Call to Worship (Psalm 93)
L: Let us join in praising God using the 93rd Psalm.
All: He is exalted, the King is exalted on high; I will praise him.
L: The Lord reigns and is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed and is girded with strength.
P: The Lord has established the world;
it shall never be moved.
L: Your throne has been established from of old;
you are from everlasting!
P: The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice,
the floods lift up their roaring.
L: Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty!
P: Your decrees are very sure;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, for evermore.
L: This has been the Word of the Lord. Let us worship in Word and song.
All: He is the Lord, forever his truth shall reign, heaven and earth rejoice in his holy name. He is exalted, the King is exalted on high. Amen.
Opening Hymn: Christ the King
Crown Him with Many Crowns, vs. 1 & 3, UMH 327
Children’s Moment & Teaching of the Christian Year
A Festival of Scripture & Song for the End of The Christian Year
Introduction: Christ Is King
Revelation 1 tells us: “To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Today is the last day of Christian year. Much like, in the secular year, it is a chance to pause and reflect, to take stock of what has been and what is to be. It is a chance to turn the past year over to Jesus and to ask him to guide us through the next. It is a chance to praise the one who is Alpha and Omega, who is and who was and who is to come.
It is a chance to remember that Christ reigns in every season of our lives. And a chance to remember the journey we walk alongside Christ in the Christian year. And that is what we will be doing today, through song and Scripture we will journey through the Christian year together, praising the one who is Alpha and Omega, King in every season.
We begin in the new year with Advent.
Advent: Isaiah 11:6-9 & “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” UMH 196
Christ is King in the season of Advent. Although our world is at its darkest, we look toward the one who is Light. We prepare ourselves not only for the festival of Christmas, but for the day when Christ shall come again and establish his Reign of Peace and Love here on Earth. In Advent we cry out with all of Creation to the One who is King: Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
Isaiah 11:6-9:
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Christmas: Isaiah 9:6-7 & “What Child Is This,” vs. 1-2, UMH 219
Christ is King in the season of Christmas. God took on flesh in the form of a helpless babe, born in Bethlehem. In the manner of his incarnation and birth, God showed us what kind of King he is: a King who knows us intimately, a humble and lowly King, a King who came to serve, to walk among us, to be Emmanuel, God with us. It is this child King, Love Incarnate, God who took on Flesh that we hear about through the Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 9:6-7:
For a child has been born for us,
A Festival of Scripture & Song for the End of The Christian Year
Introduction: Christ Is King
Revelation 1 tells us: “To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Today is the last day of Christian year. Much like, in the secular year, it is a chance to pause and reflect, to take stock of what has been and what is to be. It is a chance to turn the past year over to Jesus and to ask him to guide us through the next. It is a chance to praise the one who is Alpha and Omega, who is and who was and who is to come.
It is a chance to remember that Christ reigns in every season of our lives. And a chance to remember the journey we walk alongside Christ in the Christian year. And that is what we will be doing today, through song and Scripture we will journey through the Christian year together, praising the one who is Alpha and Omega, King in every season.
We begin in the new year with Advent.
Advent: Isaiah 11:6-9 & “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” UMH 196
Christ is King in the season of Advent. Although our world is at its darkest, we look toward the one who is Light. We prepare ourselves not only for the festival of Christmas, but for the day when Christ shall come again and establish his Reign of Peace and Love here on Earth. In Advent we cry out with all of Creation to the One who is King: Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
Isaiah 11:6-9:
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Christmas: Isaiah 9:6-7 & “What Child Is This,” vs. 1-2, UMH 219
Christ is King in the season of Christmas. God took on flesh in the form of a helpless babe, born in Bethlehem. In the manner of his incarnation and birth, God showed us what kind of King he is: a King who knows us intimately, a humble and lowly King, a King who came to serve, to walk among us, to be Emmanuel, God with us. It is this child King, Love Incarnate, God who took on Flesh that we hear about through the Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 9:6-7:
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Epiphany & The Season Thereafter: Matthew 2:1-2 & “We Three King,” vs. 1 & 5, UMH 254
Christ is King in Epiphany and the season thereafter. On Epiphany we recount how the Magi followed the star the place Jesus was and laid gifts before him. Moreover, the story of Epiphany and the trials with Herod show us that Christ being King is not like the Kings of this world. His ways are not their ways. Kings of this world rule with fear, violence, and political manipulation. Christ rules with peace, truth, and love. On Epiphany and the season after, we are reminded through the life of Christ to follow not the kings of this world but, along with the magi, the one who is the true King.
Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Lent: Luke 23:33-43 & “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” vs. 1, UMH 286
Christ is King in the season of Lent. After his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, undergoing temptations, and preparing himself his earthly ministry. In the season of Lent we too practice fasting and sacrifice, walking the journey of discipleship to the cross. It is in this season that we remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of Hosanna that would soon turn into shouts of “Crucify Him!” We remember how the only crown that Jesus wore on earth was a crown of thorn, a king mocked and derided, but a king nonetheless.
Luke 23:33-43
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Easter: John 20:11-18 & “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” vs. 1 & 3, UMH 302
Christ is King in the season of Easter. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed! Death could not hold him. Our glorious King has rose again, defeated the grave, triumphed of Hell and death. In his Resurrection, Christ promises us that he is but the first fruit. That day will come when he is seated on the throne of a New Heaven and a New Earth and we all shall share in the resurrection of the body. In the Kingdom of our Lord, death has no sway.
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel, an account of the resurrection of our Lord. John 20:11-18
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Pentecost & The Season Thereafter: Acts 2:1-4 & “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” vs. 1 & 7, UMH 57
(You may be seated)
Christ is King on the day of Pentecost and the season thereafter. At Pentecost we remember how, following Christ’s ascension to his heavenly throne, God gave us the gift of The Holy Spirit, the very presence of God, the One who is and who was and who is to come, to dwell and stay here among us. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit we are daily sanctified and moved ever toward ushering in that Kingdom where Christ will reign forever. Every time we move toward perfect love of God and neighbor, we move toward that day where every tongue will confess and every knee shall bow, worshipping Christ as King.
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Conclusion: Christ Is King
We have traveled through the Christian year together, bringing us back to this day, Christ the King Sunday. Christ is King in every season of the year, and every season of our lives. May we always trust in Jesus while praying for and working to bring forth the Reign of Christ. Let us pray together:
God of Eternity, we stand with the courage of those who insisted, even in perilous times,
that not even the most powerful rulers of this earth hold our eternal destiny in their hands.
We are secure in Christ, whose reign is just, whose power is endless, and whose love is unfathomable.
God of Eternity, we join the chorus of saints who continue to declare that Christ is our King.
Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Epiphany & The Season Thereafter: Matthew 2:1-2 & “We Three King,” vs. 1 & 5, UMH 254
Christ is King in Epiphany and the season thereafter. On Epiphany we recount how the Magi followed the star the place Jesus was and laid gifts before him. Moreover, the story of Epiphany and the trials with Herod show us that Christ being King is not like the Kings of this world. His ways are not their ways. Kings of this world rule with fear, violence, and political manipulation. Christ rules with peace, truth, and love. On Epiphany and the season after, we are reminded through the life of Christ to follow not the kings of this world but, along with the magi, the one who is the true King.
Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Lent: Luke 23:33-43 & “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” vs. 1, UMH 286
Christ is King in the season of Lent. After his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, undergoing temptations, and preparing himself his earthly ministry. In the season of Lent we too practice fasting and sacrifice, walking the journey of discipleship to the cross. It is in this season that we remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of Hosanna that would soon turn into shouts of “Crucify Him!” We remember how the only crown that Jesus wore on earth was a crown of thorn, a king mocked and derided, but a king nonetheless.
Luke 23:33-43
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Easter: John 20:11-18 & “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” vs. 1 & 3, UMH 302
Christ is King in the season of Easter. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed! Death could not hold him. Our glorious King has rose again, defeated the grave, triumphed of Hell and death. In his Resurrection, Christ promises us that he is but the first fruit. That day will come when he is seated on the throne of a New Heaven and a New Earth and we all shall share in the resurrection of the body. In the Kingdom of our Lord, death has no sway.
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel, an account of the resurrection of our Lord. John 20:11-18
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Pentecost & The Season Thereafter: Acts 2:1-4 & “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” vs. 1 & 7, UMH 57
(You may be seated)
Christ is King on the day of Pentecost and the season thereafter. At Pentecost we remember how, following Christ’s ascension to his heavenly throne, God gave us the gift of The Holy Spirit, the very presence of God, the One who is and who was and who is to come, to dwell and stay here among us. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit we are daily sanctified and moved ever toward ushering in that Kingdom where Christ will reign forever. Every time we move toward perfect love of God and neighbor, we move toward that day where every tongue will confess and every knee shall bow, worshipping Christ as King.
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
This ends the reading. Let us sing.
Conclusion: Christ Is King
We have traveled through the Christian year together, bringing us back to this day, Christ the King Sunday. Christ is King in every season of the year, and every season of our lives. May we always trust in Jesus while praying for and working to bring forth the Reign of Christ. Let us pray together:
God of Eternity, we stand with the courage of those who insisted, even in perilous times,
that not even the most powerful rulers of this earth hold our eternal destiny in their hands.
We are secure in Christ, whose reign is just, whose power is endless, and whose love is unfathomable.
God of Eternity, we join the chorus of saints who continue to declare that Christ is our King.
Amen. (Discipleship Ministries)
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
L: Lord in your mercy,
P: Hear our prayers.
The Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Generosity
The Doxology
Closing Hymn
He is Exalted, x2, FWS 2070
Responsive Benediction
L: Grace United Methodist Church, what is our mission?
P: To invite all into a joyous and caring Christian community.
L: People of Grace, Christ is King. May we go out from this time of worship, at the close of our Christian year, in the hope and promise of the Kingdom that is to come. And in faith, to live into God’s Kingdom today. Now go in peace in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
He is Exalted, x2, FWS 2070
Responsive Benediction
L: Grace United Methodist Church, what is our mission?
P: To invite all into a joyous and caring Christian community.
L: People of Grace, Christ is King. May we go out from this time of worship, at the close of our Christian year, in the hope and promise of the Kingdom that is to come. And in faith, to live into God’s Kingdom today. Now go in peace in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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