Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

The grace and peace of Jesus Christ -
the Word of God who became man and lived among us -
be always with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Option A
Today, St. Paul shares with us the word of God that was given to him:
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness."
We gather to celebrate the grace of God,
the power that is also sufficient for us. (pause)

Option B
When Jesus returned to his home town, Nazareth,
it was a sad occasion, because his own people rejected him.
We ask forvigeness for all the times we have rejected him. (pause)

Lord Jesus, your grace is sufficient for us:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, your power is made perfect in our weakness:
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, when we are weak, then we are strong:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Remove from before our eyes, O God,
the veil that hides your splendor,
and flood us with the light of your Holy Spirit,
that we may recognize your glory
and experience even in our own human weakness
the sufficiency of your amazing grace.

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       With full assurance, let us approach God our Father in prayer.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, open our hearts to your Word. (Please repeat)

1. For all who preach and teach the Gospel: [pause]
   that the Lord will protect them from arrogance and conceit,
   and make them accept their human weaknesses and limitations.
   Let us pray to the Lord:
   
2. That Church, government and civil leaders
   may listen to the prophets of our times
   who appeal to our conscience and challenge our values.
   We pray to the Lord:
   
3. For all who are misjudged and suffer rejection; [pause]
   that the Lord will reveal his love to them,
   comfort them in their suffering
   and enrich their faith.
   Let us pray to the Lord:
4. For grace to recognize the good
   in the people with whom we share our lives.
   Let us pray to the Lord:
   

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

P     Father, send us your Holy Spirit
       to move our hearts
       to accept and follow what you say to us
       through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Generous God,
in these signs of bread and wine
we bring you the fruits of our labor.
May your Son Jesus,
who worked as a carpenter in Nazareth,
help us find meaning in our daily work
and seek your will in all we do.
We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

We acknowledge Jesus the carpenter of Nazareth as Son of God.
In his name we pray to the Father:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy accept us in our weakness
and fill us with the power of Christ.
Keep us free from sin
as we prepare with hope and joy
for the coming among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ,
you said to your apostles,
"I leave you peace; my peace I give you."
Look not on our sins
but on the faith of the church
and grant that we may be content
with weaknesses, insults and hardships
for the sake of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
As children of God,
let us turn to one another and offer the peace of Christ.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

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

A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the carpenter,
the son of Mary… the Son of God.
Blessed are we to receive him at this altar-table.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

God, the Sustainer of life,
you have refreshed us in this holy meal.
You have given us the strength to endure
weaknesses, insults, hardships and calamities
for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ
so that his power may dwell within us.
Grant this through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May the grace of our Lord Jesus always be sufficient for you. AMEN.

May his power, which is made perfect in weakness,
enable you to be strong. AMEN.

And may Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth
help you to find meaning in your daily work. AMEN.

And may the blessings of our loving God,
+ Father, Son and Spirit,
come down upon you and remain with you for ever. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Our Celebration is ended.
Go and bear witness to the love of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.