Sign of the Cross

Greeting 

We have come to worship God
through Jesus Christ,
the only mediator between God and the human race.
May the peace of Christ be with you.

Introduction

We are gathered in the house of the Lord.
Let us come into his presence in a spirit of trust and confidence because we are his precious daughters and sons. Jesus urges us to let go of worry and to trust in the love and care of God for us. (pause)

Litany of Praise

In you alone, Lord, are our souls at rest:
Lord, have mercy.

You alone are our rock and our stronghold:
Christ, have mercy.

In you, Lord, our hearts find refuge:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,
as you clothe in splendor the lilies of the field,
you know all that we need,
and your providential love embraces all your creatures.

Sustain us with the power of your Spirit,
that in the midst of each day's anxieties and troubles,
we may not succumb to self-centeredness
but, as trustworthy stewards
seek first your kingdom and its righteousness.

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

Credo

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

P        Casting aside our worries, we bring our innermost needs before God who cares for the whole of creation and in whom we live and move and have our being.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, hear our prayer. (Please repeat)

1 May the teaching of Jesus so move us that we will serve God rather than money, setting our hearts on what is required for the coming of God's reign.
We pray:

2 That people everywhere may look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field and so come to recognize and love the beauty of life in all its forms.
We pray:

3 That those who are burdened with problems and worries may know the strength that comes from trust in God.
We pray:

4 That the sick and the homebound in our community may feel that our God is like a mother who never forgets her children.
We pray:

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

P      Heavenly Father, your love touches our lives at every single moment.         Help us to appreciate all the blessings you shower upon us.
        May we never set our hearts on material things but put our trust in your         loving providence.
        We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Prayer over the Gifts

God of justice,
you call us into your service.

May these gifts which we now present to you
be a sign of our readiness to work for a better world
where all peoples can share in the bounty of your creation.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness,
and with trust in God's daily care for us,
we now pray:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin
and protect us from the worries and anxieties about the future
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples:
"Do not worry about food or clothes.
Set your hearts on the kingdom of God,
and your heavenly Father will take care of you."
Help us to live by these words,
so that we may enjoy the peace of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Exchange of Peace
Christ Jesus gave himself to redeem everyone,
and made our peace with God.
Let us offer each other a sign of that peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      May we become as this blessed bread, a blessed people,
        blessed and broken in the love and care of one another.
        We who eat of the same bread,
        even though varied and different
        are one in the body of Christ.

A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

Behold Jesus,
the Lamb of God who sacrificed himself as a ransom for all.
Blessed are we who are invited to his banquet.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Provident God,
grant that the sacrament we have shared
may instill in us a strong desire to be good stewards of the earth,
so that none of your poor will go needy,
none of your children will be oppressed.

May you alone be our master
and may we give you glory in serving one another.
Grant this through Christ, the Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May the Father keep you safely in his care. AMEN

May the Son guide you always on the right path. AMEN.

May the Spirit free your mind and heart to do God's will. AMEN.

Dismissal      

Our celebration is ended.
Go and seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness.