Resources are offered for ‘One People, One King’ worship emphasis.

“One People, One King” is the theme for a special worship emphasis in the Church of the Brethren, being planned for Sunday, Nov. 25. Scheduled for an unusual Sunday that falls this year between Thanksgiving and the start of Advent--traditionally called “Christ the King” or “Reign of Christ” Sunday in the church calendar--this worship emphasis invites believers to be reminded, before a season of waiting, of whom we await.

In a year of contention and partisan rhetoric surrounding the national election, Christians also threaten to become a people divided. For the potentially divisive time after the election, a group of denominational staff have planned a worship emphasis based instead on the New Testament understanding that followers of Christ are a people with one ruler, from Philippians 3:20:

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Original resources written by a number of church leaders are available at www.brethren.org/onepeople to help invite congregations entering into preparations for Christmas to spend this Sunday recalling that “our citizenship is in heaven”:

•  A brief reflection by Annual Conference moderator Robert Krouse, pastor at Little Swatara Church of the Brethren in Bethel, Pa.

• A prayer written by Annual Conference moderator-elect Nancy S. Heishman, interim co-pastor at West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, Ohio

• A sermon outline by Tim Harvey, pastor of Roanoke (Va.) Central Church of the Brethren

• A litany, including scripture, written for four readers and congregation by Ray Hileman, pastor of First Church of the Brethren in Miami, Fla.

• A responsive prayer by Jennifer Hosler of Washington (D.C.) City Church of the Brethren

• A video clip titled “Kingdom Citizens,” in which renowned Latin American theologian and author Rene Padilla discusses Christian citizenship and God's sovereignty

Find these “One People, One King” resources for Nov. 25 at www.brethren.org/onepeople .

Source: 10/18/2012 Newsline