November 23 - 9 AM Connect Service

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

November 23, 2025 – Christ the King Sunday 

Rev. Robert Galloway

Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark

1st Gathering Song: “Rising” - FPC Praise Band 

2nd Gathering Song: “Open Up the Heavens” - FPC Praise Band

Welcome - 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!

Call to Confession - Geoff Proud

Prayer of Confession (unison) - Geoff Proud 

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 - Geoff Proud 

…Friends, believe the Good News: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

Passing the Peace - Geoff Proud 

…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Response: “Soon and Very Soon” - FPC Praise Band

Friendship Pad Announcement - Robert Galloway

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway

Prayer for Illumination - Geoff Proud

First Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:11-20 - Geoff Proud

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 

Worship Song: “Lord, I Need You” - FPC Praise Band 

*Affirmation of Faith: from the Declaration of Faith (unison) - Lynne Mormino 

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. 

Invitation to Offering - Lynne Mormino 

…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 Song: “A Thousand Hallelujahs” - FPC Praise Band 

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.

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Robert Galloway

Final Worship Song: “My Lighthouse” - FPC Praise Band  

Benediction - Robert Galloway                         

Praise Band tag 

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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

Amy McCutcheon