Reign of Christ (Christ the King) - Proper 29 (Year B)

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Call to Worship

The Lord is King, God is robed in majesty. Ps. 93
The Lord is robed, God is girded with strength.
God has established the world;
it shall never be moved.
We gather on this Christ the King Sunday
to be reminded that God is the supreme ruler of all.
God is our rock, our strength, our redeemer.
Come, let us worship our King!

Prayer of the Day

Majestic God, Ps. 93
all of creation speaks your praise
for you are the Source of our very being.
Every breath we breathe is a generous gift from you.
Help us respond in gratitude. Amen.

Call to Confession

With the knowledge that God is eager to forgive,
let us confess our sins before God and one another.

Confession

Supreme Ruler,
we have so many choices of people and things in which to put our trust!
Sometimes we make idols of politicians and celebrities,
sometimes we make idols of money and sex,
sometimes we make an idol of our nation,
and sometimes we make an idol of ourselves.
Help us place our trust in you and in you alone,
for you are our King and our Redeemer. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Friends, our King is not a self-centered, arrogant tyrant,
but a loving and forgiving Holy Parent.
In the name of our King, Jesus Christ, I announce to you that our sins are forgiven!
Alleluia! Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

Gracious Spirit who is, was, and is to come, Rev. 1:4
bless us with your wisdom
as we gather around your Word.
Help us to hear what you are saying to your Church this day. Amen

Prayers of the People

Let us pray to God our King, saying:
Alpha and Omega, help us testify to the truth.

Gracious God,
in an age where words spread so rapidly and, often, recklessly,
help us to keep ourselves centered on the truth we find in you in scripture,
the truth of a loving Parent who desires peace for creation.
Where false words have masqueraded around as if they were true,
help us remain grounded in the truth of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Alpha and Omega, help us testify to the truth.

God of Joy,
as we enter the holiday season,
let us never forget the true meaning of Advent and Christmas,
that this is a time for us to prepare for the arrival of your son, Jesus Christ,
who will break forth as a beauteous, heavenly light in this world to illuminate the way.
As we prepare for the season of Advent,
help us not get lost in the busyness of the month of December.
Keep us calm. Keep us grounded. Keep us in wonder.
Alpha and Omega, help us testify to the truth.

God of Compassion,
help us speak true words of kindness and gentleness
when far too many in this world are hearing harsh words of cruelty.
To the immigrant, let us say “welcome!"
To the stranger, let us say “God loves you and so do we!”
To the poor, let us say “here’s some food!”
To the sad, let us say “we’re here for you!”
Alpha and Omega, help us testify to the truth.

God of All Creation,
we pray this day for the people among us,
and perhaps even our very selves,
who need your love and compassion this day…
Alpha and Omega, help us testify to the truth.

Hear us, Holy Parent,
as you taught us to pray, saying: Our Father…

Looking for ADVENT resources for Year C? Check out my following resources by clicking below:


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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.