(The numbered parts are recited
in a reflective, and slower pace throughout the celebration
and may be taken by various persons in the
congregation.)
1/ The Heartbeat of God,
the Amen of Love,
Faithful forever,
steady and sure.
Opening
Hymn:
'Song
of the Body of Christ' ~ David Haas (Spirit of Malia
-
CD)
2/
You renew your covenant each morning
Loyal to your promise forever
Awesome is your love for us
steady over aeons of time.
So,
let us begin our service this morning by offering in our
own words a morning offering to our
God.
Pause
Let
us ask forgiveness of our infidelities as we begin our
liturgy.
3/
Day by day you nourish us,
feeding us with your word,
shaking our thirst from the wellspring,
the waters that never run dry.
Song:
'Lord
Have Mercy' ~ John Michael Talbot
(Music
for Worship, Vol. 1 & 2 -
CD)
Gospel
Reading:
If the Son Sets You Free - John 8: 31 -
42
4/
We take our place in the story,
re-kindled in the season's round.
We celebrate your mercies of old,
and your deeds among us today.
Pause for Reflection / Sharing
Wherever the flickering sparks
are fanned to flame,
wherever candles are lit in the darkness,
the Spirit-filled servants of God,
be they individuals or communities,
be they the creatures of the wounded earth itself,
reveal that even in the deepest affliction
hope is not extinguished:
I believe that behind the mist the sun waits.
I believe that beyond the dark night it is raining stars
...
They will not rob me of hope,
it shall not be broken ...
It shall not be broken.
- Janet Morley
Intentions
R/ Save us O Lord
For the Church: that we may
each know the Lord and deepen our relationship with God
each day, we pray
R/
For the grace of surrender to God: that we may let go of
control and allow God to raise new life within us, we
pray
R/
For a fulfilment of all God=s
promises: that justice and truth may soon flourish for all
people
R/
For all who are experiencing war: for members of the
military, for the people of Iraq, and for relief agencies:
that they may know God's
saving presence and protection
R/
For an end to war in our world: that God will show the way
to ending conflict and renewing peace upon the earth
R/
Prayer:
My gratitude, O God, flows on, like the deep and silent
river. I join in the stream of praise with your people
gathered for worship. Amen.
Communion
5/
The great words resound in our ears,
we delight in the God who embodies them:
Your glory and splendour and justice,
Your beauty and grace and compassion,
Your truth and faithfulness forever,
Your covenant of promise and life,
Your creative and redeeming power,
Your holiness, wisdom and love.
LEADER
Blessed are you,
Source of all Being,
you keep extending your call to us
even when we fail to answer.
We thank you for approaching us
in ways tailored to who we are.
ALL
We thank you for
calling Jacob,
who first wrestled with your messenger
and yielded to the power of your love;
6/
for Jeremiah, who tried to ignore your
presence
but found your persistent calling impossible to
refuse;
for Isaiah, who accepted your difficult
invitation
to return Israel to your praise;
7/
for Elijah who heard your sound in the
movement
of cool winds and gentle breezes;
for John the Baptist, who was led by your
Spirit
to fearlessly preach the coming of the
Lord;
for your Son's
calling of ordinary people
like Peter, James, John, and us.
LEADER
We thank you, Abba,
for you still invite people to share in
your life.
ALL
Abba, we bless you
for the life of our brother, Jesus.
He, too, gradually came to realize
the dimensions of your call.
LEADER
In the temple,
he spoke your word to the elders
of the land.
In the desert,
he was tempted to power, honour,
and glory,
but chose obedience to your will.
In towns and villages,
he forgave sinners
and preached your kingdom of
mercy and justice.
When lawyers and scribes tried to
test him,
Jesus responded with a new
commandment of love.
ALL
Jesus, on the night before he died,
asked that the cup of suffering
be withdrawn.
But in response to your bidding,
he drank that cup
just as earlier in the evening
he gave us the cup of life
everlasting.
LEADER
Jesus took bread
and blessed you his almighty Lord.
broke the bread and shared it.
Pause to Share the Bread
Then Jesus took a cup of wine,
said another blessing:
and shared it.
Pause to Share the Wine
Whenever you share this meal,
do it in memory of Jesus.
ALL
Abba, we ask that
your Spirit
may continue to fill us with your
grace.
May our ears, eyes, and hearts
be open to your summons, to your
call.
ALL
Be mindful of your
people;
especially be present to those who are
suffering this day.
Help us to find you, in stillness and in
turmoil,
in peace and in war.
May we always imitate the care and
concern
of your Son who is the Savoir of the
world.
Amen.
Adapted
from George Sullivan, S.J. and John Mossi, S.J.
Closing
Prayer
Julian of Norwich ~
GOD SAID NOT
Thou shall
not be travailed
Thou shall not
be tempted
Thou shall not
be afflicted
But he said
Thou shall not
be overcome.
Adapted from Julian
of Norwich
Closing
Song
'We Will Drink the Cup' ~ David Haas
(Spirit
of Malia - CD)
Br. Nick
Morris (Rome)
|
Creed |