As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of
our father David that is coming!

Mark 11.9, 10

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Gathering

(Fittingly, we begin our worship (on Sunday) with:

Rejoice, the Lord is king
Your Lord and King adore.)

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Collect for Today 

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

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

John 18.33-37

May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord.  Amen.

" Christ is King? " 

On Wednesday this week, we marked the Commemoration of Edmund, King of East Anglia, who was martyred in 870.
    
We read what is possibly one of the least-understood portions of the Gospel, or one of the portions of the Gospel, most difficult to for us to hear. [Matthew 10:34-39]

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not 
worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more 
than me is not worthy of me; 
and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose 
their life for my sake will find it.”

This is a small portion of Jesus sending out the Twelve with these words as part of his preparation for them of possible persecution. 
    
With these words, Jesus is not suggesting ‘to become a Christian, you will be expected to separate yourself from friends or family.’ Rather, your decision has the possibility of separating yourself from friends and family.
    
Or we might say, 'walking as a Christian is not always an easy road'.

Or Jesus also is saying 'by taking up your cross and following him, in all probability, you will be governed by different values, morals, goals, and purposes'.
    
These differences will at times set us apart.
    
However, at the same time, Jesus would not expect us to abandon our families, or our friends, or our community.
 
Then—the question.

Could it be this teaching is part of the discussion between Jesus and Pilate?

This discussion appears sort of as a forerunner to what we—who are not in the legal field—a discussion between the Defense and the Prosecution, which takes place to this day in the law courts. 

What happens behind closed doors? Those moments when the judge and the prosecution and the defense will retire to the judges’ quarters for a “discussion”—a discussion that takes place behind closed doors—never to be recorded.

Except, today we have the recording of such a discussion, and we ask the question, then, “what does it mean when Jesus responds to Pilate within this dialogue, when Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” And Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. … For this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
    
On that day, there was no “back room” deal happened. Obvious. We know the rest of the story, so to speak, and how it plays out.
    
But let’s take this back to the socioeconomic climate of the day when Pilate and Jesus have this private meeting – then – let us leap forward. 

Many people in the world are living in intimidating surroundings. 
    
What we often find within those intimidating surroundings are people with many questions about our religious, political, and sociological points of view. 
    
I believe, Pilate was as much curious about Jesus—sort of in one hand, I think maybe Pilate may have been questioning—questioning faith. Questioning what Jesus taught.

Pilate was as much concerned about the law and the government as he was (you might say) about his personal life. 
 
And so, he was curious in many ways about the place of Jesus in the world as curious as he was in his concern  about fulfilling the wishes of the masses. 
    
Often, people are intrigued, curious, or puzzled by our commitment, our devotion, and our loyalty to our Christian faith. 
    
To my title for today, then, “CHRIST IS KING?”
    
The universal answer to that question is played out in many words; but the real question comes to us on a personal level. A question played out as an eternal question—a question which continues to be asked each and every day. 
    
The question is not so much about a ruler, or a monarch of a country. It is more about the question many people find makes them uncomfortable: “Is he king of my life?”

That’s the question. 
    
As individuals, we are the only person who can answer that question in the context of our personal lives. 

So—let’s go back now to that room, in the palace, where Jesus and Pilate are having their discussion. 

The moment when Jesus says to Pilate,

“Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”  

I love the scene—the scene that I have framed as two lawyers in debate or legal gesturing.

And, Pilate says, “I am not a Jew. Your own people have given you over to me.”

Sure, there is more to the discussion than those few words. But then Pilate, sort of becoming a little bit frustrated (if we read sort of behind the scenes) and he looks at Jesus and he just needs an answer, you might say he’s at “lost ends.” 

And so, he says to Jesus, “What have you done?” In other words, “Why have you been handed over to me?”
    
I can only imagine the banter that went on back and forth.
    
Finally, Pilate in frustration, once more asks, “So you are a king?”
    
Jesus closes the debate, then, with these great words, for which I am sure Pilate went away with only more questions.

Jesus says, “You say I am a king. …… For this reason, I came into the world, to testify to the truth….”
    
To this day, there are those who would say Christian faith has nothing to do with the world and the problems of the world today. But nothing could be further from the truth.
    
Truly our world, Christ’s kingdom challenges and judges all our actions. 
    
And, because the world continues to experience martyrdom, is because people are prepared to stand up for the cross. 

Crucifixion continues to this day. 

Not in the sense of being tied to a cross and taunted. 

There are people who will stand by their conviction to the risen life and power of Our Lord—not just centuries ago, but even today!
    
As we close out this year in the calendar of the Christian Church, this is the good news. 
     
AND the question continues, “Christ Is King?” Amen.

Let us profess our faith in the words of the Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Rooted in God’s abundant love for the world,
let us pray for our neighbours, the Church, and all of creation.

Revive our congregations, synods, and national church body
to reflect the love, justice, and kinships of your kingdom. 

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

Nourish parched lands and bring relief to flooded places.
Protect wildlife habitats and endangered species, that the chorus of 
creation’s praise resounds with joy.

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

Grant wisdom to the leaders who govern, legislate, and deliberate.
On behalf of the City of Duncan, Mayor Michelle Staples and Councilors;
in North Cowichan, Mayor Rob Douglas and Councillors.  
Advance your non-violent reign of justice-seeking love through their work. 

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

Draw near to those who are detained, on trial, or incarcerated.
Transform systems of retribution into systems of reconciliation and restoration.
Empower activists who advocate for change. 

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

Remind us of your enduring love in all seasons.
Guide the planning efforts of worship leaders and volunteers who usher our congregation into a meaningful Advent: the Rev. Brian, Rev. Trish, and our Music Leader, Ginette.

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

In our Parish, we continue to pray for those in need of healing in body, mind, and spirit.
We continue to pray for: John; Gail; and Shelia. We lift up the Clothier family, in the loss of Patsy.

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

In your eternal presence, the saints sing of your majesty.
Join our voices with theirs in praise to the one who loves us and frees us from sin. 

Merciful God, 
Receive our prayer.

We offer our prayers to you, gracious God, trusting in your boundless love for all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour.  Amen.

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

The Blessing: 

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always.  Amen.

We pray for all those in the world today,
and particularly for our Christian brothers and sisters,
as they prepare for the season of Advent.
God bless you.