Alphas and Omegas
Children's sermon
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Preaching
Sermon
Worship
For November 22-25, 2018:
Alpahas and Omegas
by Bethany Peerbolte
John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18)
In the Scriptures
This week’s psalm recounts David’s aspiration to build a place for God to reside among the people. The traditional place for God was with the ark of the covenant. This had served as the representation of God’s attendance in worship and in battle. It went with the people as they wandered, but now they could make a more permanent installation. In David’s calculations the mobility of the ark is not ideal. Though it’s presence had rallied armies to fierce battle and inspired the Israelites in worship, David wants a secure location for God to reside. David has good reason to want this, after all the Philistines did steal the ark in a battle. Thankfully they could not handle the power of God the ark carried with it and they returned it. Now David has decided to never let it go missing again. To build a temple worthy of the power and majesty of God.
David sets out to find the right place, making promises to God along the way. Amid his search God also makes a promise to David. There will always be a king from David’s line on the throne if they listen to God and continue to look after the people in a way that is righteous. God will keep David’s line going. David’s final words in 2 Samuel poses the question, will his line continue to be the light or will it turn to thorns. Will his line keep looking for the right place for God to reside, or will his heirs allow thieves to steal their God away from them?
You don’t have to know much about humanity to know humans will mess this covenant up in head spinning record time. David’s line eventually turns from God. Violent wars and contests for the throne become the norm. That is, after all, the way of kings. You either are born to it or get the throne with violence. The scene taken from John’s gospel is an action-packed depiction of the battle Jesus is thrust into before taking his throne.
The temple was just the beginning of God residing among the people. Its physical majesty helped but it also hurt. Once God had a place, people forgot God could be other places too. They stopped looking for God in the streets, and homes, and hearts around them. Jesus took God back on the road. Moving among the people and interacting with them in their daily lives. One didn’t have to be in the temple to experience God’s power anymore.
There comes a time when Jesus sees mobility as a hinderance, and the time comes to again place God in a specific place. Jesus knows the exact right place for God in this moment is on a cross. Just like David knew it was time to give God a foundation, Jesus also knows now is the time to lay down roots. Jesus has prayed for God to help him choose the right place, the right moment, and he knows what needs to happen next. His followers are caught off guard though. Jesus’ calm response and passive surrender confuses and frustrates them. Peter believes this moment calls for fighting and attacks the soldiers. Other’s flee the scene abandoning everything that moments ago meant the world to them.
One of the more compelling features of John’s narrative is how the scene flashes from trial to denial. Showing Jesus in ominous danger but still calm and reasonable, as opposed to Peter who is frantic and desperate to not be backed into a corner. This juxtaposition presents what it is to have one’s identity rooted in God verses something else. Jesus knows who he is and who he serves. He seems to have all the answers even in distress because he has a solid base. Almost as if he has run these questions through his head and decided the answers long ago. Peter, however, is struggling to keep his footing. He flips from serving God to being concerned with how others perceive him.
Peter still has work to do to find a place within him for God to reside permanently. God is still in an ark for Peter. The temple still needs to be built within him, the castle in which the King’s throne can be bolted to the floor.
Where humans fail, and David’s heirs turn from God, God holds true. Even after generations of selfish, power-hungry kings, God remembers the covenant with David and continues to plan for the kingdom. That planning brings us to Jesus. He is the line of David that will forever sit on the throne as King. The greeting at the beginning of Revelation is a bit of a spoiler alert. John tells the seven churches he has seen Jesus on the throne. Declaring that God has found a place to reside among the people and challenging the people to accept Jesus as the king they have been long awaiting.
In the News
For months we have been waiting to hear where Amazon will set up their new headquarters. Cities around the country have been scrambling to put together a product Amazon would add to their cart. Cities like Detroit, Michigan, hoped to be picked to help boost the area’s economy, employ thousands of their residents, and establish them as a city of value. Their wishes were not unwarranted. Amazon was promising 50,000 jobs would be available. Amazon is worth over one trillion dollars. The potential of this juggernaut to transform a city is real. Detroit got the bad news in January it would not be picked as the headquarters. Amazon’s main concern was the lack of a robust transit system for their employees to utilize.
The criteria Amazon was using to make its decision has never been completely revealed, but it is clear they have been looking for a specific place. Those places were announced this week -- Long Island City in New York and National Landing in Virginia. These two cities will soon be home to one of the fastest growing companies in the world. What that will do to their landscape and culture is yet to be seen. It is obvious though who will be calling the shots. Amazons needs will be top priority in those cities for a long time.
Residents don’t seem concerned though, their rejoicing is spilling onto news stations and social media. In contrast to their rejoicing some cities have been fighting a battle against another company. San Francisco is on the front line trying to kick LimeBike out of their city. LimeBike is a company that offers electric scooters to commuters and tourists to better move around a busy city. The scooters can be used through an app that tells you where scooters are sitting and unlocks them for you when you need a ride. The price to rent these scooters is minimal and they do not need a docking station, so they can be left literally anywhere. In San Francisco these scooters suddenly popped up around the city overnight. Hundreds of electric scooters were distributed around the city by LimeBike and the battle was on. The city argued they did not approve the scooters, the company argued it didn’t need city approval. Residents complained they were a nuisance and the city claimed they couldn’t do anything about it.
Since San Francisco started experiencing these issues many other cities have joined the fight to regulate and/or ban the scooters, which makes me wonder what are the deciding factors for which businesses a city welcomes in and which a city reject?
In the Sermon
What are we welcoming and what are we rejecting? Christ the King Sunday can be a hard concept to present to congregations. Kings, and queens, in our world are more like figureheads. They operate to nudge or influence decisions, but they do not really have the unlimited ultimate power kings of Jesus’ day held. When we do find a ruler of our time who has ultimate power, they do not use their power for the greater good. Presenting the idea of Jesus as King can get sticky fast with the modern day representations we have available to us.
Amazon may give us a way to present kingship more clearly. Their search for a place to build a new headquarters has been an intense and life changing crusade for cities across North America. Once Amazon announced their plan to build a second headquarters the frenzy began. Imagine if people got just as excited to welcome Jesus into their lives as the cities did for Amazon.
Cities understood what Amazon brought to the relationship, jobs, prestige, money, and influence. They examined themselves. Found the gems that Amazon would see as perks, shined themselves up, and presented plans to overcome their weaknesses. Cities formed committees to schmooze Amazon representatives and plead their case.
I wonder if cities did the same for David’s temple. It’s possible they presented David with positives of building in their neighborhood and promises to fix the negatives. Surely David weighed a couple of important criteria before deciding on where to put the temple. At the very least he wanted the ground to be neutral and not belong to any one tribe.
We make pitches daily for things to set up headquarters in us. We ask people to be in relationship with us, for products to come home with us, for ideas to take root in us. When was the last time we made a pitch to Jesus? Not just to set up a satellite location in us, but for him to become our CEO?
What would our pitch look like if we sought God like this? Certainly, there are areas of our lives we welcome God into with fanfare. We know they are clean, useful, and desirable. Then there are the areas that we try to keep God out. The streets are dirty, no one lives there for long, and frankly its dangerous to spend a lot of time in these places. These are the thorny fire pits David warns about in his final words. No place for a king to visit let alone reside.
God’s search team is very different than Amazon’s though. Amazon did not want to put a lot of work into their new home. They wanted a place that was already prepared for them to do business. A place young people wanted to be, with good transportation, and even better restaurants. God doesn’t mind a fixer upper. God sends Jesus into the mess to set up shop on a cross. God’s criteria to build a headquarters is a willing heart.
SECOND THOUGHTS
A Sign to All People
by Chris Keating
John 18:33-37
Just before the midterm election, a sign appeared to all the people of Missouri.
It wasn’t a sign from God, but rather from anonymous supporters of President Donald Trump who paid for an electronic billboard featuring an photograph of the president. The image showed Trump making a fervent plea at a speech, his eyes wide and hand gesturing. Underneath the photo was a quote from John 1, “The Word Became Flesh.”
Along the billboard’s right-hand corner were the words “Make the Gospel Great Again,” a play on the president’s signature tagline, “Make America Great Again.”
The sign reigned over motorists driving Interstate 70 for a week or so before it was removed by the billboard’s owner. DDI Media said it removed the ad because of its overt political nature and because it was unclear who actually had sponsored it. A few days later, the sign appeared again over another road.
The imperialistic image of Trump and comparison to Jesus’ incarnation prompted nationwide reaction. Even residents of deep red Missouri were unsure of what to make of the sign.
“I didn't know what to make of it,” said local resident Sherri Chisholim, “ I didn't know what message it was trying to send but I felt like it was somewhat offensive, I didn't know if they were trying to equate Donald Trump to Jesus.”
A Facebook post from the “Make The Gospel Great Again” group denied it was trying to equate Trump with Christ. Instead the group sees Trump as a messenger from God and suggested he was a leader in the mold of King David.
According to Newsweek, the post continued, “But God does send his messengers to us, and just as King David liberated the faithful in his day, President Trump is doing this today through his protection of the unborn, defense of our land against foreign invaders and standing up for Israel.”
So, NOT (their emphasis) Jesus. But still a king. Not just a garden-variety monarch, either, but a king like David. Take from it what you want, the sponsors seem to be saying, but here is a leader whom God is using to achieve a holy purpose. “As Christians, we must not stand against God’s will despite the persecution we face for doing so,” the post concluded.
Lutheran Travis Scholl calls bunk on the group’s intentions. “There really is no other way to read its meaning as anything other than, at some level, messianic. ‘But God does send his messengers to us …’” Scholl comments that the best way to describe such a move is to use a word rich with Christian meaning: idolatry.
“When any political image attempts to take on the ‘flesh’ of the divine, it is an idol,” he wrote. “And it will eventually demand of its adherents their ultimate obedience.”
Let that be a sign to us.
Like the billboards in last year’s acclaimed movie, “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri,” this one sign in Missouri was placed to raise questions and provoke a response. In the movie, one woman pursues the truth related to the murder and rape of her daughter. In fictional Ebbing, the town is stirred as they pursue their version of Pilate’s question to Jesus, “What is truth?
That’s a question worth considering. Perhaps our churches should erect their own versions of Ebbing’s billboards. One might say, “Centuries have come and gone.” Another could add, “Signs appear, but messages remain.” A third one would conclude, “What sort of king do we seek?”
For Christians on this Reign of Christ Sunday, the question of truth remains relevant. In big and small ways, nearly all presidents assume a monarch-like posture while in office. Yet President Trump’s penchant for exaggerations and outright lies muddles the waters further. His imperialism is sprinkled with an ever-emboldening nationalism. Like Pilate, we may be wrestling with the one who tosses our questions back to us.
Just who do we want for a king? Some evangelical leaders have tried to equate Trump with King Cyrus, the Persian ruler mentioned in Isaiah 45 (get it? 45?) who oversees the ending of the Babylonian exile. They point to Cyrus’ ability to bring order out of chaos, and suggest God will use Trump (in spite of his missteps) in the same way. Others, like the promoters of the billboard, point to his David-like qualities. Presumably that excludes his adultery and emotional outbursts.
But as the text from 2 Samuel makes clear, the real power in Israel lies behind the throne, or perhaps above, in, and around the throne. True power comes from Yahweh, and is not confirmed by legislation. Moreover, 2 Samuel’s portrayal of King David’s last words reveals a king driven to seek justice and mercy. As presented here, David is the servant of the Lord who seeks that everflowing stream of righteousness.
That is a sign of what a king should be like.
It’s a somewhat idealized version of David’s story. It leaves out some of the less well polished aspects of David’s rule as king of Israel by highlighting his faithfulness. Yet when David veers off the path, he remains open to correction. He does not shut down the truth, but instead is willing to listen to prophets like Nathan who convey unpopular messages in speaking truth.
Nathan’s prophetic stance keeps David’s power in check. He does not appeal to David to make Israel “great.” Israel is instead chosen, just as David is chosen. They bear witness to the light of God’s truth. Like Christ, our one true sovereign, they are signs of what God is doing.
ILLUSTRATIONS
By team member Mary Austin:
Thanksgiving
Gratefulness
Twenty-five years ago, Kristi Nelson survived stage four cancer, and since then has worked to live a life based on thanksgiving. Nelson distinguishes between gratitude and gratefulness, which is what she tries to practice. Gratitude, she says, is more about a transaction, a response to an event. “We experience gratitude when we get or experience something we want,” she explains. “It’s much more difficult to experience gratitude when life delivers us less -- or more -- than we bargained for. Having more gratitude can be like another thing that we put on our to-do list, so we end up trying to orchestrate experiences in order to feel more gratitude, and we’re often disappointed if we don’t have those experiences.” Kristi thinks of gratefulness, on the other hand, as an overall orientation to life. “When we wake up in the morning and experience a sense of gratefulness just for the fact of being alive, with our heart and senses open to the gifts and opportunities of another day, it’s a more radical approach to gratitude that’s not contingent on something happening to us, but rather a way that we arrive to life.”
She suggests that we learn to live with gratefulness for the things we typically take for granted. “What people often experience when they’ve lost something is gratefulness when it returns,” Kristi says. “When you lose your electricity for two days, you’re so grateful when it comes back and you can flip the light switch and get light. Or you almost have a terrible accident but you’re saved by grace, and you sit there and say, ‘I’m so grateful to be alive.’ But, in a surprisingly short time, that feeling can go away.” We forget the feeling of gratefulness. But we can cultivate that all the time, and appreciate the things we take for granted. She adds, “The core practice of gratefulness is to truly notice, to be present to the gifts of our lives from the moment we wake up in the morning until the moment we go to bed at night…When you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed, pause to think of five things you’re grateful for. It could be: My lungs are breathing. The air temperature is comfortable. I had an interesting dream. My eyes can open. I get to put my feet on the floor and walk out of the room. There are people I love. I’m still here. You’re calling forth those things that you don’t have to do anything to earn, and that remind you that this day is a gift.” This attitude becomes our daily orientation. As the Thanksgiving holiday comes, we can move our gratefulness from one day to a practice that fills the whole year.
* * *
Christ the King
Judgment
Christ the King Sunday reminds of the places where God’s judgment is good news for a broken and sorrowful world. There are things we cannot fix by ourselves, as human beings. In the eventual reign of Christ, God’s judgment will set the world right.
Until that time comes, however, we delight in judging each other. In these politically fraught days, judgement is running high. Professor and ethicist Jonathan Haidt says, “we kind of have had this illusion that we were primarily rational creatures. And your first premise would be that moral judgment is based mostly on intuitions, rather than conscious reasoning. And if you don’t believe that about yourself, just note how true it is of everybody else. And then think, they think that of you.” Our judgments of each other are deeply flawed, and we don’t understand how other people can think the way they do.
Haidt notes “Probably none of you here are siblings, but you’re all -- you all, we all have common concerns. You form organizations. We’re all members of dozens of organizations. We cooperate so brilliantly, and that’s because we have this moral psychology that binds us together. It’s most effective when we have a sacred value, something that we all worship or circle around. So it’s clearest in religions, where the sacred value is literally God or the Torah or whatever, but you’ll see it in any political group too. So on the left, nowadays, just in the last year or two, it’s become overwhelmingly marriage equality and rising income inequality. On the right, it’s long been ‘the family’ and ‘America’.” If we can gather around common core values -- especially at church -- we can replace judgment with understanding.
* * *
Christ the King
Message from a Six Year Old
Christ the King Sunday reminds us that we are heading toward the rule of God over all of our lives, and it shows us the places where we, as human beings trying to run our own lives, are still falling short.
In 1960, Ruby Bridges became one of the first black children to integrate the public schools in New Orleans, six years after the Supreme Court ordered schools to be integrated. (Two other children attended a different school. Bridges became known through the iconic Norman Rockwell painting of her being escorted to school by federal marshals.) For a year, Bridges attended first grade alone, spending each day in the class room with just her teacher, as white parents kept their children out of the classroom. On the way to school, and on the way home, four marshals escorted Ruby and her mother through a crowd of yelling, hate-filled people.
In the 1990’s, Bridges’ brother “was shot and killed in New Orleans. She began volunteering at William Frantz Elementary, which his children attended.” That work returned her to the school she had attended as a child, and started her work for peace and justice. “In 1999, Hall established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to spread equality and tolerance through education.” Bridges also had a son who was murdered in New Orleans.
Bridges says that we all have a part to play in bringing the reign of Christ to fullness in our world. “I believe that there's far more good in the world than the evil that we see playing out before us. But sometimes we who are good, we're quiet and we don't step up, and therefore you can't see the good out there. All you then see is the ugliness. What I tell people today is we can't be in the background anymore. We have to step up. We have to speak out. We have to say something.” About this work, she says, “Once you commit to it, there's no turning back. Your soul is not at peace or at rest if you're not answering that call every day.”
* * * * * * * * *
From team member Tom Willadsen:
Christ the King
Christ the King is a concept that many Americans struggle with. We’re just not comfortable with the idea of royalty. So much of our identity as citizens and residents of the United States is that we are a nation founded after a revolution against royalty. Our constitution even forbids the government from granting royal titles. “No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.” [Article 1, Section 9]
* * *
Babe Ruth, the King?
In the 1920’s some people objected to giving Babe Ruth the nickname “Sultan of Swat,” because of Article 1, Section 9.
* * *
Royals? Not!
[If you’re too old to get the reference, trust me on this one, you’ll get instant cred if you refer to these lyrics.]
A few lines from pop singer Lorde’s biggest hit, “Royals”:
We’ll never be royals/
It don’t run in our blood/
that kind of lux just ain’t for us/
we crave a different kind of buzz.
Lorde is from New Zealand, so her perspective on royalty has been shaped by New Zealand’s being part of the Commonwealth.
* * *
Christ the King Sunday…
Christ the King Sunday is not a long-established liturgical event. It was introduced by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and only moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year in 1970.
* * *
Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
The psalm for this week is a song that worshippers sang when they celebrated the completion of the temple. Different groups of worshippers took different parts. They celebrated the temple as the place where the Ark of the Covenant finally found a permanent, fixed home. The Ark of the Covenant was the box, more of a treasure chest really, that contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the rod that Aaron used during the Exodus and some manna, the miraculous food that God provided to the Hebrews while they wandered. They carried the ark everywhere they went. It was sort of a portable object of worship that kept the people connected to the living God.
* * *
Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
One time the Philistines captured the Ark in battle, “We heard of it in Ephrathah/we found it in the fields of Jaar.” (v. 6) The Philistines had really suffered because of that, they were afflicted with tumors, (some translate that as hemorrhoids) so they put the ark in a wagon and hitched a couple cows to it and sent it back to the Israelites. The Ark was considered the Lord’s footstool, (v.7) and the people believed that they were secure and confident in God’s protection when they sang and remembered that the ark resided in the Temple…and a descendant of David, they believed would be God’s king forever. All of the times you’ll hear about the City of David and Royal David’s City and a shoot from the stump of Jesse -- Jesse was David’s father -- next month -- these all go back to David. David planned the temple, but his son Solomon was the one who saw to its completion. You’ll hear a lot more about David and David’s city next month, during Advent.
* * *
John 18:33-37
Court proceedings
This story takes place early in the morning on the day we know as Good Friday. Jesus has been arrested, taken to Annas, a priest, and questioned. Then Annas sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest, who was also Annas’s son-in-law. Caiaphas then sent Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. This week’s lesson takes place at Pilate’s headquarters. At this point, the legal proceedings against Jesus have left the religious court and gone into the civil court, to put it in somewhat modern terms.
The religious officials who sent Jesus to Pilate did not go inside. So Pilate went out to them and asked what Jesus had been charged with. They replied, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” There’s nothing like answering a question, and this is nothing like answering a question. Pilate tells them to try Jesus in their religious court, but the officials tell him that they do not have the authority to put someone to death, only Pilate has that authority.
* * *
John 18:37
“You say that I am a king.” Humble or mocking?
In seminary I was taught that this was a respectful, deferential thing for Jesus to say, it’s as though he was saying to Pilate, “you saying I am a king makes me a king.” Jesus, according to my professor was not being coy, but honest, and humble. And yet, as I read this exchange I see it not in a respectful light but in a mocking, insulant way.
* * *
John 18:38
What is truth?
This verse is not part of today’s reading, but it’s hard to ignore.
If the clip is available and your church has the technology, show David Bowie playing Pilate in “The Last Temptation of Christ.” There is an exquisite indifference that Bowie brings to that famous question.
* * *
Where is truth? (In John’s gospel a whole bunch!)
The term “truth” appears a total of six times in the synoptic gospels. John uses it 25 times.
* * * * * * * * *
From team member Ron Love:
Revelation 1:4b-8, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Eschatology
Most people consider the Normandy invasion, better known as D-Day, on June 6, 1944, as the turning point of the World War II. It was with that invasion everyone knew Nazi Germany was destroyed; but, no one knew how long it would take for Germany’s ultimate destruction. We consider D-Day to be the turning point of World War II because we look at the war from a Western perspective.
The final judgement of Germany came at the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943. After this harsh winter battle the defeated Nazis had lost the war. The invasion of France in June 1944 only hastened the destruction of the evil Satanic empire of the Third Reich.
Realizing Jesus is the Alpha and Omega we have our Battle of Stalingrad, the defeat of Satan. It is only a matter of time.
* * *
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; John 18:33-37
Proclamation
He sat quietly in the pew to the left of the altar at St. John’s Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia. Having been elected to the House of Burgesses from Howard County just nine days ago, he was hesitant to speak publically -- especially when seated around him were such distinguished men as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. The delegates were in debate and divided on how to respond to the Stamp Act that had been imposed upon the colonies by England. The Stamp Act was a British law that placed a tax on printed documents in the colonies. As proof of paying the tax, each document had to have an authorized stamp. The debate was centered on compliance or severing the colonies relationship with the England.
On Thursday, March 23, 1775, having sat quietly long enough, Patrick Henry stood where he was seated. Speaking without notes, and in a voice that increasingly became louder and more empathic, he advocated raising a militia and declaring independence from the King of England.
The climax of the speech was the closing line that has become a hallmark of American patriotism when Henry declared, “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
Patrick Henry’s oration brought unity to the delegates attending the Virginia Provincial Convention. In the days following Patrick Henry’s speech, the delegates passed all seven resolutions declaring their independence from England.
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Preaching
During the postapostolic period, each bishop held a teaching chair, called a “cathedra.” Therefore, the building in which the bishop resided was called a “cathedral.” Within the cathedral was an “episcopal school.” It was an episcopal school because the bishop was the primary instructor. The region over which the bishop presided came to be called an “episcopate.” It was to these episcopal schools that the elders of the church who came from the episcopate, that is, from the congregations for which the bishop was responsible, came for instruction. The elders would then return to their congregations located within the episcopate to instruct others.
* * *
Revelation 1:4b-8
Worship
Norman Vincent Peale was the pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City for 52 years. (It is the church that our current president, Donald Trump, attended when he lived in New York.) Peale is probably better known for his book The Power of Positive Thinking, which was published in 1952. The book was part theology and part psychology as it emphasized the importance of being optimistic. It was an optimism that was based on having faith in Jesus and believing in the promises of Jesus.
Peale grew up in Lynchburg, Ohio. His father was a Methodist minister. As a child, he attended a Sunday school class taught by his mother. One day she began a lesson describing the stamina of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball players who were the heroes to all the boys in the class. Then she launched into a description of Jesus and how Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” knowing well the fate that awaited him. Mother, as Peale recited, called it “guts.” At that young age, Peale came to realize this of Jesus: “What courage!” “What a man!”
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Preaching
Benjamin Gilman served in the United States House of Representatives for 30 years. He retired from Congress in 2003. Gilman represented New York’s 27th congressional district. Gilman served as the chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and he was the congressional representative to the United Nations. Gilman, a Republican, was an outspoken critic of President Bill Clinton’s foreign policy. He especially disapproved of the favoritism that Clinton showed Russia over the former Soviet Republics that were able to gain their independence. Addressing the Clinton foreign policy Gilman said, “Instead of a strong, steady signal on foreign policy coming from the nation’s capital, regrettably the world has heard a series of wavering notes by an uncertain trumpet, leaving our allies concerned, and our adversaries confused.” Wavering notes by an uncertain trumpet instead of a strong and steady signal. This can only leave people concerned, as well as confused.
* * *
Revelation 1:4b-8
Eschatology
Eugene Boring, who is a contemporary scholar of our time, is a New Testament professor at Brite Divinity School, which is located on the campus of Texas Christian University. Boring is the author of many respected books on the New Testament. In a biblical commentary on eschatology, he offered three reasons why some Christian teachers held the position that Christ was not going to return in the near future.
First, the false teachers taught that since Jesus did not return within the expected time, history has shown it to be a false expectation.
Second, the false teachers taught the constancy and consistency of world order, that continues to function as it always had done, shows that history will continue without divine intervention -- hence there is no final judgment to be feared.
Third, the false teachers taught that since Christ has set us free from following the laws of Judaism we will not be called into account for our actions. For this reason, judgment is unnecessary.
The arguments presented by Boring describes the false teachers as saying that since nothing has seemed to change since the resurrection of Jesus, and since it seems nothing will change, we are free from the final judgement. The false teachers are saying that since Jesus has not returned immediately as was expected, Jesus is not going to return, so we can continue as we always have since there is no fear of a final judgment.
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Covenant
John Ruskin once said, “Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.” Ruskin was born in London in 1819. As an adult, he continued in the family business as a wine merchant, which made him very wealthy. As a child, his father interested John in art, and his pious Protestant mother created an interest in John to study the Bible. As a merchant, Ruskin travelled to many countries, and in each country, he took the time to study art of the native land. As a Bible scholar, he took time to learn about the people in each country he did business in. From these two perspectives, he wrote a number of books that interpreted the great paintings through history. Perhaps this is why Ruskin considered patience as a form of beauty. Again, I will repeat the quote, John Ruskin said, “Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.”
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; John 18:33-37
Discipleship / Testimony
Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, having completed his studies at Wittenberg in 1720, embarked on a grand tour of the continent. To further his education, it was his ambition to visit all the great cultural institutions. During this expedition, his pilgrimage took him to the art museum in Dusseldorf, Germany. It was here that he was transformed from a man of worldly riches to one of humble service to the poor. It occurred simply enough, by looking into the face of Christ.
The Count was admiring Domenico Feti’s painting Ecce Homo. This is the Latin translation of words spoken by Pilate as he handed Jesus over for crucifixion. This was when Pilate said to the gathered crowd “Behold the Man.” The painting was a portrait of the thorn-crowned Jesus of Nazareth, wearing a dark tattered robe, bound neck and wrist in rope. At the base of the painting was the inscription, “I have done this for you -- Now what will you do for me?”
The young count was profoundly moved. He felt he was embracing a mystical experience while viewing the painting. Nicolaus felt as if Christ himself was speaking those words directly to his own soul. He vowed that day to dedicate his life to the service of Jesus. Reflecting on the transformation of his character von Zinzendorf wrote, “I have loved Him for a long time, but I have never actually done anything for him. From now on I will do whatever he leads me to do.” Realizing the insignificance of his life’s accomplishments he embarked upon a life of meaning and purpose. Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf remained true to his promise, establishing the religious group that became known as the Moravians.
All of us must stand beneath Feti’s painting Ecce Homo, looking into the face of Jesus while asking ourselves: What have I done for Jesus who has done so much for me? How dedicated am I to serve in the name of Christ? How obediently do I adhere to scriptural mandates? How willing have I been to sacrifice my time and service and money for God’s glory?
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8
Hope / Covenant / Eschatology
Bob Keeshan entertained children for years as the jovial Captain Kangaroo. The television show Captain Kangaroo ran on CBS for nearly 30 years, from October 1955 until December 1984, making it one of the longest-running nationally broadcast children's television programs.
In Keeshan’s autobiography Growing Up Happy, he shared the moment when he realized life would be marvelous. Shortly after the World War II, Keeshan, an eighteen-year-old Marine, was on board the troopship USS Rockbridge Ranger sailing toward his last duty station in Hawaii. He enjoyed spending the dark nights standing in the forecastle, gazing at the starlit skies. The bow dipped into each succeeding wave and when it raised the heavens shown gloriously overhead.
Reflecting on this experience, Keeshan wrote, “There was a rhythm to life, I felt at those moments. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me when I was discharged, but I would be nineteen and I was convinced that the world would be wonderful.”
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8
Peace / Hope / Eschatology
The newspaper comic Real Life Adventures discusses the real-life problems we all encounter in the course of the day. The comic addresses the ordinary mundane aspects of life. The everyday chores, squabbles, and quirks of humankind are successfully parodied in the comic. The writers Gary Wise and Lance Aldrich are able to do this in a humorous way, but the power of their message is never lost. In their Christmas comic there was no humor, but only a powerful message to contemplate. The names of the characters are never revealed, but after a few months of reading it it is well understood who each character represents.
In the Christmas issue of Real Life Adventures a father and his son are looking out the window of their home. A Christmas tree can be seen behind them. Outside the window snow is gently falling, and two pine trees are covered with snow. The scene is very heart-warming. The father, with his hand on his son’s shoulder, listens to the boy’s question, “Whatcha looking at, Dad?” To which his father replies, “Peace on earth.”
WORSHIP
by George Reed
Call to Worship:
Leader: Let us go to God’s dwelling place.
People: Let us worship at God’s footstool.
Leader: Let your priests be clothed with righteousness.
People: Let your faithful shout for joy.
Leader: Let us remember God’s faithfulness to David.
People: Let us sing for joy to the God of all creation.
OR
Leader: The Christ of God reigns o’er all the earth.
People: Glory to you, O Christ, our Shepherd.
Leader: The nations roar and beat their drums
People: but our God reigns in love that conquers all.
Leader: Let us lift up the banner of our Christ.
People: Let us go forth in the power of love.
OR
Leader: God is king and is robed in majesty.
People: God is robed girded with strength.
Leader: God has established the world; it shall never be moved;
People: God’s throne is established from of old.
Leader: God is more majestic than the thunders of mighty waters.
People: God’s decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O God.
Hymns and Songs:
Jesus Shall Reign
UMH: 157
H82: 544
PH: 423
NNBH: 10
NCH: 300
CH: 95
LBW: 530
ELA: 434
W&P: 341
AMEC: 96
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
UMH: 173
H82: 6/7
PH: 462/463
LBW: 265
ELA: 553
W&P: 91
When Morning Gilds the Skies
UMH: 185
H82: 427
PH: 487
AAHH: 186
NCH: 86
CH: 100
LBW: 545/546
ELA: 853
W&P: 111
AMEC: 29
Jesus Calls Us
UMH: 398
H82: 549/550
NNBH: 183
NCH: 171/172
CH: 337
LBW: 494
ELA: 696
W&P: 345
AMEC: 238
Seek Ye First
UMH: 405
H82: 711
PH: 333
CH: 354
W&P: 349
CCB: 76
O God of Every Nation
UMH: 435
H82: 607
PH: 289
CH: 680
LBW: 416
ELA: 713
W&P: 626
More Love to Thee, O Christ
UMH: 453
H82:
PH: 359
AAHH: 575
NNBH: 214
NCH: 456
CH: 527
AMEC: 460
Lift Every Voice and Sing
UMH: 519
H82: 599
PH: 563
AAHH: 540
NNBH: 457
CH: 631
LBW: 562
ELA: 841
W&P: 729
AMEC: 571
STLT: 149
All Hail King Jesus
CCB: 29
Renew: 35
He Is Exalted
CCB: 30
Renew: 238
Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELA: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who is powerful through love:
Grant us the courage to follow your Christ
as we bring your reign of love to its fullness;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because your reign in love unspeakable. You have given us your Christ to follow into your realm. Give us the courage to follow the Christ and bring your loving reign to its completion. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially our looking for power in places other than God’s love.
People: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us that the only power that is real is your love. You have given us your Christ to show us how to live in that power of love and, yet, we seek after other ways. We seek to dominate and intimidate others. We laud ourselves over others. We are poor reflections of your love and of the way of your Christ. Forgive us and renew your love within us that we may live it out among all your children. Amen.
Leader: God’s love conquers all, even our sinfulness. Receive God’s love and forgiveness and share the power of God’s love with all.
Prayers of the People
O God, we praise and adore you for you are One who reigns in perfect love.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us that the only power that is real is your love. You have given us your Christ to show us how to live in that power of love and, yet, we seek after other ways. We seek to dominate and intimidate others. We laud ourselves over others. We are poor reflections of your love and of the way of your Christ. Forgive us and renew your love within us that we may live it out among all your children.
We give you thanks for your loving presence and for those who have lived that love before us. We thank you for those who chosen love over hatred. We thank you for your Christ who leads us as a loving shepherd.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for one another in our need. We pray for those who are strangers to love. We pray for those who are the victims of the power lust of this world.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
All these things we ask in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service)
All this we ask in the Name of the Blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
Children’s Sermon Starter
Show the children pictures of things we thing of as being powerful. A big truck, a power plant, maybe some sports figures or world leaders. Include a picture that shows love (people hugging or helping someone) and ask them to pick out what is most powerful. Love is the greatest power.
CHIlDREN'S SERMON
A Tale Of Two Kings
by Dean Feldmeyer
You Will Need:
Three pictures from the internet -- one of King Midas, one of King Wenceslaus, and one of Jesus. All should be about 8x10 so the kids can see them when you hold them up. (Cardboard crowns for the kids to wear are a nice addition but not necessary. You may be able to get all you need at your local Burger King or you can make them yourself.)
The Stories:
Good morning, boys and girls. Today is Christ the King Sunday, the day when we celebrate that Jesus came into our lives and made us bright and new with his love.
We live in a country that doesn’t have kings, don’t we? So it’s kinda hard to talk about kings when we’ve never experienced one. Some countries do have kings, countries like Saudi Arabia. And in those countries a king becomes a king because his father was a king. He doesn’t have to earn his kingship. It’s just given to him. Jesus was made king by God but he wasn’t a normal kind of king. His kingdom, where his people live before and even after they die, is God’s kingdom.
Well, this morning I want to share with you about two kings that are pretend people who live in legends and fairy tales. They weren’t real, you understand, they were just made up.
One is King Wenceslaus.
The other is King Midas.
King Wenceslaus was king of Bohemia. There were lots of King Wenceslauses who were kings of Bohemia so we don’t know which one this is about or if it was about all of them or even none of them. We know about him because of a poem that was written about him and turned into a song. The first verse goes like this: (sing)
Good King Wenceslaus looked out
On the feast of Stephen1
When the snow lay all about
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shown the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel.
The song goes on to tell how Wenceslaus looked out over the cold, wintery night on the day after Christmas, from inside his safe, warm castle and he saw a poor man gathering firewood for his home to keep himself and his family warm.
Wenceslaus felt sorry for the man and he called his servant: “Who is that man?” he asked. The servant answered, “Oh, he’s just a poor man who lives near town.” Wenceslaus said, “Gather together some food and wine and firewood and come with me. We’re going to go help that poor man.”
So the servant gathered together the food and wine and firewood and, giving some to the king, they set off together through the cold night to find the poor man they would help. After a while, however, the servant said, “Master, please, I can go no further. My feet are freezing.” Wenceslaus stopped and looked at the poor servant and felt sorry for him, then he said, “There’s no need for your feet to feel cold. Just put your feet in my footprints in the snow as we walk.” And the servant did, and immediately, his feet became warm and they stayed warm as long as he stepped in the footprints of King Wenceslaus. After that they went on and made their way to the poor man’s house to help him with the food and wine and firewood.
Good King Wenceslaus was what we might call a “servant king.”
The other king I want to tell you about, today, is King Midas.
The story of Midas comes from the country of Phrygia, near ancient Greece. There were at least 3 kings of Phrygia named Midas, so this story could be about one of them but, as you will see, it is a made-up story to teach us something.
The story says that Midas loved money. He loved money more than anything else in the world. He loved it so much that sometimes he would sit up all night counting his money and, even then, when the morning broke, he would have some money that was still uncounted.
One day, the story goes, God disguised himself as a man and went for a walk around on the earth and he came to the gardens of King Midas. God found those gardens so beautiful that he decided to stop and just as he was about to walk into the gardens he fell and twisted his ankle.
That afternoon King Midas was walking through his garden and he found the man (who was really God) lying on the ground in much pain. So Midas picked up the man and carried him back to the palace where he was given good food and good wine and a bed to rest in.
Within a few days the man’s ankle was healed well enough for him to go on but before he did he told Midas, “I have the power to grant wishes and, since you were so kind to me I want to grant a wish for you. Name anything you like and I will grant it to you.
Midas didn’t even have to think about his answer. Immediately, he said: I want everything I touch to turn to gold.
Oh, said the man, are you sure? Yes, said Midas, I am sure. Very well, said the man. Starting tomorrow, everything you touch will turn to gold.
The next morning Midas was eager to test whether the man had actually granted his wish so he reached out and touched the little table next to his bed and “poof” it turned into gold.
So happy was he for this new gift, he called to his daughter to come and share his joy. The little girl cam bursting through the door and, upon seeing her beloved father, ran into his arms. And immediately, she turned into gold.2
Now, which of these two kings was the most like Jesus? King Wenceslaus or King Midas? What kind of king would you be? A servant king or a greedy king? What kind of king do you think Jesus would want you to be? Amen.
1 St. Stephen’s Day is December 26, a day for doing good deeds, especially for the poor.
2 There is a longer version of the story where Midas humbles himself before the Gods and they feel sorry for him and take his away his super power and restore to him his daughter.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Immediate Word, November 22-25, 2018, issue.
Copyright 2018 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
- Alphas and Omegas by Bethany Peerbolte -- We choose the “alphas” and “omegas” of our lives from a long list of possibilities. Sometimes the priorities we establish for ourselves bear no resemblance to the priorities of the reign of God.
- Second Thoughts: A Sign to All People by Chris Keating -- When it comes to picking a king, a sign tells it all.
- Sermon illustrations by Tom Willadsen, Mary Austin, and Ron Love
- Worship resources by George Reed.
- A Tale Of Two Kings Children’s sermon by Dean Feldmeyer -- Which king would you want to serve?
Alpahas and Omegas
by Bethany Peerbolte
John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18)
In the Scriptures
This week’s psalm recounts David’s aspiration to build a place for God to reside among the people. The traditional place for God was with the ark of the covenant. This had served as the representation of God’s attendance in worship and in battle. It went with the people as they wandered, but now they could make a more permanent installation. In David’s calculations the mobility of the ark is not ideal. Though it’s presence had rallied armies to fierce battle and inspired the Israelites in worship, David wants a secure location for God to reside. David has good reason to want this, after all the Philistines did steal the ark in a battle. Thankfully they could not handle the power of God the ark carried with it and they returned it. Now David has decided to never let it go missing again. To build a temple worthy of the power and majesty of God.
David sets out to find the right place, making promises to God along the way. Amid his search God also makes a promise to David. There will always be a king from David’s line on the throne if they listen to God and continue to look after the people in a way that is righteous. God will keep David’s line going. David’s final words in 2 Samuel poses the question, will his line continue to be the light or will it turn to thorns. Will his line keep looking for the right place for God to reside, or will his heirs allow thieves to steal their God away from them?
You don’t have to know much about humanity to know humans will mess this covenant up in head spinning record time. David’s line eventually turns from God. Violent wars and contests for the throne become the norm. That is, after all, the way of kings. You either are born to it or get the throne with violence. The scene taken from John’s gospel is an action-packed depiction of the battle Jesus is thrust into before taking his throne.
The temple was just the beginning of God residing among the people. Its physical majesty helped but it also hurt. Once God had a place, people forgot God could be other places too. They stopped looking for God in the streets, and homes, and hearts around them. Jesus took God back on the road. Moving among the people and interacting with them in their daily lives. One didn’t have to be in the temple to experience God’s power anymore.
There comes a time when Jesus sees mobility as a hinderance, and the time comes to again place God in a specific place. Jesus knows the exact right place for God in this moment is on a cross. Just like David knew it was time to give God a foundation, Jesus also knows now is the time to lay down roots. Jesus has prayed for God to help him choose the right place, the right moment, and he knows what needs to happen next. His followers are caught off guard though. Jesus’ calm response and passive surrender confuses and frustrates them. Peter believes this moment calls for fighting and attacks the soldiers. Other’s flee the scene abandoning everything that moments ago meant the world to them.
One of the more compelling features of John’s narrative is how the scene flashes from trial to denial. Showing Jesus in ominous danger but still calm and reasonable, as opposed to Peter who is frantic and desperate to not be backed into a corner. This juxtaposition presents what it is to have one’s identity rooted in God verses something else. Jesus knows who he is and who he serves. He seems to have all the answers even in distress because he has a solid base. Almost as if he has run these questions through his head and decided the answers long ago. Peter, however, is struggling to keep his footing. He flips from serving God to being concerned with how others perceive him.
Peter still has work to do to find a place within him for God to reside permanently. God is still in an ark for Peter. The temple still needs to be built within him, the castle in which the King’s throne can be bolted to the floor.
Where humans fail, and David’s heirs turn from God, God holds true. Even after generations of selfish, power-hungry kings, God remembers the covenant with David and continues to plan for the kingdom. That planning brings us to Jesus. He is the line of David that will forever sit on the throne as King. The greeting at the beginning of Revelation is a bit of a spoiler alert. John tells the seven churches he has seen Jesus on the throne. Declaring that God has found a place to reside among the people and challenging the people to accept Jesus as the king they have been long awaiting.
In the News
For months we have been waiting to hear where Amazon will set up their new headquarters. Cities around the country have been scrambling to put together a product Amazon would add to their cart. Cities like Detroit, Michigan, hoped to be picked to help boost the area’s economy, employ thousands of their residents, and establish them as a city of value. Their wishes were not unwarranted. Amazon was promising 50,000 jobs would be available. Amazon is worth over one trillion dollars. The potential of this juggernaut to transform a city is real. Detroit got the bad news in January it would not be picked as the headquarters. Amazon’s main concern was the lack of a robust transit system for their employees to utilize.
The criteria Amazon was using to make its decision has never been completely revealed, but it is clear they have been looking for a specific place. Those places were announced this week -- Long Island City in New York and National Landing in Virginia. These two cities will soon be home to one of the fastest growing companies in the world. What that will do to their landscape and culture is yet to be seen. It is obvious though who will be calling the shots. Amazons needs will be top priority in those cities for a long time.
Residents don’t seem concerned though, their rejoicing is spilling onto news stations and social media. In contrast to their rejoicing some cities have been fighting a battle against another company. San Francisco is on the front line trying to kick LimeBike out of their city. LimeBike is a company that offers electric scooters to commuters and tourists to better move around a busy city. The scooters can be used through an app that tells you where scooters are sitting and unlocks them for you when you need a ride. The price to rent these scooters is minimal and they do not need a docking station, so they can be left literally anywhere. In San Francisco these scooters suddenly popped up around the city overnight. Hundreds of electric scooters were distributed around the city by LimeBike and the battle was on. The city argued they did not approve the scooters, the company argued it didn’t need city approval. Residents complained they were a nuisance and the city claimed they couldn’t do anything about it.
Since San Francisco started experiencing these issues many other cities have joined the fight to regulate and/or ban the scooters, which makes me wonder what are the deciding factors for which businesses a city welcomes in and which a city reject?
In the Sermon
What are we welcoming and what are we rejecting? Christ the King Sunday can be a hard concept to present to congregations. Kings, and queens, in our world are more like figureheads. They operate to nudge or influence decisions, but they do not really have the unlimited ultimate power kings of Jesus’ day held. When we do find a ruler of our time who has ultimate power, they do not use their power for the greater good. Presenting the idea of Jesus as King can get sticky fast with the modern day representations we have available to us.
Amazon may give us a way to present kingship more clearly. Their search for a place to build a new headquarters has been an intense and life changing crusade for cities across North America. Once Amazon announced their plan to build a second headquarters the frenzy began. Imagine if people got just as excited to welcome Jesus into their lives as the cities did for Amazon.
Cities understood what Amazon brought to the relationship, jobs, prestige, money, and influence. They examined themselves. Found the gems that Amazon would see as perks, shined themselves up, and presented plans to overcome their weaknesses. Cities formed committees to schmooze Amazon representatives and plead their case.
I wonder if cities did the same for David’s temple. It’s possible they presented David with positives of building in their neighborhood and promises to fix the negatives. Surely David weighed a couple of important criteria before deciding on where to put the temple. At the very least he wanted the ground to be neutral and not belong to any one tribe.
We make pitches daily for things to set up headquarters in us. We ask people to be in relationship with us, for products to come home with us, for ideas to take root in us. When was the last time we made a pitch to Jesus? Not just to set up a satellite location in us, but for him to become our CEO?
What would our pitch look like if we sought God like this? Certainly, there are areas of our lives we welcome God into with fanfare. We know they are clean, useful, and desirable. Then there are the areas that we try to keep God out. The streets are dirty, no one lives there for long, and frankly its dangerous to spend a lot of time in these places. These are the thorny fire pits David warns about in his final words. No place for a king to visit let alone reside.
God’s search team is very different than Amazon’s though. Amazon did not want to put a lot of work into their new home. They wanted a place that was already prepared for them to do business. A place young people wanted to be, with good transportation, and even better restaurants. God doesn’t mind a fixer upper. God sends Jesus into the mess to set up shop on a cross. God’s criteria to build a headquarters is a willing heart.
SECOND THOUGHTS
A Sign to All People
by Chris Keating
John 18:33-37
Just before the midterm election, a sign appeared to all the people of Missouri.
It wasn’t a sign from God, but rather from anonymous supporters of President Donald Trump who paid for an electronic billboard featuring an photograph of the president. The image showed Trump making a fervent plea at a speech, his eyes wide and hand gesturing. Underneath the photo was a quote from John 1, “The Word Became Flesh.”
Along the billboard’s right-hand corner were the words “Make the Gospel Great Again,” a play on the president’s signature tagline, “Make America Great Again.”
The sign reigned over motorists driving Interstate 70 for a week or so before it was removed by the billboard’s owner. DDI Media said it removed the ad because of its overt political nature and because it was unclear who actually had sponsored it. A few days later, the sign appeared again over another road.
The imperialistic image of Trump and comparison to Jesus’ incarnation prompted nationwide reaction. Even residents of deep red Missouri were unsure of what to make of the sign.
“I didn't know what to make of it,” said local resident Sherri Chisholim, “ I didn't know what message it was trying to send but I felt like it was somewhat offensive, I didn't know if they were trying to equate Donald Trump to Jesus.”
A Facebook post from the “Make The Gospel Great Again” group denied it was trying to equate Trump with Christ. Instead the group sees Trump as a messenger from God and suggested he was a leader in the mold of King David.
According to Newsweek, the post continued, “But God does send his messengers to us, and just as King David liberated the faithful in his day, President Trump is doing this today through his protection of the unborn, defense of our land against foreign invaders and standing up for Israel.”
So, NOT (their emphasis) Jesus. But still a king. Not just a garden-variety monarch, either, but a king like David. Take from it what you want, the sponsors seem to be saying, but here is a leader whom God is using to achieve a holy purpose. “As Christians, we must not stand against God’s will despite the persecution we face for doing so,” the post concluded.
Lutheran Travis Scholl calls bunk on the group’s intentions. “There really is no other way to read its meaning as anything other than, at some level, messianic. ‘But God does send his messengers to us …’” Scholl comments that the best way to describe such a move is to use a word rich with Christian meaning: idolatry.
“When any political image attempts to take on the ‘flesh’ of the divine, it is an idol,” he wrote. “And it will eventually demand of its adherents their ultimate obedience.”
Let that be a sign to us.
Like the billboards in last year’s acclaimed movie, “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri,” this one sign in Missouri was placed to raise questions and provoke a response. In the movie, one woman pursues the truth related to the murder and rape of her daughter. In fictional Ebbing, the town is stirred as they pursue their version of Pilate’s question to Jesus, “What is truth?
That’s a question worth considering. Perhaps our churches should erect their own versions of Ebbing’s billboards. One might say, “Centuries have come and gone.” Another could add, “Signs appear, but messages remain.” A third one would conclude, “What sort of king do we seek?”
For Christians on this Reign of Christ Sunday, the question of truth remains relevant. In big and small ways, nearly all presidents assume a monarch-like posture while in office. Yet President Trump’s penchant for exaggerations and outright lies muddles the waters further. His imperialism is sprinkled with an ever-emboldening nationalism. Like Pilate, we may be wrestling with the one who tosses our questions back to us.
Just who do we want for a king? Some evangelical leaders have tried to equate Trump with King Cyrus, the Persian ruler mentioned in Isaiah 45 (get it? 45?) who oversees the ending of the Babylonian exile. They point to Cyrus’ ability to bring order out of chaos, and suggest God will use Trump (in spite of his missteps) in the same way. Others, like the promoters of the billboard, point to his David-like qualities. Presumably that excludes his adultery and emotional outbursts.
But as the text from 2 Samuel makes clear, the real power in Israel lies behind the throne, or perhaps above, in, and around the throne. True power comes from Yahweh, and is not confirmed by legislation. Moreover, 2 Samuel’s portrayal of King David’s last words reveals a king driven to seek justice and mercy. As presented here, David is the servant of the Lord who seeks that everflowing stream of righteousness.
That is a sign of what a king should be like.
It’s a somewhat idealized version of David’s story. It leaves out some of the less well polished aspects of David’s rule as king of Israel by highlighting his faithfulness. Yet when David veers off the path, he remains open to correction. He does not shut down the truth, but instead is willing to listen to prophets like Nathan who convey unpopular messages in speaking truth.
Nathan’s prophetic stance keeps David’s power in check. He does not appeal to David to make Israel “great.” Israel is instead chosen, just as David is chosen. They bear witness to the light of God’s truth. Like Christ, our one true sovereign, they are signs of what God is doing.
ILLUSTRATIONS
By team member Mary Austin:
Thanksgiving
Gratefulness
Twenty-five years ago, Kristi Nelson survived stage four cancer, and since then has worked to live a life based on thanksgiving. Nelson distinguishes between gratitude and gratefulness, which is what she tries to practice. Gratitude, she says, is more about a transaction, a response to an event. “We experience gratitude when we get or experience something we want,” she explains. “It’s much more difficult to experience gratitude when life delivers us less -- or more -- than we bargained for. Having more gratitude can be like another thing that we put on our to-do list, so we end up trying to orchestrate experiences in order to feel more gratitude, and we’re often disappointed if we don’t have those experiences.” Kristi thinks of gratefulness, on the other hand, as an overall orientation to life. “When we wake up in the morning and experience a sense of gratefulness just for the fact of being alive, with our heart and senses open to the gifts and opportunities of another day, it’s a more radical approach to gratitude that’s not contingent on something happening to us, but rather a way that we arrive to life.”
She suggests that we learn to live with gratefulness for the things we typically take for granted. “What people often experience when they’ve lost something is gratefulness when it returns,” Kristi says. “When you lose your electricity for two days, you’re so grateful when it comes back and you can flip the light switch and get light. Or you almost have a terrible accident but you’re saved by grace, and you sit there and say, ‘I’m so grateful to be alive.’ But, in a surprisingly short time, that feeling can go away.” We forget the feeling of gratefulness. But we can cultivate that all the time, and appreciate the things we take for granted. She adds, “The core practice of gratefulness is to truly notice, to be present to the gifts of our lives from the moment we wake up in the morning until the moment we go to bed at night…When you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed, pause to think of five things you’re grateful for. It could be: My lungs are breathing. The air temperature is comfortable. I had an interesting dream. My eyes can open. I get to put my feet on the floor and walk out of the room. There are people I love. I’m still here. You’re calling forth those things that you don’t have to do anything to earn, and that remind you that this day is a gift.” This attitude becomes our daily orientation. As the Thanksgiving holiday comes, we can move our gratefulness from one day to a practice that fills the whole year.
* * *
Christ the King
Judgment
Christ the King Sunday reminds of the places where God’s judgment is good news for a broken and sorrowful world. There are things we cannot fix by ourselves, as human beings. In the eventual reign of Christ, God’s judgment will set the world right.
Until that time comes, however, we delight in judging each other. In these politically fraught days, judgement is running high. Professor and ethicist Jonathan Haidt says, “we kind of have had this illusion that we were primarily rational creatures. And your first premise would be that moral judgment is based mostly on intuitions, rather than conscious reasoning. And if you don’t believe that about yourself, just note how true it is of everybody else. And then think, they think that of you.” Our judgments of each other are deeply flawed, and we don’t understand how other people can think the way they do.
Haidt notes “Probably none of you here are siblings, but you’re all -- you all, we all have common concerns. You form organizations. We’re all members of dozens of organizations. We cooperate so brilliantly, and that’s because we have this moral psychology that binds us together. It’s most effective when we have a sacred value, something that we all worship or circle around. So it’s clearest in religions, where the sacred value is literally God or the Torah or whatever, but you’ll see it in any political group too. So on the left, nowadays, just in the last year or two, it’s become overwhelmingly marriage equality and rising income inequality. On the right, it’s long been ‘the family’ and ‘America’.” If we can gather around common core values -- especially at church -- we can replace judgment with understanding.
* * *
Christ the King
Message from a Six Year Old
Christ the King Sunday reminds us that we are heading toward the rule of God over all of our lives, and it shows us the places where we, as human beings trying to run our own lives, are still falling short.
In 1960, Ruby Bridges became one of the first black children to integrate the public schools in New Orleans, six years after the Supreme Court ordered schools to be integrated. (Two other children attended a different school. Bridges became known through the iconic Norman Rockwell painting of her being escorted to school by federal marshals.) For a year, Bridges attended first grade alone, spending each day in the class room with just her teacher, as white parents kept their children out of the classroom. On the way to school, and on the way home, four marshals escorted Ruby and her mother through a crowd of yelling, hate-filled people.
In the 1990’s, Bridges’ brother “was shot and killed in New Orleans. She began volunteering at William Frantz Elementary, which his children attended.” That work returned her to the school she had attended as a child, and started her work for peace and justice. “In 1999, Hall established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to spread equality and tolerance through education.” Bridges also had a son who was murdered in New Orleans.
Bridges says that we all have a part to play in bringing the reign of Christ to fullness in our world. “I believe that there's far more good in the world than the evil that we see playing out before us. But sometimes we who are good, we're quiet and we don't step up, and therefore you can't see the good out there. All you then see is the ugliness. What I tell people today is we can't be in the background anymore. We have to step up. We have to speak out. We have to say something.” About this work, she says, “Once you commit to it, there's no turning back. Your soul is not at peace or at rest if you're not answering that call every day.”
* * * * * * * * *
From team member Tom Willadsen:
Christ the King
Christ the King is a concept that many Americans struggle with. We’re just not comfortable with the idea of royalty. So much of our identity as citizens and residents of the United States is that we are a nation founded after a revolution against royalty. Our constitution even forbids the government from granting royal titles. “No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.” [Article 1, Section 9]
* * *
Babe Ruth, the King?
In the 1920’s some people objected to giving Babe Ruth the nickname “Sultan of Swat,” because of Article 1, Section 9.
* * *
Royals? Not!
[If you’re too old to get the reference, trust me on this one, you’ll get instant cred if you refer to these lyrics.]
A few lines from pop singer Lorde’s biggest hit, “Royals”:
We’ll never be royals/
It don’t run in our blood/
that kind of lux just ain’t for us/
we crave a different kind of buzz.
Lorde is from New Zealand, so her perspective on royalty has been shaped by New Zealand’s being part of the Commonwealth.
* * *
Christ the King Sunday…
Christ the King Sunday is not a long-established liturgical event. It was introduced by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and only moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year in 1970.
* * *
Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
The psalm for this week is a song that worshippers sang when they celebrated the completion of the temple. Different groups of worshippers took different parts. They celebrated the temple as the place where the Ark of the Covenant finally found a permanent, fixed home. The Ark of the Covenant was the box, more of a treasure chest really, that contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the rod that Aaron used during the Exodus and some manna, the miraculous food that God provided to the Hebrews while they wandered. They carried the ark everywhere they went. It was sort of a portable object of worship that kept the people connected to the living God.
* * *
Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
One time the Philistines captured the Ark in battle, “We heard of it in Ephrathah/we found it in the fields of Jaar.” (v. 6) The Philistines had really suffered because of that, they were afflicted with tumors, (some translate that as hemorrhoids) so they put the ark in a wagon and hitched a couple cows to it and sent it back to the Israelites. The Ark was considered the Lord’s footstool, (v.7) and the people believed that they were secure and confident in God’s protection when they sang and remembered that the ark resided in the Temple…and a descendant of David, they believed would be God’s king forever. All of the times you’ll hear about the City of David and Royal David’s City and a shoot from the stump of Jesse -- Jesse was David’s father -- next month -- these all go back to David. David planned the temple, but his son Solomon was the one who saw to its completion. You’ll hear a lot more about David and David’s city next month, during Advent.
* * *
John 18:33-37
Court proceedings
This story takes place early in the morning on the day we know as Good Friday. Jesus has been arrested, taken to Annas, a priest, and questioned. Then Annas sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest, who was also Annas’s son-in-law. Caiaphas then sent Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. This week’s lesson takes place at Pilate’s headquarters. At this point, the legal proceedings against Jesus have left the religious court and gone into the civil court, to put it in somewhat modern terms.
The religious officials who sent Jesus to Pilate did not go inside. So Pilate went out to them and asked what Jesus had been charged with. They replied, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” There’s nothing like answering a question, and this is nothing like answering a question. Pilate tells them to try Jesus in their religious court, but the officials tell him that they do not have the authority to put someone to death, only Pilate has that authority.
* * *
John 18:37
“You say that I am a king.” Humble or mocking?
In seminary I was taught that this was a respectful, deferential thing for Jesus to say, it’s as though he was saying to Pilate, “you saying I am a king makes me a king.” Jesus, according to my professor was not being coy, but honest, and humble. And yet, as I read this exchange I see it not in a respectful light but in a mocking, insulant way.
* * *
John 18:38
What is truth?
This verse is not part of today’s reading, but it’s hard to ignore.
If the clip is available and your church has the technology, show David Bowie playing Pilate in “The Last Temptation of Christ.” There is an exquisite indifference that Bowie brings to that famous question.
* * *
Where is truth? (In John’s gospel a whole bunch!)
The term “truth” appears a total of six times in the synoptic gospels. John uses it 25 times.
* * * * * * * * *
From team member Ron Love:
Revelation 1:4b-8, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Eschatology
Most people consider the Normandy invasion, better known as D-Day, on June 6, 1944, as the turning point of the World War II. It was with that invasion everyone knew Nazi Germany was destroyed; but, no one knew how long it would take for Germany’s ultimate destruction. We consider D-Day to be the turning point of World War II because we look at the war from a Western perspective.
The final judgement of Germany came at the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943. After this harsh winter battle the defeated Nazis had lost the war. The invasion of France in June 1944 only hastened the destruction of the evil Satanic empire of the Third Reich.
Realizing Jesus is the Alpha and Omega we have our Battle of Stalingrad, the defeat of Satan. It is only a matter of time.
* * *
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; John 18:33-37
Proclamation
He sat quietly in the pew to the left of the altar at St. John’s Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia. Having been elected to the House of Burgesses from Howard County just nine days ago, he was hesitant to speak publically -- especially when seated around him were such distinguished men as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. The delegates were in debate and divided on how to respond to the Stamp Act that had been imposed upon the colonies by England. The Stamp Act was a British law that placed a tax on printed documents in the colonies. As proof of paying the tax, each document had to have an authorized stamp. The debate was centered on compliance or severing the colonies relationship with the England.
On Thursday, March 23, 1775, having sat quietly long enough, Patrick Henry stood where he was seated. Speaking without notes, and in a voice that increasingly became louder and more empathic, he advocated raising a militia and declaring independence from the King of England.
The climax of the speech was the closing line that has become a hallmark of American patriotism when Henry declared, “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
Patrick Henry’s oration brought unity to the delegates attending the Virginia Provincial Convention. In the days following Patrick Henry’s speech, the delegates passed all seven resolutions declaring their independence from England.
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Preaching
During the postapostolic period, each bishop held a teaching chair, called a “cathedra.” Therefore, the building in which the bishop resided was called a “cathedral.” Within the cathedral was an “episcopal school.” It was an episcopal school because the bishop was the primary instructor. The region over which the bishop presided came to be called an “episcopate.” It was to these episcopal schools that the elders of the church who came from the episcopate, that is, from the congregations for which the bishop was responsible, came for instruction. The elders would then return to their congregations located within the episcopate to instruct others.
* * *
Revelation 1:4b-8
Worship
Norman Vincent Peale was the pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City for 52 years. (It is the church that our current president, Donald Trump, attended when he lived in New York.) Peale is probably better known for his book The Power of Positive Thinking, which was published in 1952. The book was part theology and part psychology as it emphasized the importance of being optimistic. It was an optimism that was based on having faith in Jesus and believing in the promises of Jesus.
Peale grew up in Lynchburg, Ohio. His father was a Methodist minister. As a child, he attended a Sunday school class taught by his mother. One day she began a lesson describing the stamina of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball players who were the heroes to all the boys in the class. Then she launched into a description of Jesus and how Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” knowing well the fate that awaited him. Mother, as Peale recited, called it “guts.” At that young age, Peale came to realize this of Jesus: “What courage!” “What a man!”
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Preaching
Benjamin Gilman served in the United States House of Representatives for 30 years. He retired from Congress in 2003. Gilman represented New York’s 27th congressional district. Gilman served as the chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and he was the congressional representative to the United Nations. Gilman, a Republican, was an outspoken critic of President Bill Clinton’s foreign policy. He especially disapproved of the favoritism that Clinton showed Russia over the former Soviet Republics that were able to gain their independence. Addressing the Clinton foreign policy Gilman said, “Instead of a strong, steady signal on foreign policy coming from the nation’s capital, regrettably the world has heard a series of wavering notes by an uncertain trumpet, leaving our allies concerned, and our adversaries confused.” Wavering notes by an uncertain trumpet instead of a strong and steady signal. This can only leave people concerned, as well as confused.
* * *
Revelation 1:4b-8
Eschatology
Eugene Boring, who is a contemporary scholar of our time, is a New Testament professor at Brite Divinity School, which is located on the campus of Texas Christian University. Boring is the author of many respected books on the New Testament. In a biblical commentary on eschatology, he offered three reasons why some Christian teachers held the position that Christ was not going to return in the near future.
First, the false teachers taught that since Jesus did not return within the expected time, history has shown it to be a false expectation.
Second, the false teachers taught the constancy and consistency of world order, that continues to function as it always had done, shows that history will continue without divine intervention -- hence there is no final judgment to be feared.
Third, the false teachers taught that since Christ has set us free from following the laws of Judaism we will not be called into account for our actions. For this reason, judgment is unnecessary.
The arguments presented by Boring describes the false teachers as saying that since nothing has seemed to change since the resurrection of Jesus, and since it seems nothing will change, we are free from the final judgement. The false teachers are saying that since Jesus has not returned immediately as was expected, Jesus is not going to return, so we can continue as we always have since there is no fear of a final judgment.
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Covenant
John Ruskin once said, “Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.” Ruskin was born in London in 1819. As an adult, he continued in the family business as a wine merchant, which made him very wealthy. As a child, his father interested John in art, and his pious Protestant mother created an interest in John to study the Bible. As a merchant, Ruskin travelled to many countries, and in each country, he took the time to study art of the native land. As a Bible scholar, he took time to learn about the people in each country he did business in. From these two perspectives, he wrote a number of books that interpreted the great paintings through history. Perhaps this is why Ruskin considered patience as a form of beauty. Again, I will repeat the quote, John Ruskin said, “Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.”
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; John 18:33-37
Discipleship / Testimony
Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, having completed his studies at Wittenberg in 1720, embarked on a grand tour of the continent. To further his education, it was his ambition to visit all the great cultural institutions. During this expedition, his pilgrimage took him to the art museum in Dusseldorf, Germany. It was here that he was transformed from a man of worldly riches to one of humble service to the poor. It occurred simply enough, by looking into the face of Christ.
The Count was admiring Domenico Feti’s painting Ecce Homo. This is the Latin translation of words spoken by Pilate as he handed Jesus over for crucifixion. This was when Pilate said to the gathered crowd “Behold the Man.” The painting was a portrait of the thorn-crowned Jesus of Nazareth, wearing a dark tattered robe, bound neck and wrist in rope. At the base of the painting was the inscription, “I have done this for you -- Now what will you do for me?”
The young count was profoundly moved. He felt he was embracing a mystical experience while viewing the painting. Nicolaus felt as if Christ himself was speaking those words directly to his own soul. He vowed that day to dedicate his life to the service of Jesus. Reflecting on the transformation of his character von Zinzendorf wrote, “I have loved Him for a long time, but I have never actually done anything for him. From now on I will do whatever he leads me to do.” Realizing the insignificance of his life’s accomplishments he embarked upon a life of meaning and purpose. Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf remained true to his promise, establishing the religious group that became known as the Moravians.
All of us must stand beneath Feti’s painting Ecce Homo, looking into the face of Jesus while asking ourselves: What have I done for Jesus who has done so much for me? How dedicated am I to serve in the name of Christ? How obediently do I adhere to scriptural mandates? How willing have I been to sacrifice my time and service and money for God’s glory?
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8
Hope / Covenant / Eschatology
Bob Keeshan entertained children for years as the jovial Captain Kangaroo. The television show Captain Kangaroo ran on CBS for nearly 30 years, from October 1955 until December 1984, making it one of the longest-running nationally broadcast children's television programs.
In Keeshan’s autobiography Growing Up Happy, he shared the moment when he realized life would be marvelous. Shortly after the World War II, Keeshan, an eighteen-year-old Marine, was on board the troopship USS Rockbridge Ranger sailing toward his last duty station in Hawaii. He enjoyed spending the dark nights standing in the forecastle, gazing at the starlit skies. The bow dipped into each succeeding wave and when it raised the heavens shown gloriously overhead.
Reflecting on this experience, Keeshan wrote, “There was a rhythm to life, I felt at those moments. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me when I was discharged, but I would be nineteen and I was convinced that the world would be wonderful.”
* * *
2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8
Peace / Hope / Eschatology
The newspaper comic Real Life Adventures discusses the real-life problems we all encounter in the course of the day. The comic addresses the ordinary mundane aspects of life. The everyday chores, squabbles, and quirks of humankind are successfully parodied in the comic. The writers Gary Wise and Lance Aldrich are able to do this in a humorous way, but the power of their message is never lost. In their Christmas comic there was no humor, but only a powerful message to contemplate. The names of the characters are never revealed, but after a few months of reading it it is well understood who each character represents.
In the Christmas issue of Real Life Adventures a father and his son are looking out the window of their home. A Christmas tree can be seen behind them. Outside the window snow is gently falling, and two pine trees are covered with snow. The scene is very heart-warming. The father, with his hand on his son’s shoulder, listens to the boy’s question, “Whatcha looking at, Dad?” To which his father replies, “Peace on earth.”
WORSHIP
by George Reed
Call to Worship:
Leader: Let us go to God’s dwelling place.
People: Let us worship at God’s footstool.
Leader: Let your priests be clothed with righteousness.
People: Let your faithful shout for joy.
Leader: Let us remember God’s faithfulness to David.
People: Let us sing for joy to the God of all creation.
OR
Leader: The Christ of God reigns o’er all the earth.
People: Glory to you, O Christ, our Shepherd.
Leader: The nations roar and beat their drums
People: but our God reigns in love that conquers all.
Leader: Let us lift up the banner of our Christ.
People: Let us go forth in the power of love.
OR
Leader: God is king and is robed in majesty.
People: God is robed girded with strength.
Leader: God has established the world; it shall never be moved;
People: God’s throne is established from of old.
Leader: God is more majestic than the thunders of mighty waters.
People: God’s decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O God.
Hymns and Songs:
Jesus Shall Reign
UMH: 157
H82: 544
PH: 423
NNBH: 10
NCH: 300
CH: 95
LBW: 530
ELA: 434
W&P: 341
AMEC: 96
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
UMH: 173
H82: 6/7
PH: 462/463
LBW: 265
ELA: 553
W&P: 91
When Morning Gilds the Skies
UMH: 185
H82: 427
PH: 487
AAHH: 186
NCH: 86
CH: 100
LBW: 545/546
ELA: 853
W&P: 111
AMEC: 29
Jesus Calls Us
UMH: 398
H82: 549/550
NNBH: 183
NCH: 171/172
CH: 337
LBW: 494
ELA: 696
W&P: 345
AMEC: 238
Seek Ye First
UMH: 405
H82: 711
PH: 333
CH: 354
W&P: 349
CCB: 76
O God of Every Nation
UMH: 435
H82: 607
PH: 289
CH: 680
LBW: 416
ELA: 713
W&P: 626
More Love to Thee, O Christ
UMH: 453
H82:
PH: 359
AAHH: 575
NNBH: 214
NCH: 456
CH: 527
AMEC: 460
Lift Every Voice and Sing
UMH: 519
H82: 599
PH: 563
AAHH: 540
NNBH: 457
CH: 631
LBW: 562
ELA: 841
W&P: 729
AMEC: 571
STLT: 149
All Hail King Jesus
CCB: 29
Renew: 35
He Is Exalted
CCB: 30
Renew: 238
Music Resources Key:
UMH: United Methodist Hymnal
H82: The Hymnal 1982
PH: Presbyterian Hymnal
AAHH: African American Heritage Hymnal
NNBH: The New National Baptist Hymnal
NCH: The New Century Hymnal
CH: Chalice Hymnal
LBW: Lutheran Book of Worship
ELA: Evangelical Lutheran Worship
W&P: Worship & Praise
AMEC: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal
STLT: Singing the Living Tradition
CCB: Cokesbury Chorus Book
Renew: Renew! Songs & Hymns for Blended Worship
Prayer for the Day/Collect
O God who is powerful through love:
Grant us the courage to follow your Christ
as we bring your reign of love to its fullness;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
OR
We praise you, O God, because your reign in love unspeakable. You have given us your Christ to follow into your realm. Give us the courage to follow the Christ and bring your loving reign to its completion. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Let us confess to God and before one another our sins and especially our looking for power in places other than God’s love.
People: We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us that the only power that is real is your love. You have given us your Christ to show us how to live in that power of love and, yet, we seek after other ways. We seek to dominate and intimidate others. We laud ourselves over others. We are poor reflections of your love and of the way of your Christ. Forgive us and renew your love within us that we may live it out among all your children. Amen.
Leader: God’s love conquers all, even our sinfulness. Receive God’s love and forgiveness and share the power of God’s love with all.
Prayers of the People
O God, we praise and adore you for you are One who reigns in perfect love.
(The following paragraph may be used if a separate prayer of confession has not been used.)
We confess to you, O God, and before one another that we have sinned. You have shown us that the only power that is real is your love. You have given us your Christ to show us how to live in that power of love and, yet, we seek after other ways. We seek to dominate and intimidate others. We laud ourselves over others. We are poor reflections of your love and of the way of your Christ. Forgive us and renew your love within us that we may live it out among all your children.
We give you thanks for your loving presence and for those who have lived that love before us. We thank you for those who chosen love over hatred. We thank you for your Christ who leads us as a loving shepherd.
(Other thanksgivings may be offered.)
We pray for one another in our need. We pray for those who are strangers to love. We pray for those who are the victims of the power lust of this world.
(Other intercessions may be offered.)
All these things we ask in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together saying:
Our Father....Amen.
(Or if the Our Father is not used at this point in the service)
All this we ask in the Name of the Blessed and Holy Trinity. Amen.
Children’s Sermon Starter
Show the children pictures of things we thing of as being powerful. A big truck, a power plant, maybe some sports figures or world leaders. Include a picture that shows love (people hugging or helping someone) and ask them to pick out what is most powerful. Love is the greatest power.
CHIlDREN'S SERMON
A Tale Of Two Kings
by Dean Feldmeyer
You Will Need:
Three pictures from the internet -- one of King Midas, one of King Wenceslaus, and one of Jesus. All should be about 8x10 so the kids can see them when you hold them up. (Cardboard crowns for the kids to wear are a nice addition but not necessary. You may be able to get all you need at your local Burger King or you can make them yourself.)
The Stories:
Good morning, boys and girls. Today is Christ the King Sunday, the day when we celebrate that Jesus came into our lives and made us bright and new with his love.
We live in a country that doesn’t have kings, don’t we? So it’s kinda hard to talk about kings when we’ve never experienced one. Some countries do have kings, countries like Saudi Arabia. And in those countries a king becomes a king because his father was a king. He doesn’t have to earn his kingship. It’s just given to him. Jesus was made king by God but he wasn’t a normal kind of king. His kingdom, where his people live before and even after they die, is God’s kingdom.
Well, this morning I want to share with you about two kings that are pretend people who live in legends and fairy tales. They weren’t real, you understand, they were just made up.
One is King Wenceslaus.
The other is King Midas.
King Wenceslaus was king of Bohemia. There were lots of King Wenceslauses who were kings of Bohemia so we don’t know which one this is about or if it was about all of them or even none of them. We know about him because of a poem that was written about him and turned into a song. The first verse goes like this: (sing)
Good King Wenceslaus looked out
On the feast of Stephen1
When the snow lay all about
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shown the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel.
The song goes on to tell how Wenceslaus looked out over the cold, wintery night on the day after Christmas, from inside his safe, warm castle and he saw a poor man gathering firewood for his home to keep himself and his family warm.
Wenceslaus felt sorry for the man and he called his servant: “Who is that man?” he asked. The servant answered, “Oh, he’s just a poor man who lives near town.” Wenceslaus said, “Gather together some food and wine and firewood and come with me. We’re going to go help that poor man.”
So the servant gathered together the food and wine and firewood and, giving some to the king, they set off together through the cold night to find the poor man they would help. After a while, however, the servant said, “Master, please, I can go no further. My feet are freezing.” Wenceslaus stopped and looked at the poor servant and felt sorry for him, then he said, “There’s no need for your feet to feel cold. Just put your feet in my footprints in the snow as we walk.” And the servant did, and immediately, his feet became warm and they stayed warm as long as he stepped in the footprints of King Wenceslaus. After that they went on and made their way to the poor man’s house to help him with the food and wine and firewood.
Good King Wenceslaus was what we might call a “servant king.”
The other king I want to tell you about, today, is King Midas.
The story of Midas comes from the country of Phrygia, near ancient Greece. There were at least 3 kings of Phrygia named Midas, so this story could be about one of them but, as you will see, it is a made-up story to teach us something.
The story says that Midas loved money. He loved money more than anything else in the world. He loved it so much that sometimes he would sit up all night counting his money and, even then, when the morning broke, he would have some money that was still uncounted.
One day, the story goes, God disguised himself as a man and went for a walk around on the earth and he came to the gardens of King Midas. God found those gardens so beautiful that he decided to stop and just as he was about to walk into the gardens he fell and twisted his ankle.
That afternoon King Midas was walking through his garden and he found the man (who was really God) lying on the ground in much pain. So Midas picked up the man and carried him back to the palace where he was given good food and good wine and a bed to rest in.
Within a few days the man’s ankle was healed well enough for him to go on but before he did he told Midas, “I have the power to grant wishes and, since you were so kind to me I want to grant a wish for you. Name anything you like and I will grant it to you.
Midas didn’t even have to think about his answer. Immediately, he said: I want everything I touch to turn to gold.
Oh, said the man, are you sure? Yes, said Midas, I am sure. Very well, said the man. Starting tomorrow, everything you touch will turn to gold.
The next morning Midas was eager to test whether the man had actually granted his wish so he reached out and touched the little table next to his bed and “poof” it turned into gold.
So happy was he for this new gift, he called to his daughter to come and share his joy. The little girl cam bursting through the door and, upon seeing her beloved father, ran into his arms. And immediately, she turned into gold.2
Now, which of these two kings was the most like Jesus? King Wenceslaus or King Midas? What kind of king would you be? A servant king or a greedy king? What kind of king do you think Jesus would want you to be? Amen.
1 St. Stephen’s Day is December 26, a day for doing good deeds, especially for the poor.
2 There is a longer version of the story where Midas humbles himself before the Gods and they feel sorry for him and take his away his super power and restore to him his daughter.
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The Immediate Word, November 22-25, 2018, issue.
Copyright 2018 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to The Immediate Word service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons and in worship and classroom settings only. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
