St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

November 23, 2025 Christ the King

CHRIST, OUR KING REIGNS!

WELCOME – we will be using the blue hymnal today.

HYMN 512 “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”

(Please stand for last stanza)

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172 BLUE HYMNAL

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord Jesus Christ, by your victory you have broken the power of the evil one. Fill our hearts with joy and peace as we look with hope to that day when every creature in heaven and earth will acclaim you King of kings and Lord of lords to your unending praise and glory; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 23:1–6

Imagine a king who cares about a sheep. A king may care about vast herds of sheep, shorn for the purpose of raising wealth. But this, our Shepherd-King, loves each of his sheep to the point of calling us by name. This Shepherd-King will come to bring us to safe pastures.

1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! declares the Lord. 2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who shepherd my people. You have scattered my flock. You have driven them away. You have not taken care of them, but I will certainly take care of you, because of the evil things you have done, declares the Lord. 3I will gather what is left of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their pastures. They will be fruitful and multiply. 4I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them. They will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing, declares the Lord. 5Listen, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, who will reign wisely as king and establish justice and righteousness on earth. 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely. This is his name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 98 – REFRAIN sung – Verses spoken responsively

SECOND LESSON: Colossians 1:13–20

Our Savior-King has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into his kingdom of light. Our King reigns.

13 The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all crea-tion, 16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and all things hold together in him. 18 He is also the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might have the highest rank. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself (whether things on earth or in heaven) by making peace through the blood of his cross.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Your words - are my joy - and my - heart’s delight.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Luke 23:35–43

Hardly a vision of triumph as the King of the Jews hangs from the cross. Taunted, jeered, and battered, the King of kings offers his life for the very ones that have so abused him and made such sacrifice necessary.

35 The people stood watching. The rulers were ridiculing him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also made fun of him. Coming up to him, they offered him sour wine, 37 saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription written above him: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same condemnation? 41 We are punished justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Today you will be with me in paradise.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 534 "Hail, O Once-Despised Jesus"

SERMON: Colossians 1:13–20 What a King!

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

HYMN 524: “Rejoice, the Lord is King”

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING: C: Amen.

HYMN 511 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING.

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP this Wednesday, at 1 pm. Please invite family and friends as we give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his mercy endures forever.

SLEIGH BELL WEEKEND – We will hold our Annual Open House on Saturday, December 6., from noon – 2 pm. Please let us know if you can help. It’s a great opportunity to invite others to see our historical building and all that we have to offer as you proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of all.