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Zoar
Lutheran
Church





 

 
Dear friends in Christ,
 
     We Lutherans don't often refer to Roman Catholic popes in a positive way, but Pope Pius XI deserves credit for instituting the newest liturgical feast day to be adopted Protestants, as well as Catholics. In 1925 Pius foresaw the danger to the Church posed by the rising tide of secularism and nationalism. The feast day of Christ the King was instituted as part of an encyclical (teaching document) designed to call the faithful to remember that their ultimate allegiance is to Christ. Unfortunately, Pius XI died in 1939, so he was unable to release an additional encyclical he was preparing, which would have  condemned fascism and its genocidal policies. His successor, Pius XII, adopted a more accommodating posture toward the European fascist powers.

     Many Protestant churches have adopted Christ the King Sunday as part of their liturgical calendar. Over the course of my ministry, I confess there've been times when I've struggled with some aspects of this feast day. For one thing, the whole notion of "kingship" has generally seemed quite foreign in our context. In recent years, however, there seems to be a push toward more authoritarian regimes throughout the world, and so the idea of kings and kingship doesn't seem so foreign anymore. So, these days I appreciate the opportunity that Christ the King Sunday provides: the opportunity for us to pause and reflect on what it means for us to say that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus himself tells us what he and his kingdom are all about: He has come to testify to the truth, and the truth is that God sent him to testify because God so loves the whole world! So, we, who belong to Jesus, must tune our hearts to listen to his voice -- and NOT to the rulers of this world, who will gladly serve up big lies garnished as truth, if it will serve their own purpose.

     So, these days I appreciate Christ the King Sunday as an opportunity to pause on the threshold of a new church year. I appreciate the chance to look back and reflect on where we've been, as well as the chance to refocus before stepping over the threshold and into the future God is preparing for us even now. Most of all, though, Iappreciate the reminder that though the kingdoms of this world will come and go, the Kingdom of God will endure forever. So, when all is said and done, your and my ultimate allegiance must always be to the loving God revealed in Jesus Christ.

 
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Michelle Manicke
Sunday Worship and Coffee Fellowship Time

November 21, 2021 is Christ the King Sunday.

The link and passcode to join our online worship service on Sundays at 10:30 am are below. (Note: This is the same link we've had on previous Sundays, and it will stay the same on future Sundays.)

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/316627973?pwd=SGRQazJDTzZuY01nU2wzOEgweUNwQT09

You may need to enter the passcode 927071
  • For the Sunday worship bulletin and hymns (PDF), click HERE.
  • For a children's bulletin (PDF), click HERE.
  • You may also find the worship link, passcode, and bulletins on Zoar's website: www.zoarlutheran.org.
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Zoar Lutheran Church · 190 SW 3rd Ave · Canby, OR 97013-4142 · USA

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