STAYING CONNECTED
CHRIST THE KING – Sunday before Advent November 22nd 2020
This Sunday marks the last week of the liturgical year. For some of you, I can imagine that your response to this statement will be “ so what?”. However, whether you have realised it or not, every year we have a rhythm and a pattern to our church life , and in particular the themes we follow in some of our services.
Next week, the rhythm starts all over again as we celebrate the first Sunday in Advent , and over the next four weeks we will make our journey towards Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.
In the weeks which follow, our Bible readings will reflect something of the early life and ministry of Jesus with themes such as His Baptism and the calling of His disciples. Then when Lent begins our readings will turn towards Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, the Cross, His death and the His wonderful resurrection.
The six weeks which follow Easter the focus is on resurrection appearances which takes us on to Pentecost and the giving and receiving of the Holy Spirit.
After that , the passages of scripture which we will look out have the focus on what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus and the challenges and privileges of being part of His church today – until we then arrive at the Sunday before Advent. This Sunday is an opportunity to look back over the whole story of the life of Jesus and also to look forward. It is a time to celebrate all that Jesus has done, continues to do, and will do in the future – as we are reminded that Jesus is King !
So, through our readings, prayers and thoughts I have prepared for you this week, consider all that Jesus means to you and be thankful.
Jesus is Lord and King !
Hallelujah !!
Deacon David
StF 331 King of Kings https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Jarrod+Cooper+King+of+Kings%2c+Majesty&docid=6 08043768935548077&mid=1A19C5E6D5641770C07E1A19C5E6D5641770C07E&view=detail&FO RM=VRAASM&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dking%2Bof%2Bkings%2Bmajesty%26FORM %3DHDRSC3
1 King of kings, majesty, God of heaven living in me. Gentle Saviour, closest Friend, Strong Deliverer, Beginning and End, all within me falls at your throne. Your majesty, I can but bow; I lay my all before you now. In royal robes I don't deserve, I live to serve your majesty. 2 Earth and heaven worship you, Love eternal, faithful and true, who bought the nations, ransomed souls, brought this sinner near to your throne; all within me cries out in praise. Your majesty, I can but bow; I lay my all before you now. In royal robes I don't deserve, I live to serve your majesty, I live to serve your majesty. Jarrod Cooper Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 331 Words and Music: © 1996 Sovereign Lifestyle Music Ltd
Prayers
Let us prepare ourselves
For the encounter For worship For the Spirit to come amongst us.
In our preparations, we are sorry.
Lord, I have fallen short, I am sorry.
In our preparations, we encounter grace.
Lord, I know I am forgiven, loved and set free.
In our preparations, we give thanks for all we have received.
Lord, today I am thankful for so much.
In our preparations, we praise and adore you, for you are the God of all things. Lord, I praise you, for you are an awesome God.
In our preparations, we still our hearts and listen for your word to us.
Be still with me a while?
[Pause]
Amen.1
We say together the Lord’s Prayer
Introduction to Old Testament Reading
Jeremiah challenges the leaders of his time to use the position they have been given for the benefit of others. In this passage the Prophet is addressing the Judean royal house generally, rather than a specific leader, and he refers to them as “shepherds who destroy”. Jeremiah reminds the leaders that social order and national security are closely entwined – by letting injustice flow, national security is also at risk. In addition, he tells them that there is a different way to lead as he outlines a vision which will come reality of “shepherd – like” leadership.
Reading: Jeremiah Chapter 23 verses 1-6
Comment about the Old Testament reading
During Judah’s history there had seldom been a King who had lived up to expectations and they rarely were able to bring justice, peace and love in the way the people desired. But in Jeremiah’s time there was the hope and expectation that one day soon someone new would come who would come and fulfil what God promised them.
From where we stand, some 2500 years or so later, we can see how this was a prophecy about the coming Messiah who was born in a stable in Bethlehem about 600 years later:- Jesus - the Good Shepherd; The model leader; Jesus – the King
But this is not what the people of Jeremiah’s generation expected – the circumstances they were in, demanded something for their place and time, and through this passage there are a clear words of reassurance that God is concerned with what was happening in the political world of their time, – and I have no doubt, that this truth remains as strong as ever today for us.
1 Opening prayers written by Tim Baker The Vine at Home is compiled and produced by Twelvebaskets copyright © Twelvebaskets 2020 StF 15 The Splendour of the King https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Chris+Tomlin+Splendour+of+the+King&&view=detail& mid=C8FA93ACB94504D4E972C8FA93ACB94504D4E972&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos% 2Fsearch%3Fq%3DChris%2BTomlin%2BSplendour%2Bof%2Bthe%2BKing%26FORM%3DVDV VXX
1 The splendour of the King, clothed in majesty; let all the earth rejoice, let all the earth rejoice. He wraps himself in light and darkness tries to hide, and trembles at his voice, and trembles at his voice. How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God. 2 And age to age he stands, and time is in his hands; beginning and the end, beginning and the end. The Godhead, Three in One, Father, Spirit, Son, the Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb. How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God. Name above all names, worthy of all praise; my heart will sing: how great is our God. Name above all names, worthy of all praise; my heart will sing: how great is our God. How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God. Chris Tomlin (b. 1972), Ed Cash and Jesse Reeves
Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 15 Words and Music: © 2004 worshiptogether.com Songs / Sixsteps Music Administered by Kingswaysongs, a division of David C Cook
Bible Reading : John Chapter 18: 28-37
Thought for the week
In 1925 the world was in a dark place, we had only just emerged from the war which people thought would end all wars, but the signs were that we were hurtling towards another conflict. The world was in the grip of economic depression, and was desperately looking for answers. There were outspoken leaders who believed they had solutions to the problems which were arising – the world was watching and waiting, and was listening to the words of the powerful who were competing for the limelight.
With this background, Pope Pius XI felt it was time to call Christian people everywhere to declare their allegiance to the way of Christ, and so he declared the Sunday before Advent would be a feast day when the church would declare that “Christ is King”. As we look at the world today, the need for that proclamation is needed as much as it ever was 95 years ago.
2020 has been a challenging time for our world, and we stand waiting – waiting for a vaccine which will allow us to return to what we used to know of being able to meet one another without the need to socially distance or sanitise. Waiting for leadership in our world which has compassion and care for the vulnerable. Waiting for international disagreements to come to an end and for a vision of mutual responsibility and support across our borders.
Waiting for Hope in times of uncertainty.
There seems to be a vacuum, as if the pause button has been pressed and we don’t know when to press play again. But as you read this today, I encourage you to remind yourselves of the things we are certain of, and that is that Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord’s .Ultimately, his is the authority we should follow. His is a Kingdom which is built on justice, love, peace and humility, rather than power, strength, fear and uncertainty.
As Jeremiah pointed out to the leaders of his time, power comes with responsibility – and that is a responsibility to serve the people and to ensure that there is justice and equality for all. Jesus’ ministry lasted just 3 years and from a political perspective, his time could be deemed a failure as he died a painful and humiliating death having been deserted by nearly all his supporters.
His crucifixion hardly looked like a victory.
Where was the fulfilment of good news, freedom and the coming of God’s favour as he stood before Pilate and was about to be crucified?
In some ways there was no surprise his ministry would culminate in death, after all, this was something Jesus knew himself and had told his followers in preparation, but even though they had heard his words, they hadn’t quite understood what he had meant.
As he was dying on that cross, he showed love and compassion which had characterised his ministry, and also defined his legacy- this is where Jesus was crowned King of King.
There is no way anyone can undo, repeal or replace what Jesus has done, what is more, Jesus’ impact was not achieved through force, scientific proof of philosophical debate, but through love, peace and self-sacrifice.
It is something which is difficult to understand, because selfless love seems alien to so many, but this is the way of God, and always has been His way, and always will be His way.
Jesus doesn’t do kingship in the way of the world – His Kingdom is ultimately about who He is, and when we recognise Christ as king, we hold our own power and all human power more lightly.
This is the power of the cross.
Amen
Prayers of intercession
During our prayers of intercession today, I invite you to bring your own prayers, thoughts and reflections to God during the moments which are marked “Pause”. If it’s helpful, you might like to get a notebook and pen or pencil to write or draw your ideas and thoughts as your pray. Otherwise, you might like to close your eyes to avoid distractions.
Let us pray.
Christ our King, enthroned on the cross, bearing insults and torments, by your pain and your story, may true peace reign.
[Pause]
Bless and guide your body, the Church, that we may exalt you and share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
[Pause]
Christ our King, you endured the scoffing of leaders and ridicule from bystanders.
Rescue us from the grip of darkness and cynical abuses of power. Strengthen all who strive for justice and peace.
[Pause]
Christ our King, still our hearts to know your presence and share your peace. Bring us to declare that you are our righteousness.
[Pause]
Christ our King, in lonely agony you bore the pains of the world. Be with all who are desolate and afflicted, whose world is shaken. Be a present help, O Lord, in times of trouble and give courage and strength to all who live in fear.
[Pause]
We bring these, and all our prayers, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.2
StF 347 Crown him with many crowns https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=crown+him+with+many+crowns+youtube&docid=6080 05423434171724&mid=304F3D99A11F2D3BEDAB304F3D99A11F2D3BEDAB&view=detail&FOR M=VIRE
1 Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne. Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity. 2 Crown him the Son of God, before the worlds began; and ye who tread where he has trod, crown him the Son of Man, who every grief has known that wrings the human breast, and takes and bears them for his own, that all in him may rest. 3 Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save. His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high; who died, eternal life to bring, and lives, that death may die.
2 Taken from Intercessions for Year C by Ian Black
4 Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a sceptre sways from pole to pole, that wars may cease, absorbed in prayer and praise. His reign shall know no end, and round his piercèd feet fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet. 5 Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side — rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified. All hail, Redeemer, hail! for thou hast died for me; thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.
Matthew Bridges (1800–1894) and Godfrey Thring (1823–1903) Reproduced from Singing the Faith Electronic Words Edition, number 347
Blessing
Remember all God has done. Rejoice in all He is doing. Receive all He has yet to do. Put your hand in His, The God of past, present and future, And go with Him, wherever He may lead you, Knowing that He will always be with you, This day and always. Amen 3
3 Taken from Prayers for All Seasons volume 2 by Nick Fawcett and published by Kevin Mayhew.