A service of worship for Christ the King

Debbie reflects on the challenges of recognising the kingly nature of Jesus, then and now, but the benefits when we do.

Opening Prayer
Loving God, Beloved one …
let us be aware of you with us and within us …

Let us attend to each part of our bodies …
all that is well, and all that is poorly …

Help us let go of all in our lives that lies in shadow -
what we’ve done, what we’ve said and what we’ve thought
that is not helpful, that dishonours,
and mars your image in us.
Have mercy on us …

Let us trust your presence as we listen
Let us not be distracted by the clamour of every thought
but let our hearts be still
our minds unlearned
our faces unmasked.

Let us not be afraid of all we know we cannot be
but let us trust that we are enough
that just to be here is enough
just as we are
And to trust that you look on us, our beloved
with eyes that see
and eyes that love
for you are love itself.


Reading

Colossians 1: 11-20

11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.



Gospel
Luke 23: 33-43
33 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. [[34 Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 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!’ 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38 There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43 He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’