Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Interesting, Inviting, Involving, Inspiring 1 26 th Week in Extra-Ordinary Time St. Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower September 29, 2018 Presider: Lee Breyer Music Minister: Linda Lee Miller Theme:... and let it begin with me. Welcome and Centering Prayer Presider: Once again, we gather in this sanctuary to share the compassionate presence of God in our worship. In doing so, we recognize the awesome mystery that is embodied in each one of us by our creator. We are aware that we, like Jesus, are unique and personal expressions of the Divine Presence on earth - in our own times and in our own ways and all sharing the same Spirit of God. So, what could be a better way to celebrate our sacred commonality than by singing our common camp song We Are Holy. (We are you are I am We are ) Presider: And let us now focus our minds and hearts on our knowledge and experience that we are all formed as one body, by our one creator. We are all supported and strengthened by the same Spirit of God from whom all our gifts come, for the same purpose: the common good. Opening Hymn: Gather Us In, vs 1,3,4 Marty Haugen modified (lyrics on the last page) Penitential Rite Presider: Compassionate God, to you all hearts are open, no desires unknown, and no secrets hidden. And for us, our desire is to be continually conscious of this in our own lives and to recognize this in all we do with others. ALL (with an outstretched arm): May we reach deep within ourselves to hear Wisdom s many messages, to faithfully understand them, and to respond to them with compassionate actions to our brothers and sisters. Jesus challenges us always to look into our hearts to examine the way we communicate with them and having done that, to gather the gift of Spirit s strength - through the Divine Presence within us - to extend God s merciful and forgiving presence to them and everyone. We will do this in imitation of God who always forgives us our failings.
2 Gloria Presider: Let us take this opportunity to give glory to our loving Holy One. ALL (Sung): Glory to God, glory, O praise God, Alleluia. Glory to God, glory. O praise the name of our God. (3X) Liturgy of the Word First Reading: Numbers 11: 25-29 All: Thanks be to God. Psalm 128. Responsorial: Your precepts, My God, gladden my heart. #818 Second Reading: 1Corinthians 12: 4-11 All: Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia Gospel: Mark 9: 38-39 All: Thanks be to you, O God. Shared Homily and Community Reflections Profession of Faith ALL: We believe in the Sacred Mystery that is beyond all definition and understanding, the creator and heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist in this ever- expanding universe. We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the human Jesus, the Divine Presence of God on earth, who carried the message of God s Word and who, through the example of his life, showed us how we could heal ourselves and others. He is the heart of God s boundless compassion. It is through him that we have become a new people. We are here in this place and at this time, to share his message among ourselves and to others the truth that we are all holy, we were born holy, and we shall be holy forevermore. We believe in the Spirit, the breath of God in the cosmos who inspires our innermost life. She brings the Divine Presence to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives. And She is the one who helps us reach deeply within ourselves so that we can find the graces that will bring us healing and energy when our spirits may grow weary. And we believe that God s kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, minds to understand it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it known to everyone. Prayers of the Community Presider: We are a people of faith; we believe in the power of prayer. With heads and hearts mindful of God s unconditional love that is embedded in each one of us, let us bring our needs and those of our community to our careful attention. After each intercession, we respond: God of Compassion, we know and are grateful - that you bless our concerns.
Presider: That those who suffer abuse from their brothers and sisters may be healed and empowered, we pray. All: God of Compassion, we know and are grateful - that you bless our concerns. Presider: That those bound by neglect and violence will find care and peace we pray. R. Presider: That those suffering from sickness or hurtful acts may find healing and consolation we pray. R. Presider: That those who have gone ahead of us and now dwell forever in our heavenly home, we pray. R. Presider: And for whom else do we pray at this time? Other Intentions followed by R. Presider: We hold these and all our unspoken intentions in our hearts we certainly pray. Healing God, you faithfully listen to our prayers. We ask you to strengthen us in our caring for one another and in our works for justice, equality and peace in a world without violence. As always, we make this prayer in the names of Jesus, our teacher, and the Sprit, our supporter. Offertory Song: Seed, Scattered and Sown #361 (all verses) Presider: Blessed are you, Jesus, through your goodness we have this bread and this wine and even our own lives to offer. We take these gifts of the earth that you have given us and that we worked with our hands, this bread and this wine, and we give you thanks for them. We will bless them in your name and share them among ourselves, mindful of your presence in us and our bonding with you in the new creation. Presider: Divine Presence, we know that you are always with us, loving in each of us and healing others through us. All: Namaste (with a nod 3x) Presider: Let us lift up our hearts. All: We lift them up to you in love and open them to serve our brothers and sisters. Presider: Let us give thanks for all the gifts of grace that we have been given. All: It is our joy to be grateful for our many blessings as we gather at our family table. Eucharistic Prayer Presider: Jesus, who has sat at our tables, now invites all of us to be guests at his. Everyone is welcome at this sacred meal. (Invite everyone to join around the altar.) Voice 1: Gracious God, you have set the banquet table and have invited all of us to a feast of unending delight. Here we celebrate your divine love beyond what all words could ever describe. Your divine compassion connects us to the young and the old, to those who may be seen to be the least and the last, to everyone, everywhere, on our journey into the heart of your mercy. 3
Voice 2: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. You are always with us you living in us and we living in you. In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us gathered in this circle of your friends and disciples, we also ask that your Spirit be spread to those of our community who are not with us today. Voice 3: We thank you for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history and the gift of Jesus in faith. His life was moved by his driving vision of your presence in himself and by his engaging understanding of his mission. He recognized and experienced you in everyone he met. Through the example of his life, he showed us not only how we should live, but also for what was worth even dying. Voice 4: And when his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus aware of and accepting his destiny gave up his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all people in ages to come, he opened wide his arms and died. And the Spirit that lived in Jesus resurrected him a new life, a promise made to all of us too who live the new story. Jesus is with us today as he will be through the end of time. ALL: We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying: take this all of you and eat it. This bread is you; this bread is me. We are one body, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant. (pause a moment, then continue.) ALL: In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friend saying: take this all of you and drink it. This wine is you; this wine is me. We are one blood, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all thati have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant. Presider: Jesus, who was with God in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth, is with us now in this bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with us now in this cup. Let us proclaim this mystery of our faith. ALL: Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today. Voice 5: God, we know that you bless your church throughout the world. We, your people, ask for your grace that we may continually grow in our love and caring for Francis, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop, and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters. We remember also all those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts. We remember specially.(mention names, if you would like to ) ALL: We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in and among us and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine. (Holding hands we sing) Amen. 4
5 The Prayer of Jesus ALL(sing): Our Father and Mother, who are in heaven, blessed is your name... The Sign of Peace Presider: Jesus, you said to your disciples, My peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. ALL: We know, Jesus, that you gave to us, as well, the gift of peace. We now ask for the strength of the Spirit that we might spread that peace through the small pieces of our worlds, with no exceptions. We recognize your presence with us now as we join our hands in a circle of love and sing our prayer: Let there be peace on earth. (#532) Litany at the Breaking of the Bread Presider: Loving God ALL: you call us to Spirit-filled service and to live the Gospel of non-violence in our efforts for peace and justice. We will live justly. Presider: Loving God.ALL: you call us to be your presence in the world and to be bearers of forgiveness and understanding, healing and compassion everywhere in your name. We will love tenderly. Presider: Loving God.ALL: you call us to speak truth to power. We will walk humbly with you. Presider: This is Jesus, who calls us to open doors that are closed and share our bread and wine on the altar of the world. All are invited to eat and drink at this sacred banquet of love. ALL: When we share in this meal, we - who have always been worthy people ask you for your grace that we may strengthen our commitments to living the teachings of Jesus, and to spreading the message of the kin-dom of God everywhere we go. This is the good news of the gospel. Presider: Let us share and spread this good news! ALL: Amen. (As we share this sacred meal, we say to one another with the passing of the bread: You are the love of God in the world. And with the passing of the wine: You are the peace of God in the world. Communion Music: Instrumental Post Communion Meditation Hymn: Ubi Caritas (Taize Community) Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion Presider: Holy One, may this Eucharist in which we share Jesus s healing love, deepen our oneness with you and with one another. May we reflect like Mary, your mothering love for all your people everywhere. And may wonder and thanksgiving fill us with knowledge and understanding as we experience the infusion of your love and compassion in us, your sacred people. We join in unity in this prayer with Mary, and her son, Jesus. All: Amen.
6 Community Graditudes/Introductions/Announcements Closing Prayer ALL: Let us all go forth in compassion and peace; holding fast to what is good and rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to see goodness and beauty everywhere we are and to live in harmony with one another and with all of creation. We are called to heal the wounds of hatred and violence, discrimination and oppression, in our world. And may God who promises peacemakers a place in the kindom of heaven guide us on our different paths through our pilgrimages on earth. May we do so with God s gifts of Christ-like love for one another and with a consuming hunger for justice and nonviolence in ourselves, our homes, our country, and the world in which we live with no exceptions. With the grace of God, the fellowship of Jesus, and the strength of the Spirit, we believe we can do all this. Let it be so. Closing Community Blessing (extend an arm in mutual blessing.) ALL (extend an arm in mutual blessing): May our Gracious God bless us and our entire MMOJ community. We ask this in the name of God, our Creator, in the name of Jesus, our Liberator, and in the name of the Spirit, our Sanctifier, as we minister in love to one another and to all those we meet on our journeys. Be with us, Loving God, as we continue on our paths and follow in the footsteps of Jesus -- for we are always, at all times, the face of God in the world. Amen. Commissioning May we go from here to spread the message of love and compassionate care to everyone we meet, wherever that may be. May we evidence the peace that we profess to be and may it be contagious to those with those with whom we come in contact. May we all go in the peace of Christ and our caring love for one another. Let our service continue! ALL: Thanks be to God; let it be so. Closing Song: Take the Word of God With You #373, (all verses)