Christ the King
Bible Readings: Revelation 1.4b-8 & John 18.33-37
Today, we mark the Festival of Christ the King. For some, ‘king’ is a positive word, signifying the honour and glory which are proper to God; for others, it jars and seems ill-suited to the servant leadership, humility and sacrifice which Christ models when he pitched his tent among us. The word can suffer by association when we think of how wordly power is often exercised, but our two readings today can help unshackle it from some of its earthly connotations and bring us a glimpse of the mystery of Christ’s kingship. In the Gospel reading, while feeling runs at fever pitch outside among the crowds, we are inside Pilate’s headquarters, witnessing an enigmatic exchange between Pilate and Jesus. Pilate’s questions are in line with his own understanding of power and politics, but Jesus confounds him by pointing to a kingdom that is ‘not from this world’ (John 18.36). Indeed, Jesus says that were his kingdom from this world, his followers would be fighting to prevent him from being handed over. In this, we see that Jesus is unlike some of our received notions of a king: he does not engage in, or condone, the reactive violence of the world’s powers. And this tells us something vital about his coming kingdom.
In our first reading, we are far from the tight drama of the Gospel encounter; rather, we are given a picture of God on the cosmic scale: ‘the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come’ (Rev 1.8). In this passage, Christ is proclaimed as ‘ruler of the kings of the earth’ (Rev 1.5), but again, we are given an insight into his kingship that has no earthly parallel: this is a king who has loved us and freed us and his kingdom, in fact, will be made up of us: we are his kingdom, serving as priests of God the Father (Rev 1.6). Christ’s kingdom is not a physical territory; there is no favoured nation set against another.
- How do I understand Christ as King?
- How easy do I find the language of kingship in relation to Christ? If I struggle with it, do these readings give me a helpful perspective? – Josie
Advent & Christmas Services and Activities
can be found at this link.
Weekly newsletter/blog and website
Please send all information for the Sunday newsletter/blog by Wednesday evening to Josie at penleeclusternewsletter@gmail.com and communications@penleecluster.org.uk.
Advent & Christmas Psalm Group Dates
Please note that Psalm Group will continue as usual on Thursdays at 11.15am throughout Advent, but will not be running on Thursday 26th December or Thursday 2nd January. (It will return again on Thursday 9th January.)
Christmas Holiday Club
We are hoping to run a Christmas Holiday Club on 23rd & 30th December and 2nd & 3rd January (dates to be confirmed). If you can volunteer, please contact Molly on molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk.
Women’s Refuge Christmas Party
We are looking for Christmas gifts for an upcoming Christmas Party for the Women’s Refuge. If you’re able to donate toiletries, body care sets, chocolates, or biscuits, that would be very much appreciated. Please contact Molly on molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk so she can come and collect them. She will need them by 2nd December. Thank you for your generosity.
Celtic Morning Prayer
Each weekday morning on zoom at 8am. The zoom meeting ID is 815 4586 0947. Please email Keno at admin@penleecluster.org.uk (or call on 01736 331633) for the passcode, which you will need as well as the meeting ID given here.
Prayer Requests
If you are concerned about someone and would like their name included in the Prayer Request Group’s weekly prayer list, please do email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk by 7pm on Tuesday evenings. Thank you.
TODAY…
Julian Meeting
The Julian Meeting will be on zoom this Sunday, at 6pm. Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84734636130?pwd=NkMrMDNjTGpzbnorZEUrYVRJUTBkQT09
Opening reflection
Stir-up Sunday is an informal term in churches for the last Sunday before Advent. It gets its name from the beginning of the collect for the day which begins with the words ‘Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people…’, but it has become associated with the custom of making the Christmas puddings on that day, which is one of the essential British Christmas traditions and is said to have been introduced to Britain by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband. (The reality is that the meatless version was introduced from Germany by George 1 in 1714.) Most recipes for Christmas pudding require it to be cooked well in advance of Christmas and then reheated on Christmas Day, so the collect of the day served as a useful reminder. This Sunday has subsequently also been named the day we celebrate the Festival of Christ as our King, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, drawing attention to the importance of Christ the King over earthly rulers, and so the collect for the day serves as a useful reminder of this and brings the church year to a fitting climax.
Sentence
Stir us up O Lord
Closing blessing
Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIS WEEK…
West Cornwall Women’s Aid event –
Monday 25th November
West Cornwall Women’s Aid, together with other community organisations, will be holding a solidarity night walk and vigil in Penzance. The route begins at Wherrytown Car Park (opposite Lidl) at 5.30pm (meet from 5pm – free hot drinks available, please bring your own cup if you can!), walking to St Mary’s Church on Chapel Street, where there will be readings, performances and a candlelit vigil. We will be remembering the women who have lost their lives to male violence. Hot soup will be served after the vigil.
Christmas Coffee Morning
Saturday 30th November
Christmas coffee morning and table top sale at St. Peter’s Newlyn, from 10am – 12noon.
COMING SOON…
St. Nicholas’ Day Event –
Sunday 1st December
Come along to this family-friendly event at St. John’s Church at 1pm to hear the story of St. Nicholas (whose feast Day is 6th December). Children are encouraged to bring along a toy they no longer need so that another child can enjoy a pre-loved toy. Each child will bring home a chocolate treat. Free entry.
Christmas Wreath making workshop
Monday 2nd December
Come along to St. Mary’s on Monday 2nd December at 10.30am until 12.30pm to make your very own Christmas wreath! All materials provided, followed by a soup lunch.
Littleland Children’s Roleplay
Saturday 7th December
At St. Peter’s Newlyn. Roleplay suitable for children under 5 years of age, on Saturday 7th December, from 10.00am – 12.00pm. All sessions are FREE and refreshments are provided for the children. Hot drinks and cakes for adults by donation please. Contact Molly on molly.blewett@penleecluster.org.uk.
