Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

Glory and power to Jesus Christ, the King of the universe!
May his kingdom of peace and love be always with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Option A
Today, the last Sunday of the liturgical year,
we celebrate the feast of Christ the King.
Our lives are meant to bear witness to Christ's kingdom,
but what kind of witnesses are we? (pause)

Lord Jesus, yours is a kingdom of truth and life:
Lord, have mercy.

Yours is a kingdom of holiness and grace:
Christ, have mercy.

Yours is a kingdom of justice, love and peace:
Lord, have mercy.

 

Option B
As Christ's followers do we work for the kingdom of justice,
peace and reconciliation….. or do we hunger after the pleasures,
the glory and the power of the world?
Let us examine ourselves. (pause)

Lord Jesus, our King,
you came into this world to testify to the Father's love for us:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, our King,
you allowed yourself to be judged
in order to confront the kings and rulers of this world:
Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus, our King,
you will come in glory to judge the living and the dead:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
Almighty and eternal God,
to Jesus Christ, the first-born 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.

Option B
Lord God,
you have anointed Jesus as the Christ -
not to rule a kingdom won by violence
but to bear witness to the truth,
not to reign in arrogance
but to serve in humility,
not to mirror this world's powers
but to inherit a dominion that will not pass away.

We ask this through the Christ
who was, who is and who is to come,
your Son who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

P       Let us pray that the reign of God may come and that God's will be
         done on earth as it is in heaven. With confidence we pray:

             With confidence we pray:

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

1. For the leaders of the church: (pause)
   that the Lord will guide them so that they may be our faithful teacher, our wise
   administrator, and our holy pastor. We pray:
   
2. Rejoicing that Christ has reconciled all things to God through
   his cross, may we give witness to the gospel
   of peace through nonviolent living.
   We pray:
   
3. That those who govern nations and guide the destinies of
   peoples may listen to the voice of Truth and seek the
   paths of peace and justice. We pray:
   
4. For government leaders all over the world. (pause)
   May they follow the example of Christ the King who came into the world to
   serve, not to be served. We pray:
   
5. For judges, policemen, soldiers and those entrusted to
   enforce the law. (pause)
   May they be fair and impartial, humane and kind, and never forget that
   they are accountable to Christ, the just King. We pray:
   

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

P    Heavenly Father,
      make us loyal and true followers of Christ, our Savior and King.
      May we draw courage from him who has overcome the world
      and now reigns with you, for ever and ever. AMEN.

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

Let us pray
that God's kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven:
Our Father ..

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us your peace.
Let it be a peace based upon truth and life,
of holiness and grace,
of justice and love.
Help us to prepare in joy and hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to Pilate:

"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
May we listen to you
and allow you to reign as King over our hearts,
so that we may enjoy the peace of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
Let us show that the call of Jesus has found an echo in our hearts
by offering each other a sign of 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 Christ our King,
who loves us and frees us from our sins by his blood.
Blessed are we to be invited to the table of his kingdom.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   [based on 2nd Reading]

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 to whom was given
dominion and glory and kingship,
so that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

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     

Option A
Our celebration is ended.
Go and serve Christ our King in one another.
Thanks be to God.

Option B
In the name of Jesus Christ the faithful witness,
who is, who was and who is to come,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.