Sign of the Cross

Greeting

We are known to be the disciples of the Lord
by our love for one another.
May this love remain always with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Option A
It is the newness and freshness of God's re-creation in Christ
that we celebrate today.
There is a new heaven and a new earth
where God lives continually with his people.
Let us call upon Christ our Savior, God-with-us. (pause)

Lord Jesus, you are the glory of God the Father:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, your rule lasts from age to age:
Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus, through your death and resurrection,
you have brought us life:
Lord, have mercy.

 

Option B
'Love one another as I have loved you.'
Of all the commandments Christ gave us this is the most important:
it includes all the others.
The only failure in the life of a Christian is the failure to love.
Let us remember those people that we find difficult to take into our hearts, and ask the Lord to help us to be more loving towards them.

Lord Jesus, the glory of God is revealed in you.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you have loved us with an everlasting love.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you command us to love as we are loved by you.
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
We behold your glory, O God,
in the love shown by your Son,
lifted up on the cross
and exalted on high.

Increase our love for one another,
that we may be disciples of the risen Lord Jesus,
and so reflect by our lives
the glory that is yours.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, the first-born from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN

Option B
In Christ your Son, O God of glory,
you are making all things new.

Make this new commandment of love
the very foundation of our lives,
so that, loving you and loving one another
we may show that we are Christ's disciples.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the first-born from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN

 

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

P        Let us pray that we may be faithful to the new commandment by which we shall be known as Christ's followers.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, unite us in your love.
           (Please repeat)

For this assembly. (pause)
That we may be able to rise above the grudges, jealousies and meanness of spirit which prevent us from loving one another. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those in special need. (pause)
That the Lord may heal the sick, comfort the suffering and the dying, give safety to travelers and free those unjustly deprived of liberty. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the Filipino nation. (pause)
As we elect our political leaders, may we vote wisely, protect the sanctity of the ballot, and respect the will of the majority of our people. We pray to the Lord:

That peoples of all nations may come to know and enjoy the personal loving God revealed in Jesus Christ. We pray to the Lord:

That we who are called the people of God may truly become a holy people.
Let us pray to the Lord.

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P     Heavenly Father, listen to our requests and deepen our awareness of your tender love. Help us to remain faithful to your Son's new commandment to love. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Creator God,
the bread that we eat is meant to be the bread of peace,
but to many it is the bread of tears.
The cup that we drink is meant to be the cup of joy,
but often it is a bitter cup of sadness.
Let the bread and wine which we bring before you
become for us the food and drink
which will give us strength to build a better world
with Jesus, who is our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.

Intro to the Lord's Prayer

Our God has made his home among us;
we are his people.
Let us turn to God and say / sing:

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us peace in our day.
Help us to love our neighbor as you love us
-- with all our heart and soul -
as we work in joyful hope
for the return in glory
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,
you said to your disciples:
'A new commandment I give you;
love one another as I have loved you."
Lord, touch our hearts
so that we may be people who are able to love,
and thus we will enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.

Exchange of Peace
Let us offer each other a sign of Christ's love and peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      Before the festival of the Passover,
Jesus knew that his hour had come
to depart from this world and go to the Father. (pause)
We break this blessed bread,
recalling that at the Last Supper,
the Lord Jesus gave his body and blood to his friends
as a sign of oneness with them.
       
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, who loved his own to the end.
Happy are we who love one another as he has loved us.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

God of heaven and earth,
through the sacrament that we have received
you have created within us a heart that is new.
Grant that by our love for one another
everyone will know that we are the disciples
of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN

Solemn Blessing

May the God of kindness and compassion make his home with you. AMEN

May God wipe away all tears from your eyes
and welcome you into his holy city. AMEN.

May you be strengthened and encouraged
to continue in the practice of your faith. AMEN.

And may God, who is love itself,
help us all to love one another;
and may he bless you all,
+ the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Our celebration has now ended.
By your love for one another
go and show yourselves to the world
as disciples of Christ.