Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

The grace, mercy and peace from God the Father
And from Christ Jesus our Lord
Be with you all. (1 Tim.12).

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Is there a place in our hearts for everyone?
whether saint or sinner?
We proclaim that Christ died for everyone.
But we sometimes look down on others
Because they do not worship the Lord
the same way as we do. (pause)

You have made your house, O Lord,
a house of prayer for all peoples.
Son of David, have pity on us:
Son of David, have pity on us.

You hear the prayer of pagans
And make yourself known to all who seek you.
Son of David, have pity on us:
Son of David, have pity on us.

You welcome all who come to you for mercy.
Son of David, have pity on us:
Son of David, have pity on us.

May almighty God,
who sent his Son Jesus Christ
to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,
Have mercy also on us all.
May God forgive our sins and bring us to eternal life.

Opening Prayer

Option A
God of all nations,
to your table all are invited
and in your family no one is a stranger.
Satisfy the hunger
of those gathered in this house of prayer,
and mercifully extend to all the peoples on earth,
the joy of salvation.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Option B
God of all nations,
through faith in Jesus,
a pagan woman found welcome
at the table of your children.
Let people of every race, language and way of life
find that our Parish is a place
where foreigners are welcomed as friends,
where strangers are called brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

P        Together let us offer intercession to the God who cares
           for all the nations of the world without.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, hear the cries of the poor. (Please repeat)

1. For our Church leaders and all gathered here today:
   that we may be grateful for all the good things we enjoy,
   and be generous in sharing them with others.
   We pray:
   
2. For government leaders:
   that in their planning they may give priority
   to the poor and disadvantaged members of society.
   We pray:
   
3. That countries divided by religious,
   ethnic or racial conflict may seek reconciliation
   and learn to live as good neighbors.
   We pray:
4. 4 That our Parish may not be divided
   by petty quarrels and jealousy. (pause)
   We pray:
5. For those who care for the sick and the dying:
   that they may bring the healing comfort
   of Christ to all who suffer.
   We pray:

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

P     Compassionate God, our refuge and our strength,
       we have placed these petitions before you
       knowing that what we ask faith will never be refused,
       especially when we ask them through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Provident Father,
you prepare the table of your Son
For all who are willing to approach it.
You welcome especially the poor of the earth.
May we learn from Jesus to
give to all those who ask for help,
beginning with more crumbs from our lives.
Grant this through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

God's house is a house of prayer.
Gathered here we pray in the words that Jesus taught us:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
Especially our tendency to exclude others
From what we consider to be ours by right and privilege.
Open our hearts to all peoples and cultures
So that they too can come to accept
The Lordship of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ,
At the table in your kingdom
No one is a stranger.
Help us to recognize in every person
A beloved son or daughter of your Father.
May we share your peace with everyone
As we work together for the coming of your kingdom
Where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
In a spirit of humility,
And conscious of being equal in God's sight,
We offer each other a sign of Christ's peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      When we break this bread and share this wine,
        we declare that we are willing to see all people
        as our brothers and sisters.
        With God as our Father,
        we are members of his one family.
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

Option A
This is Jesus Christ,
the food of children,
the true bread of heaven.
Blessed are we who are invited to the Master's table.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Option B
They will come from east and west and from north and south
to sit down at the table in the kingdom of God.
Blessed are those who are called to the banquet of the Lamb.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

God of all nations,
We have been refreshed with the one bread
By which you continue to renew the human family.
Grant that our sharing in this sacrament of unity
May inspire us to end discrimination
And bring all peoples into your kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet.
AMEN.

May you show the love of Christ to all who are in need.
AMEN

May you make your homes 'houses of prayer'.
AMEN.

And may almighty God bless you,
the Father + and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Go and bear witness
To the world-wide love of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.