Christ the King

Collect of the Day
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 and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading  Daniel 7.9-10,13-14
As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. As I watched in the night visions,  I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

The Psalm  Psalm 93
The Lord is King and hath put on glorious apparel: the Lord hath put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He hath made the round world so sure that it cannot be moved. Ever since the world began hath thy seat been prepared: thou art from everlasting. The floods are risen O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice: the floods lift up their waves. The waves of the sea are mighty and rage horribly: but yet the Lord who dwelleth on high is mightier. Thy testimonies O Lord are very sure: holiness becometh thine house forever.

Second Reading  Revelation 1.4b-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
'I am the Alpha and the Omega', says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Gospel  John 18.33-37
Pilate asked Jesus, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?' Pilate replied, 'I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?' Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.' Pilate asked him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.'

Post Communion Prayer
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that plenteously bearing the fruit of good works they may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Copyright acknowledgement
Daniel 7.9-10,13-14 ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA
John 18.33-37 ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA
Revelation 1.4b-8 ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA
Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  2004 The Representative Body of the Church of Ireland