Sign of the Cross

Greeting

May the peace of the Lord which purifies and saves
be with you all.

Introduction

The Bible is a great source of comfort to us.
But it should also challenge us.
If it does not do so, it can only mean that we are not really listening.
Christ's teaching is like a sword that divides… like a fire that burns.
Let us reflect on this to see where we stand - with Christ or against him?
[pause]

Litany of Praise

Lord Jesus, your Word is like a blazing fire
that tests and purifies our inmost thoughts:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you set the world on fire
through your passion, death and glorious resurrection:
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, your teaching is like a sword
that separates the true from the false:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

To set the earth ablaze, O God,
your Son submitted to a baptism unto death,
and from his cup of suffering
you call the Church to drink.
Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus
and give us strength in time of trial
and determination to run the race that lies before us.
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

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

P        Let us pray that the fire Jesus came to kindle may burn brightly in our
           lives and that we may enkindle it where we live and work.

            Let our response be:

CM     Lord, hear our prayer.
           (Please repeat)

For all those leaders who are genuinely working for peace and for a more just
world: that the Lord may uphold them when they suffer because of their efforts,
we pray:

That politicians, judges, policemen. revenue collectors, and other civil servants may prove to be persons who serve the people with integrity and dedication,
we pray:

For families where there is conflict and division:
May time, love and God's healing grace open the way to reconciliation,
we pray:

That we may be true to our Faith even at the expense of popularity and material
rewards, we pray:

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

P   Lord, help us to be messengers of hope, instruments of peace, and
     agents of love to a world that is riddled with injustice and division.
     We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Strong and faithful God,
we bring before you our bread and wine,
gifts of peace and joy.
In our struggles in life
may we never buy an easy peace by sacrificing,
for the sake of our own comfort,
the truth and justice demanded by the gospel.
We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord. AMEN.

Intro to the Lord's Prayer

In faith and hope
we pray to our Father in heaven in the words of Jesus:

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
May we not lose sight of Jesus
so that we may not grow weary
in our struggle against sin,
as we prepare in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rite of Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples:
"Blessed are the peace-makers,
for they will be called children of God."
Help us to put an end to all that divides us
so that we may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.. AMEN.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Sign of Peace
St Paul likens the Christian life to a race.
Let us encourage all those who run alongside of us
with a sign of peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

This bread which we break is the bread of life.
It is the sign of Christ's body
prepared by the Father
and offered in sacrifice by the Son
in a spirit of obedience to the Father's will.

Lamb of God

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus our Lord,
who accepted the cross
and disregarded its shame.
He invites us to his table
to inflame us with faith and love.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

God of light and life,
your Son has challenged us today with his message.
He comes to disrupt false peace based on injustice.
He comes to bring true peace
where all your children have their basic rights respected
and live in freedom and dignity.
Give us courage
so that we can be makers-of-peace in our communities.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

Jesus came to bring fire to the earth.
May our living faith burn like a flame. AMEN.

May we not lose sight of Jesus
who has taken his place at God's right hand. AMEN.

May we turn aside from the easy way,
and always persevere in our decision to follow Christ. AMEN.

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

Dismissal     

Our celebration is ended.
Let us go forth with the fire of Christ's love burning within us.