Christ the King

The Church year, which begins with the hope of the coming Messiah, now ends with the proclamation of his universal sovereignty. Christ the King returns us to the Advent theme of judgement, with which the cycle once more begins.

Hymn or Music

Opening Sentence – Revelation 12:10

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together in the name of Christ to offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Opening Responses

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. Amen

Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.

Hymn or Music

Prayer of Preparation

Loving God, you have taught us that the power of the heart is greater than the power of wealth and might. Hear us as we pray for the fulfilment of your reign. We ask this through Jesus Christ our King; to him be glory and power for ever. Amen.

Confession

Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’. So let us turn away from sin and turn to Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

O King enthroned on high, filling the earth with your glory: holy is your name, Lord God almighty. In our sinfulness we cry to you to take our guilt away, and to cleanse our lips to speak your word, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Absolution

May almighty God, who in Jesus Christ has given us a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, forgive us our sins, open our eyes to God’s truth, strengthen us to do God’s will and give us the joy of his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect

God the Father,
help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory.
Amen.

First Reading

Gospel Reading

Address

Hymn or Music

Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?
We believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?
We believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the church.
This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

• For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)
• For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)
• For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)
• For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)
• For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn or Music

Prayer before Communion

Let us prepare to share in communion together:

Come, Holy Spirit
and bless us as we meet together in unity.
As we eat and drink this holy meal,
may we be reminded of your unconditional love for us,
and may our eyes be opened
to recognise Jesus in each other.
We ask this prayer in his name
Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here
His spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give him thanks and praise

We praise you, heavenly Father,
for your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks.
He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way after supper,
he took the cup, and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.”

We praise and thank you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we obey your command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that this bread and wine may be for us
the body and blood of your precious Son.
Amen.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Dear Friends,
receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
with faith and thanksgiving.
Remember that he gave himself for you.
Remember that he died for you,
and allow him to feed and nourish
your body, mind, and spirit.

The Distribution

We remain in our seats for the distribution.

Prayer after Communion

Let us give thanks to God for this meal:

Lord, be with us
through the fellowship of this eucharist.
May the bread and companionship we share
nourish our hearts and minds,
and with our spirits refreshed,
may we live our lives to your praise and glory,
now and forever.
Amen.

A Song of the King’s Glory (Psalm 24)

The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.
For he has founded it upon the seas and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie;
They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

Prayer

Loving God,
you have taught us that the power of the heart
is greater than the power of wealth and might.
Hear us as we pray for the fulfilment of your reign.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our King;
to him be glory and power for ever.
Amen.

Hymn or Music

Blessing  

May Christ the King make us faithful and strong to do his will, that we may reign with him in glory; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ, Amen

Hymn or Music