OF THE WORD FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING YEAR B NOTES FOR LEADERS

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1 CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING YEAR B NOTES FOR LEADERS Note that the gospel for this week is from John s gospel, not Mark s gospel. The theme from last week continues this week with a focus on the end times. This day is called the feast of Christ the King. This day marks the end of ordinary time. Next week the church will celebrate the beginning of the church s year with the first Sunday of Advent. Hold up the crown and ask children, Who wears one of these? Children discuss kings and queens living today. Where do they reside? What do they do? In what ways are they rich and powerful? Some kings and queens use their wealth, power and influence for the benefit of others. Some do not. Ask children to name a fairy tale about a king or queen. Describe the king or queen. Invite children to discuss what kind of king they believe Jesus was. Include the children s ideas in the liquid picture. Name some places Jesus resided. Name some of his friends and disciples. Name someone he healed. Name someone who followed him. Recall a miracle story. In what ways was Jesus rich and powerful? Older children describe what the kingdom of Jesus could or should look like today. Will it be a place of peace and harmony? Will it be a time of reconciliation between cultures and countries? Will there be poor, hungry and homeless people? As this feast day marks the end of the liturgical year invite the children to recall some of the stories they have heard over the past weeks and months. Name their favourite story.

2 The theme of end times invites us to look forward as well as back. Children might take some quiet time to reflect on the year and to look forward to a new year. Discuss: What are some hopes and dreams you have for the future? How will you be a better kingdom person in the coming year? INTRODUCTORY RITES OF MASS DISMISSAL AND PROCESSION FROM THE CHURCH I invite the children, please, to stand. My dear children, you will go now to hear God's word, to praise God in song and to reflect on the wonderful things God has done for us. We will await your return so that together we may celebrate the Eucharist. A cross bearer leads the way out. CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD INTRODUCTION Create a simple prayer focus that articulates the liturgical flavour of the season. Use a white candle and a piece of white material. Include a cardboard crown or a picture of a crown. The Children s Lectionary is enthroned in a place of honour with the candle. This is the thirty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary time. It is also called the feast of Christ the King. This is the last Sunday in Ordinary time. Next week the church begins the liturgical season called Advent. A moment of silence follows. [FIRST READING]: DANIEL 7:13-14 A reading from the prophet Daniel His sovereignty is eternal. During the night I had a vision, and I saw what looked like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He came toward the Eternal God and was led into his presence,

3 where he was honoured and given the power to rule as king. People of every nation and language worshiped him. He will rule forever, and his kingdom will never be destroyed. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. [RESPONSORIAL PSALM]: PS 93:1-2, 5 R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place, and it will never be moved. R. You have always ruled, and you are eternal. Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy. R. [SECOND READING]: REVELATION 1:5-8 A reading from the book of Revelation The ruler of the kings of the earth made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God. May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. He lets us rule as kings and serve God his Father as priests. To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds. Everyone will see him, even the ones who stuck a sword through him. All people on earth will weep because of him.

4 Yes, it will happen! Amen. The Lord God says, I am Alpha and Omega, the one who is and was and is coming. I am God All-Powerful! The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. [GOSPEL ACCLAMATION]: MARK 11:9, 10 Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the one who inherits the kingdom of David our father; blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Alleluia. GOSPEL: JOHN 18:33-37 A reading from the holy Gospel according to John You say that I am a king. Pilate called Jesus over and asked, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered, Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me? You know I m not a Jew! Pilate said. Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done? Jesus answered, My kingdom doesn t belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep me from being handed over to you. No, my kingdom does not belong to this world. So you are a king, Pilate replied. You are saying that I am a king, Jesus told him. I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice. The Gospel of the Lord.

5 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RECEIVING THE WORD LIQUID PICTURE Children involved form a straight line with their backs to the audience. A leader or child reads the introduction. Each child turns to face the group, says the phrase 3 times whilst doing a simple action and freezes in a position. Leader or child concludes with closing statement. Leader: Jesus is King... A king who listens! A king who heals! A king who understands! A king who is fair! A King who comforts! Leader: Jesus is King! PROFESSION OF FAITH I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary, all bow. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

6 the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. GENERAL INTERCESSIONS Leader: Let us pray. Reader: We pray that our leaders will be people of compassion. Lord hear us. Reader: We pray for those who hunger and thirst. Lord hear us. Reader: We pray for sick and dying people. Lord hear us Reader: We pray for our families and friends and all we love. Lord hear us. Leader: Loving God, listen to the prayers we make in the name of Jesus. All: Amen. DISMISSAL DISMISSAL AND PROCESSION TO THE CHURCH. As we go to celebrate the Lord s Supper, we carry God s word in our hearts. May God s Holy Spirit help us to put it into practice. A cross bearer leads the way out.