SERMON SNAPSHOT: Christ the King Sunday, November 20, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

This Sunday is the last of the season known as Common Time, a non-festival block of time. The ‘Common’ season is capped off with a Sunday decidedly not common Christ the King leading into the festival season of Advent. I looked for an alternate title. This is what came up – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe!

We approach this Sunday through the Old Testament, positioning ourselves for the grace of Jesus by looking to Joshua. Joshua followed Moses and having brought the people to the land promised, he would soon die. So, he brings the leaders of Israel together, knowing that if the leaders aren’t on board the people will drift. He lays it out: Yahweh brought them this far. He recaps their journey from Egypt through the desert, through conflict, famine, temptations. Then he asks, “Who will you serve?” (Unfortunately, a reasonable question.)

This Sunday we face the same question. Jesus has called us here just as Joshua called the leaders of Israel. (You may remember that we are the priesthood of all believers.) Second Church, we will have the chance to answer as well. Who will we serve?

Bring your Pledge Cards to church on Sunday. If you are pledging online, indicate on the card and join the parade of folks committing to the work of Jesus’ realm through Second Church. Dying institutions don’t need money. Vibrant, purposeful, service-minded, Christocentric churches do!

See you on Sunday!