Serving in the Love of Christ Opening Prayer Service September 2013 To prepare for this prayer service:

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1 Serving in the Love of Christ Opening Prayer Service September 2013 To prepare for this prayer service: Prepare a prayer focus table with the banner, a green cloth, a Christ candle, the plaque. Prepare a LCD project and a computer for the music. Log in and get Youtube videos for The Servant Song by edjansenosb and Be God s by Danielle Rose w/lyrics. I have also provided word sheets for an overhead projector. Have students prepared to do readings. One reader for the reading from Timothy, one for the Psalm (go over the refrain gesture so the reader can bring the community in), one reader preferably an adult for the Gospel, one reader or individual readers for the prayer of the faithful (go over the refrain gesture) and the Principal ought to lead the service (reading the Introduction, and the Explanation of the Banner and theme. Either a student reader or the Principal can read the Opening Prayer and the Closing Prayer. This year we will have two new songs to learn that help us to understand the theme for this school year. Our opening song we may have heard at Church but we are going to learn it as one of two theme based songs. Once you have heard the first verse you will be able to sing the other verses as they use the same notes. Opening Song - The Servant Song Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav lers on the road; We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ light for you in the night time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow til we ve seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven we shall find such harmony. Born of all we ve known together of Christ s love and agony. Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

2 Page 2 Introduction Our theme for this year is Serving in the Love of Christ. We pray that we will grow in our ability and desire to serve one another with love and joy. Jesus asks us to serve our neighbor like the Good Samaritan. Let us take special care to make all new students and staff members to feel welcome to our community of (insert school name). Opening Prayer Loving God, inspire us to serve all around us in the love of Christ. We all need help from time to time and it gives us hope to know that others around us care. Show us how to reach out to those we see struggling or who are in trouble. Let us listen to God s word. A reading from Paul s first letter to Timothy Do not let people overlook you because you are young, but be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 90 Our response to the psalm is: Fill us with your gift of love. God, our God everlasting, give us wisdom to know your ways. R. God, our God everlasting, bless the work that we do everyday. R. God, our God everlasting, help us find our joy in you. R.

3 Page 3 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke The lawyer said, Who is my neighbor? What does neighbor mean? Jesus answered the lawyer by telling this story: One day a man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho. On his way, some robbers came along, and they beat him, stole his things and left him on the ground, almost dead! After a while a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying on the ground, he kept going. Then a man who worked in the Temple came along. But he also walked away and left the man lying there. Then a man from Samaria came down that same road. And when he saw the poor man lying on the ground, he felt sorry for him and went over to help him. He cleaned his cuts and put bandages on them. Then the Samaritan lifted the man onto his donkey and took him to an inn. He stayed with him all night and took care of him. The next day, when the Samaritan was leaving, he gave some money to the owner of the inn and said, Please take care of this man. If it costs more than what I am giving you, I will pay you the rest when I come back. Then Jesus asked the lawyer, Now, which of these three people do you thing acted like a neighbor to the man who was beaten and robbed? The lawyer said, The one who was kind and took care of him. Jesus said, Yes, that s right. Now go and treat others the same way. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Explanation of the Banner and the Theme for this Year This year s theme is Serving in the Love of Christ. This is the banner that was designed by a St. Basil s graduate last June. We are invited to learn how to serve with faithfulness, humility, compassion, justice and joy. The centre of the banner holds the Board s image of Jesus with the three children, the dove and the cross. From the cross we experience Jesus love which can fill us and help us to serve others. We can serve others with our hands, our words, our actions, and many other ways. Let us pray for each other as we begin our school year together.

4 Page 4 Prayer of the Faithful Our response to each prayer is: Lord, hear our prayer As we begin this new school year of teaching and learning, be with us God, we pray; R As we begin this new year, help us make new friends, we pray; R As we begin this new year, may our families have peace, we pray; R As we begin this new year, encourage us to enjoy our extracurricular activities, we pray; R As we begin this new year, may our relationship with You, God, grow stronger, we pray; R Let us give those beside us a sign of peace. Closing Prayer God of kindness and mercy, each day we desire to serve you with faithfulness. Grace us to serve you with humility as we walk gently on the earth. Teach us to serve you with compassionate hearts and hands. We want to serve you with joy in building a world of justice for all. May your example inspire us to serve in the Love of Christ. Amen+ Closing Song This is a song for this year of Serving in the Love of Christ. As soon as you feel you can sing, please join the singers.

5 Page 5 Be God s Where the world is merciless Be God s mercy. Where the world is hopeless Be God s hope. Where there is injustice Be God s justice. Where there is sadness Be God s joy. Where the world is doubting Be God s faith. Where there is ingratitude Be God s grace. Where there is confusion Be God s truth. Where there is weakness Be God s strength. Let your life change the world one person at a time. Let your life be the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the bread becomes his Body we can be the living sign. With God s love change the world with your life. Where the world is wounded Be God s healing. Where the world is weeping Be God s song. Where there is despairing Be God s beauty. Where there is crumbling Be God s rock. Where there is no tenderness Be God s child. Where there is loneliness Be God s smile. Where the world is dying Be God s life. Where there is darkness Be God s light. Let your life change the world one person at a time. Let your life be the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the bread becomes his Body we can be the living sign. With God s love change the world with your life. If you want the world to change Be God s love. Use your gifts to bless this day Be God s love. God has greater plans for you Be God s love. Plans to make a saint of you Be God s love. Heaven will fall down to earth Thank you Father. When you live a life of love Thank you Son. The lame will walk, the blind will see Thank you Spirit. Jesus dwells in me. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen+