Reign in our hearts, O God, and shape us as your people. Help us to celebrate all the ways you reveal Christ to us – through our giving, our receiving, our serving, our witness, and our worship.

~ From the biblical background
for November 20

Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday marks the end of the church year and the movement into Advent. The focus scripture, the parable of the sheep and goats from Matthew, calls us to act as one large family – to be kind to all who are in need. When we do this we are kind to God.

As you look back over the church year, consider how God’s call to Christ’s way of compassion, justice, and peace has been made visible by you and your church community. Sometimes we forget the actions of kindness that have occurred throughout the year – it is good to remember and celebrate in our heart and with each other.

Together brainstorm a list of needs in your community. As a group, choose one concrete way to support a church or community project during Advent.

This week’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew challenges the assumption that the poor and needy are objects of our ministry. Be aware that some people in your community may see their own life experiences mirrored in this text. For example, some families may be dependent on food banks or they may have relatives who are in prison. It will be important to help people understand the ministry of the church as a partnership with others, not as “us” helping “them.” Convey Jesus’ teachings as an invitation to a partnership which involves both giving and receiving as all are called to respond and receive with justice and compassion.

~ from Ages 15-18 session material

Our own small stone of activism, which might not seem to measure up to the rugged boulders of heroism we have so admired, is a paltry offering toward the building of an edifice of hope…For we can do nothing substantial toward changing our course on the planet, a destructive one, without rousing ourselves, individual by individual, and bringing our small, imperfect stones to the pile.

~ Alice Walker, from The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear

• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. This week features a Spirit Screening for the movie Puss in Boots.

• “A Choral Reading” (Ages 9-11, Multiage) is based on Matthew 25:31-46
• A “Glossary of Terms” (Ages 15-18) helps to understand such terms as: Son of Man; sheep and goats; right hand; the least; eternal fire; and eternal life
• Visit the Seasons website to find out more about the righteous ones from Rabbi Adam Morris (Ask the Rabbi)
• Option: use the paraphrase “Being Kind to God” (p. 242 in the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A; also available as an mp3 and projectable art download)

Some of the many options include:

• Ages 3-5 search for signs of God’s loving actions through heart baskets or binoculars
• Ages 6-8 extend outreach and care through a giving tree or sharing a popcorn snack
• Ages 9-11 explore compassionate acts through defining compassionate acts and choral reading
• Multiage explore caring acts through giving tree or plant stickers
• Ages 12-14 discover Christ in each other through practicing justice, mercy, and compassion
• Ages 15-18 explore God’s reign through contemporary story, stone painting or service projects
• Adults celebrate Reign of Christ through mural making or serving

• Poster image Let the Energy Flow: if this image were an illustration of God’s reign of justice and peace, what would give you hope for this reign? What would invite and encourage you to live within it? Read more about this artwork in “Spotlight on: Let the Energy Flow” (Adult)
• Music: “In God We Live and Move” (#21) on Seasons CD, Volume 9. All songs are available as a downloadable mp3 purchase.

November 27: (Advent 1) Longing

Focus: Isaiah 64:1-9

The readings today challenge us to remember how the Creator has worked in the world in the past and what God’s promises for the future hold for us. While acknowledging our longing for signs of God’s presence, we are challenged to wait expectantly and to live with the knowledge that God’s restorative presence comes in and through people. What brings us from despair to trust?

Become familiar with the material for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany:

• Read about the season from the perspective of each age level on page 2 of your Encore resources.
• Read “About the Art for this Advent, Christmas, Epiphany” and other helpful articles at the back of your session materials. Spread out your art posters and spend some time with each image.
• Look at the Planning-Overview section on the website. Also see the Season at a Glance Chart (for SeasonsENCORE).
• Listen to the music on Seasons of the Spirit CD, Volume 7.

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