REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS, WESTERVELT WARNER CHAPEL MATTHEW 25:31-46
The Twenty Second of November Two Thousand Twenty Reign of Christ Sunday BROADCAST ONLY
Gather in God’s Name
Prelude Voluntary in D (Adagio and Allegro) John Stanley Trumpet in Dialogue Louis-Nicolas Clérambault Organ Hymne (from Opéra Sauvage) Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou (Vangelis) Eric Yates, trumpet
Welcome and Announcements
Introit O Come Let Us Sing Richard C. Baker
O come let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation.
Sanctuary Choir
* Call to Worship
Leader: O Come, let us sing to the Lord; People: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Leader: For the Lord God is our shepherd, People: who will seek the lost, and strengthen the weak. Leader: For the Lord is a great God; People: a great ruler over heaven and earth. ALL: Let us worship God! Psalm 95 & Ezekiel 34:15-16
* Hymn 264 At the Name of Jesus KING’S WESTON
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now; 'tis the Father's pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
Humbled for a season to receive a name from the lips of sinners unto whom he came, faithfully he bore it spotless to the last, brought it back victorious, when from death he passed;
Bore it up triumphant, with its human light, through all ranks of creatures, to the central height, to the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast, filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.
Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again, with his Father’s glory o’er the earth to reign; for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow, and our hearts confess him King of glory now.
* Prayer of the Day
* Prayer of Confession
Lord Jesus, Judge of the nations: We confess that we have not seen your face among our neighbors in need. We have not shared our food with the hungry; we have not offered clothes to the destitute or shelter to the homeless. We have not welcomed the stranger, nor have we visited prisoners. We have not paid attention to these, your sisters and brothers, and in our neglect we have failed to serve you. Forgive us, Lord. Break our hearts for what breaks yours, and give us compassion and courage to respond to the suffering of this world. (A pause for silent individual confession follows.)
* Assurance of Pardon
* Gloria Patri Hymn 581
* Passing of the Peace
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Proclaim God’s Word
Word for the Children
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading Matthew 25:31-46
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon Pick One Rev. Lou Ann Sellers
Respond to God’s Word
* Hymn 757 Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples KINGSFOLD
Today we all are called to be disciples of the Lord, to help to set the captive free, make plow-share out of sword, to feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast, to serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last.
God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race to live as stewards of the earth, responding to God’s grace. But we are vain and sadly proud; we sow not peace but strife. Our discord spreads a deadly cloud that threatens all of life.
Pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream, with righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem. For God is longing to restore an earth where conflicts cease, a world that was created for a harmony of peace.
May we in service to our God act out the living word, and walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard. As stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord to God who calls us all to be disciples of the Lord. * Affirmation of Faith: Adapted from The Confession of 1967, 9.54-55 Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. In steadfast hope, it looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
Concerns of the Church
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Offertory He Shall Feed His Flock (from Messiah) George Frederick Handel
Recitative Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. Air (Duet) He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Laura Pritchard, Alto Katie Grace Dockery, Soprano Dong-Kyu Lee, Piano
* Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
* Prayer of Dedication
Go in God’s Name
* Charge and Benediction
* Benediction Response My Soul Waits for the Lord K. Lee Scott
My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for morning.
Sanctuary Choir K. Lee Scott, Conductor
* Postlude Fanfare William Mathias
*Those who are able, please stand. Please silence cell phones during worship. Service Notes:
HONORARIA: Music Ministry for Dee Hamner by Barbara Winstead.
Music Notes: The final piece of today’s prelude was written by Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou (b. 1943), a Greek composer who goes by the professional name: Vangelis. He is best known for his Academy Award-winning score to the movie Chariots of Fire. Organ Hymne is from his soundtrack score for Opéra Sauvage, a nature documentary, and it is played by Associate Professor of Trumpet from the University of Alabama School of Music, Dr. Eric Yates. Eric was recently ordained a deacon at FPC; he is also principal trumpet of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, first trumpet of the Alabama Brass Quintet, and a founding member of the internationally-touring Fortress Brass. He is always helpful
when we need trumpet for worship, and he frequently brings along one of his talented students! ~ Marjorie Johnston, Director of Music
Thank Offering: A Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women will be collected on November 22. This money will be used to fund programs that provide education, relief from disasters, safe housing, training and advocacy work, and so much more. Please help us celebrate the 18 ministries chosen this year. You may drop your offering in the offering box at the exit doors of the Sanctuary on Sunday, visit fpctusc.org/give to click on the "Give Now" button and choose the "PW Thank Offering" in the dropdown, or mail a check to the church (900 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401) or Becky Compton (618 5th St. NE, Tuscaloosa, 35404). Please make all checks to PW.
Advent Devotionals: We will mail copies of the Presbyterian Outlook Advent devotional - Discerning God’s Kairos in the Midst of our Daily Chronos next week. We also have copies of And the Word Was God: Inspiration from Henri J. M. Nouwen. If you would also like a copy of it, please contact the church office at (205) 752-3531 by Tuesday, November 24th so that we can make arrangements.
OFFICER NOMINATIONS The Nominating Committee is in the process of preparing a slate of candidates for Elders and Deacons for the Class of 2024. The office of Elder is one of servant leadership undertaken by people of wisdom and maturity of faith. Elders are called to discern the will of God for the church and then lead the people of God in that direction. The office of Deacon is one of compassion, service and sharing the redeeming love of Christ with all - but especially with those carrying heavy burdens. All FPC Members have the right to nominate other church members. After prayerful consideration, please list your nominations and place in the offering plate, drop by the church office, submit online (fpctusc.org/nominations) or email Carl Jamison ([email protected]). ------Officer Nominations
Your Name: ______
Name: ______Name: ______Name: ______Elder Deacon Elder Deacon Elder Deacon