Stranger in the Community

Photo by Andrew Neel

In October 2022, I wrote an article for the Rupert's Land News that talks about welcoming newcomers into our spaces. You can find it on their website by clicking here. I’ve also included the text below:

Community is an essential part of the human experience. Connecting as part of a community is important to our mental wellbeing. Even the most introverted person needs some sort of human contact and support.

 

A community can be gathered in a geographic space where people connect in-person, or a virtual space such as a social media group or private community platform. Being part of a shared space, whether physical or virtual, gives people the chance to be inspired, solve problems, share humour, vent their frustrations, and share their achievements. Belonging to a community helps us develop a stronger sense of personal and collective identity. It can also give a boost to our self-esteem and to our willingness to take on the world and make our dreams manifest.

 

Since humans are inherently social beings, when people feel disconnected from their community, it is detrimental to their mental and physical health. According to an article on <happiness.com, https://www.happiness.com/magazine/relationships/the-importance-of-community/> “some studies have linked the emotional strain of loneliness caused by social isolation to physical illness, including sleep disorders, heart disease and a weakened immune system. A Public Health study done in Canada even ranked social isolation as a higher risk factor for premature death.”

 

It seems to me that over the last couple of years, while unable to attend school, childrens’ mental health has suffered. Without interaction with their community, kids turned in on themselves, forgot how to act around others, and grieved the loss of being with friends and teachers; you could see the weight on their shoulders. Similarly, when people feel disconnected from their faith community, it is detrimental to their spiritual health.

 

We, as a church, have a unique role in that we are a community that has history, that is multigenerational, that has no entrance requirements, and that (in theory) has an open-door policy, meaning everyone is allowed in.

 

The church could be the epitome of community.

 

In Paul’s epistles, one of the repeated themes is that of incorporation into the Body of Christ. People who are isolated, separate, and alone are called into the life of a new community.

 

Paul describes this reality in his letter to the Galatians when he says that for those who are clothed in Christ “(t)here is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female” (Gal 3:27-28). But in life, we know that those distinctions do exist! We know that in the church of Galatia they most certainly existed. Why else would Paul have written this, if there were not struggles related to the status of Jew, Greek, slave, free, male, and female? 

Those distinctions also exist within our church. Not literally Jew and Greek, but most certainly the “in” and the “not so in.” Perhaps not slave and free, but certainly those with power and those without power. And who would deny that there are distinctions made amongst us between male and female, gay and straight, rich or poor, Indigenous and settler, etc? Those distinctions most certainly exist and testify to the measure to which we fall short of the standard of what Paul says it means to be clothed with Christ.

 

As we come out of this pandemic, we are witness to a decline in church attendance. That said, some churches are experiencing a surge of new people coming in the doors of the physical building. These folks are looking for church and its community; they are wanting the kind of connection that has been missing during the past two years. So how do we ensure that these new people are welcomed into our community? According to Jesus, it’s all about hospitality.

 

During my postulancy (a training period while working to become an Anglican priest), I spent a year visiting various churches around the city. What I found interesting was the rarity at which I was approached. I was a stranger to these churches. And yet, it was a rare occasion when someone greeted me. Perhaps I was spoiled by coming from a parish whose greeters knew every parishioner and when someone new arrived, they were welcomed with a handshake, and then directed as to how to follow along with the bulletin during worship.

 

The church can be a great source of community - a community of mutual love. This mutual love is the foundation of doing good and sharing what you have; the foundation of being in relationship with God, and with each other.

So, on a Sunday morning, know who the strangers in your building are. Greet them, make them feel welcome. Show them how to read the bulletin – never assume someone “knows how to worship,” for lack of a better phrase. All of us are tasked with making our churches inclusive and welcoming – in words and in actions. It is not our job to gatekeep or to guard the pews. Christ’s table is open to everyone. Our job is to make more room at the table, and to ensure that we are making room for all, not a select few. We do not get to decide who is allowed to be part of the community and who is to be kept outside. Community creates relationships, fellowship, and growth, but growth cannot be the main goal of our hospitality. We aren’t creating community to get something in return. We are creating a loving community, following in the loving footsteps of Jesus Christ.

 

Making room for the stranger may upset the balance of the church for a while, but opening the doors of the church is not meant to be a threatening situation. Making room for the stranger reaffirms the humanity of all persons.  Our humanity is not based upon physical or mental ability, our intelligence, nor on our history or cultural background. Our humanity is shaped by our understanding of the importance of the community and the affirmation that we are all created in the image of God. Each of us springs forth from the imagination of God, regardless of who we are.

 

In Hebrews, Paul reminds us what a Christian community was meant to be: a community which expresses and shares love and in that context praises God, because God is a God who reaches out in love and compassion.

 

So don’t turn the stranger away. Instead, welcome them home.

Swords Into Ploughshares

First Week of Advent

**Please note this service is based on the format from “Out of the Blue” © 2022 by Barn Geese Worship. Used by permission of Barn Geese Worship and adapted by Rev. Jennifer Marlor.

**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.

Introduction

For God, change can be small, evolutionary, atomic. A crumbled resistance, a slightly different direction, a fresh idea in the middle of the night.

For God, change can rain down like a tempest, a flood in every street that sweeps into our lives with energy that does not yield or listen.

God is urgently waiting to finally arrive.

God, we have been waiting for you, too.

Yet you often arrive before we notice: in the place we did not expect, in the word we did not hear.

Do not be afraid, your angels always say, right before you change a life.

You are here to change this place. We are not afraid.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

God, you have given water your power to end and your capacity to nurture life again. So, we remember the rainwater that fell on Noah and his family, a flood that no creature could return to the cloud. We remember the water of the Red Sea that stepped aside to let your people walk to liberation and swept away the enemies of freedom. And in Advent, we remember that your salvation breaks forth like water from a womb: a sign that your child will be born to us once more, and nothing can stop this. In the waters of baptism, we have been submerged in this same powerful sign.

God, pour out the water of life. Carry us in the current of your irresistible will. Pull us with the steady tide of your tenderness. When we swim against you, sweep us into your mercy. We cannot control your salvation; your love flows everywhere, even over our heads.

God, thank you for the water that breaks the grip of the world and erodes the edifice of sin. Thank you for the water that nurtures life as it begins again. Amen.

Gathering Hymn – Hark the Glad Sound (ELW #239)

            Listen Here

The Greeting

Peace to you and welcome, from the God whose days are without number, the Savior who savored every hour with friends, the Spirit who sanctifies every second.

And also with you.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

In deep blue darkness, lighting a single candle creates only uncertainty.
Light dances around uncertain shapes, and the dark refuses to yield its secrets.

The flame from the candles on our Advent wreath represents our flickering glimpse of the goodness God has hidden in divine darkness.

In time we will apprehend every blessing hinted from ancient prophecies and prepared under the cover of deep darkness.

But not yet, not fully.

In slowly receding shadow, that which once seemed frightening now appears recognizable, even familiar. This candle, our first candle, on our Advent wreath represents our burgeoning confidence as God’s promises take shape around us, transforming the terrifying into the comforting. In time we will understand every shadowy angle of God’s ancient promises.

But not yet, not fully.

 

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Readings

A reading from the book of Isaiah (2:1-5)

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come

    the mountain of the Lord’s house

shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

    and shall be raised above the hills;

all the nations shall stream to it.

    Many peoples shall come and say,

‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

    to the house of the God of Jacob;

that he may teach us his ways

    and that we may walk in his paths.’

For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,

    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations,

    and shall arbitrate for many peoples;

they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,

    and their spears into pruning-hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

    neither shall they learn war any more.

O house of Jacob,

    come, let us walk

    in the light of the Lord!

Word of God, Word of Life.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 122

            Listen Here

I was glad when they said to me,

    ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’

Our feet are standing

    within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem—built as a city

    that is bound firmly together.

To it the tribes go up,

    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel,

    to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

For there the thrones for judgement were set up,

    the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    ‘May they prosper who love you.

Peace be within your walls,

    and security within your towers.’

For the sake of my relatives and friends

    I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

    I will seek your good.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (13:11-14)

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Word of God, Word of Life.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

                Listen Here

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. (24:36-44)

Glory to you, O Lord.

            ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

The Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen.

 

I have an interesting factoid for you about Canada and the United States. Over the last 240 some odd years for the US and 150 some odd years for Canada, we have been at war over 90% of those years.

 

Now I don’t know how accurate those numbers truly are, but it sure seems like we are always battling some country, or sending troops somewhere, or defending our countries from one so-called enemy or another.

 

That is a lot of fighting, a lot of weapons and guns that have been made and used over the years.

 

And there are still wars going on. Just the other day I read an article saying that Russia bombed the Ukraine yet again.

 

These wars, these gun battles are not just happening overseas. They are happening in our own backyards, too. Last week, ironically the night before the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a man entered a queer club in Colorado and opened fire, killing 5 and injuring many others.

 

It brings to mind the song “Zombie” by the Cranberries from 1994. There is a verse that goes like this, “It's the same old theme since nineteen-sixteen. In your head, in your head, they're still fighting. With their tanks, and their bombs, and their bombs, and their guns; in your head, in your head, they are dying.”

 

Looking back a few decades, there was a ceremony in 1960 whereby a statue gifted by the Soviet Union to the United Nations was unveiled in the north garden area at U.N. Headquarters. This statue is called “Let Us Beat Swords into Ploughshares” and is inspired by today’s reading from Isaiah (as well as Micah 4:3).

 

The statue is approximately nine feet tall (exclusive of the base) and represents the figure of a man holding a hammer in one hand and, in the other, a sword which he is making into a ploughshare, symbolizing humanity’s desire to put an end to war and convert the means of destruction into creative tools for sustaining life.

 

As an interesting side note, there is a group in the US called RAWtools that is actually doing this, turning guns into garden tools. This is from their website, “By using weapons to make garden tools and other hand tools, we are creating a symbol for change… Beating swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, and guns into garden tools creates a dynamic shift in our investment in time and resources.”

 

By I digress. Let’s return to our reading from Isaiah. The words that mark the statue at the UN Headquarters, “Let Us Beat Swords into Ploughshares” are a slight paraphrase of Isaiah 2:4 and they express the sculpture’s hope that the UN would help the nations of this world find lasting peace. Is it a vain hope? I sure hope not.

 

There wasn’t any peace in the prophet Isaiah’s day. The Assyrian army was threatening Jerusalem and years later the Babylonians would destroy it. In the midst of these threats Isaiah prophesied something incredible.

 

He said, “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob…He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

 

Isaiah is dreaming of a time when the instruments of war can be abandoned and transformed in favor of tools that bring and sustain life. For Isaiah, a land ravaged by sword-wielding and spear-hurling soldiers is transformed into a fertile land in which every sword and spear become agricultural tools to provide food for a peace-filled community.

 

God’s vision is universal and rejects nationalistic triumphalism or the victory of any one political ideology. War does not lead to peace, division does not lead to peace, only relying on God’s love, forgiveness and grace leads to peace.

 

And boy do we fall short of this vision. God’s desire to turn weapons of war into tools for life is an urgent challenge to God’s people.

 

To walk in the way of God is to reject war and turn to the ways of peace. Peace is not a mere absence of war. Peace is wholeness, unity, oneness. Peace is in fact the vision of Genesis 1, a vision of balance and order, a vision of designed unity, a place where the light of God is the first thing made, a light that makes possible the very existence of us all on the earth.

 

The peace that we experience in our relationship with God does not mean that we will escape conflict. It does mean that even in the midst of difficult times and hopeless situations, peace can still be a part of our lives. It is a peace that passes understanding and a peace that no one can take away from us.

 

We, who are privileged to share God’s word in this time of suffering, anxiety, and war, can find in Isaiah a fellow traveler to encourage, challenge, and strengthen us. As God and God’s people responded to the crises of their day, it is incumbent upon us to stand and do likewise in today.

 

But is this our first response? Is peace our first response? Or is “peace on earth and goodwill toward men,” nothing more than fanciful hope? Again, I say, I sure hope not.

 

In the Gospel lesson today, Jesus says that an unexpected hour will be coming. On that day, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, all those who believe in him will be taken to the place that Isaiah had seen. A place of peace, where all nations will cease to train for war. That place is going to last forever.

 

No matter how old you are and no matter how long you think that you’re live on this earth, that place is going to last longer. Nations today may need to train for war, but there is something greater coming. We can see it’s light coming to us in this Advent season. We can see it in the coming peaceful world of the resurrection. Let’s train ourselves for that peace. Let’s follow that peace. Let’s look for that peace to come.

 

Let us pray that one day war will disappear, and its weapons will be changed into objects of peaceful coexistence. Let us shout the glad tidings of Advent and Christmas. Our God comes, and we are meant to proclaim the coming of peace, and the end of war, to all of God's people.

 

Amen.

Hymn of the Day – Rejoice, Rejoice Believers (ELW #244)

            Listen Here

Advent Creed

We believe in God:

The Source of all things.

The God of Abraham and Sarah.

The Holy One who freed the slaves from Egypt.

The God who is steadfast love and mercy.

The God who made a straight path in the wilderness and who promises to make all things new.

            We believe in Jesus:

The Messiah, who is Emmanuel: God with us.

He is King-of-Kings yet born of Mary.

Jesus showed God’s love through healing and teaching,

Jesus chose the way of servant-suffering by dying on a cross.

After three days he rose from the dead.

He is the Lord, the first born of the new creation.

            We believe in the Holy Spirit:

The One who inspires faith.

Who has spoken through the prophets and preachers and common people,

The One who breathes new life into the church and the world,

The Lord and giver of life.

Who is making all things new.

We believe that God is still creating,

We believe that Jesus is present with us.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is calling us forth in love and mercy.

This is our hope, this is our faith. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.

 

Silence

God of all, your children everywhere cry out for mercy. Awaken the global church to the urgent needs of our time. Break down barriers of culture and custom and unite people of all faiths in your redemptive and healing work.

God, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of wonder, the earth’s beauty and abundance is your gift. Teach us your ways of sharing resources and caring for life. Guard fragile habitats, preserve the wild places, and protect endangered plants and animals.

God, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of peace, you judge the nations. Beat our weapons into tools for serving the neighbor. Strengthen the resolve of all who work for an end to war. We pray for lasting peace in the land of Jesus’ birth.

God, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of lovingkindness, you desire fullness of life for everyone. Fill those who hunger. Comfort the grieving and attend to those near death. Bring help and hope to any who are sick or needing your care.

God, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of community, you are present when we gather in your name. Guide congregations in transition or conflict. Give wisdom to congregational councils, call committees, and ministry leaders. Keep us alert to unexpected opportunities for mission.

God, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of promise, your goodness is everlasting. We give thanks for the lives of the faithful who now rest in you. We trust that you will bring us into the company of all the saints with rejoicing.

God, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

The Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Offering Hymn – What Feast Of Love (ELW #487)

            Listen Here

Offering Prayer

Let us pray.

God, we have labored and toiled for our money

and our time and our families and our freedom.

We have cherished what we thought was ours.

Yet in a moment, we recognize that every truly good thing

was a treasure we had taken from your open hand.

We give you these gifts as a sign of your love and faithfulness.

Use them to grow more hope in this world.

All this we ask in your holy name.

Amen.

Great Thanksgiving

Holy Jesus, be our guest. For you are already here.

God is with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts in praise.

We lift them to our God.

Let us give thanks to the God of our salvation.

It is right to give our thanks and praise

Holy God, once you made humankind you could do nothing but love them.

Holy Spirit, once you called the prophets,

you gave them words to afflict and words to heal,

and they could do nothing but speak them.

Holy Jesus,

once you committed to take the human frame,

you walked the path to the end.

You did not rush through childhood.

You never used your power for yourself.

You faced your enemies on their terms.

You taught your friends until they learned.

You allowed yourself to die the same way you were born:

as a fragile person,

in a filthy place,

where bare flesh and blood were spilled to give life.

This is rarely a kind world,

but you love it anyway.

This was rarely an innocent world,

but you saved it anyway.

We are rarely peaceful people,

but you have swaddled us in peace.

We will always hunger for healing.

Nurse us with grace

 

Sanctus

                Listen Here

 

While Pilate rested in his palace,

and the city of Jerusalem slept,

while the priests set their plot in motion,

the disciples sat down at the table.

The bread was on the table;

the wine was in the glass.

This was the night for which Jesus was born.

 

Even if you know this is part of God’s plan,

you might still grieve.

To say goodbye to your closest friends,

who do not know you will die.

To end the chapter of friendship with the one you love,

before they turn away.

Even good days bring sadness and loss.

And it was a good day, that final day, filled with certainty and hope,

when Jesus lingered at the table and took that bread and cup.

           

That night,

the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread,

and gave thanks,

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Again, after supper, he took the cup,

gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people

for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

At a meal like this, we savour the food while it lasts;

we cling to love before we step out of reach.

And we pray that God will give us each day the blessing we share in this place.

Holy Spirit, just as you made a stable into a nursery fit for the sovereign of heaven, you make this table a holy cradle for salvation.

You fashion this bread and wine into the presence of Christ’s love.

And you make us your people, who can never separate from you again.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

So, we pray as Jesus taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to communion

People of God, come to the table

and encounter the God who waits to love you.

Thanks be to God!

Distribution of communion

Table Blessing

The body and blood of our Lord

Jesus Christ strengthen you

and keep you in his grace.

Amen.

Prayer after communion

As we have feasted around the table, let us pray.

Faithful God,

in this meal you have remembered your mercy,

bringing heaven to earth in the body and blood of Christ.

As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled,

sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery.

Guide us toward your promised future,

coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God almighty, ☩ the Son, and the Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Sending Hymn – Christ, Be Our Light (ELW #715)

            Listen Here

Dismissal

God, we do not know the end to which you call us.

God, let us be your servants, wherever this road goes.

God, you could have judged us, but you chose us.

You have made us worthy so we might speak your words.

You alone guide us down the path that leads to life.

Every other path is no longer a path for me.

Go in peace. Serve the lowly.

Thanks be to God.

Forgive. Forgive. Forgive.

Photo by mark tulin on Unsplash

Reign of Christ Sunday

**Please note this service is based on the format of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). Hymns and other prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.

**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.

Introduction to the day

Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of death Jesus opens the door to paradise.

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who redeems us in Christ Jesus,

whose steadfast love endures forever.

Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you

and our neighbors.

We have ignored voices

that call for your justice.

We have neglected actions

that witness to your righteousness.

We have spoken and acted

in ways that disrupt your beloved community.

We truly repent of things we have done

and left undone.

For the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Restore our troubled spirits,

so that we may live in newness,

follow the way of the Spirit,

and build up the body of Christ.

Amen.

Rejoice and be glad!

God hears the prayers of all who cry out,

and restores us to life through the death

and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I declare to you the forgiveness of all your sins,

in the name of the Father,

and of the ☩ Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Gathering Song – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELW #504)

            Listen Here

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Kyrie

            Listen Here

Canticle of Praise

            Listen Here

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray.

O God, our true life, to serve you is freedom, and to know you is unending joy. We worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory. Abide with us, reign in us, and make this world into a fit habitation for your divine majesty, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Readings

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah. (23:1-6)

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
         The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Canticle 19: The Song of Zechariah

                Listen Here

Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel,
  you have come to your people and set them free.
 You have raised up for us a mighty Savior,
  born of the house of your servant David.
 Through your holy prophets, you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
  from the hands of all who hate us,
 to show mercy to our forebears,
  and to remember your holy covenant.
 This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham:
  to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
 free to worship you without fear,
  holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
  for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
 to give God’s people knowledge of salvation
  by the forgiveness of their sins.
 In the tender compassion of our God
  the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
 to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death,
  and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians. (1:11-20)

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
         He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

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The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. (23:33-43)

Glory to you, O Lord.

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ⟦Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”⟧ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
                 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen.

 

Today is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the Church year.

 

And since last Christ the King, we have waited for Jesus in Advent, sung with the Angels at Christmas, marked ourselves with ash and wandered the wilderness in Lent, walked the way of the cross in Holy Week, and been terrified by the empty tomb with the women on Easter morning.

 

We have heard Jesus preach, and teach, and heal, and exorcize demons. We have commemorated the anniversary of the Reformation, remembered the saints and all along the way we have listened for God at work through prophets and parables, psalmists and songs, the voices of young and old.

 

And then next week we start it all over again as we begin our Advent journey anew.

 

In preparation for sermon writing, the first couple of days of my week are spent simply reading the passages over and over again, pondering them, seeing what pulls at me that week, jotting down my initial thoughts.

 

I was all set to continue my pattern of talking about what it means for us to call Christ our king in an age where the king doesn’t hold the same power as it did then. But something in the readings hit me differently this year.

 

For the last couple of weeks, I have begun research for an article that I will be writing for Faith and Lead. The topic? Faith and forgiveness in TV and/or movies. (Watch for it in February if I get it done.)

 

Anyway, I’ve had forgiveness on my mind lately. So, when I was reading the passage from Luke, verse 34 really stuck out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

 

Forgiveness has to be one of the most difficult of human acts, not only to give but also to receive.

 

What is forgiveness?

 

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “forgive” as a ceasing of feeling resentment against an offender.

 

Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

 

Some synonyms include to pardon, to exonerate, and to absolve.

 

As difficult as it may be, forgiveness is central to our Christian lives. The word forgive, in one form or another, shows up in the NRSV translation of the bible 132 times – 61 times in the Hebrew bible, 58 times in the Christian bible, and 13 times in the apocrypha.

 

For a word to show up that many times, it must be important!

 

The biblical definition of forgiveness is defined as the letting go of sin. This includes forgiving everyone, every time, of everything, as an act of obedience and gratefulness to God. It acknowledges the sacrifice God made through His Son Jesus who died to restore the relationship between God and all of humanity.

 

Forgiveness is an act of love, and God calls us to love not only the people close to us but also the people around us, and even our enemies.

 

Forgiveness at heart is the restoration of relationship. But it is also letting go of the hope that the past can be changed.

 

That’s a big point right there and I think it deserves repeating. Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed.

 

How many of you have thought about past events and wondered what went wrong, or what could have been done differently, or why things happened the way the did?

 

How many of you feel bothered by these events in your life?

 

In high school, I had a group of people who I hung around with at lunch and after school. We would celebrate birthdays and Christmas’ together. We would stay up late on a Saturday night playing cards or watching movies. It felt like we were a pretty tight-knit group.

 

I knew I was the odd one out because I wasn’t as smart as them and I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school. I followed them to university, but it was quickly obvious that I didn’t belong.

 

Slowly I was left out of an event here and there, and eventually we drifted completely apart. It broke my heart because in my head, I thought we were all best friends.

 

That was 25 or so years ago, and I still think about everything that happened, wondering where I went wrong. Did I say something or do something wrong? And I often think of them, wonder where they’re at, if they have families, things like that.

 

Thinking about forgiveness this week, I know that my work in this story is to forgive them for leaving my life, to forgive myself of these events, and to let go of the hope that the past will change or that these people will return to my life some day.

 

And a lesson that I have begun to learn is that when we fail to forgive, we are just torturing ourselves, bringing tension and bitterness into our lives.

 

When Jesus says, “Forgive them for they know not what they do,” he is acknowledging that our humanity makes us blind to what life will bring us.

 

We don’t know what the future will be, but forgiveness allows us to learn from the past and live in the moment.

 

And Jesus is showing us the way. From the cross, he forgives his enemies, the very ones who put him there to die the humiliating death of a criminal.

 

When we read that verse, we can hear Jesus crying out to us, as well. Christ knew we needed to be forgiven of all the junk that was in our lives. Christ cried out not only because he knew that we needed to be forgiven but also because he wanted us to be forgiven.

 

God wants us to experience the forgiveness.

 

God wants us to know that regardless of what we have done past, present, and future God yearns for us to experience the forgiveness that God has in store for us.

 

Christ wants us to accept the forgiveness offered because he knows that without the acceptance of forgiveness there can be no relationship with God.

 

God has forgiven us. Forgive others. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. And go on forgiving.

Amen.

Hymn of the Day – All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name! (ELW #634)

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Nicene Creed

Let us declare the faith of our baptism as we say together the Nicene creed.

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

United with your saints across time and place, we pray for our shared world.

Silence

We pray for your church. Embolden denominations and faith-based organizations in creative and collaborative ministries and increase our work for the sake of the gospel.

Lord, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

We pray for the earth. Protect waterways from pollution and animal habitats from destruction. Guide us in careful stewardship of waters, plant life, and animals.

Lord, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

We pray for the nations of the world. Instill in every leader’s heart a desire for justice and peace. Support the work of international collaborations that seek the goals of health and joy for all people.

Lord, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

We pray for all who are undermined or oppressed. Amplify the voices of the unheard and break open stubborn systems of injustice. Bring about your righteousness and fill us all with your redeeming light.

Lord, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

We pray for this assembly. Guide our pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and council members in discernment, and nurture new leaders with fresh ideas. Give our congregations a spirit of discipleship and service.

Lord, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

We give thanks for all who have died in the faith. Console us who mourn and comfort us with the beautiful promise of life in your kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy,

receive our prayer.

Accept these prayers, gracious God, and those known only to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Offering Hymn – Beautiful Savior (ELW #838)

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Offering Prayer

Let us pray.

Blessed are you, Maker of all things.

As you have entrusted us with all that you have created,

now gather our gifts,

nourish us with this sacrament,

and send us to those who hunger and thirst,

for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen.

Dialogue

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Preface

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

through our Savior Jesus Christ;

who on this day overcame death and the grave,

and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.

And so, with all the choirs of angels,

with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, Holy, Holy

            Listen Here

Thanksgiving at the Table

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal:

surrounded by evil and bordered by death

we appeal to you,

our Sovereign, our Wisdom, and our Judge.

We praise you for Christ, who proclaimed your reign of peace

and promised an end to injustice and harm.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering, therefore,

the sacrifice of his life and death

and the victory of his resurrection,

we await with all the saints

his loving redemption of our suffering world.

Send your Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine

and on all who share in the body and blood of your Son:

teach us your mercy and justice,

and make all things new in Christ.

Through him all glory and honor is yours,

Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit,

in your holy Church,

both now and forever.

Amen

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

This is the table of Christ. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who want to love him more. Come, whether you have much faith or little, have tried to follow, or are afraid that you have failed. Come. Because it is Christ's will that those who want to meet him, might meet him here.

Christ invites you to this table.

Come, taste and see.

Sharing of the Eucharist

Table Blessing

The body and blood of our Lord

Jesus Christ strengthen you

and keep you in his grace.

Amen.

Prayer After Communion

As we have feasted around the table, let us pray.

We give you thanks, most gracious God,

that you have fed us with the bread of heaven

and given us a foretaste of Paradise.

Enliven us to be your body in the world

and to serve those who are in need;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Blessing

The God of peace,

who creates all things and calls them good,

who makes us alive in Jesus,

and who breathes on us the Spirit of hope,

☩ bless you now and forever.

Amen.

Sending Song – Jesus Shall Reign (ELW #434)

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Dismissal

Go in peace. Be a blessing in the world.

Thanks be to God.