Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am November 24, 2024 Reign of Christ Sunday
Minister: Rev. Brad Childs Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Sam and Ann May Malayang
Welcoming Elder: Shirley Simpson
Readers: Kaye & Bianca
We gather to worship God
Music Prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: and also with you .
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship
Call to worship:
L: Say among the nations, The God reigns.
P: Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
L: The Lord is coming to judge the earth.
P: God will judge the world with righteousness and truth.
L: So let us worship God with praise and honour.
P: We will offer God our gratitude for all that God has done.
Opening praise: Come, now is the time to worship
Prayers of approach and confession
God whose power is love,
In Jesus Christ, you tipped the world upside down.
You revealed your strength through compassion, and your power through his surrender to the Cross.
In Christ, we trust that no set back or hopeless situation can prevent your glory from shining forth.
This day we offer you our love and loyalty in his name.
With your Spirit of love, turn the world upside down again, so that mercy prevails over those who would rule by force, and truth triumphs over the world’s deceptions.
All honour and blessing be yours,
Holy One, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for the coming of your kingdom week by week, but we confess we’re not really clear on what that means.
Will you come to set things straight in the world?
Will you bring all things to an end or offer us a new beginning?
Jesus, forgive us when we mix up our own desires with your purposes for your people. Teach us how to live out your truth.
Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord
Assurance of God’s love
Remember the promise the Apostle Paul declares: What will separate us from the love of Christ? Hardship? Distress? Peril or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the God who loves us. Let us rejoice that, no matter what is happening around us, no matter what we have done, God’s deep love will never let us go
We celebrate
The Family will come to stand at the front.
Introduction
If you have yet to meet them, this is Diana and Gilbert Dadzie and this is Adeline – and now we also have little baby Braeden. It is my joy to introduce them today and to take a moment to affirm this family’s faith and dedicate this soul to her God. Therefore, before God and this company I ask first to the parents and then to the congregation.
Affirmations of Faith
Diana, Gilbert: do you acknowledge 1 God in 3 persons Father Son and Holy Spirit?
Response: I Do
Do you, in dependence upon Jesus Christ put your faith in Him?
Response: I Do
Do you believe that God’s spirit is with us, providing spiritual gifts and direction in life?
Response: I Do
Do you believe in the bride of Christ, the Church?
Response: I Do
And lastly, do you wish to dedicate your child to the Lord, promising to raise them up in the faith to be a witness to the resurrection as much as it depends upon you?
Response: I Do
Let us confirm our common faith in the words of the Apostles Creed:
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
And now to the congregation, do you the people of Dayspring promise to help guide and nurture this dear child in as you watch them grow?
Response: I Do
Dedication of: Braeden Fiifi Dadzie
In Psalm 78:1-7 it reads, 1 “My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
And now Braeden, we as a community of faith and care, Dayspring Presbyterian Church, and in accordance with the wishes of your family, do now together, dedicate you to the service of the Lord and do pray that your faith may remain strong all the days of your life and beyond just as you will be nurtured and encouraged to do.
Let us Pray: Lord in dedication to you we present this young life asking for your help as they grow. Bless them and their family and lead them down right paths. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Declaration and welcome
Welcome to Dayspring and may you all be blessed.
Response: The Lord bless you (Aaronic Blessing)
Children are invited to attend Sunday School now
We listen for the voice of God
Song: Rejoice, the Lord is King (267: vss 1,2,5)
Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; John 18:33-37; Revelation 1:4b-8
Response: Behold the lamb of God
Message: “Hail to the King, baby!”
Welcome to the final Sunday of the Christian year—Christ the King Sunday!
Next week, Advent begins, ushering in a new church year and preparing us for the birth of Christ. But today, we pause at the culmination of the year to declare a bold truth: Christ is King. And with that proclamation comes a challenge—a call to examine where our true allegiance lies.
This feast day might feel ancient and deeply rooted in tradition, but it’s not as old as you might think. Pope Pius XI instituted it in 1925, a mere 99 years ago, in response to a world in turmoil.
Imagine 1925: the world had barely emerged from the devastating “war to end all wars,” but the whispers of a new and even deadlier conflict were already in the air. The global economy was crumbling. And leaders like Benito Mussolini in Italy and a little-known agitator named Adolf Hitler in Germany were stepping into the spotlight, offering simple, dangerous solutions to complex problems.
In this climate of fear and uncertainty, Pope Pius called Christians worldwide to stand firm—not behind political ideologies or charismatic figures, but under the banner of Christ’s Kingdom. He wanted believers to proclaim, without hesitation, that their ultimate loyalty belonged to Christ, not to the empires or powers of this world.
Yet history shows us how tragically that call went unheeded. Millions, including devout Christians, were swept up in the tide of nationalism and violence that followed. Many believed they could follow Christ and political leaders like Hitler at the same time, failing to see the profound contradiction between Christ’s call to love and the hatred and destruction they were supporting.
Even more chilling are the accounts of Christians during World War II who compartmentalized their faith. They might spend the morning working in concentration camps and the evening wrestling with questions of conscience—like whether a Christian should attend a camp dance. How could they miss the glaring truth that Christ’s Kingdom and such atrocities were utterly incompatible?
Now I want to be clear because I think I’ve gone to worship services only to feel attacked simply due to my citizenship. The rude jokes and snide comments and insinuations that half the people in the US are evil and my grandmother is a misogynist nazi and I just don’t get it. For me, and I’m not a Trump supporter but I have to say, the Party supporting anti-Jewish protests shouldn’t call the other party Nazi’s and the Party that skipped the entire democratic process shouldn’t be calling the other party a threat to democracy, they have already proven to be that very thing. At the same time I am quite terrified by the sway in power because I tend to be happier when the power is more divided between the Office of President and the Two houses. I think they work best when they are forced to work together.
But again, I’m not pushing for people to think about half the people in another country as either this or that, I’m suggesting that the entire system is a disaster, and I’m saying I think we all need a King of a completely different kind all together.
Part of the problem we face is centered around a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” For some, this became an excuse to separate faith from public life, to see religion as a private, spiritual affair with no bearing on the political or social realities of the day. But was that what Jesus meant?
To understand, we turn to today’s Gospel reading, which takes us back to another dark moment in history—Jesus standing before Pilate in Judea. Pilate, the Roman governor, was tasked with maintaining order in a volatile province. History paints him as both ruthless and weak—a man who ruled through fear and violence but often vacillated under pressure.
In today’s Gospel, we see Pilate sarcastically ask Jesus, “So, you are a king?” It’s a moment of stark contrast: on one side, Pilate, representing the power of Rome, backed by legions and the threat of the sword; on the other, Jesus, beaten and bound, with no earthly army or political clout.
And yet, as their dialogue unfolds, we realize something astonishing. Jesus, though outwardly powerless, is the one truly in control. Pilate is caught in a web of fear—fear of the crowd, fear of losing his position, fear of making the wrong choice. Jesus, on the other hand, speaks with calm authority.
“My Kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus says. But He doesn’t mean His Kingdom is irrelevant to this world. Rather, His Kingdom operates on entirely different principles. Pilate’s power comes from domination and violence. Jesus’ power comes from truth.
This is the clash of two types of power: institutional power and charismatic power.
Institutional power, like Pilate’s, is imposed from the top down. It relies on force, fear, and control.
Charismatic power, like Jesus’, rises from the bottom up. It’s not enforced—it’s recognized. People follow because they see truth, justice, and love embodied in the leader.
When Jesus says, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice,” He’s pointing to the heart of His authority. Those who seek truth are drawn to Him—not because they’re forced to follow, but because they recognize in Him the very essence of truth itself.
This is the difference between Jesus’ Kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. In worldly systems, power is about dominance. In Jesus’ Kingdom, greatness comes through service. As He told His disciples in Mark 10: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”
Jesus’ Kingdom turns the world’s values upside down. The greatest are the least. The weak are treasured. The lost are sought out and welcomed. And leadership is not about commanding others but laying down one’s life for them.
This is the Kingdom we are called to serve. But let’s be clear: following Christ the King is not easy. His Kingdom stands in stark opposition to the values of this world. And when we declare our allegiance to Christ, we’re making a revolutionary statement.
Jesus’ Kingdom may not come with armies or political campaigns, but it’s no less radical. His rule challenges every system of oppression, every ideology of hate, every pursuit of power that devalues human life.
So today, as we proclaim Christ as King, we must also ask ourselves: where do our allegiances lie? Are we serving the kingdoms of this world—systems that prioritize wealth, power, and self-interest—or are we serving the upside-down Kingdom of Christ, where love, humility, and sacrifice reign supreme?
The world needs this Kingdom now more than ever. We live in dark times—marked by violence, division, and fear. But as subjects of Christ the King, we are called to be light in the darkness. To stand for truth. To reject the ways of violence and hatred. To live as citizens of a Kingdom that is not of this world but is breaking into it through us.
Christ is King! His is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Let us proclaim it boldly—not just with our words, but with our lives. Amen.
Song: Come, my way, my truth, my life (565)
We respond to serve God
Our time of giving
Prayers for ourselves and for our world
Lord Jesus, you rule in this world through your love. Receive our gifts as tokens of our love for you. Bless and multiply them through the power of the Spirit, so that they will spread your love in ways we have yet to imagine.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Holy One, the Source, Story and Spirit of love,
We praise you for the signs of your reign among us:
For hope overcoming despair, trust rising above hurt, love prevailing over hatred, and peace restoring harmony after discord.
Lord Jesus, Reign among us in love.
God of hope beyond fear,
We pray that you will comfort this broken world.
May the vision of your peaceable kingdom take root in your church, in our families and our community, and in countries marked by violence and struggles for power.
Lord Jesus, Reign among us in love.
God who mends the world,
We pray for a world where differences are met with understanding, and everyone can find a place of dignity and respect.
Shape our hearts with the kindness of your Spirit so that all our relationships honour each person as created in your image, and our actions demonstrate your healing intent.
Lord Jesus, Reign among us in love.
God of life beyond death,
We pray for all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the loss of hope, or the loss of a dream.
Be present with each one living through a time of sadness or discouragement.
Bring them comfort through your presence and show us how to be good companions on the journey to renewed hope.
Lord Jesus, Reign among us in love.
As we honour the reign of Christ this Sunday, we pray for the Church, his Body, living and working in the world.
Send your Holy Spirit to bring renewed life and commitment to each congregation and parish.
Enliven ecumenical action on needs in every community.
Open minds and hearts that have experienced disagreement to mutual understanding.
Refresh leaders and volunteers who have grown weary with a vision of the future you will create for us, with us and through us, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Saviour, Amen.
Song: Crown him with many crowns (274: vss 1,2,5)
Sending out with God’s blessing
Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth.
As those who belong to the truth, listen to his voice.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
That you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Response: Benediction (As you go)
Music postlude
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Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.