Christ the King
November 23, 2025
Scripture Texts: Malachi 3:13–18; Psalm 95:1–7; Colossians 1:13–20; Luke 23:27–43
Sermon: The Very Present King
Jesus is coming again to take his people to glory but he is already very present with them. Join us in worship Sunday at 10:30am for a message from Pastor Ryman about living in the already-kingdom of King Christ, as well as sacred music, readings from the four major sections of the Holy Bible, the Lord's Supper, and a chat with our children and Pastor Lord.
Crossword Puzzle based on today's readings
Today's Bulletin PDF • Today's Sermon Manuscript
Christ the King
Order of Worship
Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more.
Let us pray for the whole people of God, in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Good and gracious God, fill your church with your Holy Spirit, and with your everlasting promise. Help us in our walk before you, that we would praise and proclaim you, in thought, word, and deed. Bring us to remembrance of your word, that we might share it with those who are in darkness, that through the hearing of it, they would be brought to faith in your son and be saved. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, you are the head of your church and have called us all here by faith. We pray for all those gathered here today that you would encourage them with the good news that forgiveness is found in you. We pray that you equip your missionaries everywhere with this promise. Grant them wisdom and patience as they share the gospel. Be with your churches that are suffering difficult times all over the world. Be with your servants who might be facing difficult times and help them stand firm in faithful witness at all times, so that they may praise your name above all. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal Father, we pray for all those members and friends of St. Paul’s who are homebound, hospitalized, or in nursing homes, suffering physically, mentally, or spiritually. Nourish them with your Holy supper and strengthen them with visitors carrying your word that they would not be shaken in their hour of distress, but encouraged with fellowship and with prayer. We lift the lives of those saints who served here in this church that now rest in your arms: Linda Hess and Jan McCaneless. Be with their families and friends in their hour of grief and restore them with the peace of your son, Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord and King of Kings, you have made us your own by your Holy and precious blood. Teach us to be strong and endure in our faith, amid times of difficulty and confusion. When we become lost, point us always to the foot of your cross that we would be brought to remembrance of your words of mercy and promise of salvation. Help us to serve, as you served, and love each other as you have loved us, that we may be of some help to our neighbor and glorify you as we await your return in glory. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Teaching
Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson.
Announcements
Please consult the bulletin and the current "Epistle" where you will find complete announcements.
• Thanksgiving Service, Wednesday, November 26, 7pm
• Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 27, 1:00–2:30pm, Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share.
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Wednesday, December 24, 7:00–8:30pm. This Worship service will include mulled cider and ginger cookies with a handmade mug by Connie Christman for all to take home.
Vespers Tonight
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Join us for Vespers this evening in the parsonage (across the street from the church) at 6:00. We will be eating and laughing, singing and praying, and reading and discussing the readings for Christ the King Sunday: Isaiah 19:19–25; Romans 15:5–13; Luke 19:11–27.
Morning Prayer
Join us for Morning Prayer in the chapel, Monday through Friday at 8:30am, where we read and discuss Scripture and pray together. Our readings for the week of Christ the King:
Monday: Joel 3:1–2, 9–17; 1 Peter 1:1–12; Matthew 19:1–12
Tuesday: Nahum 1:1–13; 1 Peter 1:13–25; Matthew 19:13–22
Wednesday: Obadiah 15–21; 1 Peter 2:1–10; Matthew 19:23–30
Thursday: Zephaniah 3:1–13; 1 Peter 2:11–25; Matthew 20:1–16
Friday: Isaiah 24:14–23; 1 Peter 3:13–4:6; Matthew 20:17–28
*Saturday: Micah 7:11–20; 1 Peter 4:7–19; Matthew 20:29–34
* We do not meet in the chapel on Saturdays. On Sundays, we meet in the parsonage. See above.
Visitor Info
If you live in the area or are passing through, please worship with us in-person. We also livestream our services on this page.
Expect traditional worship with liturgy and Holy Communion each Sunday and a message grounded in the Scriptures and guided by the Lutheran Confessions — all in a friendly, multigenerational environment.
We welcome and encourage children to worship with us. Just before the sermon, our children take up a spare change offering for mission. Then they join one of our pastors on the chancel steps for a chat about today's Scriptures. We think you will love this part of the service.
Giving
You may give an offering online to the General Fund and to some specific funds, using this secure link. If you do not have an account with Tithely, it will only take a few minutes to set that up. If you need help, please call the church office at 704-633-0922. Please note that a small, typical percentage is retained by Tithely.
You may also mail offerings to:
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
205 St. Paul's Church Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
Streaming License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 URL: stpaulslutheran.church GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play, perform, and transmit via the website noted above, any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI and SESAC),as stated in the CCS WORSHIPcast License Terms and Conditions.
Performance License: Licensee: St. Paul's Lutheran Church 205 St Paul Church Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Term: Dec 22, 2021 - Dec 22, 2022 Average Weekly Attendance: 1 - 199 License #: 14408 GRANT OF LICENSE. St. Paul's Lutheran Church is granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable license during the term of the agreement to publicly play and perform in any of the Licensee’s facilities within the United States any musical composition controlled by one or more of the domestic Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP,BMI and SESAC), as stated in the CCS PERFORMmusic License Terms and Conditions.
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