Hymn This Little Light of Mine
This little light of mine I’m going to let it shine. . .
Everywhere I go, I’m going to let it shine. . .
Jesus gave it to me, I’m going to let it shine. . .
Prayer
Leader:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Let us pray as one:
All:
Good and Gracious God,
We come before you as the community of St. Margaret of Scotland,
united today as we pray a Novena during this time that challenges
us in mind, body, and spirit.
We ask you, O God, for support and strength,
for health and safety,
for joy and peace
as we seek to be people who reflect your radiant light.
Lead us in the way we need to go
that we might be healthy even as we protect the health of others.
Open our hearts to the love you offer to us
that we might share your love generously.
Open our eyes
that we might recognize your holy Spirit in the world around us.
We make this prayer, filled with hope,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Poem by e.e. cummings
i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth.
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened.
Response
Leader: At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;
All: we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Leader: Let your deed be seen by your servants,
All: and your glorious power by their children.
Leader: Let the favor of God be upon us;
All: Give success to the work of our hands.
O give success to the work of our hands.
The Word of God from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 5: 8-15
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says:
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Petitions
Leader: Christ hears and saves all who hope in him. Let us bring him our needs. That we will be empowered and inspired by our community’s mission and strive to give light to all that is good in God’s eyes, we pray…
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
That our parishioners will be actively engaged in intellectual, social and spiritual formation that will permanently enrich their lives and all whom they encounter, we pray…,
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
That our community will invite a response of generous hearts and love: enlightening our community, our city, our country and the world, we pray…
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
That those whose vibrancy is stifled due to the challenges of the pandemic, may find hope and comfort in God and community, we pray. . .
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For whom else shall we pray?
The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: As one family vibrant in God’s holy Spirit, let us pray in the words our Savior taught us:
All: Our Father…
Prayer of Saint Margaret of Scotland
Leader: Let us recall our mission as together we pray:
Loving God,
you call your people to holiness
and create among them models of kindness.
We thank you for the life of St. Margaret of Scotland:
a woman of leadership and hope in a confusing world;
a wife and mother excelling in patience, dedication and love;
a teacher supported and inspired by a life of learning;
a generous friend and a loyal servant to the poor and helpless;
a model of Christian faith and constant prayerfulness.
As we build on our faith,
help us to grow rich in the values of St. Margaret:
that faith, hope and love might inspire
our presence in the city and neighborhood,
our relationships with family and friends,
our concern for the education of the young,
our care for the poor and the weak,
our community’s prayer in word and sacrament.
Bless our parish and our school;
let it be for us a community of love and sharing,
and a source of life and grace
let it be a witness to our neighbors
of your life, your presence and your love.
Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Until tomorrow when we join in prayer again, may we each be God’s sacred light for others.
AMEN