Lord’s Day Celebration

Reader #1:  In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

All:  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Reader #1:  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

All:  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

Reader #1:  Heavenly Father, in honor of your Son, Light of the World and Author of Life, we are about to kindle the light for the Lord’s Day.  On this day you raised your Son Jesus from the dead and began the new creation.  May our celebration of His resurrection this day be filled with your peace and heavenly blessing.  Be gracious to us and cause your Holy Spirit to dwell more richly among us.  Father of Mercy, continue your loving kindness toward us.  Make us worthy to walk in the way of your Son, Loyal to your teaching and unwavering in love and service.  Keep far from us all anxiety, darkness, and gloom, and grant that peace, light, and joy ever abide among us. 

All:  For in You is the fountain of life, in Your light do we see light.

(Light a candle, and recite the following.)

Reader #1:  Blessed are You, Lord our God, who created light on the first day and raised Your Son, the Light of the World, to begin the new creation.  Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who gives us joy as we kindle the light for the Lord’s Day.

All:  Amen.

Reader #2:  Let us trust in the Lord and in His saving help.

All:  The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Reader #2:  Let us receive His life and rejoice in His presence.

All:  He is the True Light that enlightens every man.

Reader #2:  Let us keep His commandments and walk in His ways.

All:  His word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Reader #2:  Let us proclaim His goodness and show forth His glory.

All:  We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Reader #3:  Brothers and Sisters, this is the Lord’s Day.

All:  Let us welcome it in joy and peace.

Reader #3:  Today we set aside the concerns of the week that we may honor the Lord and celebrate His resurrection.  Today we cease from our work in order to worship God and remember the eternal life to which He has called us.

All:  The Lord Himself is with us, to refresh and strengthen us.

Reader #3:  Let us welcome God among us and give Him glory.

All:  Let us love one another in Christ.

(Pour the wine into the cup, raise it, and recite the following.)

Reader #3:  Let us praise God with this symbol of joy and thank Him for the blessings of the past week, for health, strength, and wisdom, for our life together in _____________, for the discipline of our trials and temptations, for the happiness that has come to us out of our work.  Let us thank Him this day especially for the great blessings He has bestowed on us in Christ.  From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.  We who were dead through sin have been brought to life together with Christ and raised up with Him and made to sit in heavenly places with Him.  Lord our God, You have brought us into the rest of Christ.

All:  Now we live with Him through the Holy Spirit, and we look for the day when we will dwell with Him in His everlasting kingdom.

Reader #3:  Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

All:  Amen.

(The leader shares something that they are thankful for, drinks from the cup and passes it to the others who are invited to do the same.  After the cup has been passed, the leader takes bread and recites the following.)

Reader #4:  The eyes of all look to You, oh Lord, and You give them their food in due season.

All:  You open Your hand, You satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Reader #4:  Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

All:  Amen.