 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Friday, November 18, 2022 Christ the King The Kingdom of the Lord Sunday, November 20th Worship on Sunday Morning prayer – Paula Shepard will preach. Jolyn Hecht will lead the third intergenerational activity after lunch. The Gospel Matthew 25:34-41 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king ill answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of those who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ * No president, governor or other elected authority who claims a degree of temporary power and is loved by only part of the population, can possibly represent us all – or claim lordship over us all – or love us all with passionate intention for our equal good.  King when crowned with thorns Hymn #435 At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now; ’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word. Humbled for a season, to receive a Name from the lips of sinners, unto whom he came, faithfully he bore it spotless to the last, brought it back victorious, when from death he passed; bore it up triumphant, with its human light, through all ranks of creatures, to the central height, to the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast; filled it with the glory of that perfect rest. In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue all that is not holy, all that is not true; crown him as your Captain in temptation’s hour; let his will enfold you in his light and power. Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again, with his Father’s glory o’er the earth to reign; for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow, and our hearts confess him King of glory now.  At his dying, King: both priest and sacrifice Hymn #436 Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates; behold the King of glory waits! The King of kings is drawing near; the Savior of the world is here. Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple set apart from earthly use to heaven’s employ, adorned with prayed and love and joy. Redeemer come! I open wide my heart to thee: here, Lord, abide!Let me thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in me reveal. So come, my Sovereign; enter in! Let new and nobler life begin; thy Holy Spirit guide us on, until the glorious crown be won.  Hymn #382 (The language is old – the poet, George Herbert, was a priest in the 16th century.But the words, if you can get past their oddness to American ears, are wonderful.) King of glory, king of peace, I will love thee; and that love may never cease, I will move thee, Thou hast granted my request, thou hast heard me; thou didst note my working breast, thou hast spared me. Wherefore with my utmost art, I will sing thee; and the cream of all my heart, I will bring thee; Though my sins against me cried, thou didst clear me; and alone when they replied, thou didst hear me. Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee; in my heart, though not in heaven, I can raise thee. Small it is in this poor sort to enroll thee; e’en eternity’s too short to extol thee.   |
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