Opening Prayer: Service of Light Leader Script for Prayer Service

Transcription

1 Opening Prayer: Service of Light Leader Script for Prayer Service This prayer service is especially appropriate during preparation for First Penance. It can be used at a gathered session or retreat with parents and children. The service is most effective when candles can be used by the children. Parishes may need to make adaptations. The Paschal Candle is suggested as the source of the light. Another candle can be used in its place as needed. Leader parts below can be shared with the Pastor, other program leaders, or done by one person. The service has been scripted to show two leaders. Leader 1 could be the Pastor or Deacon and Leader 2 the program coordinator. A separate worship aid is included at the end of this script that can be given to the families. Welcome. To begin our prayer this morning, we want to make sure that each child has a candle and that each parent has a worship aide to share with their child. Please stand and join us in singing our opening song. Opening Song: Open My Eyes, Lord; vs. 1-3 Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see your face. Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see. Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear your voice. Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear. Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love like you. Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love. I live within you, deep in your heart O Love, I live within you, rest now in me. Text and music Jesse Mannibusan: 1998, OCP Publications. Leader 1: Let us begin in the sign of our faith, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Leader 1: One of the primary symbols of our faith is light. We use light so that we can see in the darkness. At the Easter Vigil, we light this special candle, the Paschal Candle, to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. Let us think about the importance of light in our lives as we listen to these words from the Gospel of John.

2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life and this life was the light of the human race: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (Jn 1:1-5) Leader 1: Jesus came to live among us and to share with us this light. Through your baptism, you were given the light of Christ. Your Godparents were handed a candle lit from the Easter Candle. They, along with the rest of the community, were placed in charge of making sure that the light of Christ in you was never extinguished. We invite the children at the end of each row to come light their candle from the Easter Candle. When you return to your pew, pass the light along to others. (If there is a music minister present, they can play instrumentally during this time.) Leader 1: The light that burns before you represents the light of Christ that is within you. This light has the power to change the world. Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah (Is 9:1-2) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing. Leader 1: The light of Christ lights our darkness and gives us joy. However, sometimes we do things that weaken or hide the light of Christ for others. There are times that we have hurt others, or we have caused pain to ourselves, or we have broken the law of love that God set for us. Because we are sorry for what we have done, let us take some time to ask God for forgiveness. Please respond: Lord, hear our prayer. (Adapted from Rite of Penance, Appendix II, 60) Lord our God, you know all things. You know that we want to be more generous in serving you and our neighbor. Look on us with love and hear our prayer

3 Give us the strength to turn away from sin. Help us to be sorry for our sins and to keep our promises. Give us trust in your goodness and make us generous in serving you. God does not want the sinner to die, but to turn to him and live. May God bless us as we try to live in His Light. Amen. We ask that the children blow out their candles now. (pause) Leader 1: The light from the candle is now gone. However, the light of Christ that the flame symbolized is still burning. Christ s light is burning inside each of you. But you brothers (and sisters), are not in darkness.... For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. (1Thes 5:2-5) Leader 1: Take a moment to pray to God silently about how you are going to try to show the light of Christ to others this week. (Pause) Leader 1: Let us bow our heads for a blessing: Respond: Amen. May the Lord bless us, Protect us from all evil, And bring us to everlasting life. As a sign of our light and our love, let us offer each other a sign of Christ s peace.

4 Now let us joining in singing together our closing song. Closing Song: This Little Light of Mine This little light of mine (Three times) Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Every where I go, Jesus gave it to me, The music and lyrics used in this worship guide are reproduced with permission under the Catholic Diocese of Richmond licenses: OCP LicenSing #302188; GIA OneLicense #A ; WLP # Used with permission. All rights reserved.

5 Opening Prayer: Service of Light Welcome Opening Song: Open My Eyes, Lord Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see your face. Open my eyes, Lord. Help me to see. Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear your voice. Open my ears, Lord. Help me to hear. Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love like you. Open my heart, Lord. Help me to love. I live within you, deep in your heart O Love, I live within you, rest now in me. Text and music Jesse Mannibusan: 1998, OCP Publications. Reading from the Gospel of John (1:1-5) Lighting of the children s candles Reading from the prophet Isaiah (Is 9:1-2) Prayers of Repentance: Lord, hear our prayer. Reading from First Thessalonians (1Thes 5:2-5) Silent Prayer Blessing Sign of Peace Closing Song: This Little Light of Mine This little light of mine (Three times) Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Every where I go, Jesus gave it to me, The music and lyrics used in this worship guide are reproduced with permission under the Catholic Diocese of Richmond licenses: OCP LicenSing #302188; GIA OneLicense #A ; WLP # Used with permission. All rights reserved.