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I. The Lighting of the Candle:
Leader #2 [the designated assistant] leads the following meditation.
Leader #2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Heavenly Father, in honor of your Son, true light of the world and Author of Life, I am about to kindle the light for the Lord’s Day. On this day You raised up 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 within us.
Father of mercy, continue your living 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 in our home.
All: For in you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Amen.
Leader#2 lights the candle, then with hands raised over the candle, prays:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, who created light on the first day and raised up you Son, the light of the world to begin the new creation. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has taught us to kindle the light for the Lord’s Day.
Opening Song and Praise
II. The Reading of the Word
The reading of the Word should be taken from the proper readings for that Sunday. If the leader chooses to comment on the reading, or if he/she desires to share some reflections at this time, it would be appropriate.
III. The Blessing of the Meal:
Leader #1 leads the following blessing:
Leader: This is the Lord’s Day.
All: Let us welcome it in joy and peace.
Leader: Today we set aside the concerns of the week in order to honor the Lord
and to celebrate His resurrection. Today we cease from work in order to
worship God and to acknowledge the eternal life to which He calls us.
All: The Lord Himself is with us to refresh us and to strengthen us.
Leader: Let us welcome the Lord among us and give Him glory.
All: Let us love one another in the Lord.
Leader: May the Holy Spirit be with us, to deepen our devotion to the Lord and
increase our zeal for the particular way of life He has called us to embrace.
The Leader pours the wine into a cup, raises it, and recites the following prayer:
Leader: Let us praise God with this symbol of joy and thank Him for the past week
-for health, strength, and wisdom; for home, love and friendships; for the
discipline of our trials and temptations; and for the happiness that has come to us out of our work. Let us thank Him especially for the great blessing he has bestowed on us in Christ.
All: From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
Leader: We who were dead through sin have been brought to life in Christ.
All: And we will be raised up with Him on the last day.
Leader: Lord our God, you have brought us into the peace and rest of Christ. Now
we live with Him through the Holy Spirit, and look for the day when we will dwell with Him in your everlasting Kingdom. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has created the fruit of the vine.
The Leader drinks from the cup and then passes it to the other members of the family. After the cup is passed, he/she blesses the break saying:
Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe who brings forth the bread from the earth.
(Dinner follows)
IV. Blessing and Prayers After the Meal
When the meal is over, the father/leader leads the following prayers and blessing:
Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever.
Leader: Let us bless our God, of whose goodness we have shared.
All: Blessed be our God, of whose goodness we have shared and through whose
goodness we live.
Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who feeds the whole world with your goodness, with grace, with steadfast love and mercy. Through your great goodness, food has never failed us.
All: May it not fail us forever and ever, for your great name’s sake.
Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who gives food to all.
All: Amen
Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, for by your great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
All: And you have called us as your sons and daughters to share in your life
forever.
Leader: Blessed are you, all merciful God, for giving us new life in Jesus your Son.
All: Amen.
Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord of our God, for the rest we enjoy this day. We welcome this day with gladness. We thank you that we can celebrate Your resurrection by giving this day to you in joy and thanksgiving.
All: Look graciously upon Your servants. Show us Your glory.
Leader: Blessed are You, Lord our God, who gives rest to His people.
All: Amen
(Prayer for your community or church)
Leader: Lord our God, we lift up our brothers and sisters serving in our parish to you. Watch over them. Protect them from the snares of the evil one. Strengthen and confirm them in your grace. Guide and protect us through our shepherds.
All: Bring us all together into the fullness of Your Kingdom where you live
forever and ever. Amen.
(It would be appropriate at this time to intercede for specific needs of your community or church) and for specific individuals who are in need of prayer.)
(Here the leader blesses those gathered according to the Aaroinic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26.)
With hands extended:
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace.
All: Amen.
Closing Song of Thanks and Praise
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