Dear Peace Members and Friends,
It was 1925. Benito Mussolini had been Prime Minister of Italy for 3 years. In Germany, Adolf Hitler had been out of jail for a year and his Nazi party was thriving. And—on top of all that—the world lay in a Great Depression. The Pope at the time, Pius IX, saw these authoritarian governments rising around him. His response? He established the festival of Christ the King, reminding Christians everywhere of who was ultimately in charge. “Nevertheless,” he said, “Nevertheless, Christ is King of the universe.” He continued: “Despite the kingdoms of this world, Christ is Lord and it is he, and only he, who shall reign forever and ever.”
On Sunday, we will again celebrate the reign of Christ: Christ the King. The hymns will take on a royal and expectant tone and our Scripture speaks of what God’s kingdom is like. Pastor Joe will bring it all together in his message, “The Reign of Christ.” On this last worship of the church’s year, we will again hear the hope and assurance of God’s ultimate intent for us and for God’s world.
What can you do to contribute to this festival day? Bring a pie to the Pie Fest following worship. Join us in the Parish Hall to visit together and enjoy the varied pie offerings from us all.
I want to thank all of you who, last Sunday, made a financial commitment to Peace and our ministry together. Your offering is an offering to God, an expression of worship and your faith, and it makes possible the work of God through the church. If you didn’t make a commitment, I hope that you would; we need you. I’m hoping you might commit to giving something on a weekly or monthly basis. Your generosity and giving matter!
Grace and Peace,
Mark