This is the last Sunday of what we call the ‘church year’, the journey that begins with Advent (next Sunday – yikes!) and moves through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. Even though I was raised in a tradition that made a point of celebrating every Sunday as an Easter Sunday, to the exclusion of any other emphasis (even a mid-week Christmas Eve or Day service) I have come to enjoy this emphasis upon ‘seasons’ of the Christian faith. (By the way, I came across a wonderful Canadian church year calendar recently – you can check it out at http://christiancalendar.squarespace.com/

Matthias Gerung (1500 A.D. – 1570 A.D.)

This is Christ the King or The Reign of Christ Sunday. If the year begins remembering the incarnation of God among us in Jesus of Bethlehem, we conclude the year by remembering that the same Jesus whom we knew among us is also the one who reigns with all human history in his hands.

There are so many possibilities for reflection and celebration – the ‘power’ that Jesus exercises is that of the one who loved us even unto the death, the ‘reign’ of Jesus is an assurance that what God commences God will bring to completion, the ‘coming’ of Jesus is a current reality and call for lives preparing for God’s reign of peace and justice now. This year I have selected as my emphasis the vision of Jesus granted by John on Patmos (Revelation 1: 9-20). It is all rather fantastic, as imagined by Matthius Gerung above, but with a very practical message of assurance for us today.

If you are in the area, we invite you to join us in Christian worship. Some great hymns of heritage, some time for reflection and prayer. Lots of free parking on the streets around (time-of-day restrictions on Clergy north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot off Queen just behind the church. During the service, for those who wish, there is offered a nursery for infants and a programme for young children.

Have a look at the Order of Service below, and the announcements – please consider each a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service.

Download (PDF, 418KB)

Comments are closed.

Post Navigation