Advent 1C, HOPE

		The First Sunday of Advent,Year C November 28, 2021 —The Beginning Of a New Church Year, Year C— FOR A BEAD AND A PRAYER CLICK HERE A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose
		Centering In Preparation God brings new life to some of the unexpected places. The days are pregnant with the wonder of God's making. Here and now God is with us. Here and now, without exception, God is drawing near. Let us center our heart of hearts in the movement of God's Spirit within. Let us worship in hope! Call To Worship Daylight is shortened but soon will be growing. Autumn is becoming Winter but Spring will follow. A stump is dead to the eye But a new branch is rising. The year now past was an unusual challenge but today a new year begins. The world is in the chaos of unrest and violence but peace and jutice has been promised. We are here, and God is here with us but there is still more good to come. We await a transformation that has already begun and we begin the adventurous advent of God's fulfilled Realm. Your Kin-Dom come, O God, your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven; world without end. Amen. Opening Prayer O God who comes to us in a variety of ways, we pray that your advent will bring your Kin-Dom to fulfillment. We long for a world where our hope for peace and justice is broughbt to your fullness and we to your wholeness. May this season of advent draw us closer to you, closer to one another, and closer to living in your way, lest we hope in vain and perish in our brokenness. But you are the God who promises to make all things right, and each of us well. We thank you, God-Of-Promises, for the keeping of your Word. Amen. Lighting the First Candle—The Flame Of Hope Holy God, as the light of day fades in the evening . . . We hope for the sunrise. As leaves journey toward earth mulch . . . We hope for good soil. As the winter deepens around us, hollowing to sleep . . . We hope for springtime. As all around us sleep the sleep of the brokenness . . . We hope for healing. We wait in wakefulness, Eyes open, In readiness and expectation, For you to come. For you to call us on a journey — We wait awake. On the dawn . . . Goodness comes. With green shoots . . . Goodness comes. From earliest darkness . . . Goodness comes. From darkest soil . . . Goodness comes. The Goodness that is manger and straw and lamb and shepherd and angel, Our God-With-Us. The Goodness that is a fresh babe. Our Holy One, The Goodness that is the Anointed-One, Our humble Sovereign. Amen. —Pratt, Fran. Call and Response: Litanies for Congregational Prayer. [As we light the first candle, the following carol is sung] Prayer Make haste, O God, and transform our world! Help us to be ready, for Christ is entering our world and our lives in a new way. Prepare us for our world to be turned upside down this Advent season. Amen. Prayer For Illumination God our salvation, there is hope, peace, joy and love for those who keep your Word. By the power of your Holy Spirit, lead us in your truth and teach us to do your will; for the sake of your Anointed-And-Chosen-One. Amen. A Reading From the Hebrew Scriptures—Jeremiah 33 14 “The days are surely coming, says God-Of-Hosts-Most-High, when I will bestow on Israel and Judah all the blessings I promised them. 15 In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous branch from the line of David, who will bring justice and integrity to the land. 16 In those days Judah will be safe and Jerusalem will be secure. They will call the land, ‘God-Holy-Mighty-the Immortal-One is our Justice.’ —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) Psalmody—Psalm 25 1 To you, O God-Of-Hosts-Most-High, I lift up my soul. 2 My God, I trust in you; don’t let me be ashamed, don’t let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No—none who hope in you will be ashamed, but shame will come to the wantonly treacherous. 4 Show me your ways, O God-Of-Hosts-Most-High! Teach me your paths! 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. I wait all the day long for you. 6 Remember your mercies, O God-Of-Hosts-Most-High, your love— your ancient and unwavering love! 7 Pardon the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; remember me because of your love, because of your goodness, God-Holy-Mighty-the Immortal-One! 8 And how good and upright you are, God-Holy-Mighty-the Immortal-One! You instruct sinners in the path, 9 you guide the humble in what is right, and teach them your way. 10 All of your paths, O God-Of-Hosts-Most-High, are full of love and faithfulness for those who keep your Covenant and Testimonies. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) A Reading From the Epistles—I Thessalonians 3 9 How can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel before God on your account? 10 We earnestly pray night and day to be able to see you again and make up for any shortcomings in your faith. 11 May our loving God and the Only-Begotten-Beloved-Anointed One-Of-God, our Savior, direct our steps back to you. 12 May the Chosen One increase to overflowing your love for one another and for all people, even as our love does for you; 13 may the the Chosen One strengthen your hearts, making them blameless and holy before our God at the coming of our Savior, the Chosen One, with all the holy ones. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) A Reading From the Gospels—Luke 21 25 “Signs will appear in the sun, the moon and the stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish, distraught at the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth. The powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 After that, people will see the Chosen One coming on a cloud with great power and glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your ransom is near at hand.” 29 And Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 You see when they’re budding and know that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, know that the Reign of God is near. 32 The truth is, this generation will not pass away until all this takes place. 33 The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 “Be on your guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence, drunkenness and worldly cares. That day will suddenly close in on you like a trap. 35 It will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, so be on your watch. 36 Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever comes, and to stand secure before the Chosen One.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Call to Confession Friends, the season of Advent is a time of preparation. In these days we take a good long look at ourselves and recognize our brokenness. Thia we do, not to beat up on ourselves, but that we would turn to God and in God's love find healing and wellness. Prayer Of Confession Loving and Merciful God, today as we kindled the flame of hope, a beacon of light that shines in the darkness, We acknowledge that our hope has not always been placed in you and in your promises. Nor have we been advocates for hope that those in suffering, pain, and despair might find hope in you. We confess the ways we have caused others to feel hopeless. Some feel the hopelessness of hunger because of our greed. Others feel the hopelessness of oppression because our love is tainted in bias. Yet others feel the hopelessness of violence because of our apathy. Still others feel the hopelessness of racism because of our ignorance. Forgive us, gracious God. Be mindful of your mercy, O God of all compassion, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Blessed are You and blessed is your Kin-Dom. Amen. Assurance of Pardon Friends, all the ways of God are steadfast in love, perfect in peace, and tempered in justice. In God's loving-kindness our sins are forgiven and our brokenness is being transformed into a healing that redeems, renews, and reconciles. Great is our God, and greatly to be praised. Amen. The Gloria—Click Here For Music Glo — ria, in Excelsis Deo! Glo — ria, in Excelsis Deo! Prayer Of Intercession Let us pray to God, saying: God of Hope, draw near to us. In this holiday season, we pray this day for our Jewish friends and family as they begin the celebration of Hanukah. In the midst of a year that has seen an alarming rise in anti-semitic violence, we pray that they may worship in peace and that they and those they love might be held in God’s care. God of Hope, draw near to us. In this season of merriment and mirth, we remember those for whom this time of year is difficult: for those who have lost loved ones in the last year, for those who are undergoing serious medical issues, for those who suffer from seasonal depression, for those who cannot be with their families, for military personnel serving overseas, and for all others who struggle during the holidays. God of Hope, draw near to us. In this season of hope, we ask that you would reinvigorate us and redirect us to the hope that we find in you, Gracious God. Lead us not into despair, but lead us beside still waters that we might invite others to the peace that passes all understanding. God of Hope, draw near to us. Healing God, we pray this day for those among us who are in need of hope that we name before you in silence . . . God of Hope, draw near to us. Amen. —http://www.stephenmfearing.com Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication God of righteousness, you have saved us from the worst the world can do and have promised to redeem the whole creation when your comes again. In faith and hope we offer our gifts of money and self, that we may be part of what you are doing in the world even now, as we watch for the coming in glory of your Chosen-And-Anointed One. Amen. —Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C. Sending Forth In Service Go in peace, live in love, and seek to be holy in all that you do. —Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C. Blessing In Dismissal May the God of mercy keep you, the Holy Spirit cheer you, and Christ in glory greet you, now and at the day of his coming. —Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C.

		The Sovereignty Of God's Realm — Also Known As — The Sovereignty of the Anointed and Only-Begotten One November 21, 2021 FOR POETRY PEW CLICK HERE FOR A BEAD AND A PRAYER CLICK HERE A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose
		Centering In Preparation Sovereign God, come to us now in silent, holy power. Still our distracted minds, our bruised hearts, our longing bodies. Then speak the power of your name in such a way that we might hear it, in such a way that we might bear it into the world— as a people who seek not to preserve what we know but to make palpable who you are— for we move and pray by the gift of your breath within us. Amen. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted) Opening Words—Psalm 72. 1-7 O God, give your anointed one your judgment—and your justice. Teach your chosen one to govern your people rightly and bring justice to the oppressed. Your anointed will defend the oppressed among the people, save the children of the poor, and crush the oppressor. The reign of your anointed will endure as long as the sun and moon—throughout all generations. The rule of the chosen one will be like rain coming down on the meadow, like showers watering the earth. Justice will flower through the days, and profound peace, until the moon be no more. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Prayer For Worship O God, our Sovereign, grant us singleness of heart and mind, that our worship would focus on you and your wondrous works. Help us to be attentive in praise and thanksgiving, exulting on high the glory of your Presence. For we long to worship in Spirit and in Truth, as your Sacred Spirit inspires us in ways that are beyond and above our words and imagination. To you be all Majesty and Beauty that is Love; forever and ever. Amen. Trisagion Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: Sovereign are you. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: your Realm be on earth as it is in heaven. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One: bring your justice and peace. Prayer For the Day Sovereign One, whose Realm was established before the beginning and shall be forevermore: You cause justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Bring us at last to the fulfillment of your covenant, that your will be the reality by which we trust and live. May our allegiance be to you alone, relegating your authority to be above and beyond any human person. And, in return, may we follow in the leadership of those who follow in your way. All to your glory, honor, and dominion; world without end. Amen. The Gloria Glory we give to God, and peace, goodwill, we share with all. Amen. O God, you are clothed with strength, and robed with power: Make us ready to stand before the seat of your majesty, that from everlasting to everlasting we may magnify your name. Be gracious to us on earth, you who are wonderful in the highest. —Stratman, Paul. "Through Your Mercy, O Our God..." Prayers from the Mozarabic Church. Prayer For Illumination Ruler of hearts, minds, and souls, stir up within us an inspiration to not only hear your Word anew, but to live your Word in this day, and forevermore. Amen. Reading From the Hebrew Scriptures—Daniel 7. 9-10, 13-14 As I watched, Thrones were set up, and the one who sat there was the Ancient of Days, whose clothing was snow white, with a head of hair as white as wool; whose throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A stream of fire surged forth, flowing from the Ancient One’s presence, with tens of thousands ministering, and hundreds of thousands standing in attendance. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I gazed into the visions of the night once again, and I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one who looked human, but somehow more than human. This One came to the Ancient One and was led into the divine Presence. Thus was conferred sovereignty, glory and dominion, and all peoples, nations and languages became this One’s subjects. This sovereignty is an eternal Sovereignty which will never pass away, nor will this dominion ever be destroyed. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Psalmody—Psalm 93 The Most-High, God-Of-Hosts, reigns, robed in splendor! You are robed, O God, and armed with strength. your throne stands firm from ages past; from eternity you exist. the seas are shouting, O God— the seas raise their voices; the seas shout with pounding waves. stronger than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, mightiest of all is God! Your reign was made known from of old; the holy ones praise you in your temple, O Most-High, God-Of-Hosts, for days without end. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) Reading From the Epistles—Revelation 1. 5-8 Grace and peace to you, from the One who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits before the throne and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the Firstborn from the dead, sovereign of the rulers of the earth. To Christ—who loves us, and who has freed us from our sins by the shedding of blood, and who has made us to be a kindom of priests to serve our God and Creator— to Jesus Christ be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look! Christ is coming on the clouds for every eye to see, even those who pierced Jesus, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn over Christ. So be it! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says our God, “who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Reading From the Gospels—John 18. 33-37 Pilate reentered the Praetorium and summoned Jesus. “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or have others told you about me?” Pilate replied, “Am I Jewish? It is your own people and the chief priests who hand you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My realm is not of this world; if it belonged to this world, my people would have fought to keep me out of the hands of the Temple authorities. No, my realm is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you’re a King?” Jesus replied, “You say I’m a King. I was born and came into the world for one purpose— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who seeks the truth hears my voice.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Call To Healing and Wholenesss We need but to remember our misgivings and errors to know the brokenness that we share. Let us turn to God, the Sovereign One, who forgives, redeems, reconciles and heals. To whom esle would we turn? Our God, your words are eternal life. Prayer of Brokenness We confess, O God of all mercy and compassion, that celebrating you as Sovereign is more than difficult. The whole meaning of royalty is foreign to us. We have no queens or kings here on earth that possess the authority of your Divine Solemnity. What we do know is that we live with divided allegiances. We are not a people who are able to place all in dominion in you. Rather, we place our trust in people and things that are imperfect and transient. And, we complain that our alliances fail us. In a super-hero world, we vie to be independent and self-sufficient; all the time failing to be true to who and whose we are. Forgive us, O God, and enable us to have full courage of commitment to you and to living life in your way. Help us to follow in the example of Jesus, who trusted in your providence and wisdom. Amen. Words Of Assurance and Reconciliation If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive us and resolve our brokenness unto all righteousness. Be at peace. You are in God's love, now and forever. Amen. Prayer Of Intercession Everlasting Sovereign, Eternal One in Majesty: you have freed us from our sins and made us a people: clothe your people with righteousness, let your faithful people sing with joy. You have made us to be a Kin-Dom of peace and wellbeing, to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Everlasting Sovereign, Eternal One in Majesty: you came into the world to testify to the truth. May the words of truth overcome the euphemisms and hyperbole that dominate and control your people. You have made us to be a Kin-Dom of peace and wellbeing, to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Everlasting Sovereign, Eternal One in Majesty: mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under your most gracious rule. You have made us to be a Kin-Dom of peace and wellbeing, to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Everlasting Sovereign, Eternal One in Majesty: your reign is one of justice and truth — bless those who strive for justice. Bless those who yearn for truth. You have made us to be a Kin-Dom of peace and wellbeing, to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Everlasting Sovereign, Eternal One in Majesty: you love us. It is your will to restore all things. Restore to health and wholeness all those who suffer. You have made us to be a Kin-Dom of peace and wellbeing, to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Everlasting Sovereign, Eternal One in Majesty: you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead: raise us, with all your saints, to be with you forever and ever. You have made us to be a Kin-Dom of peace and wellbeing, to you be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. —Williamson, Jeremiah D.. Praying the Scriptures: Litanies for Sunday Worship. (adapted) ——[AND/OR]—— For the Church: that we may become people of truth through listening to God’s Word, sharing in the Eucharist, and giving witness to it in our decisions and actions . . . For the grace of detachment: that we may humbly surrender our plans and goals to God and follow wherever God leads us . . . For transformation of our attitudes: that we may follow in God's way by using our power and abilities to wash the feet of others, speak up for those who are oppressed, and help carry the burdens of those who are suffering . . . For all believers: that we may come to a deep realization that the God, Eternal, the Ever-Present-One, holds our past, walks with us each day, and has a vision for tomorrow filled with compassion and hope . . . For a new understanding of authority: that we may recognize God as the source of all authority and use our authority in cooperation with God’s loving plan for humanity . . . For all whose commitment to the truth brings them into conflict with the social, governmental, and religious authorities: that they may learn from and be strengthened by Christ, the suffering servant of truth . . . For leaders of government and judges: that they may recognize that their authority comes from God and that it is intended for the service of the human community . . . For all who bear the marks of suffering, persecution, or famine: that the world community may recognize their dignity and work to alleviate their pain . . . For all seekers: that the Spirit of God will lead them to the source of all truth and guide them to communities of faith where they and their questions are welcomed . . . For families: that members may speak the truth in love to one another and deepen their support for one another along life’s journey . . . For a spirit of gratitude: that we may recognize all our skills, opportunities, and freedoms as gifts from God and place them at the service of God and one another . . . For all who are entrapped by poverty: that God will lead them to freedom and open the hearts of many to assist and encourage them . . . For all who are rebuilding their lives: that God will restore the sick to health, guide the unemployed to new opportunities, provide the needed resources to those recovering from natural disasters, and comfort those who are grieving . . . For the safety of all travelers: that God will protect all who are traveling this week and help them to have renewing visits with family and friends . . . For protection of the earth: that God will guide world leaders and each of us in caring for the earth and give us the courage to follow through on difficult choices to preserve our common home . . . —Joe Milner (adapted) Prayer Of Jesus O God, who like a loving parent, cares for us in love and justice; how sacred is your Name. O Sovereign One, bring your Realm on earth as it is in heaven, that your will be done. Give us the portion that we need in each day, and guide us in sharing with those who have less. Forgive us when we err against our neighor, as we forgive those who err against us; that we all may be your community of just peace. Keep us from giving in to temptations, and free us from all evil. For to you, O Sovereign One, is all majesty, glory, and honor; forevermore. Amen. Prayer Of Thanksgiving And Dedication Almighty and merciful God, we rise to your eternal blessedness, not by our own doing, but by the grace of your love. With the living breath of your Spirit move us always to seek after the courts of the Heavenly City, and finally enter them with confidence, by your mercy. Amen. —Stratman, Paul. The New Ancient Collects: Completely Revised and Refreshed for Modern Usage. (adapted) Sending Forth—I Peter 2. 9-10 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the Sovereign One who called you out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dismissal With Blessing In the mercy of God, go forth to be merciful to all. And the blessing of God be with you and remain with you always. Amen.
		POETRY PEW Pilate’s Wife Carol Ann Duffy Copyright © 1999 Firstly, his hands—a woman's. Softer than mine, with pearly nails, like shells from Galilee. Indolent hands. Camp hands that clapped for grapes. Their pale, mothy touch made me flinch. Pontius. I longed for Rome, home, someone else. When the Nazarene entered Jerusalem, my maid and I crept out, bored stiff, disguised, and joined the frenzied crowd. I tripped, clutched the bridle of an ass, looked up and there he was. His face? Ugly. Talented. He looked at me. I mean he looked at me. My God. His eyes were eyes to die for. Then he was gone, his rough men shouldering a pathway to the gates. The night before his trial, I dreamt of him. His brown hands touched me. Then it hurt. Then blood. I saw that each tough palm was skewered by a nail. I woke up, sweating, sexual, terrified. Leave him alone.I sent a warning note, then quickly dressed. When I arrived, the Nazarene was crowned with thorns. The crowd was baying for Barabbas. Pilate saw me, looked away, then carefully turned up his sleeves and slowly washed his useless, perfumed hands. They seized the prophet then and dragged him out, up to the Place of Skulls. My maid knows all the rest. Was he God? Of course not. Pilate believed he was. The collection of poems by Carol Ann Duffy entitled ‘The World’s Wife’, was first published in 1999 and presents stories, myths, fairy tales and characters in Western culture from the point of view of women. Much of literature through the ages and even today is patriarchal, presenting the world from a male perspective. These poems were intended by Carol Ann Duffy to rectify that, to highlight the fact that women have long been ignored or silenced. The poems in the collection are witty, satirical, playful and complex. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judaea from 26-36AD. When Jesus was condemned to death he was taken to Pilate to be executed. According to all the Christian gospels Pilate refused to recognise Jesus’s guilt, but gave way to the demands of the crowd and permitted his execution. He tried to absolve himself from guilt by symbolically washing his hands, hence the focus on Pilate’s hands in this poem.
		A BEAD AND A PRAYER
		Cross Sovereign God, come to us now in silent, holy power. Still our distracted minds, our bruised hearts, our longing bodies. Then speak the power of your name in such a way that we might hear it, in such a way that we might bear it into the world— as a people who seek not to preserve what we know but to make palpable who you are— for we move and pray by the gift of your breath within us. Amen. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted) Invitatory Sovereign One, whose Realm was established before the beginning and shall be forevermore: You cause justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Bring us at last to the fulfillment of your covenant, that your will be the reality by which we trust and live. May our allegiance be to you alone, relegating your authority to be above and beyond any human person. And, in return, may we follow in the leadership of those who follow in your way. All to your glory, honor, and dominion; world without end. Amen. Cruciform O God, our Sovereign, grant us singleness of heart and mind, that our worship would focus on you and your wondrous works. Help us to be attentive in praise and thanksgiving, exulting on high the glory of your Presence. For we long to worship in Spirit and in Truth, as your Sacred Spirit inspires us in ways that are beyond and above our words and imagination. To you be all Majesty and Beauty that is Love; forever and ever. Amen. Week I—Daniel 7. 9-10, 13-14 ■ As I watched, Thrones were set up, and the one who sat there was the Ancient of Days, whose clothing was snow white, with a head of hair as white as wool; whose throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. ■ A stream of fire surged forth, flowing from the Ancient One’s presence, with tens of thousands ministering, and hundreds of thousands standing in attendance. ■ The court was convened, and the books were opened. ■ I gazed into the visions of the night once again, and I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one who looked human, but somehow more than human. ■ This One came to the Ancient One and was led into the divine Presence. ■ Thus was conferred sovereignty, glory and dominion, and all peoples, nations and languages became this One’s subjects. ■ This sovereignty is an eternal Sovereignty which will never pass away, nor will this dominion ever be destroyed. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Cruciform Sovereign One, whose Realm was established before the beginning and shall be forevermore: You cause justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Bring us at last to the fulfillment of your covenant, that your will be the reality by which we trust and live. May our allegiance be to you alone, relegating your authority to be above and beyond any human person. And, in return, may we follow in the leadership of those who follow in your way. All to your glory, honor, and dominion; world without end. Amen. Week II—Psalm 93 ■ The Most-High, God-Of-Hosts, reigns, robed in splendor! ■ You are robed, O God, and armed with strength. ■ your throne stands firm from ages past; from eternity you exist. ■ the seas are shouting, O God— the seas raise their voices; the seas shout with pounding waves. ■ stronger than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, mightiest of all is God! ■ Your reign was made known from of old; the holy ones praise you in your temple, ■ O Most-High, God-Of-Hosts, for days without end. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) Cruciform We confess, O God of all mercy and compassion, that celebrating you as Sovereign is more than difficult. The whole meaning of royalty is foreign to us. We have no queens or kings here on earth that possess the authority of your Divine Solemnity. What we do know is that we live with divided allegiances. We are not a people who are able to place all in dominion in you. Rather, we place our trust in people and things that are imperfect and transient. And, we complain that our alliances fail us. In a super-hero world, we vie to be independent and self-sufficient; all the time failing to be true to who and whose we are. Forgive us, O God, and enable us to have full courage of commitment to you and to living life in your way. Help us to follow in the example of Jesus, who trusted in your providence and wisdom. Amen. Week III—Revelation 1. 5-8 ■ Grace and peace to you, from the One who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits before the throne ■ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the Firstborn from the dead, sovereign of the rulers of the earth. ■ To Christ—who loves us, and who has freed us from our sins by the shedding of blood, and who has made us to be a kindom of priests to serve our God and Creator— ■ to Jesus Christ be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. ■ Look! Christ is coming on the clouds for every eye to see, even those who pierced Jesus, ■ and all the peoples of the earth will mourn over Christ. So be it! Amen. ■ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says our God, “who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Cruciform Alpha and Omega, Sovereign One: You who are, who were, and who are to come, before whose judgment all fades away that is not love: save us from the violence that seeks to claim our hearts so we might hear a different voice and belong to you in truth. All to your glory and for the sake of your Kin-Dom. Amen. Week IV—John 18. 33-37 ■ Pilate reentered the Praetorium and summoned Jesus. ■ “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. ■ Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or have others told you about me?” ■ Pilate replied, “Am I Jewish? It is your own people and the chief priests who hand you over to me. What have you done?” ■ Jesus answered, “My realm is not of this world; if it belonged to this world, my people would have fought to keep me out of the hands of the Temple authorities. No, my realm is not of this world.” ■ Pilate said, “So you’re a King?” Jesus replied, “You say I’m a King. ■ I was born and came into the world for one purpose— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who seeks the truth hears my voice.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Cruciform Almighty and merciful God, we rise to your eternal blessedness, not by our own doing, but by the grace of your love. With the living breath of your Spirit move us always to seek after the courts of the Heavenly City, and finally enter them with confidence, by your mercy. Amen. —Stratman, Paul. The New Ancient Collects: Completely Revised and Refreshed for Modern Usage. (adapted) Invitatory I Peter 2. 9-10 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the Sovereign One who called you out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Cross In the mercy of God, go forth to be merciful to all. And the blessing of God be with you and remain with you always. Amen.