Lectionary Excerpts for Sunday, November 20, The Reign of Christ

Jeremiah 23:3-6

 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. 5 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

Psalm 46

7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah8 Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Colossians 1:13-20

13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

First Nations Version: Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Giants -

 13 The Giver of Life has set us free from the dark ruler of this world . He has brought us safely onto his good road to walk it together with Creator’s much - loved Son . 14 He is the one who paid a great price to release us from our bad hearts and broken ways . 15He is the visible representation of our invisible Creator . All that the Father has belongs to this Son . He existed before creation and is above all created things . 16 For it was in him that all things in the spirit - world above and on the earth below were created , all things seen and unseen . Yes , even governments , rulers , powers , and authorities were all created by him and for him .

Luke 1:76-79 76 

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

First Nations Version: "Shining Light Tells the Good Story"

72 - 73 “ He has given to us the same pity he has shown our ancestors and remembered the promise he made in the great peace treaty with Father of Many Nations ( Abraham ) . 74 - 75He has come to free us from the fear of our enemies , so we can walk all our days in his sacred and right ways . ” Then he turned to his newborn son , and from deep in his spirit he spoke these words of blessing to him . 76 “ And you , my son , will be a prophet from the One Above Us All . You will make a clear path for the coming of the Great Chief , 77to show his people that he will heal our broken ways by cleansing us from our bad hearts and releasing us from our wrongdoings . 78Because Creator is kind and gentle , he will come to us as the sunrise from above , 79to shine on the ones who sit in darkness and in the land of death’s shadow , to guide our feet on the good path of peace . ”

Closing Prayers

• A. Shepherd of Israel, hear our prayer as your Son heard the plea of the criminal crucified with him.
  Gather into Christ's holy reign the broken, the sorrowing, and the sinner,
  that all may know wholeness, joy, and forgiveness. Amen.
• B. Holy God, our refuge and strength, you have redeemed your scattered children,
  gathering them from all the corners of the earth through your firstborn, the Christ,
  in whom all things are held together.Make of us a just and righteous people,
  worthy by grace to inherit with him the kingdom of light and peace
  where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
• C. As the shepherd who cares for the flock, O God, you guide all things through Jesus
  whom you have exalted over all creation as king.We pray in Jesus' for name
  for the creation he cherished and that you entrust to us.:
  Look upon your people who rejoice in your justice and mercy