|
|
|
|
SEASONS
OCCASIONAL SERVICES FOR:
CHURCHES
PASTORS
BISHOPS +
RENEWING THE
CHURCH
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
DONATIONS |
|
St. Monica
Mother of St. Augustine, 387
by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
May 4
I wrote this liturgy for the Easter Season to be used at a Conference Spring Assembly Eucharist. It was a wonderful occasion to make use of many new, but quite accessible, new hymns about faithful women in newer hymnals like Evangelical Lutheran Worship. The service also contains a Litany for the Conversion of All People, as well as Solemn Blessings for Church Unity.
+
GATHERING
Prelude
Hymn "For All the Faithful Women"
.
Dialog of the Saints:
A. Praise the Lord, all you saints!
C. Praise him, all you heavenly hosts!
A. So great a cloud of witnesses surrounds us.
C. They witness to God's mighty acts.
A. They witness to God's steadfast love.
C. Their witness guides us in our faith.
A. Give thanks to God for blessed Monica, the mother of Augustine:
C. A model of Christian love and parenting.
A. Sing praise to God, sing praise to him.
C. Sing praise and thanks for all his saints.
Hymn of Praise "Thine the Amen"
Prayer of the Day:
P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C. And also with you.
P. Let us pray. Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the example of your servant Monica, may persevere in the course that is set before us, to be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all the saints, to share in your eternal joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
WORD
First Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Hymn "Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen"
Gospel Lesson: St. Luke 6:20-23
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "Mothering God"
Litany for the Conversion of All People:
A. As Monica fervently prayed for the conversion of her son Augustine, let us fervently pray for the conversion of our loved ones and for all people everywhere.
O God the Father, you have made all nations of one blood and established them to dwell on the face of the earth:
C. Lord, have mercy upon us.
A. O God the Son, you are a light to lighten the nations and the glory of your people Israel:
C. Lord, have mercy upon us.
A. O God the Holy Spirit, you are the teacher of all things, governing and sanctifying the whole Christian Church:
C. Lord, have mercy upon us.
A. For our spiritual deadness, we pray:
C. O Lord, forgive us.
A. For our forgetfulness of others, especially of those who have never had the Gospel preached to them:
C. O Lord, forgive us.
A. For our wasted opportunities, our readiness to pass others by, our national and racial prejudices, and our own unchristian example at home and abroad:
C. O Lord, forgive us.
A. God of love, save your people:
C. And bless your inheritance.
A. God of love, awaken the unbelieving:
C. And redeem their souls for your mercy's sake.
A. God of love, establish your kingdom in every land:
C. And fill the earth with your glory.
A. We pray for Europe and Asia, for Africa and the isles of the sea:
C. Hear the mournings of those who are in captivity, and deliver them.
A. We pray for your Church, that it may be found everywhere:
C. In snow or sand, hill or valley, jungle or field.
A. We pray for all mission workers, for evangelists and catechists, for pastors and teachers, for doctors and nurses:
C. Prosper the work of their hands.
A. We pray for those among us who do not confess the name of Jesus, for all who have hardened their hearts, for all who have become careless, for all who have turned back, and for all who are Christians only in name:
C. Recover them, O Lord, and establish them in the truth of the Gospel.
A. We pray for ourselves that we may be charitable and that by our example, those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death may be guided into the way of peace:
C. Stir us with your Holy Spirit, that your people may rejoice in you.
A. O Creator of the world, by the holy cross of your only Son, and by his precious blood, you have redeemed us:
C. Save us and help us, we humbly ask you, O Lord.
P. Lord God of our salvation, it is your will that all people might come to you through your Son Jesus Christ. Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; through the same Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen
The Peace of the Risen Lord:
P. After Christ arose from the grave, he stood among his disciples and bestowed on them the peace of God. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C. And also with you.
All share the peace, and then are seated.
MEAL
Offering
Hymn during the offering: "As the Grains of Wheat"
Offertory Prayer:
A. Let us pray. Around your table, O Lord:
C. You gather the faithful on earth, as you will gather us with Monica and all the faithful in heaven. Bless the fruit of our labors and these gifts, that our spirits may be strengthened and your kingdom increased; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Great Thanksgiving
Preface
Holy, Holy, Holy
Eucharistic Prayer (ELW IV, LBW II)
Our Father
At the Breaking of Bread:
P. When we eat this bread, we share the body of Christ. When we drink this cup, we share the blood of Christ.
C. Reveal yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of bread, as once you revealed yourself to your disciples.
Distribution
Hymn "What Feast of Love"
Post-Communion Prayer
SENDING
Solemn Blessings
P. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ fill you with every spiritual blessing.
C. Amen
P. May the God of faithfulness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.
C. Amen
P. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen
P. And may Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C. Amen
A. Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C. Thanks be to God.
Hymn "Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises"
Postlude