Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

Christ is Redeemer! Christ is Lord!
May his kingdom of peace and justice be with you all.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Today, the last Sunday of the Church's Year,
we celebrate the feast of Christ our King.
For most of us the word 'king' describes someone who is remote from his people and who lords it over them. But Christ is not like that.
He lives among us; he came not to rule but to serve.
The best way we can show our loyalty to him is
by serving one another. (pause)

Lord Jesus, you came not be served but to serve,
and to give your life as a ransom for all:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you searched for the lost ones,
you bandaged the wounded and made the weak strong:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you identified with the hungry and the sick,
with strangers and those in prison:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Eternal God,
we are travelers in this world
searching for our true home in your kingdom.
It is not a kingdom of power and glory,
but one of love and freedom,
truth and justice,
peace and holiness.
Help us to make this kingdom real,
through the service of our brothers and sisters,
especially those who are most in need.
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.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

P       Let us pray to Christ the King.
         He is the firstborn of all creation: all things exist in him.
         Full of trust, we pray.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, may your kingdom come. (Please repeat)

1. For all who minister within the church:
   that they may be true shepherds of the flock entrusted to their care.
   We pray to the Lord:
   
2. For those who exercise authority in civil governments:
   that they may rule with fairness and justice.
   We pray to the Lord:
   
3. Prince of Peace, break the weapons of war and inspire enemies to dialogue and negotiate in order to avert war and destruction.
   We pray to the Lord:
4. For those who have died, especially for our own relatives and friends:
   that the Lord may receive them into the joy of his kingdom.
   We pray to the Lord:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P    God, our Father, we honor your Son Jesus as our Lord and King.
      In his name we ask you to hear our prayers
      and to bring us to your kingdom
      where you live and reign for ever and ever. AMEN.

Please consult the Sacramentary for all texts used at the altar.
i.e. up to the beginning of the Post Communion Prayer

Prayer over the Gifts

God of mercy,
look with favor on the gifts of your people
and through the power of this sacrament
grant that we may become ever more fully
a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people you claim as your own.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

That your reign of love, justice, and peace
may come on earth, we raise our hands towards you and we say:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and keep us free from sin.
Grant that on the day of judgement
we may stand before you without fear,
as we look forward with hope and joy
for the full coming among us
of our Judge and Savior Jesus Christ .

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus, you say to us:
"What you have done
to the least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me."
May you reign as King over our hearts,
so that we may enjoy the peace and unity of your Kingdom
where you live forever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
We are heirs of the Kingdom of God,
a kingdom of holiness and peace.
So let us offer each other a sign of that peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      Our Father gives us the bread from heaven
        and the saving cup brimming with life.
        May this bread broken and cup poured
        link us together in charity and peace
        so that we may be living signs of the Lord's kingdom.
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus Christ, our shepherd and King.
Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet
for they will inherit the Kingdom of heaven.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

Eternal God,
in this Eucharist we have given thanks to you
and acclaimed your Son Jesus Christ
as Lord and King of our lives.
Nourished by the bread of life
may we follow him until the end
when he hands over the kingdom to you
so that you may be all in all.
We ask all this through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing. (pause)

May the Lord bless you and protect you. AMEN.

May his light shine upon you and give you his peace. AMEN.

May Christ reign in your hearts and in your homes. AMEN.

May almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Go in peace to serve Christ the King.
Thanks be to God.