Sunday,  November 24, 2024
Reign of Christ Sunday
John 18:33-37 | "Testify to the Truth"

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 132)
One: Rise up, O God, dwell in the praise of your people. Make your home in our worship.
Many: Let your people be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.
One: Rise up, O God, remind us of your covenant and your commands. May your presence be a balm and your direction our guide.
Many: Let your people be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.
One: Rise up, O God, reign with power, wisdom and love. May your kindom come full and complete. 
Many: Let your people be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.

Invocation
Sovereign God, the wind blows, the water flows, and the sun shines. All creation declares your majesty. In you, we move, live, and have our being. Be glorified in our worship. Be known by our testimony. We proclaim your goodness from the east and the west, from the north and the south. On countrysides and city blocks, you reign. In deep valleys and skyscrapers, we declare that your realm extends from everlasting to everlasting. We worship you, Holy One, in spirit and in truth.  Amen.

Prayer for Transformation and New Life
Magnificent God, your greatness humbles us. Your love can be overwhelming and incomprehensible. Your attentive care takes our breath. We recognize that we sometimes suppress the holiness you have embedded in us. We keep silent when our witness could make a difference. We turn away when the pain we observe in others becomes more than we can bear. Renew our spirits, strengthen our resolve, and fortify our compassion to put testimony on our lips, in our posts, and through our lives for your kindom.  Amen.

Words of Grace
Dear one, God is sovereign and has chosen you to be a vessel of love, hope, and healing in the world. Creator has prepared you, and Spirit journeys beside you. And, as a community, we engage this work collectively. You are not alone. Heaven and earth join you with strength and grace. Rest in the peace and joy the reigns in Christ and through Christ as the kindom comes. 

Invitation to Generosity
Every good and perfect gift comes from above. Having received the bounty of creation, share a measure of the gifts God has given to fulfill unmet needs, to declare God’s goodness in tangible ways, and to testify to the kindom.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Generous God, we give you thanks for the opportunity to give our offering, to participate in ministry through our material resources, and to show our trust in your provision. Help us be good stewards and generous givers in your name and for your glory. Amen.

Benediction 
Go, 
Hold fast to the reign of Christ
Proclaim the good news through word and deed
Make your life the demonstration
Keep love as your hope and guide
Testify to the truth
And the Sovereign God will be with you
Now and forever.

Testify to the Truth: Service Prayers for Reign of Christ Sunday Year B was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay who serves as Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.