Sunday School, November 23, 2014 Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King, Cycle A, Proper 29

November 23, 2014: The Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King

Sunday School Themes

If Jesus is a King, how was Jesus like earthly kings?
Did he live in a palace?
Why do we confess Jesus as a king?
St. Paul believed that Jesus was like a king because God raised him from the dead.  A person with the power of resurrection is greater than any earthly king.
Jesus was not a obvious king.
Jesus as a king of hearts.
Jesus had the power of love and with the power of love he has convinced billions of people to change their lives and to be better people.
Which type of king is better?  A king who is strong enough to force you to do things or someone who inspires you and persuades you to a better person and to change your life?

We in the church believe that we can know the presence of Christ when we gather to pray and to bless the bread and wine and receive holy communion.

The Parable of Jesus from the Gospel indicates that Christ as the Son of Man, the future judge of the world can be found somewhere else, he is found in the poor, the hungry and those who are wrongly imprisoned.  When we take care of the poor, feeding the hungry and visiting those in prison, we are actually visiting Christ as the Son of Man.

Do you see how this parable of Jesus was used to convince people to help the poor and needy?  In our baptismal promises, we promise to seek Christ in all people, and to love our neighbor as our self.  Do you see how this baptismal promise is inspired by the parable from the Gospel?

The writer of the letter of John said that we could love who we don't see if we don't love our brothers and sisters whom we do see.  So the presence of God is hid in our neighbors and we can learn to love God better, by loving our neighbors better.

Puppet Show

Woolly the Sheep and Bill Gordon the Goat

Bill Gordon:  Hey, Woolly, how are you and your fuzzy self doing today?  Don't get too close; you know I am allergic to wool,....hee...hee...hee..  just kidding.

Woolly: Bill, you  are always joking.  How many tin cans have you eaten today?  Just kidding....oh wait...kidding....kids are what you call your babies.  But I can never figure out why human beings would want to call their children kids....why would they want to be like baby goats.  Goats eat garbage and almost anything.  You goats have no taste for the finer things.

Bill:  Well, baa baa, Woolly sheep.  Did you know that you sheep are treated better in the Bible than us goats?  And that's not fair.

Woolly:  Why do you say that?

Bill:  Well, the Bible says that someday the Son of Man will be like a shepherd and he will separate the sheep and the goats.  And everyone wants to be a sheep and not a goat because the goats are supposed to be the bad guys.

Woolly:  Bill Gordon. don't take it personally.  It is just a story and it refers to  what every shepherd does.  They herd sheep and goats together and so they look alike in the field but sometimes the goats and the sheep have to be kept separately.

Bill: In the parable which Jesus told, the goat represented the person who did not recognize the presence of the Son of Man in the poor people.  The goat was the person who did not help the person in need. 

Woolly:  And the sheep represented the persons who helped the person in need and they did not know that they were helping the Son of Man.  But you know, sometimes each of us is like the sheep and sometimes we are like the goats.

Bill:  What do you mean?

Woolly:  Sometimes we help people in need and sometimes we don't.  Sometimes we don't even see people in need.

Bill:  So, goats are not really bad?

Woolly:  No, goats are not really bad but we all can be good and bad. 

Bill:  And what is good or bad?

Woolly:  Well, according to the parable of Jesus, we are good when we help other and we are bad when we neglect to help others.

Bill: Well, I want to be a good goat.

Woolly:  Well, Bill, you are a good goat.  But I'm just kidding.

Bill: That's not funny.  Let me ask these children.  Children do you want to be good kids?

Children:  Yes we do....

Bill:  See I told they liked to be good little goats.  

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist


November 23, 2014: The Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King

Gathering Songs: Hosanna; Hosanna; The King of Love; The King of Glory Comes

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And Blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Liturgist: Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song: Hosanna (Renew! # 71)

1. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! Lord we lift your name—with hearts full of praise; Be exalted, oh Lord my God Hosanna in the highest!

2. Glory, Glory, Glory in the highest! Glory, Glory, Glory to the King of kings! Lord we lift your name—with hearts full of praise; Be exalted, oh Lord my God Glory to the King of kings!

Liturgist: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Liturgist: Let us pray

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.

First Litany of Praise: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great! Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians

God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 100

Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; * serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The LORD himself is God; * he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; * give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; * and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Liturgist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

Thanks be to God!

Liturgist: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 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 will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, `You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Liturgist: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering.

Offertory Music: Hosanna! Hosanna! (Christian Children’s Songbook # 102)

Hosanna! Hosanna! The little children sing. Hosanna! Hosanna! For Christ, our Lord, is King. “Prepare the way,” the children sing, Hosanna to our Lord and King! Hosanna! Hosanna! The little children sing. (repeat)

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of our birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

(Children may gather around the altar)

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as

this food and drink that becomes a part of us.

The Prayer continues with these words

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we can we love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

(Children rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Song: The King of Love, (Renew! # 106)

1. The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness keeps me ever. I want for nothing! I am God’s and God is mine for ever.

2. Where streams of living water flow my happy soul God leads now, and where the greenest pastures grow with food celestial feeds now.

3. Though often foolishly I strayed, still in true love God sought me; and told me to be unafraid, and home again God brought me.

4. In time of death I’ll have no fear with you, dear Lord, beside me; your rod and staff my comfort still, your cross before to guide me.

5. You spread a table in my sight the bread of life bestowing; With promise of eternal light My cup is overflowing!

6. Though all of my remaining days, Then guide me, leave me never, Good Shepherd, my I sing your praise within your house forever.

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Closing Song: The King of Glory, (Renew! # 267)

Refrain: The King of Glory comes, the nation rejoices. Open the gates before him, lift up your voices.

1-Who is the King of glory how shall we call him? He is Emmanuel, the promised of ages. Refrain

2-In all of Galilee, in city or village, he goes among the people curing their illness. Refrain

3-Sing then of David’s son, our Savior and brother; in all of Galilee was never another. Refrain

Dismissal

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God!