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