The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and throughout the year 2018 (3)

[ point evaluation5/5 ]1 people who voted

Đã xem: 935 | Cật nhập lần cuối: 1/19/2018 11:59:20 AM | RSS

ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE

Introduction

The Bible and three sets of chains are integral to the celebration of this Worship Service. The Caribbean writing group suggests that these symbols are prominently placed in the worship space.

The Bible is especially important in the experience of the Caribbean Churches. Historically, indigenous and enslaved peoples experienced atrocities perpetrated by colonizers who, at the same time, brought Christianity. Yet, in the hands of the oppressed peoples of the region, the Bible became a primary source of consolation and liberation. This dynamic of reversal makes the Bible a particularly potent symbol in itself. Therefore, in this service, it is important that a visually significant Bible be placed in the midst of the gathered assembly and that the readings be proclaimed from this same Bible rather than from other books or booklets.

Chains are a very potent symbol of enslavement, dehumanization and racism. They are also a symbol of the power of sin which separates us from God and from each other. The Caribbean writing group encourages the use of real iron chains during the Prayers of Reconciliation in this Worship Service. If iron chains are not feasible, alternative visually strong chains should be used. During the Worship Service, the iron chains of enslavement are replaced by a human chain expressing bonds of communion and united action against modern slavery and all kinds of individual and institutionalised dehumanisation. Inviting the entire assembly to participate in this gesture is an integral part of the worship.

For the song after the proclamation of the Word, the Caribbean writing group suggests the hymn The Right Hand of God. Reflecting the song of Miriam and Moses in praise of the liberating action of God in the Book of Exodus, it is associated with the ecumenical movement in the Caribbean, as the Churches work together to overcome the social challenges facing the people of the region.

Order of the Service

Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power (Ex 15:6)

L Leader

C Congregation

R Reader

Gathering

Song

During the singing of the song, those leading the celebration enter. They should be led by an assistant carrying the Bible. The Bible is placed in a place of honour in the centre of the worship space. The Scripture readings during the service should be proclaimed from this Bible.

Words of Welcome

L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C And also with you.

L Dear friends in Christ, as we gather for this service of prayer for unity, we thank God for our Christian heritage, and for his liberating and saving action in human history.

The resources for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the churches of the Caribbean. The history of Christianity in that region contains a paradox. On one hand, the Bible was used by colonizers as justification for the subjugation of the original inhabitants of these lands, along with others who were transported from Africa, India and China. Many people suffered extermination, were put in chains and enslaved, and were subjected to unjust labour conditions. On the other hand, the Bible became a source of consolation and liberation for many who suffered at the hands of the colonizers.

Today, the Bible continues to be a source of consolation and liberation, inspiring the Christians of the Caribbean to address the conditions that currently undermine human dignity and quality of life. As the iron chains of enslavement fall from our hands, a new human bond of love and communion emerges in the human family, expressing the unity prayed for by our Christian communities.

Invocation of the Holy Spirit

The response to the invocation may be sung.

L With the Christians of the Caribbean, let us call upon the Holy Spirit to set our hearts on fire as we pray for the unity of the Church. Unite your servants in the bond of unity.

C Come, Holy Spirit!

L Teach us to pray.

C Come, Holy Spirit!

L Liberate us from the slavery of sin.

C Come, Holy Spirit!

L Help us in our weakness.

C Come, Holy Spirit!

L Restore us as your children.

C Come, Holy Spirit!

Song of praise

Prayers of Reconciliation

L We have not received a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Let us call upon the mercy of God, confident in the saving power of God’s Right Hand.

Three members of the assembly come forward, each carrying a chain. After each petition and response, one of the chains is allowed fall to the ground. The Kyrie response may be sung.

L From structures that undermine human dignity and enforce new forms of enslavement, deliver us, O God. Kyrie eleison.

C Kyrie eleison.

L From decisions and deeds that impose poverty, marginalisation or discrimination on our brothers and sisters, deliver us, O God. Kyrie eleison.

C Kyrie eleison.

L From the fear and suspicion that separate us from each other and place limits on hope and healing, deliver us, O God. Kyrie eleison.

C Kyrie eleison.

L The Lord is our strength and our might, and has become our salvation. May God, who has redeemed us, lead into the abode of holiness.

C Amen.

Proclamation of the Word of God

L Redeem us, O God, from human oppression,

C that we may keep your precepts.

L Make your face shine upon your servants,

C and teach us your statutes. (cf Ps 119:134-135)

Exodus 15:1-21

L Listen and you will be set free.

C Thanks be to God.

It would be preferable for the psalm to be sung.

Psalm 118:5-7, 13-24

R/ O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?
The Lord is on my side to help me;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. R/

I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous. R/

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord. R/

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it. R/

I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. R/

Romans 8:12-27

L Listen and you will be set free.

C Thanks be to God.

A suitable Alleluia acclamation may be sung before and after the proclamation of the Gospel.

Mark 5:21-43

L Listen and you will be set free.

C Thanks be to God.

Homily / Sermon

Song

5. The right hand of God is healing in our land,
healing broken bodies, minds and souls;
so wondrous is its touch,
with love that means so much,
when we’re healed by the right hand of God.

6. The right hand of God is planting in our land,
planting seeds of freedom, hope and love;
in these many-peopled lands,
let his children all join hands,
and be one with the right hand of God.

The Apostles Creed

Prayers of the People

L With thanks for our liberation from slavery to sin, let us place our needs before the Lord, asking him to shatter the chains that enslave us and to join us instead with bonds of love and communion.

Each intercession is read by a different reader. As they finish, the readers each join hands or link arms with members of the assembly, thus creating a human chain.

R1 God of the Exodus, you led your people through the waters of the Red Sea and redeemed them. Be with us now and free us from all forms of slavery and from everything that obscures human dignity.