Christ the King



A few weeks ago I saw a church sign that read “No matter who wins the midterms, Christ is still King.” It occurred to me that whether our candidates or party won or lost in the midterms, we are once again at the end of our liturgical year when we are asked to decide if we are children of the Kings of the world (political party, news outlets, corporations), or are we in word and deed, citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

We are asked to choose whether we will serve worldly power or this bruised, bloody and tortured victim hanging on the cross.

We celebrate "Christ the King" or "Reign of Christ" Sunday. This day is a hinge week between the liturgical seasons of Ordinary Time and Advent, a single Sunday when we pause to reflect on the meaning of Christ as our one true king.

If you are still new to the nuances of the liturgical calendar, you might have expected something glorious, perhaps, about Jesus on his heavenly throne, decked out in fancy robes and a jeweled crown. 

Or perhaps something grand and prophetic from Isaiah: "A son will be given to us, and the government will rest upon his shoulders." Or at least a shiny moment from one of the Gospels: Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop. Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus emerging from the waters of baptism, heaven thundering in his ears.

But no. Christ the King Sunday always brings our focus back to the Crucifixion and the endless battle between the love of God and the sometimes-viral brutality of the human creature in our search for power and domination.

We see a stripped and suffocating man, wracked with pain. We witness a crowd of mockers spewing hatred at his naked body. We discover a man hanging between thieves, mockery filling the air around him even as he speaks forgiveness and blessing to the angry crowd and criminals hanging with him.

Sunday demands that we pause for a moment and contemplate the paradox. This is who we follow; this is who we are meant to be. 

If there is any moment in the Christian calendar that serves to wake us up with a splash of icy cold reality this one has to be it. 

Our king was a man who gave his life to stop the endless cycles of violence. His chosen path to glory was the cross. 

This little piece of information is often overlooked and the people of God have had a loooong history of confusing the political wills of men with the decidedly different thrust of God’s politics.

We see this dance played out in one of many favorite books of the Bible. In 1^st Samuel, the people of God, wanting to be like all of the other nations around them, demanded that, “God give us a King.” 

And speaking through the wisdom of the great Judge of Israel, Samuel, God says, “I really don’t think you want a king. Worldly kings do bad things like oppress people, steal from the poor to get richer, they will use you and abuse and you will know no end to the misery--earthly kings can make the world a hell on earth.”

But the people wouldn’t hear it and kept demanding so in the end God says—okay, I’ll give you a king, but don’t come crying to me when it doesn’t go very well.”

And then of course, through several books of the Old Testament, including the rest of First Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings and Second Kings and Chronicles---hundreds and hundreds of pages unfold about the misery the people of God suffered on account of their kings. Thousands of years of pain and suffering were the result of the peoples demand for a worldly king.

And that brings us back to this Sunday with God’s chosen one hanging on the cross. The power of God absolutely radiated from Jesus like the sun’s all-embracing light, the force of God’s will and desire for the human family poured like blood from his every thought and action as we know them. 

This broken, bloody, forgiving, compassionate, healing man who went to every margin of society he could find to bring in the lost, the criminals, the untouchables—this is the man---our Gospels tell us---is the one in whom we most clearly meet the face and will of God.

When we claim Christ as King we claim that God’s compassionate, just power is greater than the power of wealth, greater than the power of violence, war and division---greater even than death. 

I am still just crazy enough to believe that God’s mercy is real and that Jesus is alive in all of us and that we have a vital role yet to play. Each week, together we create a holy place where people can hear of hope, share the sacred Eucharistic meal and go back out into the world just a little bit braver, a touch more hopeful.

Can we change the world by what we do here? Can we create world peace or solve world hunger? Probably not. But we can do small acts with great courage and love that help us all remember that God’s world is ultimately good, that we need not fear, and that one drop of hope, of grace and one drop of love at a time, we can change ourselves. 

We can leave this place, go back out into our workplaces, gym, book clubs, or schools and just maybe be that person who makes a difference by taking the time to show love and kindness to someone who needs it. This won’t make the evening news, but it will make one life just a little better. I am good with that. I will lay myself down for that week by week.

Grace and Peace,

Mother Stephanie

Thank You

I want to offer a quick, but deeply thankful shout out of appreciation to everyone who has helped to labor on my farm so that I might finally be "at home" in Wilkes County.

It has been a long and arduous year of renovations and challenges, but St. Paul's has been a very present help in times of need.

I have been working all week to get moved in and as of publication of this E-news I have many miles to go, but I pray that by next week I will be home at last. Thank you to those who are still making themselves available to unpack boxes and move furniture around and to make sure I have food!

With Deep and Everlasting Gratitude,

Stephanie+

Celebrating

Deacon Susan!

Sunday, November 20th will be a BIG day in the life of our faith community!

In addition to our ECW Fall Festival, One Worship Service at 9:30, and the return of the Men's Breakfast, we will officially  recognize Deacon Susan's retirement from her full time duties as Deacon in our Parish.

She will continue in an unofficial capacity (as vocation always extends past retirement!) As she has been doing, she will continue to support pastoral care needs as well as occasionally preaching and doing other ministries as needed.

We hope that you will join us on the 20th as we recognize her many years of ordained ministry and give thanks for the multitude of ways she has served St. Paul's, Wilkesboro and our surrounding community.

Thank you Deacon Susan!

Altar Flowers given Sunday in honor of Deacon Susan and her many years of service to St. Paul's and our community.

Please drop off your donation at the Church office or you may call Ruth Harris 336.984.9690 for pick-up

Men’s Breakfast will be returning on Sunday, November 20! 

8:30 to 9:30 and

10:30 to 11:30

We are very excited about this opportunity to fellowship together once again. If you are new to St. Paul’s you may not completely

 understand the title of this event.

 The breakfast is for EVERYONE, and is

prepared by the men of the Church. 

We are looking for some volunteers to help with set-up, cooking, clean-up and anything needed that morning. 

 No previous cooking experience is necessary. 

We welcome all past volunteers and look forward to meeting new ones. If you are looking for a way to get involved, this is a great way to meet new people and enjoy a good breakfast too. If you are willing to volunteer, please contact David Shupe at 336-466-4426.

Progress is being made in the Office Renovation!!!!!! Cubbies have been installed in the Choir room and are ready to be filled. The cabinets have been installed in the administrative office. We're getting close!!

We are asking your cooperation when sending in your announcements, events, etc. for the weekly

E-News and Bulletins The submission deadline is NO LATER THAN TUESDAY BY NOON for the upcoming E-News and Bulletins. Anything received after Tuesday at Noon will not be included in the weekly upcoming E-News or Bulletin

In addition - we need your help in keeping the prayer list up-to date.

(here's a handy link)

E-News/Bulletin Submissions

The Parish Office will be closed Thursday, November 24th and Friday 25th in observance of Thanksgiving.

Scripture for the upcoming Sunday Service

First Reading                                      Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."

The Response                                                         Psalm 46

Deus noster refugium

God is our refuge and strength, *

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *

and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

Though its waters rage and foam, *

and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her;

she shall not be overthrown; *

God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *

God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

 The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, *

what awesome things he has done on earth.

It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *

he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,

and burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, then, and know that I am God; *

I will be exalted among the nations;

I will be exalted in the earth."

 The Lord of hosts is with us; *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Second Reading                                                        Colossians 1:11-20

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things

in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or

dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him.

 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of t

he body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might

come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased

to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether

on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

The Gospel                                                                Luke 23:33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

MASKS ARE OPTIONAL IN WORSHIP



Masks are optional for inside worship and other inside activities for the foreseeable future.

Please help us put an end to this Pandemic by getting vaccinated.

Love yourself, love your neighbor, get vaccinated!

Please remember in your prayers: All who are ill or unemployed and those who are on our prayer list.

Short-term

Steve Jackson, Jennifer Gates-Icenhour, George Forester, Mildred Kimball, John Oliver, Bonita Stewart, Joe Samuel, Julian Family, Jackie Foster, Juanita Phillips, Althea Johnson

Long-term

Lloyd Putzek, Ryan Marlow, Jordan Denny & Family, Kathi Johnson, Paul Barlow, Dot Beamon, David Temple, Ken Asel, Doug Merritt, Julius Parks & Family, Esther Eller

Armed Forces

Let us pray for the safety of all our troops, especially Micha Duerk, Faith Lankford, Cole Griffith, Zach Necessary, Walker Pardue, Mark Stone, Jason Westmeyer, and all others who serve throughout the world.

Please send to the church office the addresses of troops with connections to

office@stpaulwilkesboro.org, especially those abroad.

Prayer Requests

Prayer requests can be made by using the app under "contact us" and then the "prayer request" tab, by emailing the office at office@stpaulwilkesboro.org, or calling the office during regular office hours.

Bulletins are printed on Thursday mornings and requests submitted after that time will not be in the printed bulletin for that week, but may still be spoken. Prayer requests received by noon on Wednesday will be included in the weekly e-newsletter.

Serving in November

SIGN UP TODAY!

Sponsor our Sunday

Flowers to Honor Your

Special Memories and

Occasions!

Signup sheet and envelopes are in the commons.

Cost: $40 for one vase and $80 for two.

Sign up for one or both vases.

UPDATE! In addition to the sign-up sheet in the commons, please contact Becky at the Parish office to confirm your chosen date is available. Call 336.667.4231 or email office@stpaulwilkesboro.org

We have a standing order with City Florist, who will bill the church monthly. If you want something special for your two vases, call City Florist with your request. In that case, if you pay them directly, let them know your flowers replace our order.

If you choose to contact City Florist directly, please advise the Parish office at least ONE week prior to your chosen Sunday.

The November/December/January issues of Forward Day by Day are in the mailbox by the front door of the office.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

AND

YOURSELF!

GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED!!!

PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY!