For Sunday, November 26

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it
(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

November 26, 2006
25th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 29, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided
and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together
under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took
his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his
head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels
were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from
his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand
times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in
judgment, and the books were opened.

As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being
coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One
and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and
glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that
shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be
destroyed.
_______________

In a culture of Empire, this kind of imagery of God's would have communicated God's authority and power in a very compelling way.
In our age, what imagery or symbols help you understand God?
____________________________________________________

Psalm 93
1 The Lord is King;
he has put on splendid apparel; *
the Lord has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.

2 He has made the whole world so sure *
that it cannot be moved;

3 Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.

4 The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
the waters have lifted up their voice; *
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.

5 Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.

6 Your testimonies are very sure, *
and holiness adorns your house, O Lord,
for ever and for evermore.
_______________

When has an experience of water provoked a sense of awe in you?
_____________________________________________________

Revelation 1:4b-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to
come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and
from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the
dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and
made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming
with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;
and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be.
Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who
is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
_______________

Write your own poetic greeting from Christ; describe what Jesus has done for us and what his future blessing will be.
________________________________________________________

John 18:33-37
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and
asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do
you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?"
Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the
chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom
were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me
from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is
not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus
answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for
this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who
belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
_____________

Why don't Jesus' followers fight to protect him?
What kind of king is Jesus? What kind of kingdom does he rule?
What does it mean to belong to the truth?

___________________________________________________

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Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR