BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH
REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 21, 2021
The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104
Gathering Music: Fairest Lord Jesus (arr. Phillip Keveren)
Welcome & Announcements Rev. Kim Vidal
Good day everyone! I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns in our hearts forever! Today, the Christian Church is celebrating the “Reign of Christ” which is also referred to as Christ the King Sunday. This Sunday signifies that our faith in Jesus the Christ is founded on the principles not of tyranny & violence but of justice, compassion, integrity and love.
Please join us next Sunday, on Nov 28th, we begin a new liturgical season. It’s the First Sunday of Advent and we are celebrating the sacrament of communion at our onsite service and agape meal online.
Advent Poinsettia Memorial Flower Fund is back. You may donate a minimum donation of $10 to remember a loved one who had passed. A virtual poinsettia will be included in the online version of the service from Nov. 28 until Dec 19 with live poinsettia flowers will adorn our sanctuary. Please send your request with a memorial note to the office now until Dec 16.
We continue worshipping in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 10 am. If you wish to attend the service, you are more than welcome. As a faith community called to love and serve others, we highly recommend getting vaccinated as one of the best precautionary measures to protect yourself and others. Let us continue to be mindful of the health protocols such as masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing and staying home if you feel unwell.
During this time of pandemic, the work of the church carries on. Please take time to keep in touch with each other through prayers, phone calls, emails or via Zoom. Check also the many announcements on our website including Sunday School resources for your children at bcuc.org to keep you informed and give you opportunities to respond.
Friends, in the quiet of this moment, in the stillness of our hearts, I now invite you to centre yourself in the spirit of Jesus Christ who reminds us that his reign is the reign of love and justice. Let us gather in worship.
Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolytes: George & Susan Young
We light this Christ candle reminding us that God’s light reigns in our hearts.
We long for God’s love and justice to come to our world,
to break through and reign over us in this time and in this place.
May this flame renew our faith that we may live in Jesus’ way.
Call to Gather Rev. Lorrie Lowes
(Susan McAllister, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2021. Used with Permission.)
Grace to you and peace from the One
who is, and who was, and who is to come.
Grace to you and the peace of Jesus Christ,
the faithful witness and bearer of truth.
Lift your voices in praise and thanksgiving,
For the end is no longer the end, but the beginning.
Shout your alleluias,
so we may renew our world with the vision
of peace and justice that God would have us live.
God is the Alpha and the Omega,
the One who is and who was and is to come.
Alleluia!
Prayer of Approach
(Moderator Rt. Rev. Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2021)
You are the source of all things.
You are the beginning and end.
You are the great “I am”.
And we are blessed in knowing you.
God of all things,
we ask for your help.
Help us.
We ask for your wisdom.
Guide us.
We ask for your compassion.
Love us.
So that we might be compassionate and wise
As we help in your world.
May it be this way,
By your grace, Loving God. Amen.
Hymn: I Danced in the Morning VU 352
(Words: Sydney Carter, 1963; Music: Shaker Melody adapt. and harm. Sydney Carter, 1963)
1 I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he.
2 I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the dance went on. R
3 I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die. R
4 I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
but I am the dance and I still go on. R
5 They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he. R
Dedication of the Steinway Piano & The New Portico Rev. Kim
Words of Dedication:
Dear friends, this is a day of rejoicing. We come together to dedicate two special gifts to Bells Corners United Church for the glory of God.
First, we dedicate the Steinway Baby Grand Piano in loving memory of Cynthia Watson. We give thanks for the gift of music which she lavishly shared with all of us. Thank you, Denis Watson & family, for this precious gift.
In the name of the holy and triune God, Creator, Christ and Spirit, we dedicate this Steinway Grand Piano to the glory of God. May our worship services resonate with music that lifts our hearts and fills our senses, in hymns that support and nourish all who worship here, in songs that strengthen our faith and inspire our work, in melodies that proclaim our praise and joy, and in harmonies that heal and comfort all.
We also dedicate the new portico in grateful appreciation of all who have donated funds towards this project and in loving memory of Irene Stinson. We also thank the members of the Portico Project Team – Ron Chuchryk, Rory Gardiner, Bob Wright and members of the Property Management Committee for overseeing this project from conception to finish.
In the name of the holy and triune God, Creator, Christ and Spirit, we dedicate this new portico so that the life of our congregation and the community may be enhanced, deepened, and enriched.
In grateful remembrance of all who have loved and served this church in the past and for those who will serve it in the future, with sincere gratitude, consecrate and dedicate this Steinway Grand Piano and the New Portico.
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Let us pray.
Loving God, giver of all good gifts, we give thanks for all those who by witness, generosity and work have contributed to the improvement of this sacred space, and in doing so have made a commitment to the long-term prosperity of this congregation. Bless these gifts for their usefulness. Help us take care of this grand piano and the new portico, be blessed by them,Ded care for them and pass them on to future generations. May we share the blessing of these gifts with others and the community. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Storytime for the Young at Heart Rev. Lorrie
I bet you all have someone in your life who cares about you and wants to make sure that you are safe and happy. Most of us have parents or someone in our lives who would do just about anything to keep us from danger.
I read a very funny story about a mother who took that idea a little too far. It is called “Warner, Don’t Forget” and was written by Lynn Seligman. Warner’s mom was always reminding him of things… “Don’t forget to wear your hat and mitts… don’t forget to bring your bike home from the park… don’t forget to come straight home after school… don’t forget to brush your teeth…” mostly things that Warner wouldn’t forget – and you could almost hear Warner rolling his eyes. One day Warner brought home a note from school saying that his class was going on a field trip to the zoo. His mom wanted to go along but Warner told her that no moms were allowed. Can you imagine how his mom felt? She was really worried that he wouldn’t be safe if she wasn’t there to remind him of things – so she did something very creative. She dressed up in disguises and followed the class on the trip.
She dressed up as a crossing guard and reminded Warner, “Don’t forget to look both ways!” She dressed up as a ticket taker at the zoo and, when Warner came through the gate, she said, “Don’t forget to stay with your group.”
She dressed as a zookeeper and reminded him, “Don’t forget to stand back from the cages.” She even dressed up as a scuba diver and held up a sign in the window of the aquarium that said, “Warner, don’t put your nose against the glass!”
She didn’t fool Warner, though. At bedtime that night, he told her, “Don’t forget to tie your shoe laces, Mom; they’ve been undone all day.”
Warner wanted to be independent but I think he also knew that his mom did these things because she loved him. He didn’t get mad at her, he just let her know that he knew she was there beside him the whole way, making sure he was safe.
We are all glad to have someone who looks out for us and wants us to be safe, comfortable, and happy – but I don’t think we want our parents to be quite as obvious as Warner’s mom. At some point, she will have to trust Warner to make his own decisions. I think she can be pretty sure that he has learned a lot from her that will help him make good ones. And Warner will still know that she loves him, even without the reminders.
Our Bible reading this morning talks about God “who is and was and who is to come”. This is a God who was with us from the beginning of time and will always be with us. It’s comforting to know that God is always there, but God isn’t always as obvious as Warner’s mom. God sent Jesus to teach us the best way to live and now trusts us to make those good decisions that will make the world a better place. We don’t always notice that God is with us – unless we choose to look carefully. I bet Warner’s mom’s disguises would have worked and he would never have known she was following him if he wasn’t so observant. If we take the time to really look around us, I think we will see God is following us too. We can feel God’s presence in all the beautiful things in nature; we can feel God’s love in a warm hug from someone who loves us; and we can see God in the faces of people we meet – but we need to be looking, we need to be observant.
It’s comforting to know that God is always around us – is, and was, and will always be there. Knowing that helps us feel safe. Knowing that helps us remember all the things Jesus taught. So, keep your eyes and ears and hearts open!
Where did you see God today?
Let’s finish with a prayer:
Holy One,
We are happy to know that you love us and will always be with us.
Thank you for all the lessons Jesus taught that will make this world a better place.
Thank you for trusting us to make our own decisions, and for still loving us no matter what happens. Help us to watch for you in all the places we go, and in all the people we meet. Amen.
Hymn: I’m Gonna Shout MV 183
(Words & Music: Bruce Harding, 1998)
1 I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today,
at home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!
2 I’m gonna raise, raise, raise up my hands for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna raise, raise, raise up my hands for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today,
at home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!
3 I’m gonna dance, dance, dance all around for Jesus, for Jesus!
I’m gonna dance, dance, dance all around for God’s most holy child!
For whatever I might do today,
at home, at school, at work, at play,
I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!
Prayer for Illumination Reader: Ian Howes
(Richard Bott, Gathering, Pentecost 2, Year B, 2015)
Holy God,
you are the Storyteller,
you are the Word.
Bless the reading.
Bless the listening.
Bless the sharing.
Bless the love in Christ’s name. Amen.
The NT Reading: Revelation 1: 4-8 (NRSV)
The Alpha & Omega
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,
who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty
May the wisdom of God dwell where the word is spoken. Thanks be to God!
Sermon: “The First and Final Words” Rev. Kim
In the early 1920’s, the world was not in a good shape. There was a huge rise in secularism in the aftermath of World War I in which people lived their lives as if God did not exist. Dictatorial governments flourished and people were mass murdered by oppressive leaders. Those of the Christian faith began to doubt the authority and existence of Jesus Christ. There was a huge dissension against the Roman Catholic Church and people questioned the power of the Church to continue using Christ’s authority. Pope Pius XI felt the need for a feast celebrating the kingship of Jesus Christ over all humanity especially at a time when respect for Christ and for the Church was declining rapidly. In 1925, Pope Pius XI assumed as his papal motto "Pax Christi in Regno Christi," translated "The Peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ." He then proclaimed the Celebration of the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe known today as Christ the King Sunday or in some denominations like ours, The Reign of Christ Sunday. Pope Pius XI wanted to name Christ as King to remind Christians that their allegiance must remain in Christ – the true king, as opposed to any earthly rulers.
I’m sure, that some of us are not comfortable with the image of Jesus as a king especially when it is understood to be an imperial title, or a monarch who could easily use his power in oppressing people; someone who is detached and remote from the realities of the everyday world. My personal understanding of Jesus is not one who is “high and mighty” but rather one “among the least”, the compassionate one, the one who lived humbly as a servant-leader. Instead of calling Jesus a king, I would rather describe him as kin to all. One who is among us. Is this the same Jesus Christ that John of Patmos talked about in the book of Revelation?
The word revelation is “apocalypse” in Greek which literally means “unveiling” or “disclosure”. For modern-day readers and hearers of this book like us, the word apocalypse evokes fear and mystery. The book is shrouded in symbols, images and numbers that speak of the end times and the “judgment day” - a time understood by many to be the end of the world. Sadly, the interpretation of this book has been left in the hands of many fundamentalists who take each and every word literally which are not useful at all. I admit - Revelation is full of violent language, riveting imagery and coded language. I would highly recommend that paying attention to its historical, social, political and religious contexts are essential in interpreting the book properly. If we do that, however, be prepared to be confronted with a revolutionary, subversive message that speaks directly to our own times.
Revelation reveals a story of the first century Christians who need assurance and hope as they persist in their faith. It is a story of the early followers of Jesus Christ, who lived under the terror of Roman power. It was a time when they were persecuted, murdered and exiled for following Jesus - a different “Christ” - not the Christ or Saviour or the Anointed One personified by Caesar of the Roman Empire. These early believers may well have wondered if God was in control.
John, the writer of Revelation, believed to be an elder of the early church, was exiled as a political prisoner in the Island of Patmos, off the coast of present-day Turkey. While imprisoned in Patmos, he wrote his prophetic visions in coded forms addressed to the seven early churches in Asia Minor. John personally shares the suffering of the churches, hoping that it will bring an end to the old world of fear and oppression brought about by Caesar and in its place, a new movement with Jesus Christ. John strongly urges the early Christian that those who will remain loyal and faithful to God and acclaim Jesus as the true ruler until the end will be granted a utopian world – a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more tears nor sorrow nor pain. John believed that God through Jesus, the Ruler of the Universe, will come down when the end is at hand and tidy up the mess. Early Christian communities believed that. Unfortunately, they were wrong. The world did not come crashing down as predicted by John.
What is the message of John’s revelation for us today? What does it mean to be faithful in a time when faithfulness seems pointless? What does it mean to resist when resistance seems futile? In Chapter 1, John saw Jesus as the one "who is and who was and who is to come" echoing the God revealed to Moses in the burning bush. This God, according to the Rev. Jim Kast Keat “has been up to something, is up to something, and will continue to be up to something in our lives and in our world. It is this Jesus as God incarnate, the word made flesh, loving us and freeing us.”
John’s salutation in Chapter 1 introduces us to two important words: grace and peace. Grace is the standard gentile greeting. Peace or shalom is the standard Jewish greeting. By putting these two words together in the opening suggests that the message of Revelation is for everyone. Grace and peace are gifts from a God who is dynamic not static. Through grace and peace, we proclaim a dynamic faith in a God who was part of our history; a God who is present in the world; and a God who will midwife a new era or a new birth.
Grace and peace come from Jesus too, who according to John, is the Alpha and the Omega. the beginning and the end. As the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus reveals who God truly is – a God of love and justice. A God who was with us at birth and who will meet us at the end of life. It’s unfortunate that John of Patmos used coded language that are violent, exclusive and derogatory particularly for those who are not in the circle. But we have a responsibility to take John’s words, disagree with them and lay down our honest interpretation of our perception of who God or Jesus is. I cannot speak for each of you but I can start the ball rolling for a good dialogue. For me, Jesus Christ is not a tyrant ruler but a lover of humanity. He is not a power-greed leader but a servant-leader. Jim Kast-Keat writes: “This is not a Revelation of logical arguments or sound reasoning, but a Revelation of a person, a Revelation of a human relationship. And it is this person, this relationship, this Jesus that offers the hope for change, from hate to love, from sin to salvation… Change has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen. In Jesus we see God incarnate, the word made flesh, loving us and freeing us.” Revelation, though a very difficult book to understand, proved that no matter how much forces of evil are in the world, God will be God. There is no denying that forces of evil are very much present in our world today. We need God’s grace and peace to love one another because in loving one another we come to know God incarnate in Jesus.
Here we are, on this Reign of Christ Sunday, the end of a liturgical year, marked by the unending saga of the Covid-19 pandemic; of wars, violence and protests in many parts of the world; of stories of racism and discrimination; of millions of refugees fleeing their homeland and awaiting doors of refuge to be opened. All these things deserve our undivided attention because human life is sacred and precious wherever it is. We surely are living in desperate times.
Here is my challenge to all of you. If the book of Revelation teaches us how to resist evil violently, which I do not embrace, we need to counteract John’s words by resisting evil creatively. Through the power of grace and peace, creative resistance occurs when one reacts to any negative experience, be it pain, violence or death, in a creative way – like the use of music or art or humour to stop violence and hate. An African-American comedian who died not too long ago by the name of Dick Gregory has been credited by most as the first African-American comedian to reach fame by challenging racism through comedy. One of his classic jokes on this topic was about him going to a restaurant in the segregated South and being told by the white waitress, “We don’t serve colored people here.” To which Gregory replied: “That’s all right, I don’t eat colored people. Just bring me a whole fried chicken.” That’s what I call creative resistance. The actions of creative resistance bring communities together against the powers of evil of this world.
Dear friends, when you embody grace and peace to such a degree that you can mock evil to its face, that’s the way to resist evil in the world today. Grace and peace are always present when we love. Loving God and loving others are the ways of Jesus Christ in the world today. One final word. I don’t think Jesus wants us to call him King. Or treat him like one. I think he wants us to recognize him as our brother. Our kin. One who is like us. This good news requires lives of courageous faithfulness in key moments of our lives. This I know for sure. Change will come when the power of God’s love is greater than the love of power. This, here, now, is the time for Advent to begin. God’s first and final words to all of us: grace and peace be with you. Christ reigns forever. Amen.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Lorrie
Holy One, who is and was and is to come,
We approach you today holding the many joys and concerns of our hearts.
We pray for those in our community and in this faith family who are struggling with illness, injury, and grief. Cast your light and love on all those who feel they are walking in dark times. Give them healing and hope.
We pray for those who feel abandoned, marginalized, or unloved. Wrap them in your loving embrace.
We pray for those dealing with insecurity – financially, and emotionally. We pray for those living in war and conflict. Give them peace and safety.
We pray for Creation: for this planet and for all its people as we deal with the many crises that face us.
This day, we hold the people of British Columbia in our hearts and prayers as they deal with the flooding and mudslides that have closed highways and threatened lives. We pray for the world leaders as they grapple with the complicated issue of Climate Change.
On this Reign of Christ Sunday, we share the words written by Ted Dodd for DOTAC, the Diakonia of the Americas and the Caribbean:
Alpha and Omega,
Beginning and End,
Transcendent and Imminent,
you are our God.
Reveal yourself in the beauty and extravagance of your vision.
Help us see creation from your divine perspective.
Allow us to imagine the world from your eternal point of view.
Transport us into your grace and your presence.
Renew the hopes of your tired people.
Dwell with us in the work of justice.
Write words of compassion on our hearts.
Unveil the beauty of a new Jerusalem.
May the tears of the distressed and the lonely,
be wiped away from their eyes.
May the deaths of the persecuted and exploited,
be no more.
May the mourning of the those crying and grieving,
pass away.
Make all things new:
enough of the hatred and horror;
enough of the inequality and prejudice;
enough of the apathy and greed.
Alpha and Omega,
Beginning and End,
Transcendent and Imminent,
you are our God.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
All of the joys and the concerns that we express aloud, and all those we carry in our hearts, we bring to you as we repeat the ancient prayer that Jesus taught his followers:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever,
Amen.
Invitation to Offer Rev. Kim
I invite you to give lovingly, as we serve God through the sharing and offering of time, talents and treasures. These gifts empower the ministry within our congregation and respond to the needs of our community and the world. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.
Offertory Prayer
You are the Alpha and the Omega, the one who was, and is, and is to come. |
We give thanks for your faithfulness and love.
Receive now our response to your abundant grace.
Strengthen our generosity so that we may continue
to change the world according to your will.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sending Forth Rev. Kim
Sisters and brothers in Christ, as you leave this place,
offer to God your hopes and dreams for a better world.
Keep your hearts steadfast on the priorities to which Jesus Christ taught us:
to love God and your neighbours, to do justice, and to walk the talk.
Let us go forth with confidence in the name
of God the Alpha & Omega
of Jesus Christ, Love Incarnate,
and of the Holy Spirit, Comforter and Sustainer. Amen!
Hymn: I See A New Heaven VU 713 (vs 1, 3, 4)
(Words & Music: Carolyn McDade, 1979)
Refrain:
I see a new heaven. I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
1 There, there on the banks
of a river bright and free,
yielding her fruit, firm in her root,
the Tree of Life will be. R
3 There, there where the darkness
brings visions from above.
There where the night, bearing new light,
reveals the promise of love. R
4 There, there where we work
with the love of healing hands.
Labour we must, true to our trust
to build a promised new land. R