Welcome
Thanks for joining us for our online worship for January 10, 2021
Call to Worship
Speaking words of love, God creates us, calls to us, and claims us as God’s own.
Speaking words of love,
we too can create, call, and claim God’s beauty and glory in the world.
Let us worship God!
Opening Prayers
Majestic Jesus,
we come into presence humbly and yet confident of your love and friendship.
We worship you as the King and Head of the Church.
We acknowledge and surrender ourselves
to your lordship over all the kingdoms of this earth.
All glory, honor and praise belong to you from all of your creation.
Righteous God,
We confess first and foremost in your holy and loving presence,
that you are God and we are not.
You have crowned Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
But sadly confess that we have not bowed before him,
and are slow to acknowledge his rule.
Too often we give into the values and attitudes of the powers of this world,
and we fail to be guided and directed by your values of love, justice, and sacrifice.
Like our ancient spiritual ancestors Adam and Eve,
we cling to our deep seated desire to determine what is right, true, and worth treasuring for ourselves.
Lord in your mercy,
forgive us our foolishness and our betrayals of your authority and love.
Remind us as we bow before your throne of grace and truth,
that Christ the King came to bring truth into our confusion,
peace into turmoil, and joy into our sorrow.
And the truth is that in Christ’s Kingdom,
there is no condemnation for those who put their trust in Christ.
Help us to believe in the God News and be at peace you and with one another.
This we ask in the name of Christ our Lord,
whose name we pray. Amen.
Hymn: “Rejoice the Lord is King” Emu Music
Prayer for Understanding
O Lord, as you have given us the gift of your Son and the gift of your life giving Word. So now O Lord, we give you the gift our attention and openness to be led by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 8:1-9
Psalm 146
John 18:33-38
John19:16-22
Sermon: Reflections on Wednesday’s Tragic Events
This past Wednesday, we witnessed the tragic, horrible, and once thought impossible events in Washington, D. C. where individuals loyal to the current President of the United States broke into Capital building to stop and disrupt the lawful process of counting the votes of the Electoral College to officially make Joe Biden the President Elect of the USA. It was a sad day for democracies around the world who joined in denouncing the persons and events that led up to it and violence that ensued.
I am heartbroken for the land of my birth, upbringing, the nation that helped to shape my values and ideals along with my family and my Christian faith. I am grieved and lament that so many have bought into lies and misinformation spread those in authority.
The way I am currently making sense of it is to return to the wisdom of the Preacher of Ecclesiastes. Our passage today focuses on “How do you live with kings” or in our case politicians “who frustrate us and drive us crazy?” Every generation has had to wrestle with this issue.
In Israel’s and Judah’s history of having kingly rule, only 24% can be said to have ruled wisely, followed God’s ways, and whose rule benefited the people of God under their care. The rest of the kings, or 76% of the kings were scoundrels, who ignored God’s ways and who brought harm to God’s people under their care and rule. These kings also gave the prophets much to speak out against just as our current leaders give our comedians much to comment on as well as to lament about as Stephen Colbert so eloquently and insightfully did on Wednesday night on his TV show.
It is any wonder that the Preacher, who has surely reflected upon the leaders of God’s people in his day and over Israel’s history, looked the current ruler of Israel and asks the question in verse Eccl. 8:1 …
“Who is like the wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
Wisdom makes one’s face shine,
and the hardness of one’s countenance is changed.”
The Preacher asks the question because he doesn’t see the current king as having any wisdom, vision, or much character. And hence the introduction to his observations and reflections on how to live with a frustrating and power-hungry king in Eccl. 8:2-9
So what is frustrating the Preacher about the current king or political leader or political climate that he and his congregation are facing?
First, the Preacher knows that he, along with the rest of the God’s people, are supposed to obey the king because they agreed or vowed to do so when the king was installed as king. It was their sacred duty to follow that king as God’s chosen leader.
Well that is fine when the king serves and rules as he is supposed to under God’s guidance. But what happens when the king is a power-hungry, arrogant, foolish, and perhaps even wicked king as the current king of the Preacher’s time seems to be?
I get a strong sense that the Preacher is trying to do his best to obey the king along with his people, but it is frustrated because the king is a royal jerk.
As Christians we know that we too are supposed to obey our civil authorities and pay our taxes as Paul reminds us in Romans 13:1-7. But we also know how hard and frustrating it can be to follow political leaders and their policies when we strongly disagree with them and see them harming others in our society.
The second thing that frustrates the Preacher about the current king is found in Eccl. 8:3-4.
“Do not be terrified; go from his presence, do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”
The Preacher has resigned himself to the fact the current king is going to do whatever he pleases. The king knows he can do whatever he pleases, because no one is going question anything he says or does.
Are things any really different in our world today? No! How many current world leaders could be characterized by the observations of the Preacher? Wednesday was tragic reminder of following a leader who only follows his own wisdom and who condemns anyone who opposes him.
Thankfully in our free societies we have a free press, the freedom of speech, to dissent, and the freedom of assembly. We have access to our political leaders and we get to choose our political leaders. However, nowhere is there a Biblical injunction to support the acts of an unruly mob that we witnessed on Wednesday. I gasped when I saw a sign on the steps of the capital that read “Jesus / Trump.” The personal, moral, ethical differences between the words and actions of these two men is staggering and immense.
But the sad and frustrating part of democracy is that it doesn’t guarantee that our leaders will listen to the voice of the electorate. Well, perhaps only at election time and even that is no longer a given as we have seen lately.
The Preacher is frustrated by the king for these reasons and for two more reasons. The Preacher is frustrated by the current king’s lack of vision for the future and lack of listening to wise advisors.
In Eccl. 8:7, the Preacher says…
“Indeed, they (the king) do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be?”
The king doesn’t know what the future holds because he refuses to listen to wise people who have a sense of the what the future holds. A king’s foolishness and arrogance are again seen in the leader’s inability to listen and follow anyone else’s opinion other than their own. They do not listen to wise voices who can map out the consequences of their actions and how they will affect placed under their care by God.
I know it is difficult to predict the future, but if you incite people to violence as leaders have done throughout history, you can safely predict that some will respond in kind and be violent. On the other hand, if a leader encourages his people to work for something good that positively affects people’s lives, you can also safely predict that some will respond to that kind of positive encouragement.
Can you hear the frustration the closing remarks of the Preacher’s in Eccl. 8:9,
“All this I observed, applying my mind to all that is done under the sun, while one person exercises authority over another to the other’s hurt.”
The frustration of the Preacher comes in knowing that God has told the people what he expects from the kings of Israel and Judah and the actual reality of the leadership that is experienced.
God told the leaders of Micah’s day that what is required of all of us is “To do justice, to love God’s unfailing -merciful-all inclusive-graciousness, and to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
I suspect our frustration with our political leaders is similar to that of the Preachers. We know things can be better and must be better.
So what is the Preacher’s response to his frustration and what advice does he have for the people of his day?
In Eccl. 8:5, the Preacher implies the wise will learn how and when to make the best of the situation.
The Bible is full of examples in both Old and New Testaments of people who acted wisely at the right time taking advantage of the opportunities God gave them.
The obvious Old Testament example is Esther, who used her influence with King Ahasuerus to save her people from harm. She knew the time and way to affect positive change.
Or in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, when he was arrested in Jerusalem for causing a disturbance, used his Roman citizenship to get himself to Rome to preach the Gospel at Rome’s expense. This shows that Paul also knew the time and way around the political system of his day.
In the last US Federal election close to 160,000,000 Americans took advantage of the opportunity to vote for the candidates of their choice. Many became involved because of wanting to vote out incumbent leaders who did not share their values. Many helped to register new voters despite the obstacles of a pandemic to do so. It was the right time to get involved in a positive way.
In the Gospels, we are told that at the right time and in the right way, God chose to enter our world to establish His kingdom on earth. The Kingdom that God establishes through his Son, stands in contrast to all human kingdoms where citizens are frustrated by their leaders in different ways.
In the Kingdom of God, we do not fear the authority of Jesus as King, for he uses his authority to love, to heal, to restore, to help, to save, to serve, to unite, to forgive for the sake of others. This is the high standard we and our leaders must strive for.
Jesus was open to all people and welcomed all people to him including those who were rejected by the political and religious leaders of his day.
Jesus chose to follow his Father’s guidance and direction at every step of the way. He chose to do what was pleasing to his Father in Heaven and what was good for those around him. He informed his disciples what he was doing and why. He expressed his Lordship in humility when he washed his disciple’s feet. He demonstrates the greatness of his kingship in his sacrifice on the cross.
The powerlessness of human leaders that the Preacher speaks of in Eccl. 8:8 points us to the person and work of Christ and the kind of authority that he has as King.
“No one has power over the wind to restrain the wind, or power over the day of death; there is no discharge from the battle, nor does wickedness deliver those who practice it.”
Jesus proved his power over creation including the wind when he told the wind to stop blowing on one particularly dangerous boat crossing on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples stood in awe that Jesus could do that. (Mark 4:35-41)
We are told in the Gospels and by Jesus himself that He chooses the time of his death and not the Jewish leadership or Pilate. Jesus has control over his death.
When Jesus announced “It is finished” he also releases us from our battle of having to prove ourselves to God. In his work we rest.
And on the cross, Jesus as our King defeated the powers of wickedness and delivered us from the power of the evil one and his associates. Jesus offered us God’s forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life.
I love this important contrast between Jesus and all earthly rulers. It is huge. It is significant. And it is noteworthy.
Jesus is the kind of king, who once we get to know him, we want to follow and obey him. He drew us and others to himself in positive non-manipulative ways.
And what is even more amazing is Jesus our King has given us a glimpse of what to is to be so that we can live our lives in the assurance that He is ultimately in control of our world. That is a hope that we have to hold on, to act upon, and to give witness to with every breath we have in this life.
May we take comfort in knowing that even though we suffer under foolish leaders in our time, our Eternal King continues to rule and govern this world with his truth and grace.
May we continue to pray for our leaders both wise and foolish in their role asking that the Holy Spirit keep them humbly listening to wise voices that both confirm and challenge their thinking and leadership, so they govern justly, compassionately, and humbly as respect God’s ways.
And may we be wise enough to take advantage of the opportunities God gives to us to raise our voices in both affirmation and protest, and to seek and work for the peace and welfare of our towns, province and nation (Jer. 29:7).
These things we do faithfully and practically in response to Christ our King, to whom all glory, honor and praise be given now and always.
Amen!
Hymn: “For the healing of the nations” Sung by Kristen Young
Moment for Mission – PCCWeb Presence for Congregations and Ministries
A website extends the ministry and mission of a congregation beyond church walls, giving members the ability to make the most of their church experience and allowing visitors the opportunity to learn more about a congregation. A great church website should share details about your congregation’s ministry, highlight news and events, offer online worship services, and let people know about upcoming activities, mission projects and fundraisers. Your gifts to Presbyterians Sharing equip congregations and groups of the PCC with simple and easily maintained websites through PCCWeb—a free web hosting and technical support service provided by the Communications Office.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
We thank you Sovereign God…
• that Christ defeated the powers of sin and death, conflict and destruction, bringing into being new order, new peace, and eternal hope.
• that you have established Christ forever, and given him universal power and authority.
• that the salvation of Christ’s kingdom is cosmic and all-inclusive, that we may live as devoted subjects, accessing his power for life.
We offer our words of thanks for God’s blessings to us this week.
We pray …
• for those who yet say, “We have no king, but Caesar,” that they come to know the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives.
• for those who lack confidence in Christ’s supreme, saving power, and who fear death and the powers of this world.
• for the protection and strengthening of those easily influenced by strong, evil powers still rampant in this world.
• that ours be lives of thanksgiving knowing we are numbered among the citizens of Christ’s kingdom, safe under his reign.
• that our words and ways convey our certainty that Christ is the victorious Lord over all.
• that the church exemplifies Christ’s new kingdom of peace, love, freedom, and joy.
As the pandemic still haunts lives and nations, we pray for
• those struggling with COVID-19 and its lingering effects,
• those who are offering medical, psychological, spiritual, grief support, continue to strengthen them and watch over their families,
• those who are ill and those who need your healing touch upon their bodies, minds, emotions, relationships, and spirits.
• those whose emotions are raw from fear or isolation,
• those exhausted by caring for others and serving the public day by day, rescue them from the temptation to give up and walk away,
• for all churches as they continue to lead worship, teach, care for their members, and reach out to their communities,
• Give each one the hope and courage they need to face this new year, .
We pray for the United States as it recovers and moves forward after the tragic events of Wednesday
• That an orderly, violence free transition of power may take place on January 20,
• That those who planned, incited and carried out the violence and unlawful acts on Wednesday will be brought to justice.
• That you would protect and guide President elect Biden, and Vice President elect Kamala Harris, the new congress as they seek to govern a nation that is divided.
• That the divided nation may be healed and set on the road toward reconciliation, toward justice for all, and where all have an equal voice in shaping the destiny of the nation with your divine guidance and assistance.
We offer the concerns on our hearts to you now…
We offer you these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ,
using the words he taught us to pray…
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and forever. Amen..
Hymn: Jesus shall reign
Charge and Benediction (Rom 15:5)
We go into this new week
To be servants, reconcilers, witnesses of our King Jesus.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement
Grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
In accordance with Jesus Christ,
So that together you may with one voice
Glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Prayer Partnership
Sunday, January 10 We thank God for technical tools for worshipping and building community online, and for the people in our churches with the skills to help us use them well.
Monday, January 11 We give thanks for Presbyterian World Service & Development programs that bring sanitation aid to countries recovering from flooding.
Tuesday, January 12 We pray for leaders of Canadian churches gathering in the coming days, hosted by the Canadian Council of Churches, to support one another and share the experience of their important and challenging ministries.
Wednesday, January 13 We pray for the work of Cornerstone, an outreach ministry of the Presbytery of Niagara, and its minister, the Rev. Nicole Reid.
Thursday, January 14 We pray for members of the International Affairs Committee as they prepare the committee’s report to the 2021 General Assembly.
Friday, January 15 We pray for wisdom and love for congregations supporting family members, friends and neighbours who wrestle with addiction.
Saturday, January 16 We pray for those who live and work in prisons, as well as for those who volunteer and work to bring God’s Word of love and grace to these facilities.