Reign of Christ Sunday

Narrative Lectionary Series

“The Time is Coming” 

Based on Isaiah 8:16-22, 9:1-7

       Isaiah encourages the people of Israel who were living in the worst of times with the promise of the best of time in the new king’s reign. There can be overwhelming obscurity in this world. But we can be grateful for the light of Christ that shines in our darkness.

 Order of Worship Service | November 21^st, 2021

Organ Prelude: Improvisation on “Diademata”, arr. Lani Smith

Welcoming

Call to Worship (from Isaiah 9 MSG) together
The time is coming when God will make the whole world glorious!
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows – light!
Sunburst of light!
For a child has been born – for us! The gift of a son – for us!
His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to
the wholeness he brings!

Hymn: “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” VU 213

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 (8:16-22)

Special Music: “Conditor Alme Siderum” (Creator of the stars of night) 9th Century Chant

Sermon: The Time Is Coming

Reflective Music: “Someone’s Praying, Lord”, (Kum Ba Yah) arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
O Holy and glorious God, we give you thanks for giving us the gift of
your Son, Jesus Christ. Today, we once again recognize and celebrate
the reign of your Son, the Prince of Peace who has come, and is coming
and will come to us. So, we pray together as we dream and wait for the
day when Christ returns in glory.
(Prayer from the Celebrate God’s Presence: A Service Book, page 217, Reign Of Christ)

(together)
And then all that has divided us will merge.
And then compassion will be wedded to power.
And the softness will come to a world that is harsh and unkind.
And then both men and women will be gentle.
And then both women and men will be strong.
And then no person will be subject to another’s will.
And then all will be rich and free and varied.
And then the greed of some will give way to the needs of many.
And then all will share equally in the Earth’s abundance.
And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old.
And then all will nourish the young.
And then all will cherish life’s creatures.
And then all will live in harmony with each other and the Earth.
And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.

So, we pray together:
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 of 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!

Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” VU 264

Commissioning & Blessing

Postlude: “Trumpet Voluntary in C”, David Lasky

---

Land Acknowledgment:

We acknowledge we worship on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.  We thank them for having cared for this land and look forward to relating with them as covenant people of God as we continue to care for this land together.

---