Service Sunday November 24, 2024
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward, B.A., M. Div.
Music Director: Melissa Stephens, B. Mus., B. Ed., A. Mus.
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
All are Welcome!
Watch a video recording of the whole service using YouTube below.
The Gathering
Welcome and Announcements.
Focusing Moment.
Acknowledgement of Land
As we begin today, we acknowledge the history, spirituality, culture, and stewardship of the land of the Indigenous People of this region, most recently the Anishinaabe people. We seek to live in respect, peace, and right relations as we live, work and worship upon Traditional Territory. We are mindful of broken covenants and the need to strive to make right with all our relations.
Written by Cheryl Stenson, Glebe Road U.C., Toronto, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2021, p.25. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
Call to Worship:
One: We have come to the end of a journey.
ALL: A whole year has passed since we first began to wait in hope for God’s reign.
One: We searched for baby Jesus in a palace,
ALL: but Jesus was not there.
One: We searched for Jesus in all the respectable places,
ALL: but Jesus often was not there. He had been raised.
One: We searched for Jesus in the tomb,
All: but Jesus was not there. He had been raised.
One: We continue to search for Jesus,
ALL: and we find him, in the midst of our daily lives and often in unexpected places.
One: Let us open ourselves to the presence of the Holy as we mark the last day of the Christian calendar.
Written by Beth W Johnston, Bridging Waters P.C., Nipawin, Sask.
Gathering, Pentecost 2024, p.53. Used with permission.
Hymn: “Come to My Heart” VU #661
1 Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
come to my heart today.
Give me the peace and joy that only you can bring.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus; give me a song to sing.
2 Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
fill me with love today.
Give me the peace and joy that only you can bring.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus; give me a song to sing.
3 Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
Answer my prayer today.
Give me the peace and joy that only you can bring.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus; give me a song to sing.
A SONG OF FAITH: Spoken in Unison
We sing of a church
seeking to continue the story of Jesus
by embodying Christ’s presence in the world.
We are called together by Christ
as a community of broken but hopeful believers,
loving what he loved,
living what he taught,
striving to be faithful servants of God
in our time and place.
Our ancestors in faith
bequeath to us experiences of their faithful living;
upon their lives our lives are built.
Our living of the gospel makes us a part of this communion of saints,
experiencing the fulfillment of God’s reign
even as we actively anticipate a new heaven and a new earth.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER:
Hymn: “There's a Wideness in God's Mercy” VU #271
1 There's a wideness in God's mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in God's justice
which is more than liberty.
2 There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven;
there is no place where earth's failings
have such gracious judgement given.
3 There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that Christ has shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
4 Troubled souls, why will you scatter
like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts, why will you wander
from a love so true and deep?
5 For the love of God is broader
than the measures of the mind,
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
THE WORD
Scripture: John 18: 33-37
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Are You a King?”
Listen to an Audio recording of the Message below or read it at the bottom of this page.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and A CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF THE LORD’S PRAYER: THE LORD’S PRAYER: A contemporary version
Loving parent of all life, present throughout the cosmos,
The mere mention of your name calls us to love, respect, and care for each other. May justice for all, be imbedded in the hearts of all people.
Today may we accept only what we need, respecting creation, doing our part in sustaining the delicate balance of the natural world.
Renew us with your grace, as we stumble through this world and help us to share the spirit of forgiveness, with those who have hurt us.
Guide us with your spirit of love when we are tempted to be of this world.
May evil be removed and replaced with your love.
For by living with your love written on our hearts,
We may rise above injustice and share the glory of equality, and peace with all of creation. All the days of our lives and into eternity. Amen
By Rev. Stephanie Richmond Seagrave/ Greenbank UC,
Used with permission
HYMN: “Forth In Your Name” VU #416
1 Forth in your name, O Christ, we go, our daily labour to pursue,
you, only you, resolved to know in all we think, or speak, or do.
2 The task your wisdom has assigned here let us cheerfully fulfil;
in all our works your presence find, and prove your good and perfect will.
3 You may we set at our right hand, whose eyes our inmost secrets view,
and labour on at your command and offer all our works to you.
4 Help us to bear your easy yoke, in every moment watch and pray,
and still to things eternal look, and hasten to that glorious day.
5 Then with delight may we employ all that your bounteous grace has given,
and run our earthly course with joy, and closely walk with you to heaven.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER:
Alpha and Omega, our beginning and our ending, bless us. Bless this church and its needed ministry. Bless these gifts entrusted to us as they support your church, which is granted to our care. Bless the work of the Mission and Service Fund and its promotion of justice, solidarity, advocacy, and human dignity. Alpha and Omega, receive these offerings with joy for the benefit of your world. Amen.
Written by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, First Lutheran,; R:ugby and Leeds, North Dakota
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2021, page 54. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: (MV #173 vs 5)
Reach out in friendship,
stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands;
the Peace that sought and found you. ©
Sending Forth:
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we will prepare faithfully.
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we will work for peace and justice.
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we will seek reconciliation and healing.
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we will work to end prejudice.
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we will share grace and compassion.
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we will have hope at last.
One: The Realm of God is coming;
ALL: we go out in the name of Jesus, the Reign-maker.
ALL: Amen!
Written by David Spark, Summerland B.C.
Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2021, p.50. Used with permission.
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Sermon 24th November 2024
“Are You a King?”
John 18: 33-37
Gracious God, be with us today in this place, in the Scriptures and in our words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts praise your Holy name. Amen.
Pilate’s question to Jesus is very direct.
“Are you a King?”
In our minds we interrupt the action to say,
“He is the King.”
He is the King of Kings.
Jesus is the son of God.
He is the ruler of our hearts.
How blind of Pilate not to see and respect the royalty standing before him.
If we were there, we would answer that question for Pilate:
“Pilate, Jesus is a King greater than you or Caesar.”
“And if you don’t show some respect, you’ll get yours.”
Today is Christ the King Sunday.
This is the day that Christians all over the world celebrate Christ’s Kingship.
On this day we remember that Jesus is King and that he has royal authority over our hearts.
We sing hymns and read psalms that proclaim Christ as the Messiah.
“O Worship the King” “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name let angels prostrate fall.” “Crown him with many crowns...”
That is our answer to Pilate’s question.
But we are not here to hear our answers.
We are here to hear Christ’s answers.
Before we answer Pilate’s question, let’s listen to see what Jesus says.
Then we, as faithful subjects, can respond.
Listen to what Jesus says: “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?”
“Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you this about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” “Don’t play games with me.” “I didn’t say you were a King.” “Your own chief priests handed you over to me.” “Why do they want you dead?”
Jesus’ seems evasive; perhaps cautious is a better word.
He wants Pilate and anyone else listening in, like us, to understand his answer.
So Jesus gives a qualified answer, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
Our first thought is that this means his Kingdom is in heaven.
But wait, isn’t Jesus also King here on earth.
We are on earth and we claim him as our King.
The Bible tells us that when he comes again he will reign here on earth.
Perhaps he means that his Kingdom is not like the Kingdoms of this world.
In this world kings have soldiers that weld swords and guns to defend their king.
But Jesus’ followers don’t carry weapons of violence to defend him.
What kind of a King is this who has no territory and whose subjects do not kill for him?
Pilate asks him, “So you are a king?”
Jesus’ answers: “You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth.
Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.”
Jesus may not have a territory or militia, but he has authority.
Those who are loyal to the truth of God listen to him and do his bidding.
Jesus is King to all who are loyal to the Truth with a capital “T.”
This short dialogue helps us understand Christ as King, but you have to look at Jesus’ life to get the full picture.
Christ the King is categorically different from the kings of this world.
The Kings of this world rule over their subjects with fear and terror.
Christ’s rule is based on love.
In this world Kings demand that their subjects be under their feet.
But Christ our king washes the feet of his subjects.
The difference between Jesus’ rule and the rule of earthly kings is as different as day and night.
In this world Kings, and Queens, live and die by the rule that might makes right.
But Jesus lived and died; and lives again by a different rule.
His rule says that the poor are blessed.
His rule says the meek shall inherit the earth.
His rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
In this world Rulers crush the poor and slaughter the innocent just as Herod slaughtered the children in Bethlehem.
Our Lord gave up his life for love of others.
The world sees our king hanging on the cross and sneers,
“If you are a king save yourself.”
They think he is powerless.
But they are wrong.
Jesus has power, but it is not the power of swords and spears.
It is not the power of fear and hatred.
It is not the power of bombs.
It is the power of the cross.
It is the power of truth.
Truth doesn’t need weapons; it is a power unto itself.
There are many in our world who claim the power of truth.
They claim dominion and authority over what is true and good.
But often times they proclaim something less than what Jesus proclaimed.
They use words like the truth and “goodness,” decency” and “righteousness;” even “Christian.”
But what they say adds up to something less than the truth of God.
I was listening to the news a couple of weeks ago.
They were interviewing a candidate who said he might run for President of the United States of America.
He said he felt his platform was what Americans wanted to make America great again.
As I listened, I heard words like, “traditional,” “justice,” even the term “Christians.”
The vocabulary sounded similar to my Lord’s, and he even claimed to be one of my King’s followers.
But the content of what he said fell far short of the truth that Jesus lived.
Jesus proclaimed God’s judgment against the injustices of his day.
The politician’s proclamation sought to sustain the injustices of our society.
He was claiming to stand for the Truth but careful scrutiny proved otherwise.
Jesus is the King of truth.
He is the one who decides what falls under his banner of truth.
He is the authority that defines what is true and false.
Jesus is the very incarnation of Truth itself.
As his subjects and members of his Kingdom, we should always test any alleged statement of the Truth.
Just because someone says it is truth doesn’t make it so.
We must always ask ourselves,
“How does it compare to the life and proclamation of Christ our King?”
Over the next few months, the leaders, and would be leaders, of our country will make claims to the truth.
They may make stirring campaign speeches.
They may use words like “decency,” “justice,” “righteousness;” even the word “Christian.”
They may use common values to argue for their programs and platforms.
Some will even claim to be defenders of the truth and the good.
Be skeptical.
No political program can embody the truth as we know it in Christ.
Platforms are created by humans, and humans may devise flawed plans.
Don’t get me wrong, as Christians we can choose one candidate or another, but only after careful scrutiny of what someone stands for.
Jesus said “blessed are the poor.”
Does their stance bless the poor?
Jesus was merciful, to the point of death; do they stand for mercy?
Jesus said “do unto others as you would have them do unto you;”
Does their political agenda agree with the law of love?
Jesus lifted up and blessed the little ones; does their program lift up and bless the weak?
If in the next months you meet a candidate that claims to embody Truth, be careful.
If anyone claims to be the King of Truth, remember who they really are.
They are mere pretenders to the throne.
There is only one King of Truth.
And he is unlike any other King.
His power and rule are not enforced by soldiers and guns.
The only territory he has is the hearts of the faithful.
He is Christ the King.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
