You can watch the bible readings and sermon here, or scroll down to read the rest of the Sunday prayers and content, and watch this video at the point it occurs during worship.
Child-relevant content warning: the sermon contains remarks concerning a Christmas tradition/character that many people wish to keep alive for children for as long as possible. No children were present in person on the day, but please use your discretion if there might be a child within earshot while you are watching the sermon.
WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Sue McK
CALL TO WORSHIP Rev Bronwyn Murphy
Today is both the end and climax of the Christian year.
Today our Church Calendar comes to a close.
Today we celebrate something the world might think nonsense – but for us is a beautiful truth:
we celebrate Jesus Christ as King.
Christ had no troops and built no palace,
yet his rule is now boundless.
He had no throne and wore no crown,
yet as a king he alone is eternal.
Let us pray:
Living God, we come together to worship you, to acknowledge Christ as King.
Help us to focus on you rather than our ourselves that we might rejoice in your presence, receive your love and so nourish our faith.
In your Holy Name we pray. Amen
HYMN Alleluia, We praise you God, Creator Lord
PRAYERS OF ADORATION AND CONFESSION
Loving God, we pray with such gratitude for we have so much to celebrate – so much to praise you for. Your unending love for the world, your patience in never giving up on us, even when we give up on you.
Your ability to see us as we might be, rather than the sum of our failures and broken promises.
Your call for us to share in your love and your ever-present spirit, guiding us to what we might do and who we might be, if only we live and serve, filled with your love.
We celebrate you as our Creator, Redeemer and our King.
We know that we have chosen you only because you first chose us –
and we love you only because you taught us how.
In the silence hear us as we offer our thanks and praise for all you are
silence
Forgive us, God, when our worship becomes hollow and routine,
when our holy days are mere excuses to party,
when our thoughts are not on your will, but on serving our own desires.
Forgive us when we ignore your teaching.
Forgive us when we think that paying you lip service
will atone for all our wrong doings.
Call us back.
Give us yet another chance to serve you:
to do good, to seek justice,
to support the oppressed,
to plead for those who have no voice.
Wash us clean, and make us new, that we might faithfully serve your world in your name
The name in which we pray – the name of Jesus. Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God’s forgiveness is beyond our understanding, but is as real as the air we breathe. Receive this gift of grace. In the name of Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven
All: Thanks be to God.
Sharing time: what you’ve done in the UCA, where you’ve been, what you do now, and something like what your greatest interest/passion/lesson/perspective is?
BIBLE READING: EZEKIEL 34:11-16 MATTHEW 25:31-46 Susan and Brad
MATTHEW 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,
33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,
35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink?
38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing?
39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels,
42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’
44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’
45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
And my friends, the only difference between the sheep and the goats, according to this Scripture, is what they did and didn’t do.”
SERMON Christ the King Rev Bronwyn Murphy
Child-relevant content warning: the sermon contains remarks concerning a Christmas tradition/character that many people wish to keep alive for children for as long as possible. No children were present in person on the day, but please use your discretion if there might be a child within earshot while you are watching the sermon
HYMN O Christ what can it mean for us
NOTICES Sue
OFFERING/ DEDICATION
May our gifts express our deepest faith, O God, and may they meet the greatest longings of your people. May these gifts truly bring good news and blessings. May these offerings help to answer prayers for liberation. In joy and in gratitude, we offer a portion of what you gave us in abundance.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Jan
HYMN Lift up your heads, eternal gates (Weissell, adapted John Bell)
BLESSING Rev Bron Murphy
As our church year closes, know that another one begins. In this coming year, as in all years, God will be with you. Go in peace trusting in God for all things:
And may the light of Jesus Christ shine brightly in your homes and your hearts,
the courage of the one who is both fully divine and fully human be lived in your every word and deed
and may the Holy Spirit be the source of all your wisdom and strength.
The blessing of God Almighty – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and each one you love, now and for ever. Amen.
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