A call to worship:
As we come together to worship King Jesus,
we offer him all that we are, in honour and worship, praise and adoration of the King of kings.
Amen.
A gathering prayer:
When things are going well, and when things are going wrong, Jesus, you are king.
When the world seems good, and when the world seems bad, Jesus, you are king.
When we feel your presence clearly and when we feel as if you are absent, Jesus, you are king.
Through all of life, Jesus, you are king.
Amen.
StF 333 - Majesty worship his majesty
Majesty, worship His Majesty;
Unto Jesus be glory, honour and praise!
Majesty, kingdom authority,
Flow from his throne, unto his own,
His anthem raise!
So, exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus!
Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship his Majesty;
Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings!
Majesty, worship His Majesty.
Unto Jesus be all glory, honour and praise
Majesty, Kingdom Authority
Flow from His throne, unto His own
His anthem raise.
So, exalt, lift up on high the Name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King.
Majesty, worship His Majesty;
Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings!
Bible Readings
Psalm 93
1 The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.
3 The seas have lifted up, Lord,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea –
the Lord on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days.
John 18:33-37
34 ‘Is that your own idea,’ Jesus asked, ‘or did others talk to you about me?’
35 ‘Am I a Jew?’ Pilate replied. ‘Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?’
36 Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’
37 ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.
Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’
Reflection:
This Psalm 93 doesn’t ask questions but declares that God reigns in majesty. How do we understand the majesty of God? And what does that mean to each one of us.
In this psalm the writer describes two pictures, one of a King in the first verse and in verse 3 another picture of the Sea.
A few months ago, I saw a video of some cyclists riding their bikes on the Balmoral estate and on their journey, they just happened to meet a man walking along a track, it was King Charles, walking in the rain and he stopped to speak to them. I recall receiving my invitation to Buckingham Palace on completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award. When I entered through the front gates and walked to the main entrance, I remember walking from the gate to the palace and felt very privileged to do so. I can only describe it like being on Holy ground. I had the sense of being in a place where very few people get to enter, apart from the Monarch and their family. The Monarch is an important person however we have a greater King and Messiah who is Lord over all things.
Secondly in this Psalm in verse 3 there is reference to the sea. Many times, during my ministry in Lowestoft, I spent time on the beach in all weathers, often listening to the sound of the waves crashing in on the beach and taking pictures of the ever-changing sea and sky. The sea reminds me of the majesty of God and over this last year I have put some of the photographs into a daily devotional for myself so that I can spend time in meditating on the seascapes and spending time with God.
This Psalm invites us to learn more about our faith as we live out the Methodist way of life and this helps us become more like Jesus. Two questions we may want to ask ourselves, what has helped you learn and grow in your faith recently? And is there something you like to learn about Faith?
The Methodist prayer book ‘Praise and protest’ suggests singing Christ triumphant, ever reigning, Saviour, Master King. Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining hear us as we sing, (Singing the Faith, hymn 319). The psalmist ends with standing firm throughout the ages. In the light of God’s eternity and human transience, we can only bow in wonder.
Today I will end the reflection with some words written by FW Faber (1814 – 63).
My God, how wonderful thou art, thy majesty how bright, how beautiful thy mercy-seat, in depths of burning light How wonderful, how beautiful, the sight of thee must be, Thine endless wisdom, boundless power, and awful purity. Amen.
A prayer of confession
Lord Jesus,
we are sorry for the times when we have worshipped false ‘kings’ and believed shallow truths.
King of kings, raise us up to serve and follow you.
We are sorry for the times when we have been impressed by those who have promised us the world, but who have taken it from others.
King of kings, raise us up to serve and follow you.
We are sorry for the times when we have pictured ourselves being looked up to and have not looked around to those in need of support and encouragement.
King of kings, raise us up to serve and follow you.
Amen.
Assurance of forgiveness
God of justice and truth,
you bless those who turn to you in sorrow
for the things they have got wrong.
We turn to you now, and trust in your promise of forgiveness.
Thank you for hearing our prayer, for guiding our future, and being a God in whom we can feel safe and strong.
Amen.
A prayer of praise and thanksgiving
Lord Jesus, we praise you for your kingship of all that is good and generous; we praise you for bearing witness to the truth; for bearing the burdens of those who are struggling;
for bringing strength to those who admit their weakness;
for bringing purpose to those who name their emptiness;
for bringing hope to those who acknowledge their despair;
for painting a picture of a kingdom where all are called and all belong, we praise you.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Please use the version that you prefer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.
Amen.
StF 319 Christ triumphant ever reigning
Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King!
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name.
Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
power and majesty concealing
by your humble birth:
Yours the glory…
Suffering servant, scorned, ill-treated,
victim crucified!
Death is through the cross defeated,
sinners justified:
Yours the glory…
Priestly king, enthroned for ever
high in heaven above!
Sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love:
Yours the glory…
So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song:
Yours the glory…
A sending out prayer:
King Jesus, may you be enthroned in our lives,
and may we seek to live according to your will,
as members of your kingdom, this week and always.
Amen.
