In the Catholic and Protestant liturgical cycle, November 25 is the
feast of Christ the King. The lectionary-designated Gospel reading (John
18:33-37) was chosen to fit that theme. Here are some Restoration-grounded
worship resources also based on the theme of Christ’s kingdom.
The Good News of Jesus Christ is at
the center of the faith and beliefs of Community of Christ. We are a worldwide
community and are committed to follow Jesus, bring forth the kingdom of God, and seek together the revealing,
renewing presence of the Holy Spirit. (“Basic Beliefs”)
*************************
RESPONSIVE CALL TO
WORSHIP
Adapted from D&C 65:1c-f
Leader:
A voice cries:
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Prepare the supper of the Lamb!
Make ready for the Bridegroom!
All:
Pray to the Lord!
Call upon his holy
name!
Make known his
wonderful works among the people!
Leader:
Call upon the Lord,
that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth—
that the inhabitants thereof may receive it!
All:
May the kingdom of
God go forth—
that you, O God, may
be glorified,
as in heaven, so on
earth.
Amen.
*************************
SCRIPTURE READING
D&C 164:5, 9b-c
This selection could
be read in tandem with John 18:33-37 in the “two witnesses” style. For an
example of the style, see this
post.
When you are truly baptized into Christ
you become part of a new creation. . . .
Through the gospel of Christ
a new community of tolerance,
reconciliation,
unity in diversity,
and love
is being born as a visible sign
of the coming reign of God. . . .
When your willingness to live in sacred community
as Christ’s new creation
exceeds your natural fear of spiritual and relational
transformation,
you will become who you are called to be.
The rise of Zion the beautiful,
the peaceful reign of Christ,
awaits your wholehearted response
to the call to make and steadfastly hold to
God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.
This covenant . . . requires whole-life stewardship
dedicated to expanding the church’s restoring ministries,
especially those devoted to asserting the worth of persons,
protecting the sacredness of creation,
and relieving physical and spiritual suffering.
*************************
SENDING FORTH
Option A: Adapted
from D&C 77:4a-b
The Lord says:
Little children—
you have not yet understood
what great blessings the Father holds in his hands,
prepared for you.
You cannot bear all things now.
Nevertheless, I will lead you along.
The kingdom and its blessings are yours.
Option B: Adapted
from D&C 61:6c
The Lord says:
Be of good cheer, little children,
for I am in your midst,
and I have not forsaken you.
Inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me,
the blessings of the kingdom are yours.
No comments:
Post a Comment