+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us your Son, the beloved one who was rejected, the Savior who appeared defeated. Yet the mystery of his kingship illumines our lives. Show us in his death the victory that crowns the ages, and in his broken body the love that unites heaven and earth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” (Crown Him) -Michael W. Smith
The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
__________
“Jesus Remember Me” – Taizé
__________
Intercession:
Lord our God, King of the universe: we come to you with the certain hope of our victory in Jesus. Remember us, and hear our prayers –
+ For church leaders worldwide, that they may be true servants, like Christ our King….
+ For the Jewish people, that they may continue to grow in the love of God’s name….
+ For world leaders, that they may work for the well-being of all peoples….
+ For displaced persons and refugees, that they may receive protection and provision….
+ For all who serve the community, that they may not give in to discouragement….
+ For people who suffer in mind or body, that the suffering king of Calvary may be their strength….
Lord our God, King of the universe, you are the source of your people’s joy! Hear our prayers we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
“Victory In Jesus” – The Band Steele
__________
Closing: (Colossians 1:11-20)
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.
He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.
For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
__________
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, to Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, you have granted everlasting dominion and a kingship that shall not pass away.
Remove from us every desire for privilege and power, that we may imitate the sacrificial love of Christ our King and, as a royal and priestly people, serve you humbly in our brothers and sisters.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
“How great is our God” – Chris Tomlin
__________
Gospel Reading: John 18:33-37 (NLT)
Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.
Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
__________
Prayers of Intercession:
Gracious God: Help us, according to your loving-kindness, we pray –
+ For all who follow Jesus Christ, that we may work together to advance his Kingdom….
+ For those who lead tribes and nations, that they may seek the truth, justice, and peace of Christ….
+ For all people everywhere, that we may work cooperatively in Christ for the common good….
+ For ourselves, that our lives may demonstrate the rule and reign of Christ…
+ For the sick and sorrowful, that they may experience the healing and comfort of Christ….
+ For those affected by natural disasters, that they may receive help from the followers of Christ….
+ For all those who have died in Christ, that they may share the glory of Christ forever….
Sovereign God, you rule your people with love and compassion: attend to our prayers and give us the help we need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
“All Hail King Jesus” – Jeremy Riddle | Bethel Music
__________
Blessing – Revelation 1:5b-6 (NLT)
“All glory to Jesus Christ who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you have conferred upon Christ Jesus sovereignty over every age and nation. Direct us, in the love of Christ, to care for the least of his brothers and sisters, that we may be subject to his dominion and receive the inheritance of your kingdom. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
“Christ the King” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
__________
Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
__________
Intercessory Prayer
Loving God, good shepherd, hear the bleating of the flock under your gracious care –
+ For church leaders, that they may show the loving-kindness of the Good Shepherd…. Lord, hear us.
+ For missionaries, that they may proclaim the Good News in every tribe and nation…. Lord, hear us.
+ For leaders of governments and nations, that they may work for justice and truth…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the strangers among us, especially during the winter, that they may be welcomed and cared for…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those imprisoned for their faith, that we may care for them and their families…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those suffering from debilitating diseases, that they may experience the healing love of Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died in Christ, that they may dwell in the Lord’s house for ever…. Lord, hear us.
Loving God, caring shepherd, you look after your people at every moment of their lives: hear our prayers, offered in trust and faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
“Samaritan’s Purse Ministry Overview 2017”
__________
Blessing – Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT)
Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
__________
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
At the end of time, Christ the King will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. He will ask how we treated the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the naked, those sick or in prison, promising a great reward to those who show love.
_____
Almighty God, You have conferred upon Christ Jesus sovereignty over every age and nation. Direct us, in the love of Christ, to care for the least of His brothers and sisters, that we may be subject to His dominion and receive the inheritance of Your kingdom. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
__________
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favor to his people in distress. Praise him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless. Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness!
Fatherlike he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows. In his hand he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet his mercy flows!
Angels, help us to adore him; you behold him face to face. Sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace!
__________
A Reading from the Old testament: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 (NLT)
The Parable of the Good Shepherd Separating the Sheep from the Goats, Scenes from the Life of Christ. (Mosaic) Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.
_____
“I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes — feed them justice!
“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats.”
__________
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23 (NLT)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
__________
__________
A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:20-26, 28 (NLT)
So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
_____
God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT)
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
__________
__________
Intercessions:
Shepherd God, You care for all the flock. Hear our prayers –
+ For those in leadership roles in the Church – that they may show the kindness of the Good Shepherd…. Lord, hear us.
+ For leaders of governments – that they may work for justice and truth…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who visit us as strangers – that we may give them a warm welcome…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters in prison – that we may support them and their families…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those suffering because of the Ebola Virus in West Africa – that they have the care they need…. Lord, hear us
+ For the people we love — particularly those in need of support at this time…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have recently died – that they may dwell in the Lord’s house for ever…. Lord, hear us.
Loving God, caring shepherd, You look after Your people at every moment of their lives: hear the prayers we offer, in trust and faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen
__________
__________
Benediction:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
(1 Th. 3:12-13)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 