The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, November 20, 2022

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers

Sunday, November 20, 2022 —- Last Sunday after Pentecost

Psalm 46; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

[Ordinary 34, Proper 29]

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Reign of Christ / Christ the King

Opening Statement

This is no ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it Sunday, or even an onward-and-upward perfecting of the present order Sunday. Ordinary time gives way to Advent, but for one week we offer a prophetic salute to Christ’s reign: no plea, no mere hope or prediction, but rather a celebration that God certainly will sweep away the old. The days are surely coming, and they will be proclaimed: a new dominion of just, righteous days; a rescue from oppressive powers; light erasing death’s shadow, even in the bitter plight of one unjustly executed and sarcastically taunted as “king.”

Come, let us sing to the LORD!

Opening Prayer (Jeremiah 23, Colossians 1)

Faithful God, expand our thankful imaginations: to time beyond our time, to wisdom beyond our wisdom, to strength beyond our strength. As we pray for your coming reign, remind us that the whole earth is already yours. Even as we pray for things not yet seen, help us celebrate your sure, eternal reign. Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Jeremiah 23, Colossians 1)

Imagining your reign can be difficult, eternal God. It is difficult to picture a world governed by your justice and righteousness alone. Our minds are held captive by the worst images of human kings, rulers, and powers. When nobler visions fail and we settle for kingdoms of our own making, correct and forgive us. Free the borders of our imaginations, that we may envision your greater good and celebrate the coming of your reign on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Even though we doubt God’s faithfulness to us, yet God is steadfast in God’s love for each one of us. Receive that love in your hearts this day. Know that you are healed and forgiven in God’s sight. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Patient God, we seem to think that being people of faith is a campaign for your favor. We posture and make gestures of holiness and grace, but then we easily slide back into habits of self-centeredness. Yet you have forgiven us, each time, calling us beloved children. Today we are about to complete the journey of this Christian year, during which we have learned of the witness of Jesus Christ, the birth and growth of the church, and the great lessons of the Hebrew Scriptures. This year has been an opportunity for us to renew our acquaintance with all those who have gone before, who have been faithful disciples. Help us take these lessons into our hearts and lives. Let the reign of Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, our Savior, be evident in all that we say, think, and do. Give us the confidence and courage to truly be your witnesses all the rest of our days. For we offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

First Reading

Jeremiah 23:1-6

(Coming of the shepherd)

Restoration after Exile
23:1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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 Righteous Branch of David
5 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. 6 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.”

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city.

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter. He utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for creating us in Your image. We thank You for the ability to reason, make decisions, and enjoy the beautiful world You created. We thank You for meaningful relationships with You and others, made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank You for Your Spirit, Who indwells us and guides us daily. We give thanks for the gift of eternal life, even as we pray in Jesus’ name: “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.”

Second Reading

Colossians 1:11-20

(A hymn to Christ firstborn of all creation)

1:11 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 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 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. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 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 Gospel

Luke 23:33-43

(Jesus crucified with two thieves)

23:33 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. [[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 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!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

[Luke 23:34 Other ancient authorities lack the sentence Then Jesus . . . what they are doing]

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

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; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God of love and mercy,

You call us to be your people,

You gift us with Your abundant grace.

Make us a holy people,

radiating the fullness of your love.

Form us into a community of people who care,

expressing Your compassion.

Remind us day after day of our baptismal call

to serve with joy and courage.

Teach us how to grow in wisdom and grace

and joy in Your presence.

Through Jesus and Your Spirit,

we make this prayer. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, November 20, 2022
Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

“Who are you at the foot of the cross?” The Gospel Message for Sunday, November 20, 2022 — Christ the King Sunday

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 23rd chapter of Luke, beginning with the 33rd verse.

23:33 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. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 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!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

—Luke 23:33-43 (NRSV)

All mighty God, we thank you for your word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you’ve done for us in Christ. Now, as we open that word, we pray that your Spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your Spirit through the reading and proclamation of your word this day. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Who are you at the foot of the cross?”

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who brings us into Paradise.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Throughout the history of the church, devoted men and women of God have experienced visions and dreams that have given them what felt like a first-hand vision of the crucifixion of Christ. Several years ago, Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, gave that same vision to multiple people in movie theaters worldwide.

In my readings of some early church writings, I found a monograph from an unnamed ascetic monk. This monk had a vision of the crucifixion that was very real in his mind, almost as if he was really there. He even said of his vision that it was the most terrifying thing he had ever seen. He said he prayed for two things right after having the vision. The first thing he prayed for was that he would never have such a vision again, and secondly, he thanked God for not making Him one of the disciples, for he was sure that he would have run away mad after seeing Christ die.

On this, Christ the King Sunday, we’re presented with an image of our king. It is not the picture of our king in the kind of glory that we think He should be in. Instead, it is our king in the kind of glory that weighs upon us. Even the Hebrew word for glory, “kavod,” means heaviness, and this story weighs on us as the heaviness of God.

It is the heaviness of God upon us because, within this small text, we can probably see ourselves in the people gathered before that throne. We see for ourselves the horrific vision of our king being killed on a cross.

Luke’s telling of the crucifixion of Christ is accented by something called the four-fold rejection of Christ. In four different ways, the people gathered rejected Christ as their King, despite it being written above Him.

They cast lots for His clothing. Christ’s body was stripped almost naked and hung on the cross. Below him lay his clothing, the things that would make Him decent before the view of the world, but instead of going up and covering the Lord, the people below him rolled dice to see who would get his tunic, his robe, his sandals. We do this when we cast lots amongst ourselves, trying to get Christ’s grace only for ourselves. We do this when we push other people out so that we can try to keep Christ as our best friend, not yours, and when we turn the church into a country club where only certain members are invited.

They sat there, just watching. The Greek word that Luke uses is the same word that someone would use while watching the gladiators or another Roman game of sport. We spectate. We don’t wish to become a part of the action. For fear, or perhaps just because of shock, we look at the way that the world responds to Christ and the church, and we sit by idly. Maybe we associate with Him in the closed doors of the upper room, but we leave Him lonely and bloodied before the world.

They gave Him sour wine. The soldiers seemed to have had some wine lying around that was not useful for anything; no one would have consumed it. In fact, it was likely only used as a cleaning agent for the soldiers. Not fit for the inside of the body and barely fit for the outside. It is this that they gave to Christ. And we do the same. Instead of giving God our lives, we often give God the rejected parts of ourselves—the time that we wouldn’t use in any other way becomes our self-righteous “sacrifice” to God. I recently talked to a friend who volunteered at a clothing drive. He was disgusted by the number of people who donated used, even soiled, undergarments.

They said, “If you are the Christ, save yourself!” The thief on the cross added, “and us!” All too often, we look at the church, whether worldwide or the church in the United States, and demand of Jesus, “save yourself! And us!” We tell Christ that if He really wants to save the world, then He should just work a miracle and make Hindus come to Christ on their own, and to make sinners better simply through some sort of magic trick. We even demand the same thing of ourselves, we look to Christ, and we say, “save yourself! and us!”

Luke’s telling of the story of Christ’s crucifixion, however, includes a character not given words in any of the other Gospel stories. In Luke’s Gospel, the thief on the cross speaks. He says, “Do you not fear God? For you are under the same condemnation, but this man is innocent!” And then He turns to Christ and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

That is why I am glad to be writing to you today. You are reading this because you are looking for Christ. Reading this means that you have come to the same realization as that thief upon the cross. It means that you are witnessing the heaviness of the cross. It means that you have participated in the four folk mocking of Christ but that the Holy Spirit has turned your hearts to realize that your condemnation is just. You deserve the cross. You deserve for Christ to leave you naked. You deserve for Christ to say nothing. You deserve for Christ to offer you sour wine. You deserve for Christ to say, “save yourself.”

But even before you sin, Christ said of you, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Even though you leave Christ naked before the world, He clothes you in His righteousness. Even though you say nothing to the world, Christ speaks up on your behalf and says, “this child is mine.” Even though you offer Him sour wine, He offers you sweet wine and His very Body and Blood. Even though you say, “save yourself and us,” He says, “I will not save myself, but all of them.”

This is our king. This is the head of our church. This is the reason that we follow. This is His glory.

Oh, Jesus, You are the King of Glory. You are the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. And we pray that your Kingdom will reign forever in our hearts and in this world.

Lord, we pray for your Kingdom to come here now, bringing a kingdom of justice, righteousness, hope, love, peace, mercy, and grace for all. Lord, we ask that you rule in our hearts, lead in this world and govern over your kingdom.

But Lord, honestly, We often have our own plans and agendas and want to be rulers of our world. Forgive us for those times. And Lord, we live in a time that would rather idolize the King of Pop than worship you. Help us to know how to live as your Kingdom People in these times. And Lord, there are a lot of Kings in this world who terrorize, over-tax, humiliate, over-exploit, and abuse those they are to lead. Help us to spread the good news of the different kind of King you are.

Lord, thank you for being a different kind of King. Thank you for your goodness and kindness in our lives. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for your Kingdom that is unlike any Kingdom in this world. Amen.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ

Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)® Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Morning Prayer for Sunday, November 20, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Sunday, November 20, 2022

Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, "Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good."

— Jeremiah 16:19 (NIV)

Lord our God, we come to you burdened and driven by every kind of need and oppression, but you will bring light into every situation; in your great goodness and faithfulness you will continue to help. We come to you because you are our help. We want to draw strength from your Word so that we can remain steadfast in these times, awaiting your help and already finding joy and certainty in our expectation. For your kingdom is coming, and your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Sunday, November 20, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Sunday, November 20, 2022

Psalm 95:1-2

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

This psalm calls people to worship God by praising him and submitting to him, unlike the infamous generation that rebelled and failed to enter Canaan. The psalm opens with an invitation to worship exuberantly at the temple. The psalmist describes God as the Rock—an unchanging source of stability and protection for his people.

Read all of Psalm 95

Listen to Psalm 95

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Travel the World from Home — The Land God Promised Abraham

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories
The Land God Promised Abraham
Season 1 — Episode 4

In episode 4, start your journey in Israel’s rugged Judean hill country, where life during the time of Abraham was about survival for the day and developing the land for future generations. See how Abraham trusted God’s promises (Genesis 12) to provide a land to call home and how those promises were eventually fulfilled. Visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs (also known as the Cave of Machpelah) in Hebron, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob are buried. Learn how this site continues to represent the fulfillment of God’s promises to provide for His people today.

 

 

Season 1 — Episode 4 | The Land God Promised Abraham

That The World May Know | Volume 1 | Episode 2 | Wet Feet

 

That The World May Know
Wet Feet
Volume 1 | Episode 2

 

The ancient land of Israel is a testimony, an evidence if you will, of the greatness of what God did in that country, a testimony to the truth of the words that we find in the pages of the Bible.

In Volume 1 | Promised Land, travel to Israel and radically change your understanding of the Scriptures. Wet your feet in the Jordan River and impact the culture with life-giving water. Show your trust in the Lord’s provision by offering up first fruits at Jericho. And cleanse the land by confronting evil and using the tools of society to redeem your world for God. In this first volume of the That the World May Know series, historian and teacher Ray Vander Laan will show you how God guided his people to a specific place—the Promised Land—to impact the world both in ancient times and today. Experience the Bible in historical context!

In Episode 2, the same faith that caused Israel to safely cross the Jordan at its flood stage releases His power in our lives today when we commit our lives to Him in total trust.

Volume 1 | Episode 2| Wet Feet