November 23 - Sanctuary Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church – St. Petersburg, Florida
Order of Worship – 11 a.m. Sanctuary Service
November 23, 2025 – Christ the King Sunday
Rev. Robert Galloway
Prelude: “O Worship the King” (hymn 41, Lyons), Lani Smith (1934–2015) - Jack Rain, organ
Welcome & Announcements - Rev. Robert Galloway
Call to Worship - Robert Galloway
Come, people of God, enter into the joy of Christ’s reign.
For Christ is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Once we walked in shadows—
Now we walk in the light of God's beloved Son.
Let us give thanks with renewed hearts,
For the peace of Christ has made us whole.
Let us worship the One who reigns from heaven and rules in love.
Glory be to Christ, our Savior and King!
*Processional Hymn #620: "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" LAUDA ANIMA
Call to Confession - Helen Shaw
Prayer of Confession (unison) - Helen Shaw
Merciful God, we confess that 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 and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
Assurance of Pardon - Helen Shaw
…Friends, believe the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Passing the Peace - Helen Shaw
…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
*Response #240: "Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks" (refrain, stanza 1, refrain) ALLELUIA NO. 1
Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway
Prayer for Illumination - Jim Garnett
First Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:11-20 - Jim Garnett
Musical Meditation: "Ride on, King Jesus!" arr., Hall Johnson (1888–1970) - Tiana Gil, soprano
Sermon Scripture: Luke 23:33-43 - Robert Galloway
…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Reigning from Below” - Robert Galloway
*Hymn #41: "O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!" LYONS
*Affirmation of Faith: from the Declaration of Faith (unison) - Jim Garnett
We are certain that Jesus lives. He lives as God with us, touching all of human life with the presence of God. He lives as one of us with God. Because he shares our humanity and has bound us to himself in love, we have an advocate in the innermost life of God. We declare that Jesus is Lord. His resurrection is a decisive victory over the powers that deform and destroy human life. His lordship is hidden. The world appears to be dominated by people and systems that do not acknowledge his rule. But his lordship is real. It demands our loyalty and sets us free from the fear of all lesser lords who threaten us. We maintain that ultimate sovereignty now belongs to Jesus Christ in every sphere of life. Jesus is Lord. He has been Lord from the beginning. He will be Lord at the end. Even now he is Lord.
Presentation of our Gifts – Invitation - Jim Garnett
…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:
Gracious God, you have given us more than we can measure—love without limit, mercy without end. Receive these gifts as signs of our gratitude and trust. Use them, and use us, to share your peace, to build your kingdom, and to show your creation that your son is Lord of all. Amen.
Offertory Anthem: "Hallelujah" from Mount of Olives, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) - Chancel Choir
Hallelujah! unto God’s Almighty Son.
Praise the Lord, ye bright angelic choirs,
In holy songs of joy.
Man, proclaim His grace and glory!
Hallelujah! unto God’s Almighty Son.
Praise the Lord in holy songs of joy.
*Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Robert Galloway
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.
*Closing Hymn #363: "Rejoice, the Lord Is King!" DARWALL'S 148th
Charge & Benediction - Robert Galloway
Postlude: “Thanksgiving” (based on Kremser and Nun danket alle Gott) from Thanksgiving Suite, Charles Callahan (1951–2023) - Jack Rain, organ
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Announcements:
Today, November 23
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Monday, November 24
Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom
Card Fellowship, 1:30 p.m., Church Office Conference Room
Stated Session meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 26
No Praise Band Rehearsal
Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28
Thanksgiving holiday: no activities on campus, Church Office closed
Saturday, November 29
Memorial service for Martha Wallace, 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Sunday, November 30
Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203
Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center
Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room
Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-2nd grade), 10 a.m., S-100
Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel
“Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, December 3, 6 p.m., Children’s Ministry Christmas Party, Fellowship Hall
Friday, December 5, 7:00 p.m., Many Moods of Christmas benefit concert, Sanctuary
Sunday, December 7, 10:00 a.m., New Member Inquirer’s Class (Part 1), Church Office
Monday, December 8, 4 p.m., Faith & Fiction, meeting at Harbour Hill
Sunday, December 14, 10:00 a.m., New Member Inquirer’s Class (Part 2), Church Office
Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 p.m., “Festive Fun” Fellowship Dinner, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve! Family-friendly service at 4 p.m., Lessons & Carols service at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 25, Church Office closed for Christmas holiday