The Reign of Christ Sunday
Gathered In To Be Called Out
Pentecost begins with a rush–the rushing, life-giving wind of God’s Spirit. Now the latter part of the season of Pentecost centers on the lush green of growth and glorious yellow of harvest. We are constantly reminded that God has inexorably linked the experience of grace to the life and work of human beings. It is ordinary for the community of faith to be about the work of God’s reign. It is extraordinary that this labor bears the very power of the cross and resurrection. This part of the Pentecost season pushes us to see our work as sacramental, an incarnational expression of Christ’s own life, death, and resurrection.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
We remember our baptisms, confess our faithlessness,
and hear God’s faithful promise of forgiveness
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Before God, our rock, our refuge, and our dwelling place,
let us confess our sin.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
Most Holy and Most Merciful God,
People: you know our failings better than we do.
Some of our sins we know —
the thoughts and words and deeds
against our sisters and brothers.
We are more ready to be forgiven than to forgive others.
Turn us again toward you and toward others.
Guide us again to the water of life,
and renew in us the grace of baptism,
that we may live for you and die in you,
for the sake and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Pastor: You are all children of God.
In the mercy of almighty God,
Jesus Christ was given to die for you,
and through Christ God forgives you all your sin.
With all the faithful in heaven and on earth,
rejoice and be glad,
your sins are forgiven!
People: Amen.
GATHERING
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE
GREETING
Pastor: The grace given to us in Christ Jesus, the rich presence of the Holy Spirit living in us, and the power of God who calls us with a holy calling be with you all.
People: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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 you thanks 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 Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.. Amen.
First Reading
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.’
Second Reading
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.
Gospel Reading Luke 23:33-43 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.’
SERMON
[click on the link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
“O Christ, What Can It Mean For Us”
[click on the link below]
O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim you as our king?
What royal face have you revealed whose praise the church would sing? Aspiring not to glory’s height, to power, wealth, and fame,
you walked a different, lowly way, another’s will your aim.
You came, the image of our God, to heal and to forgive,
to shed your blood for sinners’ sake that we might rise and live.
To break the law of death you came, the law of love to bring:
a diff’rent rule of righteousness, a diff’rent kind of king.
Though some would make their greatness felt and lord it over all,
you said the first must be the last and service be our call.
O Christ, in workplace, church, and home, let none to power cling;
for still, through us, you come to serve, a diff’rent kind of king.
You chose a humble human form and shunned the world’s renown;
you died for us upon a cross with thorns your only crown.
But still, beyond the span of years, our glad hosannas ring,
for now at God’s right hand you reign, a diff’rent kind of king!
NICENE CREED (recited on festival Sundays)
Pastor: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.
All: 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.
TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS
Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Audrey Hedlin, Mona Neher, Oma Ywo, Owen Peterson, Helga Halldorsdottir, Evaline Sanders, the family of Norm Gregory, the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of Helen Neher (Carol Sarich’s mother), the family of John Beaven (Bev Gregory’s brother), and the family of Carl Rausch. Lakeland Lutheran Church in Coldlake, AB whose building was damaged by fire.
We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the children and people buried in unmarked graves at residential schools and First Nation lands, and all those who have suffered the trauma of residential schools, the victims, injured, families and communities of James Smith Cree Nation and the village of Weldon who have experienced tragic murders and stabbings, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the Palestinians and Israelis, Ethiopia and Tigray, Myanmar and the Rohingya Muslim refugees, Lebanon, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the 100 million refugees and displaced persons, the people of Haiti suffering from earthquake, hurricane, and political disasters, Nigeria, Pakistan, and New South Wales, Australia devastated by torrential rains and flooding, the people of Puerto Rico, Atlantic Canada and Newfoundland pummeled by hurricane Fiona, those in Cuba, Florida, and South Carolina buffeted by hurricane Ian, those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community still threatened by the coronavirus and the omicron variant.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH
[The congregational response after each petition is:“CAUSE YOUR FRUITS OF LOVE TO ABOUND.”]
Pastor: With confidence in God’s saving grace, let us pray to the Lord of the Harvest for the Church, the world, and the needs of all people everywhere, saying, “God, in your goodness,” and responding, “Cause your fruits of love to abound.”
Petitioner: Loving God, we do not know the way to you, but in Christ, through your Word, through baptism, and through your Supper you come to us and announce your salvation and forgiveness to all on earth. Empower your Church by your Gospel of grace, that its leaders and all its people would equip everyone for lives of joyful service and caring compassion, especially for those often considered the least. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Faithful God, the heavens and earth declare your glorious rule. Sustain your handiwork of space and sea, of sky and soil, of stars and seeds, that all creatures would praise and thank you with one voice. We give you thanks for creation and its gift of harvest. Give us the strength to discover, celebrate, and nurture your creation, and lead us to new ways and new hopes for tending our world. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Sustaining God, you nourish and sustain us as a shepherd cares for his flock. Through your Word you hold all things together in divine harmony. Help us to cherish and to heal relationships that have been broken through our neglect, and to love all people, especially those who are most different from us. Enable us to seek the lost, bring back the straying, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak. God, in your goodness…
Pastor: God of healing, you reign in all conditions of life. Extend your reign of healing to all who suffer illness, pain, loneliness, depression, addictions, conflict, abuse, or grief. We remember especially before you … Embrace all in your comfort and hope. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: God of hope, confound our ways of self-serving behaviour. Pour out your abundant grace and mercifully engage those who wrestle with faith or belief in you, especially those who have been hurt by the Church when it rules through law and not love. Hold them fast and draw them into your gracious reign of love. God, in your goodness ….
Petitioner: Good and gracious God, you rule the world in truth and grace, yet our world is too often ruled by violence and bloodshed. Provide wisdom and humility to all nations and their leaders that under your rule of love, all might know and do the things that make for peace. Establish your gentle justice over the nations and those who govern them, that all families of the earth would gather under the servant leadership of Christ and live in peace. God, in your goodness…
Petitioner: Christ of mission, we pray for your Spirit as we count our days together in this community. On this day when we call Christ “king” and “Lord”share with us the spirit of his strong, vulnerable love to unite our community. In word, font, and table turn talk of death into abundant life and feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness into acts of redeeming care and into signs of joy. God, in your goodness…
Pastor: Empowering God, your gracious Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Keep us in the faith, call, gather, and enlighten us with your Word, search our hearts and renew our lives to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our living Lord.
People: Amen.
THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE
Pastor: The peace of Christ be with you always.
People: And also with you.
(The congregation greets one another with a gesture of peace, using these or similar words:
“Christ’s peace be with you.”)
THE OFFERING
(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Pastor:: Let us pray.
God of harvest,
People: to your table we bring wine and bread,
and gifts from the labor of our hands.
Receive the offering of our lives,
and feed us with your living bread from heaven,
that our lives may proclaim your care for all creation,
and that we may serve others in your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Saviour gave us:
People: 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.
BENEDICTION
Pastor: Almighty God,
who makes all things new in Jesus Christ,
uphold you by the Spirit in times of trial,
and give you peace, now, and always.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
“Beautiful Savior”
[click on the link below]
Beautiful Saviour, King of Creation
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Saviour, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be Thine!
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in peace.
Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you
People: Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY AT KOG
– Blessing of Quilts
THIS WEEK AT KOG –Wednesday, November 23, Church Council meeting 7:30 p.m. via Zoom – Saturday, November 26, Men’s Breakfast Out, 8:30 a.m. at Ricky’s 1715 Idylwild Drive North
COMING UP AT KOG – Sunday, December 4, Advent Potluck at 5:00 p.m. – Sunday, December 4, Congregational Budget meeting
October, November, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG
2022 Budget: $48,854 Monthly Budget: $4,071.17 Weekly Budget: $939.50
2022 income/expenses: $3,954.06
September income/expenses: -$2,046.31
Weekly contributions for October: October 2: $940 October 16: $460.00
October 30 : $620.00
Weekly contributions for November: November 6: $1170.00
Thank you Pat and Carol Sarich for hosting the Coffee Social on November 6.
One of King of Glory’s service projects for the year is support of the Alzheimer’s Society. Church Council has designated the Sundays in November for a free will offering to be collected for the Alzheimer Society. Please give generously.
“Advent Reflections” daily devotions for the Season of Advent from On Eagle’s Wings are available at the back.
Thank you to all involved in the Quilts and Comfort Quilts that have been made by members of King of Glory and their friends. Our quilting worker-bees have lost count, but guesstimate 42 quilts will be distributed to LutherCare Communities, the Wellness Centre, and the Bishop Klein Community School Program and Comfort Quilts will be given to individuals suffering from sickness, significant change in life, loss or grief. Prodigious thimbles full of thanks to the industrious sewers Bev Gregory, Karen McKenzie, Doreen Matschke, Carol Sarich, Lois Rombough and Sherry Andrews, to Irma Torgunrude who donated material and Iris Kristjansdottir who provided boxes.
- SONGS IN THE NIGHT: AN ADVENT RETREAT – Saturday November 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Offered onsite at Queen’s House. Facilitator: Pastor Ann Salmon. Through time spent with scripture, song and craft, retreatants will experience an essential discipline of Advent – Waiting…for Jesus who is born at Christmas and who has promised to come again. Our retreat time will be divided into four parts, or songs: Our Song of Darkness – Our Song in Silence – Our Song of Gladness – Our Song of Hope. An excellent retreat for parishes/congregations who would like to bring a group of people to this retreat – contact Sarah Donnelly, 306-242-1916 x226 to explore a group rate. Fee includes lunch: $65. Registration deadline: November 23.
During the Sundays in Advent King of Glory will again be collecting food items for Christmas Hampers. Our goal is 10 hampers. A list of suggested food items is included. Thank you for your generosity.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are calling on Canadians to pray for those affected by the flooding in Pakistan, and to give generously to support their urgent humanitarian needs, as the Government of Canada announces a special matching fund for donations in response to this tragedy.
Please give what you can by donating at clwr.org/pakistan or by calling 1-800-661-2597 (office hours Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm), and pray for all those who are affected by the flooding.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are calling on all Canadians to pray for those suffering from the war in Ukraine and through the current hunger crisis, and to give generously in support of the needs of all those affected. You can donate at clwr.org/hungercrisis or by calling 1-800-661-2597 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm CST) and with the 1:1 matching fund provided by the Canadian government, the impact of your gift will increase further still.
Offerings.
Even though we are not all meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them. Church Council has decided that the best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.
Send your contributions to: King of Glory Lutheran Church
3318 Merritt Street
Saskatoon, SK S7M 3P6
Thank you for your generosity.
Checklist and Guidelines for Worship Services
Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc before the service
Disinfect/sanitize washrooms if used
One person preps worship materials [pastor]
Six feet distancing recommended
No sharing of pencils, pens, etc.
Open doors and windows if possible
Use/wear face masks, optional, but recommended
Hand sanitizer available
No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)
Communion procedure: distribution in a way that maintains physical distancing
Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service
King of Glory Lutheran Church 