ORDER OF WORSHIP
NOVEMBER 24, 2024
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 93)
Leader: The LORD is king; he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
PEOPLE; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.
Leader: The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.
PEOPLE; More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the LORD!
Leader: Your decrees are very sure;
PEOPLE holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore. Praise be to the Lord!
INVOCATION
God of unity, we come before you in worship and adoration for all you have created and offered to us. We enter your sanctuary to give you honor and praise to your love and care that are beyond limits. Receive our worship and accept our thanksgiving at this special time of year. In Jesus’ name,
**OPENING HYMN: “We Gather Together“ Red # 376
CALL TO CONFESSION
Try as we might, we still fail and we still fall. But God always lifts us up again and points us on our way to a better pathway in life. Let us seek a greater understanding prayer together.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
God of active love, we confess our tendency to pay lip-service to your Gospel, to be hearers of your word but only reluctantly doers. Forgive us our own lethargy and plant in us a deep discontent with a faith that is all talk and no action. Empower us Lord, to put our efforts where our claims are, after the model and message of Jesus, in whose name we pray.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Our Lord knows our faults and our failings just as he knows our hopes and our dreams. Take comfort in knowing that our Lord does understand and forgive. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES CREED (from the Cherokee Creed)
I believe in the Creator of our people and our language, the one we call U-net-lan-hee Who gifted us with ancient streams and new forests, with creatures who run and birds who fly.
I believe in Jesus Christ, our relative, who said he would always be with us. I believe in Jesus Christ who knew the pain of our people who were forced from their homeland as they walked the lonely trail of tears. I believe in Jesus Christ who promised us eternity with him.
I believe in the Great Spirit who touches us with the flame of belief to witness to the people and to the world. I believe in the Holy Spirit as our guide who leads us on the journey to new life and to live with our spirits in lives to come. Ah ho.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” Red # 62
ANTHEM “How do I Say Thanks” Choral Ensemble
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, as we turn to your Word for us, may the Spirit of God rest upon us. Help us to be steadfast in our hearing, in our speaking, in our believing, and in our living. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 Paul & Debby Hill
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Revelation 1: 4b-8
GOSPEL READING: John 18: 33-37
SERMON MESSAGE: Everyone Who Belongs to the Truth John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORDS PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “Come Thou Almighty King”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Let There Be Peace on Earth” Follow the video
RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
Leader: God sends us into the world,
People: so we may see Jesus at work in all the desolate places.
Leader: As one with compassion, Jesus calls,
People: so we may follow him to those who live on the fringes of life.
Leader: The Spirit opens our ears and our hearts,
People: so we may hear the cries looking for hope.
ALL: AMEN!
POSTLUDE “Crown Him with Many Crowns” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Candles in Our Worship Service A bit of History: The seven-light candelabra are symbolic of the seven days of the week, meaning we ‘worship’ God every day, not just on Sunday. The two altar candles symbolize that Jesus is both God and Man, and the Christ candle is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World.
The Christ candle is lit first and extinguished last. The ushers leave its light with the other candles during worship, and when extinguished after worship, the ushers carry the light out into the world.
The reason the Christ candle is larger and placed by the pulpit, is that in the past, it also provided light for reading!
Blessings! JTR
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John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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