November 23, 2025
WELCOME TO REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY!!
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, and of Coming Together in the Name of the Risen Christ
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Chair of Council: Vacant
Reader: Nancy Gillean
“Here are some slogans that you might see on some bumper stickers: “A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.” … “A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.” … “God doesn’t want shares of your life; God wants controlling interest.”
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
PRELUDE
INTROIT MV # 7 “Gather Us In”
(We will sing this together 3 or 4 times as a grounding hymn…)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOMING INTO THE LIGHT
Leader: As we find ourselves on the verge of the season of wonder and the season of light, the astonishment that is life will ignite our spirits and we feel, if merely for a moment, that we are as we were meant to be.
ALL: May we hold fast to this sliver of mystery, this truth upon which we set the whole of who we are.
Leader: May we call ourselves back to it time and again, until we are filled with the wonder that is our life – its hope, its peace, its joy, its love.
ALL: Infused, then, with all that we are, may our energies be given to the transformation of this world – from despair into hope; from darkness into light; from fear into love.
Leader: May we be bold – may we be daring – may we be love – and may we be light and as this Candle of Christ is lit, you are invited into the presence of the Living Spirit…
(Lighting the Candle of Christ…)
The Candle of Christ, for all of us, the people of Christ!
ALL: Amen!
ACKNOWLEDGING THE TERRITORY (Unison)
We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda Nations, the Metis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
OPENING CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
Leader: Not everyone will sing this morning, not everyone will find a voice which will echo to the rafters.
ALL: Not every heart will be glad, not every heart will soar as an eagle on the wing.
Leader: Not every person will remember a reason to rejoice, not every person will be sharing in exuberance.
ALL: We sing when others cannot, we sing when voices are stilled for whatever reason may make them silent.
Leader: We sing to praise our God in circumstances; we sing because our hearts are filled and our soul smiles.
ALL: We sing to worship our God; we sing to offer praises to the Holy One who breathes us.
Leader: And…God deserves our praise.
ALL: The world and our God need our song; the world and our God need our voices.
Leader: How can we keep from singing?
ALL: Let us offer PRAISE and WORSHIP:
P raise be to thee, O God,
R enew in us the awe and majesty that is your spirit at work.
A ssure us that you are at work in our lives,
I nstill us with peace and serenity,
S urprise us with joy and challenge,
E nvelop us; comfort us, as we pray to you.
W ith flute and lyre and tambourine,
O n bended knee and with voices raised,
R ejoice with us!
S ing with us!
H ear us as we proclaim joy in our house,
I n and to your glory,
P raise be to you, O God!
(An acrostic poem celebrating the style of Psalm 111…)
*Hymn: VU # 375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
ALL: O Visionary God, architect of heaven and of earth, unless we build in partnership with you, we labour in vain. Help us work to create cities and countries modeled more faithfully on the plan of your kingdom:
Communities where children are respected and encouraged;
Where young people can express themselves creatively;
Where the experience of old people is called upon;
Where insights and gifts of all God’s people are fully realized;
Where shared gardens and plots bloom in once derelict places;
Where all cultures and traditions are honoured and celebrated on soulful, carnival streets;
Where gay couples can dance to the beat of their hearts;
Where homeless people are received with loving arms and open borders;
Where news vendors cry, “Hosanna!”
Where all are fed and loved and set free…
O God, our maker, open our eyes to new possibilities and new perspectives, organizations and projects, structures and outlooks. Help us to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, to break down the barriers within ourselves that prevent us from reaching out to neighbours and making peace; to rebuild communities based on understanding and justice, illuminated with the true light of Christ …Amen.
ASSURANCE of PARDON: (Leader)
Jesus spoke to the disciples of the challenges that they were going to encounter. He knew just how much the world was going to change and how difficult it would be for them to hold on to their faith and to give up some things which they cherished. Despite the challenges we encounter today in living our faith, rest assured that the love of God transcends all things. God calls us to support and encourage one another as we live the reign of Christ as a community….Amen.
*HYMN VU # 512 “Lord, You Gave the Great Commission” (Verses 1, 2, and 5)
Engaging the Sacred Text
(Reader: Nancy Gillean)
FIRST SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 23:1-6 (633) God will raise up new shepherds for Israel, God’s flock..
SECOND SCRIPTURE
Colossians 1:11-20 (956) In Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…
HYMN of ILLUMINATION VU # 148 “Jesus, Remember Me”
GOSPEL PASSAGE
Luke 23:33-43 (859) (Rev. Jope) “Remember me when you come into your kingdom…”
SERMON / MESSAGE / HOMILY ”What is God’s Reign Like?”
Responding
OFFERING INVITATION (Leader)
As we contemplate the journey through the Christian year, from Advent to Reign of Christ, we think of our own journey of faith, our call and our response. As part of our response in faith, we will now present our offerings…
CHOIR OFFERTORY MUSICAL SELECTION
“In Christ Alone” by: Stuart Townend and Keith Getty/arr. David Angerman
PRAYER of DEDICATION (Rev. Jope)
Blessing
THE LORD’S PRAYER, REIMAGINED (Leader)
Our Mother, our Father, our Creator in heaven, holy and blessed is your name. We strive to do your will here on earth, as it is done in your heavenly home, to create on earth a place for all to live together in harmony. Give us the bread that we need, and give to others whatever their needs may be. Forgive us when we falter. We will do our very best to forgive any who have caused us harm or sadness. Shine your light upon us, so that we are not tempted to go astray. And help us to remember that all creation is yours. Glory be to your name, always and forever…Amen.
(Diane McKenty, Grey Street U.C., Winnipeg, Man. Gathering, pg. 70)
THE LORD’S PRAYER IN TWO VOICES
ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven,
Leader: Our God of many names: Creator, Allah, Mother, Adonai,
ALL: hallowed be thy name.
Leader: You are sacred, divine, holy,
ALL: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Leader: May your vision for a healed and vibrant world be made manifest.
ALL: Give us this day our daily bread.
Leader: You know our needs even before we name them.
ALL: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Leader: May we act with humility and forgive generously.
ALL: And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Leader: Help us to journey along a good path and follow in your way.
ALL: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
Leader: You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Source of All That Is,
ALL: for ever and ever
Leader: and evermore
ALL: Amen.
(Joy Cowan, Trinity U.C., Ingersoll, Ont. Gathering mag. Pg. 70)
COMMISSIONING (unison):
We go from this place knowing the risk of humanity shared, yet choosing discipleship out of love and knowing that giving of ourselves calls into being the joy of love lived…we leave in peace, and we live in peace…Amen.
*HYMN VU # 424 “May the God of Hope Go with Us ”
BLESSING
RECESSIONAL
POSTLUDE MUSIC
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SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, November 30
first sunday of advent
Isaiah 2: 1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13: 11-14
Matthew 24: 36-44