November 7, 2021

Communion Sunday

All Saints Sunday

Message: “Come and See”

Scriptures: John 11:32-44; Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 21:1-6a

Thread: This service is always patterned after a celebration of life service, perhaps even more so this year, with words of comfort and grace. I am thinking that for way too many folks, there was no proper closure for them as loved ones passed these past 2 years. Just perhaps a short graveside service. Perhaps this service will offer what people have been needing.

November 14, 2021

Message: “Not One Stone”

Scriptures: Mark 13:1-8; Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:8-11

Thread: We are just a short step from Advent. A new liturgical year. Today is a good time to take a long view of what we might have learned this last year. That long view reminds us that the “now” is temporary. That the end will surely come and we must remain steadfast in our following of Christ. This is a message of hope, though it might not seem so. Hope for a Kingdom that will surely come.

November 21, 2021

“Reign of Christ” Sunday

The last Sunday of the liturgical year

Communion Sunday

Message: “Everyone Who Belongs”

Scripture: John 18:33-37; Daniel 7:9-14

Thread: At the end of the liturgical year, we end as we began, with the King born as a babe, having come fully around to our understanding that Jesus is king of all. Not sure when the slight shift from “Christ the King” to “Reign of Christ” Sunday happened. It is subtle, yet profound, as we move from a metaphor of as transitory king to the permanence of Christ and his reign. A reign of truth. A new way of living. A new way to life. Pilate wanted to talk about kingdoms; Jesus wanted to talk about truth. Because most earthly kings and their kingdoms have been built on lies, but Christ’s kingdom is built on the truth.