Christ the King / Reign of Christ
November 20, 2016
Christ the King / Reign of Christ
Color: White
Lectionary Readings
Jeremiah 23:1–6 I will gather the remnant of my flock and raise up good shepherds.
Luke 1:68–79 Blessed be the Lord, who has raised up a savior for the people.
or Psalm 46Though the earth changes and the waters roar, God is our refuge.
Colossians 1:11–20 Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Luke 23:33–43 Crucified with Jesus, a criminal says: Remember me in your kingdom.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
Blessed is the Lord our God,
who has sent us a mighty Savior.
Blessed is the Lord Jesus Christ,
who reigns in glory forever.
Let us worship God.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer of the Day
Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Savior,
you pour out your power for the powerless
and your salvation for the lost.
Remember us in your new creation,
so that we may live in peace with you
in the presence of the Holy One,
to whom be all honor and glory,
through you, in the Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.
Call to Confession
At the baptismal font:
We are broken vessels that hold no water,
yet God is gracious to us.
Jeremiah 2:13
Trusting in God’s grace,
let us confess our sin.
Prayer of Confession
Sovereign God, we confess
that we have not turned away from sin.
You sent Jesus down to save us
and we handed him over to die.
You lifted him up on the cross
and still we mocked your holy realm.
Forgive us, God of grace.
We know not what we do.
Save us from our sin and death,
so that we may know true life in you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Declaration of Forgiveness
Lifting water from the baptismal font:
As a potter holds a piece of clay,
God holds and shapes our lives.
Jeremiah 18:6
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Eternal Wisdom,
from generation to generation
you teach your people the way to live.
Through words that are ancient
you speak your living Word.
Speak to us now with all that we need
to honor you and walk in your way
with honesty and humbleness of heart.
Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Sacred writings, our instruction in salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15
After the readings:
The words of Scripture, inspired by God.
Thanks be to God.
2 Timothy 3:16
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessed be the Lord our God. Amen.
Luke 1:68
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Christ the King / Reign of Christ
We believe that Jesus is Lord.
To the one and only God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be the honor and glory
forever and ever.
Adapted from the Confession of Belhar
Prayers of the People
Trusting in the power of God to deliver us,
let us make our prayers of intercession for all,
saying: God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Make us faithful in our witness
to the promise of your coming reign,
so that all may know your glory and grace.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Raise up good leaders among the nations,
who seek justice and righteousness
and care for their people.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
By your tender mercy, O God,
give light to those who wait in darkness
and guide our feet in paths of peace.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Give peace to those who are suffering
and remember those who are dying.
Give them a place with you in paradise.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
Merciful and mighty God, as you are one,
make us one with you through Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent to redeem us,
and in whose holy name we pray. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
God has called us to do good,
to be rich in good works,
generous and ready to share.
With gratitude to the giver of life,
let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Timothy 6:13, 18
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God of all good gifts,
you bless us with so much to share.
Use the gift of our money
and the gifts of our lives
to bring your healing and hope,
your justice and peace
to our neighbors, near and far. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You have raised up a mighty Savior for us
from the house of your servant David
to lead us in righteousness and peace.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Dying on a cross of shame,
Jesus rose again to reign in glory.
The crucified one is our living Lord.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Strengthen us in our hope and faith
and hold us in the body of Christ,
the one in whom all things hold together.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
God of grace, you invite us to your table
and welcome us as part of your family.
You feed us with your body
and satisfy our deepest hunger.
We thank you for these gifts.
Now send us out into the world
by the power of your Spirit
that we may be your witnesses,
sharing the life-giving news of the gospel. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The Lord bless and keep
your going out
and your coming in
from this time on
and forevermore. Alleluia!
Psalm 121:8
Proclaim the message,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:2, 5; Luke 18:1