November 23rd Bulletin, 2025 – Grace Lutheran Church

Grace Lutheran Church
Proclaiming the grace of Christ in Word and Sacrament

Feast of Christ the King

✠ November 23rd, 2025 ✠
3410 Community Church Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040

Feast of Christ the King
November 23rd, 2025

Our service begins with the ringing of bells. Please stand, as you are able, as indicated by *

Entrance Hymn: “Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven” LBW #549
Confession & Forgiveness

P: In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit
C: Amen. Matthew 28:19

P: 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:
C: Amen

P: Beloved in the Lord: 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. 1 John 1:8-9
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: Most merciful God,
C: 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 name. Amen.
P: Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, and for
His sake, He 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
1

your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
C: Amen John 20:22

Introit

P: Worthy is the Lamb | that was slain,*
To receive power, and riches, and wisdom,
And strength, and honor, and glor- | y and blessing.
To him who sits on the Throne and | to the Lamb *
Be glory and dominion fore- | ever and ever.
Give to the King, O | God, Your justice, *
And to the King’s | son Your judgment.
C: Glory to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the | Holy Spirit,*
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- | ver, Amen.
P: Worthy is the Lamb | that was slain,*
To receive power, and riches, and wisdom,
And strength, and honor, and glor- | y and blessing.
To him who sits on the Throne and | to the Lamb *
Be glory and dominion fore- | ever and ever.

Revelation 5:12-13; Psalm 72:1

Kyrie (chanted)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy Mark 10:47
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the
Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: 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.
C: Lord, have mercy

P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and
praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.

Hymn of Praise
P: This is the feast of victory for our God, Alleluia!
C: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God, Alleluia!
Sing with all the people of God,
And join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever, Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia, alleluia. Revelation 5:12-14

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you. Ruth 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:22

Collect of the Day

P: 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: Malachi 3:13-18

13“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we
spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of
our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And
now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the
test and they escape.’” 16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The
Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before
him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says
the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will
spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see
the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God
and one who does not serve him.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God

7 For he is our God, and we are the people of | his pasture*
and the sheep | of his hand.
All: Glory to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the | Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- | ver, Amen.

The Second Reading: Colossians 1:13-20
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the
kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all
things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the
head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in
everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased
to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in
heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Please stand as you are able for the Holy Gospel

Gospel Acclamation
All: Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia,
alleluia John 6:68
Gospel Hymn: “The Head That Once Was Crowed” (verses 1-3) LBW #173

On Feast Days, the Holy Gospel is brought to the center aisle. The Gospel hymn will be divided before and after
the Holy Gospel.

A: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Saint Luke.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

The Holy Gospel: Luke 23:27-43

27 There followed {Jesus} a great multitude of the people and of women who were
mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of
Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For
behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the
wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to
say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these
things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two others, who
were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to
the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on
his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know
not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood
by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save
himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him,
coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews,
save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the
Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not
the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not
fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed
justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done
nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in
paradise.”
A: This is the Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ

Gospel Hymn: “The Head That Once Was Crowned” (verses 4-6) LBW #173
Naomi’s Heart Mission Collection
Naomi’s Heart Mission is a mission in the Philippines that seeks to provide food and education to
children in need. Children are welcome to participate by taking a collection bucket from the back of the
worship space. To learn more about Naomi’s Heart, go to naomisheartmission.org/

Children’s Message
The Sermon Rev. Matt Knuppel
After the sermon, please stand for the Votum, the Post-Sermon benediction

The Votum
P: May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus
C: Amen Philippians 4:7
Hymn: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” LBW #479
Please remain standing for the Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed Romans 10:9-10
All: 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
A: Lord, in your mercy
C: Hear our prayer
After the Prayers:
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your
abundant mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
C: Amen
The Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you. John 20:19
Members of the gathered assembly are invited to greet one another, saying: “Peace be with you.”
Offertory
After the gifts have been collected from the assembly, please stand.
All: Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather the harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all,

Unite them with our prayers we of er.
Grace our table with your presence,
And give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

Holy Communion Liturgy
P: Let us pray: Merciful Father…
C: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves,
our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the
sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving

P: The Lord be with you
C: And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts
C: We lift them to the Lord
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise
P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Isaiah 6:3
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9

The Words of Institution

P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father…For as often as we eat of this bread and
drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
C: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Matthew 26:26-28

P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup, we remember the life our Lord
offered for us. And believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in
power to share with us the great and promised feast. Revelation 19:9
C: Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,
that we who receive the Lord’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and
receive our inheritance with all your saints in light. Colossians 1:19
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite
them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious
Lord of all. Hebrews 4:14

Doxology

P: Through Him, with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and
glory is Yours, Almighty Father, now and forever,
C: Amen. John 14:6

The Lord’s Prayer

C: 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.
Matthew 6:9-13

Agnus Dei

C: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
Grant us peace, grant us peace. John 1:29
All who are baptized and share in our confession that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in Holy
Communion are invited to the altar with us. After receiving the bread, those who wish to dip the bread into the
wine may proceed to the right chalice; those who wish to drink from the common cup may proceed to the left
chalice.
Anyone is welcome to come forward with their arms folded to receive a blessing from the minister.
After the celebration of Holy Communion, the minister will ask the assembly to stand
P: May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in
his grace.
C: Amen

*Post-Communion Canticle

C: Thank the Lord and sing His praise
Tell everyone what He has done
Let everyone who seeks the Lord
Rejoice and proudly bear His name
He recalls His promises
And leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving
Alleluia, Alleluia
P: Let us pray…through Jesus Christ our Lord:
C: Amen

The Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be
gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

C: Amen Numbers 6:23-26

Exit Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns” LBW #170
Dismissal

A: Go in peace, serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God

Altar flowers are given to the glory of God.

“What Is Christ the King Sunday?”

Christ the King Sunday is the final Sunday of the liturgical Church
Year. It is a day when we acknowledge & celebrate the true kingship
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

After seeing the rise of secularism & nationalism in Europe, Pope
Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 to remind the
universal Church of her true citizenship in the Kingdom of God.
Since then, other Christian traditions such as Lutherans, Anglicans,
Presbyterians, and Methodists have adopted this Feast Day to serve
the same purpose.

While we do well to honor & obey our President, our Governor, and
other authorities in the United States, Christ the King Sunday
reminds us of our ultimate allegiance: to King Jesus as the authority over our hearts (Colossians 3:15).

Welcome to our Visitors!
Grace Lutheran Church welcomes you this morning! We value families with children
and encourage you to worship together; if you would like assistance during the
sermon, we have volunteers who will be happy to take your child to a Nursery Area
following the Children’s Message, they will return your child to you in the sanctuary
just before Holy Communion. Please fill out a Visitor Connect card, these are found
either on the entrance table or in the pew rack in front of you. Completed cards
should be placed in the offering plate and will be collected with the offering today.
Sunday School
All are welcome to attend the adult Sunday School class before worship beginning at
8:45. We are currently studying Early Church History.
Holy Communion
Those who are baptized and believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly
present in the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation,
are welcome to the Lord’s Table. Please let the Pastor know that you wish to receive
this gift of life by holding out your open hands. If you desire to drink the wine from
the common cup, please proceed to the left chalice after receiving the wafer. If you
prefer to dip the wafer into the wine, please proceed to the right chalice after
receiving the wafer. You are encouraged to bring young children forward for a
blessing. The sign for a blessing is folded hands.

Disciples in Service today, November 23rd
Ushers: Scott Barrett, Rik Maxey
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Kathy Kollmeyer
Acolyte: William Roberts Crucifer: Art Peters
Servers: Sherry Hurst, Marsha Maxey
Altar Guild: Greta Roberts

Disciples in Service next Sunday, November 30th
Ushers: Thierry Amar, Ashley Hurst
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Malcolm Boyd
Deacon: James Clapper Crucifer: Ruby Hurst
Acolyte: Roman Hurst
Servers: Dena Anderson, Nicole Hurst
Altar Guild: Debbie Barrett