Looking into the lectionary - Can CREs address PC(USA)'s leadership gap?

26th Sunday after Pentecost 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time Christ the King / Reign of Christ Sunday Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 1:15-23 November 22, 2026 The final Sunday in the liturgical year — whether you call it “Christ the King” or “Reign of Christ” Sunday — is about power. This ancient-sounding holy day is actually only a century old. In his 1925 encyclical, Quas Primas, establishing the Feast of Christ the King, Pope Pius XI argued that this new holy day was necessary in response to what he perceived as the widespread “rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ,” particularly evident in the rise of communism in the East and fascism in the West. The pope lamented the “deplorable consequences” of such rebellion: “the seeds of discord, sown far and wide,” “bitter enmities between nations,” “insatiable greed which is so often hidden under a pretense of public spirit and patriotism,” “a blind and immoderate selfishness” and “the unity and stability of the family undermined.” In short, he described “society ... shaken to its foundations and on the way to ruin.” A century later, we might raise a remarkably similar lament. In a time of war, economic hardship for many, the obscene accumulation of wealth by a few, isolation and outrage fueled by algorithms and declining marriage and birth rates — society, in a word, shaken to its foundations — what can we say about the authority of Christ? Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. View the corresponding Order of Worship for the 26th Sunday after Pentecost. Sign up for worship resources in your inbox every Monday. We've got daily Advent devotionals and a long list of holiday liturgies to make your worship planning easier!

Order of worship — November 22, 2026 by Aaron Shepherd   Presbyterians make headlines in 2026 midterm elections by Harriet Riley Can Commissioned Ruling Elders fill a looming leadership void in the PC(USA)? by Phillip Blackburn Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness  by Caroline Garcia

What are we teaching our boys? Matthew Frease examines issues of masculinity, gender norms, the 'manosphere' and the raising of young men. A big piece of bread Teri McDowell Ott reflects on how feeding one another, as Jesus did in Mark’s Gospel, is how the church makes people feel they belong. Discerning futures for theological education Like the disestablishments that birthed the modern seminary, today’s upheaval may feel like the end of the world, but Ted A. Smith sees a time between the times. Movie review: You Can See Everything New documentary explores concepts of truth, knowledge and the creation of alternate realities through the eyes of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. — Brendan McLean US Presbyterians call for action in the face of humanitarian crisis in Cuba Following action by the 227th General Assembly, partners respond through advocacy, accompaniment and community ministries —Layton Williams Berkes Breaking, Disintegrating, Scattering As communion goes sideways, a revelation: God’s kingdom always comes. — Larissa Kwong Abazia  What has formed your theology? Maggie Alsup reflects on a lesson learned during her seminary internship: the importance of showing up. When a Presbyterian elder is taken by ICE After Pedro Garcia Luna was detained and deported to Mexico, his North Carolina congregation was left grieving his absence and navigating fear — while finding the faith to carry on. —  Harriet Riley Advent planning doesn’t have to mean sorting through dozens of books and resources on your own. In this recorded webinar, Amy Pagliarella offers ideas for churches, small groups and individuals.

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