CHRIST THE KING
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Welcome to this house of the Lord, and be at home here and wherever God's flock are gathered.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Shepherd-God, strong and gentle, you have as creator the authority to judge between the nations as sheep and goats and to judge the flock of Israel and her neighbors as well. We confess that though we count ourselves in your flock, we are sometimes indifferent to the rude way we push aside those less strong than ourselves. Sometimes our criticisms are so brutal as to drive away those who need the protection of the fold. Forgive such haughtiness and hardheartedness that can ravage your flock from within and scatter them from your fold. Make us more like Jesus the good shepherd who comes in search of us wherever we have wandered. In his name. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The risen Christ is destined to reign until God has put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy to be abolished is death. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, heal the sick and visit the prisoner, for in doing this you serve the Sovereign Christ.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Child of Glory, Son of Mary, grant us the blessing of the eternal Parent as we follow your example of loving service to all in need, and receive us into the community that has been made ready for us since the world was made. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of power, Champion of the weak, Spirit of Freedom, we rejoice in your continuing involvement with the struggles and conflicts of our world. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus you promise the final abolition of death. Your Spirit inspires the overthrow of every tyranny over the mind and the spirit of humanity. We celebrate the victory still to come, when all such tyrants shall be defeated and the whole world is delivered up to the One-Above-All. Thanksgiving and honor and glory we give to the God of Justice and mercy, of loving and caring, of striving and winning. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Universal God, we are dedicated to do for you what is within our personal capacity to do and also, through our offerings, what we can only do together, not only in this place, but across the nation and around the world, to the glory of your hallowed name. Amen.
PSALM 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Welcome to this house of the Lord, and be at home here and wherever God's flock are gathered.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Shepherd-God, strong and gentle, you have as creator the authority to judge between the nations as sheep and goats and to judge the flock of Israel and her neighbors as well. We confess that though we count ourselves in your flock, we are sometimes indifferent to the rude way we push aside those less strong than ourselves. Sometimes our criticisms are so brutal as to drive away those who need the protection of the fold. Forgive such haughtiness and hardheartedness that can ravage your flock from within and scatter them from your fold. Make us more like Jesus the good shepherd who comes in search of us wherever we have wandered. In his name. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! The risen Christ is destined to reign until God has put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy to be abolished is death. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, heal the sick and visit the prisoner, for in doing this you serve the Sovereign Christ.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Child of Glory, Son of Mary, grant us the blessing of the eternal Parent as we follow your example of loving service to all in need, and receive us into the community that has been made ready for us since the world was made. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of power, Champion of the weak, Spirit of Freedom, we rejoice in your continuing involvement with the struggles and conflicts of our world. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus you promise the final abolition of death. Your Spirit inspires the overthrow of every tyranny over the mind and the spirit of humanity. We celebrate the victory still to come, when all such tyrants shall be defeated and the whole world is delivered up to the One-Above-All. Thanksgiving and honor and glory we give to the God of Justice and mercy, of loving and caring, of striving and winning. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Universal God, we are dedicated to do for you what is within our personal capacity to do and also, through our offerings, what we can only do together, not only in this place, but across the nation and around the world, to the glory of your hallowed name. Amen.
PSALM 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
