Liturgy for Christ the King (Year A, Matthew)
Introduction
This is one of my favorite Sundays of the church year. All over our country, folks are gathering around the phrase, “No Kings!” It shows that the human soul craves a certain kind of leader.
This church year does not end with a coronation ceremony, but with a shepherd, and with a king who is found among the hungry, the stranger, and the prisoner. That’s the kind of leader we crave.
This complete liturgy for Christ the King Sunday, also called Reign of Christ Sunday (Proper 29), Year A, follows the Revised Common Lectionary and closes the season before Advent begins. It includes a call to worship, opening prayer, prayer of confession, assurance of pardon, prayer for Illumination, and benediction. Consider joining my newsletter. I send it about twice a month! join my newsletter.
Lectionary readings for this Sunday
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24: God promises to shepherd the scattered flock personally, seeking the lost and judging between the fat sheep and the lean. Read about the Good Shepherd and who Ezekiel was.
Psalm 100: A call for all the earth to enter God's gates with thanksgiving, for we are the sheep of God's pasture. See what worship means in the Bible.
Ephesians 1:15-23: Paul prays that the church will know the hope of its calling and the power of Christ, raised and seated far above every rule and authority. Read who wrote Ephesians.
Matthew 25:31-46: The Son of Man separates the nations as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, and is found in the least of these. Explore the kingdom of God and biblical care for the poor.
Liturgy for this Sunday
Call to Worship
One: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
All: We come into God's presence with singing.
One: Know that the Lord is God; it is God who made us, and we are God's.
All: We are God's people, the sheep of God's pasture.
One: Enter the gates with thanksgiving and the courts with praise.
All: We give thanks and bless God's holy name.
Opening Prayer
Shepherd King, you gather your scattered flock and rule with justice and mercy. Your throne is not far from us; you make your home among the hungry, the stranger, and the prisoner. On this last Sunday of the church year, open our eyes to see you wherever you are, and our hands to serve you there. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, we confess that we have not recognized you. We have passed you by in the hungry and the thirsty, the stranger and the sick, the lonely and the imprisoned. We have looked for a king in places of power and missed you in places of need. Forgive us, and turn our hearts toward the least of these. And Christ our King, with grace and truth, rule our hearts with compassion, mercy, and determination. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak." (Ezekiel 34:16)
In Jesus Christ, our Shepherd and King, we are found, forgiven, and made whole. Amen.
More on the Assurance of Pardon
Prayer for Illumination
God of glory, give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we hear your Word. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know the hope to which you have called us. Amen.
Benediction
Go now to serve Christ the King in the least of these. Feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and visit the sick and the forgotten. And may the Shepherd who sought you out go with you and before you, now and forever. Amen.
More Benedictions and Blessings
See also
Worship Resources
Calls to Worship
Opening Prayers
Assurance of Pardon
Prayer for Illumination
Benedictions and Blessings
Planning next Sunday?
This liturgy is one of many. Find more for your worship planning in two places.
