December 7, 2008 – Second Sunday of Advent
Introduction and Penitential Rite
On this second Sunday of Advent we hear John the Baptist calling us to repent and to prepare a way for the Lord. (As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath), let us recall that our time on this earth is short and ask God to make us ready for heaven.
[As the following is sung or spoken, the first candle is lit.]
Lord Jesus, you call us to repent of our sins: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you call us to live in holiness and peace: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to a holy and peaceful life: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 40:1-5,9-11 Comfort, says our God.
2 Pet 3:8-14 Conduct yourselves in holiness.
Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord.
Prayer of the Faithful
PresiderWe have heard the challenge of John the Baptist to repent and follow Jesus. We are also called to announce Jesus’ presence in our world, and so that we may do so, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
MinisterFor the church: that by our lives we may inspire people to follow Jesus and live in peace, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
On this day that we remember Pearl Harbor, let us pray for all the nations of the world: that there may be unity where there is division; dialogue where there is misunderstanding; generosity where there is self-interest, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For those whose lives are threatened: that those who are mistreated will be cared for; those who are in harm’s way be protected; those who are forgotten will be remembered this day, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For those who are sick: for those who suffer from colds and flu and the ailments of winter; that all those who are sick or suffering may have adequate medical care, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died …(names). That those who are grieving the loss of someone they love and find their absence especially difficult during this season may find comfort in the prayers of the Christian community, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
PresiderGod our Father, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. Fill us with your grace and help us be heralds of God’s presence in our world. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
For a sung arrangement of the response, “Be born in us; be born in our world,”go to (link).
December 8, 2008 – Immaculate Conception
Introduction
Today we look to Mary, who was prepared by God to be the Christ-bearer and who is the model for what we are becoming. Let us pray fervently to cooperate with grace and become the holy men and women God intends us to be so that we also may bear Christ to the world.
Penitential Rite
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you came to show us the way to holiness: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you call us to say “Yes” to grace: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Gen 3:9-15,20 The story of the Fall of Humankind
Eph 1:3-6,11-12 We are chosen and called to be holy.
Luke 1:26-38 Gabriel tells Mary she is pregnant with God’s Son.
Prayer of the Faithful
PresiderMy friends, today we hear Mary say “Yes” to the plan God had for her. Let us pray to be like Mary, to be people who can say “Yes” to God’s plan for us as we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
MinisterLet us pray for those who say “Yes” to peace: for those who work for justice; for diplomats and missionaries. That we may be peacemakers, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For those who say “Yes” to service: for those who tend to the sick, visit those in prison, care for the poor, listen to those who are troubled. That we may minister to others, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For those who struggle with their “Yes”: for pregnant women who carry their child with fear; for spouses and families struggling to love each other; for those in the midst of difficult changes; for those who are seriously ill. That we may say“Yes” even when it is hard, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us remember for a moment those who have said “Yes” to us: our parents who gave us life; all who nurtured us; all who loved us; all who taught us and believed in us and encouraged us. That we may be grateful, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
MinisterGood and gracious God, you who chose humble Mary as a fit dwelling for your Son; you who are present wherever human beings live, help us honor your presence among us and make us wise and strong enough to build each other up into your city on earth, the vision of your peace, the body of your Son, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
December 14, 2008 – Third Sunday of Advent
Introduction and Penitential Rite
This Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday and our readings invite us to “Rejoice always!”(As we light the rose candle on our Advent wreath), let us remind ourselves of the happy eagerness of little children who wait for Christmas.
[As the following is sung or spoken, the first candle is lit.]
Lord Jesus, you came to proclaim God’s love for us: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are Emmanuel — our God with us: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are present wherever people gather in your name: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 61:1-2a,10-11 Glad tidings to the poor and brokenhearted.
1 Thess 5:16-24 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
John 1:6-8;19-24 The voice crying in the wilderness
Prayer of the Faithful
PresiderBrothers and sisters, we have heard the promise of our God — that the blind see and the deaf hear and the lame leap for joy. That we may live confident in God’s promises, let us pray…Be born in us; be born in our world.
MinisterWe pray for the mission of the church in the world: that we may have the strength to continue the work of service to all that Jesus came to do, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world: that respectful, nonviolent means may be found to settle differences among peoples, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
We pray for those who find Christmastime difficult: that the lonely may be befriended; that those who are anxious may find peace; that those who are in harm’s way may be protected, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
We pray for those for whom we are most concerned: thatthose who are sick be healed; that those who are troubled find comfort; that those we love and hold dear may be free from all harm, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died …(names).That those who are grieving and find their loss particularly difficult as Christmas approaches may find comfort in the prayers of those who care for them, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
PresiderGood and gracious God, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. Give us what we need as we turn away from sin toward lives of grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.
December 21, 2008 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Introduction and Penitential Rite
Today is the beginning of the last week before Christmas. (As we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath), let us ask God to prepare our hearts and our homes, our communities and our world for his coming to live with us.
[As the following is sung or spoken, the first candle is lit.]
Lord Jesus, you the Son of God and the Son of Mary: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are born in us and into our waiting, needy world: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
2 Sam 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16 The promise to David, ancestor of Jesus
Rom 16:25-27 Christ is the manifestation of the mystery kept secret for long ages.
Luke 1:26-38 Gabriel’s Announcement to Mary
Prayer of the Faithful
PresiderMy friends, on these last days before Christmas, let us bravely ask God to make us like Mary, to make us Christ-bearers to this world, praying … “Be born in us; be born in our world.”
MinisterWe pray for the church: that we may be the voice of God, the hands and feet of God, the heart of God in this world, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
During this holy season, believers all over the world are praying for peace. That we may put away weapons of war and embrace the ways of peace, love and holiness, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us pray for the most vulnerable: that on Christmas Day no child is hungry, no sick person is without comfort, no dying person is alone, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died … (names). That those who mourn are comforted, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us ask God for what we need for Christmas … if we are lonely; if we long for past Christmases when we were children or when our children were little; if we are anxious or without enough money or enough time. For what we need to be holy, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
PresiderGood and gracious God, hear our prayers this day. As Mary said “Yes” to the angel, help us to say “Yes” to your plan for us. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
December 25, 2008 – Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Introduction
It is Christmas. All the preparations — the food, the gifts, the Christmas carols and Christmas greetings, even the parties — all is preparation for this day when we celebrate the mystery of divinity within a tiny child. This mystery moves little children and wise men and women. Let us remember.
Penitential Rite
Lord Jesus, you came as a baby — humble, poor and defenseless: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are born into this world wherever you are received: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are born in us today: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Choice of four sets of readings.
Prayer of the Faithful
PresiderMy friends, on this holy night (day), let us join with believers gathered in churches all over the world to pray for those we love and those we have never met and all those who need our prayers.
MinisterLet us pray for peace: that the generosity of heart we know at Christmas will extend beyond this time to all times and to all peoples, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us pray for the church: that the wisdom and beauty and truth may be a source of inspiration in our daily lives and that all may feel welcome here, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us remember the poor and pray for the success of all efforts to alleviate suffering. That we may be a source of comfort and strength, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us pray for those who are sick: for those suffering a life-threatening illness and for those in chronic pain; for the elderly who are homebound or in nursing homes; for those who are dying with no one to care for them. That we may be a source of healing and encouragement, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us pause and pray for what we most need this day … (pause).That we may welcome the person placed on our path, be gracious to the stranger and generous to those who love us, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
PresiderGood and gracious God, your Word becomes flesh in our midst. Give ear even to those needs we cannot express and help us to know of your presence in this holy season. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
December 28, 2008 – Feast of the Holy Family
Introduction
Brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, and so I greet you as family. In the Gospel we will hear about Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple. We have among us children who are just beginning to be open to the power of the Gospel. Let us pray for them and for the child within each of us, so that we may together learn to live as the family of God.
Penitential Rite
Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the Son of Mary: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are our brother and call us to be one family: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Sir 3:2-7, 12-14 Honor your parents.
Col 3:12-21Bear with one another and forgive each other.
Luke 2:22-40 Joseph and Mary present Jesus in the temple.
Prayer of the Faithful
PresiderMy friends, today let us remember our families and the family of humankind as we pray …“Be born in us; be born in our world.”
MinisterFor our families: that inspired by the affection of the Holy Family, we may honor those who gave us life and all those who cared for us, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For the church: that inspired by the faithfulness of the Holy Family, we may preach the truth to a waiting and needy world, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For our parish community: that inspired by the piety of the Holy Family, we may be a welcoming people of prayer and service, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
For those families torn apart by poverty and war: that inspired by the struggle of the Holy Family, we may welcome refugees, feed the hungry, educate the young, offer employment to those who need work, and live in peace with all we meet, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died … (names). That inspired by the hope of the Holy Family, we may offer comfort and companionship to those who mourn the loss of their loved ones, we pray …Be born in us; be born in our world.
PresiderGood and gracious God, watch over and protect us and our homes. Strengthen the love that unites families in peace and joy and make of the peoples of our world one family.We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.