Peace

The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Guildwood Choir Presents

Now Thank We All Our God”. Original German words (c. 1636) by German pastor Martin Rinkart (1586–1649). English translation (1858) by English hymnwriter Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878). Original music (1647) by German composer Johann Crüger (1598–1662). Harmonisation (1840) by German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809—1847). This setting by American composer Hal Hopson (1933–). Everything except for the setting public domain. Setting copyright © 2000 The H.W. Gray Company, part of Jubilate Music Group; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Fun with the young at heart (children’s story)

(Practicing faith)

A Welcome Moment

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Scripture Reading

Luke 23: 33–42 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Sermon

Today is the reign of Christ Sunday, known as Christ the King Sunday. It is a day to celebrate the kind of God who was revealed in Jesus Christ. On this day, we deepen our appreciation for who Jesus was and what he taught us, what he gave us and what he saved us from.

Jesus is the king of peace, the king of compassion, the king of love, and the king of forgiveness. Jesus is not the kind of king who uses his power and wealth to get what he wants. Jesus is not the kind of king who oppresses, separates, and punishes his people.

When the whole world was yelling at Jesus, “Save yourself! Look at yourself, and look at your misery! Why don’t you try more! Buy More! Earn More! Gain more power! And save yourself.”,  Jesus cried out to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!”

When the rest of the world was making fun of Jesus for being a helpless and powerless king by saying, “Where is your army that is going to save you? Where is your money that can free you? Where is your mighty power that can set you free? Where are your powerful friends who can help you?”  Jesus cried out to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!”

Our present world is still crying for more human power, wealth, profit and success. We still hear the same voices Jesus heard on the cross two thousand years ago. “Buy more, earn more, say more, hurt more, dominate more, pay back more….That is how you save yourself! That is the only way you can save yourself”

Yet, Jesus has not stopped telling the world ever since, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!”

Jesus said, “Forgive more, love more, be patient, be kind, be compassionate, and pray more….”

We try to fix every problem we face with more human power and wealth, here Jesus invites us to love more, be patient more, be kind more and forgive more…

I know that is not going to make a lot of people happy. And certainly, it didn’t 2,000 years ago.

(The story of a King who is afraid of darkness)

Yes, our human power, wealth, and knowledge will give us certain happiness and satisfaction, but not all our problems we face in our human life can be resolved by them. It is the love of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of God that can drive darkness away from our human hearts. It is Jesus Christ who saves us and who will make our lives whole.

Musical Reflection

What a Wonderful World”. Words and music (1967) by American music producer Bob Thiele (1922–1996; as “George Douglas”) and American songwriter George David Weiss (1921–2010). Words and music copyright © 1967 ABC Records.

Offering

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Doxology

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow”(Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 830) Based on the tune “Old 100th” with words by English bishop and hymnwriter Thomas Ken (1637–1711).

Prayer of dedication

Steadfast God, we enjoy your loving kindness day by day. We offer our gifts in gratitude for what we have received from your love. Bless our gifts and our lives so that your goodness will touch many lives in the name of Jesus Christ, our friend and saviour. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks that you reign through love as the power that embraces the world with mercy and hope. Thank you for revealing that to trust is wisdom, to forgive is the best way to deal with enemies, and to serve is the best way to lead. We pray that, through the grace of your kingdom, each beloved creature and citizen will know safety and satisfaction in their homes. Let the vision of your peaceable kingdom take root in our hearts, bringing healing to families and communities, and in every place wounded by violence or destruction.

Lord Jesus Christ, We give you thanks for reaching out to those on the margins and those others shunned, so that each one knew they belonged in your kingdom. We pray for those who face discrimination or insecurity in our communities, longing for respect and a change to thrive. Teach us how to live differently as neighbours, to acknowledge and work with others we’ve never worked with before. Lead us by your Spirit  to share in your work of mending the world.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thank you for enduring the pain of the cross and the darkness of the tomb to show us there is life beyond death through your resurrecting love. We pray for those who are grieving a loss this day, the loss of someone beloved, the loss of love or hope or trust, the loss of opportunity or security or future plans.

Be present with all who the sadness and disruption of a loss, and bring each one comfort and courage.

Lord Jesus Christ, This day we pray for your church at work in the world, confronting the challenges and changes of these times. Unite us in witness and service, and encourage us when difficulties arise, for we are your people, committed to the unfolding of your reign among us. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Your hand, O God, has guided” (Book of Praise 1997 Hymn 477). Words first published in 1865 by English scholar Edward Plumptre (1821–1891); music (tune: “Thornbury”) completed 1898 by English organist and composer Basil Harwood (1859–1949). Words and music in the public domain.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Choral Amen

graphic of a movie film reel
Click to listen to the Choral Amen at YouTube.
  • Go Now in Peace”. Words by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–) and American lyricist Nancy Price (1958–). Music by Don Besig. Words and music copyright © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, a division of Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
  • Performed by Rachelle Risling (keyboard) and the GCPC Senior Choir. Audio and video production by Rachelle Risling.

Postlude

Main Title Theme from “Game of Thrones”. Music (2011) by Iranian-German composer Ramin Djawadi (1974–). Music copyright © 2011 Varèse Sarabande, part of Concord Music Publishing LLC; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Copyright © 2022 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

Last updated 2022-11-23 00:15 – Added info for Guildwood Choir Presents, Musical Reflection and Postlude; added Sermon text.