23rd November: Christ the King.
online Morning Prayer from St.Oswald’s.
Colossians 1:11-20
Paul warns the Christians in Colossae against false teaching about Jesus. They must be strong in their faith in Jesus who has rescued humanity through his death.
Brothers and sisters, may you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Luke 23:33-43
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Something to think about
The accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus in the gospels are powerful and were written to express the horror of Jesus’s followers at what they had witnessed. Only Luke recorded the conversation between the two thieves and Jesus.
Collect
God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory.
Post Communion
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people;
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may by you be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (30th) Readings:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Matthew 24:36-44
Please support (if you can) Luke Hammond, our faithful candle-bearer at the Gospel reading, who is to be confirmed on Thursday 20th November at 7pm in St.Mary’s Church, Wirksworth.
Please remember in your prayers this week: *See footnote
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
Those who are ill, especially Graham Price, Pam Phillips and Reina Hammond.
The recently bereaved..
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches.
Our Ministry Team: Dwayne, Maggie, Nigel & Lynda.
*The Prayer List
Please do not give out personal names when intercessing in the Thursday recording.