Christ the King – the Sunday next before Advent
This Sunday next before Advent we celebrate Christ the King:
Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.
I Timothy 6:15-16
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We welcome all those worshipping from home who join us in prayer and praise. Here you can find today’s readings, hymns, anthem, psalm and prayers.
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Let us start by remembering Ukraine and other countries at war with this prayer:
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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The Collect
Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Opening Hymn
Hymn 332 – All hail the power of Jesus’ name
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The Readings
Jeremiah 23: 1-6
Colossians 1: 11-20
Luke 23: 33-43
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The Psalm
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The Anthem
Anthem: Let all mortal flesh keep silence – Edward Bairstow
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Hymn
Hymn 282 – Faithful shepherd feed me
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The Intercessions
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
you promised through your Son Jesus Christ
to hear us when we pray in faith.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
Strengthen Robert our bishop, our Chaplain Bruce and all your Church in the service of Christ,
that those who confess your name may be united in your truth,
live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
In our diocese today, we pray for the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church, Bishop Carlos López-Lozano, also for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
We pray for the Diocesan Safeguarding team and for our care for children and vulnerable adults.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Province of the Indian Ocean
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
Bless and guide Charles and Willem-Alexander our Kings; give wisdom to all in authority;
and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace;
that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.
We pray for the success of today’s UN climate summit agreement as well as all global and local initiatives designed to help our world heal.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
Today at the end of the liturgical year we celebrate the universal sovereignty of Christ the King.
Give grace to us, our families and friends, and to all our neighbours,
that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
A prayer by William Temple:
O Lord Jesu Christ, who prayed
for your disciples that they might be one,
even as you are one with the Father:
draw us to yourself,
that in common love and obedience to you we may be united to one another,
in the fellowship of the one Spirit,
that the world may believe that you are Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Christ the king of the universe, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
Lord, comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit – particularly those on our chaplaincy prayer list or known to us personally;
give them courage and hope in their troubles;
and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ;
according to your promises,
grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer
Rejoicing in the fellowship of Anna and Mary, and all your saints,
we commend ourselves and the whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Closing Hymn
Hymn 148 – The God of Abraham praise
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Concluding Prayers
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
