Sunday, November 24, 2024

Theme

Technology to distribute and preserve information has been in development by human beings for hundreds of thousands of years. Likely communal spiritual practices were among the first of these technologies employing rudimentary musical instruments. Paintings on cave walls seem to be the early evidence of story-telling. The development of spoken language allowed for the transmission of information, often through poetic telling of stories. These stories were passed from generation to generation, retelling the stories of heroes, kings, and ancestors. These stories forged communities and their identities.

In our scripture this week, the prophet Jeremiah employs the cutting-edge technology of his day, the written word. When his physical presence is no longer welcome in the Jerusalem, since he continues to warn of their coming destruction, he has Baruch write down his words from the LORD, and proclaim them in the Temple. What will those in power do with such a new medium, one which could be simultaneously lasting and fragile?

Questions

– What are the new technologies that you have experienced in your lifetime?

– What are the possibilities for preserving the truth through them?

– What are the potential dangers or drawbacks of such technologies?

– Is there a deeper source of truth?

Reflections:

Christ the King Sunday

Introit: We’re not singing the verse that references our scripture (Jeremiah 31:33), but I thought the refrain would make a nice opening to the service: “As you love may I love, in giving and receiving, Spirit open my heart”.

Opening Hymn: For our opening hymn, we sing the only hymn which reference more than a single verse of our scripture reading, “O God, Who Gives Us Life”.

Transition Hymn: Our transition hymn for November, and especially appropriate as we head into Thanksgiving, “God Is So Good”.

Special Music: The Chancel Choir will sing “In Thanksgiving, Let Us Praise Him”, arranged by Lloyd Larson.

Responsive Hymn: A hymn of stewardship and consecration, “Take My Life” radiates with the repeated use of the word ‘take’.

Sending Hymn: As our sending hymn, a hymn originally called “Harvest Hymn”, hymn of thanksgiving, of course, but also of stewardship: “For the Fruit of All Creation”.

Benediction: “The Lord Now Sends Us Forth”, our benediction for the month of November. The text, originally from a Cuban pastor, is a call to action in the world.