Worship resources for November 20, 2022

November 20, 2022 Reign of Christ Sunday Luke 23:33-43 COMMENTARY With his emphasis on Jesus’ innocence and virtuosity on the cross, Luke’s crucifixion scene is difficult to read. Jesus prays for his tormentors, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” The criminal hanging next to Jesus declaratively points to the Messiah’s innocence: “This man has done nothing wrong.” In verse 47, even the centurion on duty at the crucifixion declares, “Certainly this man was innocent.” Luke makes his point clear: crucifying Jesus is a betrayal of the highest order — a betrayal of God and of all that is humane. I’ve been pondering the close association of “human” and “humane.” How often the meanings of these two words seem at odds with each other — that to be human is far from being humane, far from treating others with benevolence, compassion and care. As I write this lectionary reflection, the violent attack on Paul Pelosi by a politically-motivated intruder is breaking news. Threats of violence against our political leaders and even our nonpartisan, volunteer poll workers are the new norm. The New York Times reviewed more than 75 indictments of people charged with threatening lawmakers since 2016. The review highlighted a sickening trend: more and more Americans have taken ideological disagreements to a new level, threatening violence against members of Congress. “The threats have come in almost every conceivable combination: Republicans threatening Democrats, Democrats threatening Republicans, Republicans threatening Republicans” (“One Menacing Call After Another: Threats Against Lawmakers Surge”). No matter your party affiliation or political inclination, no matter whether it is Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell or Donald Trump, this spike in violence and violent rhetoric is beyond disturbing — it is inhumane. You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for Nov. 20, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. Thanksgiving prayer by Letarshia C. Robinson A Thanksgiving benediction by Katy Shevel Thanksgiving — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Co-moderators of the 2022 General Assembly address PC(USA) leaders At the 2022 Moderators' Conference, GA co-Moderators Shavon Starling-Louis and Ruth Santana-Grace join 145 presbytery and synod leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of church ministry. — Leslie Scanlon Download the FREE Blue Christmas Service: For worship planners or individual devotions, this six-page downloadable guide has prayers, readings and hymns for reflection on the sadness that sometimes also accompanies the joy of the holidays. Request the resource here. New Presbyterian Outlook “refresh” coming in January 2023 We invite you to help with this effort! — Teri McDowell Ott Finding Jesus in a prison cell How are we supposed to love our enemies (as Jesus tells us) and live in a just society? — Aaron Neff Advent prayers, resources and lessons A collection of Presbyterian Outlook's Advent-related content. Presbyterian Mission Agency and partners reveal how debt relief addresses systemic injustices across the globe ‘Forgive us our debts’ from Puerto Rico and Sri Lanka to New York. — PNS Paul’s famous song A Uniform Standard Lesson for Nov. 20, 2022, by Richard Boyce. Book Giveaway! Thanks to Broadleaf Books, we're giving away a copy of Aurelia Davila Pratt’s A Brown Girl's Epiphany to one lucky reader of Page Turners, the Outlook's NEW, free monthly newsletter for book lovers. To be entered in the drawing, subscribe here to Page Turners by Nov. 18.

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