The following litany is appropriate for the opening of worship for any Sunday but is particularly appropriate for Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday or when the service is highlighting Christ’s lordship and reign over all.
The psalm is read by the leader and congregation, with the congregation’s responses in bold. The passage from Ephesians is read by the “Apostle.” The words in brackets have been added to help the dialogue between the two passages. All scripture quotations are taken from the NRSVUE.
Call to Worship
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Leader: |
O come, let us sing to the Lord; |
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Congregation: |
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! |
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Apostle: |
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, |
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Leader: |
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; |
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Congregation: |
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! |
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Apostle: |
[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, |
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Leader: |
For the Lord is a great God |
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Congregation: |
and a great King above all gods. |
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Apostle: |
[May you know that God and have a spirit of wisdom and revelation] so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. |
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Leader: |
In his hand are the depths of the earth; |
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Congregation: |
the heights of the mountains are his also. |
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Leader: |
The sea is his, for he made it, |
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Congregation: |
and the dry land, which his hands have formed. |
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Apostle: |
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.
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Leader: |
O come, let us worship and bow down; |
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Congregation: |
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! |
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Apostle: |
And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. |
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Leader: |
O that today you would listen to his voice! |
Sung Response
“The First Place” Westerholm
“Come, Worship God” Perry
“Now with Joyful Exultation” Psalter 1912
“Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation” Latin, 8th C.; tr. Neale
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Reign of Christ—Proper 29 (34)
