Sunday Is Coming
Christ the King
November 23, 2008

The Prayer of the Day:
O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to serve the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Scripture Readings:
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95:1-7a
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46

The church year ends not with Father Time shouldering his sickle and marching off to oblivion but with a vision of Christ the King ruling eternally in a realm where all restraints of time have been overthrown.

In our economy there is only so much time to fatten the livestock for slaughter and to groom the sleek of the flock to produce the maximum amount of wool. The welfare of the shepherd and his family depends on it. The shepherd-king of Ezekiel's vision, however, devotes all his attention and skill to the lame and runts of the litter.

Paul says the fullness of Christ in the heavenly places manifests itself in our time and space in the body of Christ, which is the church. Therefore the church does what Jesus did. We seek the least, the last and the lost and minister to them.

In the parable Jesus tells at the end of Matthew's gospel the Son of Man comes in his glory and announces, "Time is up." All the nations of the world are judged on the Christ criterion, how they cared for the "least of these."

Sermon Title: The Christ Criterion
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:31-46

The Order of Service
8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion

The Hymns:

Entrance Hymn:	Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing	LBW 196
Hymn of the Day:	The Head That Once Was Crowned	LBW 173
Communion	Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service	LBW 423
Hymns:	Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us	LBW 424
Sending Song:	The Church of Christ, In Every Age	LBW 433

ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION:

ADULT EDUCATION

• The Gospel of Luke, Beloved Physician: Authentication, Chapter 8a with Phyllis Lucht
• Luther's Social Perspectives:Luther on the Care of Creation with Kurt Hendel, Lutheran School of Theology
• From Early Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Erik Erikson and the Identity Crisis with Paulette and Stan Reddel
• Making Disciples: A class for those interested in membership at Grace and for those who desire more information on our church's core teachings and ministry with Pastor Modahl

SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday, November 23
3 year olds through Kindergarten-Classroom Activities
1st through 5th-Rotation Activities
6th grade -Judges
7th grade - The Sending of the 70
8th grade - Mentor Week-Worship
Senior High Students-Teen Talk Breakfast will be hosted at the home of Kelly Foran, 925 Bonnie Brae Place, River Forest

BACH CANTATA #51, "Praise God in Every Land!" November 23, 4 pm. Assistant Cantor Carl Grapentine will conduct this joyous cantata featuring soprano soloist Maura Cock, from the faculty of Valparaiso University, and trumpet soloist Tage Larsen of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The prelude at 3:45 will include the Concerto for 2 Trumpets by Vivaldi, and the Largo for Strings by Michael Costello, Grace's Cantor. The service will also include music by Andreas Hammerschmidt performed by multiple choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists. The homilist is the Rev. Larry Schneekloth of Markham Lutheran Church in Markham, IL. Freewill offering.

The Nursery is moving. The Nursery will be under construction for the next several months. Please visit us in our temporary location in the Multi-Purpose Room on the lower level across from the Business Office.

GRACE CHURCH LIBRARY, near the Division Street entrance, has a wealth of resources. It is staffed Sunday from 8:15 to 12:30 and is open for self-service during the week