Christ the King, Year A

• First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
• Psalm 100:1-5
• Second Reading Ephesians 1:15-23
• Gospel Matthew 25:31-46

Call to Worship Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

We worship the Lord with gladness and come into his presence with singing

Know and trust that the Lord is God, he has made us

And we are his, we are his people and he is our shepherd

We enter worship with praise and readiness

We prepare to enter his gates with thanksgiving and praise. For we give thanks to our Lord

Blessed is the name of our God

For the Lord is good

His steadfast love endures forever!

His faithfulness extends to all generations!

Let us worship today with joy and thanksgiving

Let us make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Confession:

Christ our King, God our Holy Judge, we lift up our sins and that of the world. We confess that we live within the world, not calling the world out when it fails. We confess that we let ourselves be the judge and jury of our peers and instead of shepherding people we divide. You are the Holy Judge and yet we let our egos take your place. Forgive us Holy King, for we are reminded today that we are but humble servants. Offer redemption so that we may go out and help redeem the world (assurance of pardon)...Amen.

Prayer of Illumination:

Jesus we pray to you our King and Christ today. We lift up our readings, our words and our praise to you and ask that the Spirit move in them and through them so that your Word is heard, felt and worked within this church today. Inspire us to proclaim your greatness; encourage us to call you King and guide us to know your Will. Amen.

Offertory:

Christ you are our King and in acknowledgement of that we cheerfully and with gracious hearts lift up to you the offerings not only of those in these baskets but the gifts of our Spirits. We ask that your wisdom be shown to us so that we may use this money and our gifts for your Will and our world. That you may work within us and through us and this church to provide ministry and God's love to those who need. Help us to offer salvation instead of judgment; show your Kingdom instead of accepting ours and shepherd people into our flock. Amen.