Here are three responsive readings that incorporate just about every reference to the God’s kingdom in the Gospels… use freely in your own worship context.

_ GATHERING WORDS  _

ONE: Jesus said many things about God’s kingdom:

ALL: God’s kingdom is close by.

ONE: “Turn around, the kingdom of God is right behind you.”

TWO: “The kingdom of God belongs to the spiritually bankrupt.”

ONE: “The kingdom of God is for those screwed over for doing what’s right.”

ALL: God’s kingdom is close by.

TWO: “Don’t be afraid.  God is happy to give you the kingdom.”

ONE: “You’ve been given all there is to know about the secrets of the kingdom of God.”

TWO: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of God.”

ALL: God’s kingdom is close by.

ONE: “It is so hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God.”

TWO: “IRS officers and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of the religious.”

ONE: “Whoever humbles themselves like a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of God.”

ALL: God’s kingdom is close by.

TWO: “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation.”

ONE: “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.’”

TWO: “People will come from every direction to the party in the kingdom of God.”

ALL: God’s kingdom is close by.

ONE: “Search for the kingdom of God and God’s justice first and foremost, and everything else will be yours.”

TWO: “Heal people’s sicknesses and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is close by, it’s right next to you.’

ONE: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

ALL: God’s kingdom is close by.

_ A Litany of Kingdom Simile _

ONE: How can we describe what the kingdom of God is like?

ALL: It’s like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground or

a field of weeds and wheat mixed together.

TWO: How can we describe what the kingdom of God is like?

ALL: It’s like a mustard seed growing rampant or

a teaspoon of yeast mixed throughout a loaf of bread.

ONE: How can we describe what the kingdom of God is like?

ALL: It’s like a buyer looking for the perfect pearl or

a treasure hidden in an abandoned field.

_ A EUCHARISTIC PRAYER _

ONE: Jesus took bread, thanked God, broke it and gave it to his disciples saying:

“Take this bread, my body.  Eat it and remember that I am for you.  I will not eat this bread again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

ALL: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

ONE: Jesus took wine, thanked God, and gave it to his disciples saying:

“Take this wine, my blood.  Drink it and remember that you are forgiven.  I will not drink it again until I drink with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

ALL: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

ONE: Jesus told the powers of this world that would kill him, “The kingdom of God is not from this world, the kingdom of God is from another place.”

ALL: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

ONE: Jesus told the proud and humble alike, “You must be reborn to see the kingdom of God.  You must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.”

ALL: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

ONE: Come and eat, for Jesus tells us by the Spirit, “The kingdom of God is within you.”

ALL: Amen!

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