Jesus is the Messiah-King appointed by God to reign, and his Kingdom will never fade or come to an end. As our Epiphany anthem We Three Kings suggests, he will be “King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.” In Jacob’s final prophetic blessing over his sons, he tells Judah, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Gen. 49.10, ESV). Jesus was from Jesse’s clan, David’s family, of the tribe of Judah, and the scepter of God’s kingdom rule will never depart from his side; to him all the nations will ultimately bow down and serve.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

You, Lord Jesus, are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are destined to reign upon the throne of David, and the rule will never leave your hand. You shall reign in righteousness over the nations, and we your people will reign with you. Give us the grace to live in such a way that we honor you and this promise, for you are destined to rule forever.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Te Deum Laudamus 
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
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.

Benediction 

Thank you, Father, for the prophets, those who testified of the Messiah’s coming, the one whom you have entrusted to inaugurate your Kingdom glory and rule. We know that Jesus of Nazareth is that King, and we ask you for both the grace and strength to obey him in all things, and to testify through our deeds and words of his offer of forgiveness. In his name we pray, amen.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Jesus shall reign wherever the sun shines, wherever life dwells, wherever creation exists. He is Lord of all.

“In Jesus, the believing community has seen the glory of God, which in the Old Testament was associated with Mount Sinai (Ex. 24:15–16), the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and then the temple in Jerusalem (1 Ki. 8:10–11; Is. 6:1–4) and which, it was believed, would be revealed to ‘all mankind’ in the new age (Is. 40:5). Ezekiel’s vision of the glory of God filling the restored temple (Ezk. 44:4) has been witnessed in Christ. God has pitched the ultimate tabernacle in the flesh of Jesus and in this way made his glory visible!”

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 93-94.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Jesus Fulfills the Law, Matthew 5.13-20

Book Reading
Peterson, Engaging with God

Special Church Year Service
The Presentation of the Lord: Thursday, February 2, 2023