Responder: Marita
Greetings: Kathy W
On July 26th in the Catholic Church, the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Grandparents of Jesus is celebrated.
Key details about Saints Joachim and Anne:
Parents of Mary: They are traditionally recognized as the mother and father of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Patron Saints: They are considered the patron saints of grandparents, mothers, married couples, and childless couples.
Tradition and Significance: Although not mentioned in the Bible, information about their lives comes from non-biblical sources, like the Protoevangelium of James. These traditions describe them as devout, long-suffering, and eventually blessed with the birth of Mary. Their lives are seen as role models of faith and devotion.
Song:
Opening
In the name of God our Creator, Jesus our Brother and Sophia Spirit. R: Amen.
Forgiveness Rite
Presider: We ask for the grace to continually acknowledge our need to grow in goodness, peace, and caring for ourselves and others.
R: We accept God’s love and forgiveness for the fragility of our human nature.
Presider: We confess to Almighty God and to each other that we love God. Mixed into every thought and word, in every action and inaction is a belief that God is there, loving us through my faults, through my successes, and through my stillness. Therefore, I ask blessed Mary, all the Angels and Saints, and each other to pray that none of us ever forgets the love of our gracious God. (adapted by Therese Fisher)
Opening Prayer Presider
Abba God you are all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite as we come before you on this day of thanksgiving for Grandparents. We pray with gratitude for their kindness. Open our hearts so we will have loving kindness for every man, woman, and child. We promise to serve as your hands and feet sharing for all we encounter.
Opening for the Readings Kathy N.
As we begin the Liturgy of the Word let us open our hearts to ways scripture might speak to us.
First Reading Genesis 18:20-32 Kathy N
A reading from the book of Genesis.
So YHWH said to Abraham, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is terrible, and their sin is so grave that I must go down and see for myself. If they have done what her cry against them accuse them of, I will destroy them. If not, I need to know that, too.” While the travelers walked along toward Sodom, Abraham remained in YHWH’s presence. Then Abraham drew closer and said, “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocents within it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty! Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Sovereign, what if there are no more than twenty?” “For the sake of the twenty, I will not destroy it,” YHWH answered. Abraham persisted: “Please, do not be angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are only ten there?” “For the sake of the ten,” YHWH replied, “I will not destroy it.”
The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God!
Psalm 138 Gina
I give You thanks, O Blessed one, with my whole heart; before all the people I sing your praise; I was humbled when I came to see that You dwell in me, in the Sacred Chapel of all souls; my gratitude knows no bounds! For You are the Holy One the Life of our life. On the day that I called, You answered me; the strength of my soul You increased.
All leaders of the earth shall one day praise you,; When your spirit Awakens in every heart; And they shall proclaim the new dawn of Light and Love. Great will be the radiation of your Glory! Even as You are the Most High, You are a friend to the lowly: the arrogant close their hearts to your love and guidance.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; you are a very Presence as I face my fears and doubts; Your strength upholds me. You guide me as I pray to fulfill my purpose on earth; You do not forsake those who call upon You. Your steadfast Love and Truth endures forever.
(by Nan C. Merrill)
Second Reading Colossians 2:12-14 Pat
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians.
In baptism you were not only buried with Christ but also raised to life, because you believed in the power of God who raised Christ from the dead. And though you were dead in sin and did not have the Covenant, God gave you new life in company with Christ, pardoning all our sins. God has canceled the massive debt that stood against us with all its hostile claims, taking it out of the way and nailing it to the cross.
The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God!
Song:
https://youtu.be/417i6gCkNSI
Gospel Reading Luke:11:1-13 Nick
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
One day Jesus was praying, and when he had finished, one of the disciples asked, Rabbi, teach us to pray, just as John taught is disciples.” Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Abba God, hallowed be your Name! May your reign come. Give us today Our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we too forgive everyone who sins against us; and do not let us be subjected to the Test.’” Jesus said to them: “Suppose one of you has friend, a neighbor, and you go to your neighbor at midnight and say, ‘Lend me three loaves, because friends of mine on a journey have come to me, and I have nothing to set before them.’ “Then your neighbor says, ‘Leave me alone. The door is already locked, and the children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to look after your needs.’ I tell you, though your neighbor will not get up to give you the bread out of friendship, your persistence will make your neighbor get up and give you as much as you need. “That is why I tell you, keep asking and you will receive; keep looking and you will find; keep knocking and the door will be opened to you. For whoever asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; whoever knocks, is admitted. What parents among you will give a snake to their child when the child asks for a fish, or a scorpion when the child asks for an egg? If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more of Wisdom Spirit will Abba give to those who ask.
The Good News of Salvation!
R. Glory and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ!
Homily
Statement of Faith Chrys
We believe in the Holy One, Our God, Divine Mystery beyond all definition and understanding God, heart of all that has ever existed, exists, or will exist; whose divinity infuses the entire cosmos, making everything in it sacred.
We believe in the Chosen One, Christ of the Cosmos, God’s Word enfleshed, bringer of healing, of new life and compassion; Christ, who brought us through the consequences of our brokenness to now share life eternal as the Body of Christ.
We believe in the Spirit Wisdom, who strengthens us on our journey to follow Christ as a loving people,
Wisdom Spirit, the source of all courage, compassion, and truth, the witness of peace in the world
And we believe in God’s reign on earth here and now, and forever. A reign that embraces everyone and reaches all who have eyes to recognize it and hearts to share it with everyone. No exceptions. Amen.
(adapted from the Creed by Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan)
Community Intentions
Gerry: As we prepare for our sacred meal, we are all called to serve one another. We bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…
(At the end of each short intention say," Gracious God hear our prayer.)"
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Sing of Peace:
Penny: Christ Jesus, you said to your friends: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our failings, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kin-dom where you live forever and ever. Amen.
The peace of Christ be always with you. R: And also, with you.
Let us offer each other a sign of Christ’s peace.
Offering of the Gifts:
JayCee: Blessed are you, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life. R: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who shared himself in our humanity.
John: Blessed are you God of all creation, through your goodness, we have received this wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: With humble spirit and loving hearts may you, O God, accept us and may the offering that we bring to this table be pleasing to you.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
With open hands and hearts let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer:
Janet: O Holy One, you have sent prophets and messengers to show us the way taken by Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Jesus, Moses, Peter and Paul, Buddha and Mohammad, Hildegard, Mother Teresa, and Dorothy Day, so that all of us here and now may do so too as we celebrate this liturgy today.
Presider: Everything we do, we do together with You. We cannot be without You. We cannot be without each other. You are made visible in this world with our acts of love and kindness. With grateful hearts, we raise our voices and sing.
Song:
Offering of the Gifts:
Galen: Blessed are you, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, It will become for us the bread of life. R: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who shared himself in our humanity.Blessed are you God of all creation, through your goodness, we have received this wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink. R: Blessed be God forever.
Linda: With humble spirit and loving hearts may you, O God, accept us and may the offering that we bring to this table be pleasing to you.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
With open hands and hearts let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together
Karen: O Holy One, you have sent prophets and messengers to show us the way-Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Jesus, Moses, Peter and Paul, Buddha and Mohammad, Hildegard, Teresa, Mother Teresa, and Dorothy Day, and all of us here and now who celebrate this liturgy today.
Presider: Everything we do, we do together with You. We cannot be without You. We cannot be without each other. You are made visible in this world with our acts of love and kindness.
Together we pray (lifting cup and plate):
Presider: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, Almighty God, forever and ever.
Invitation to Communion:
Presider: This is Jesus, who loves us as we are. Happy are we who share in this table of love.
R: Jesus, you make us worthy to receive you, and by your word we are healed.
Nick: We share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. Please receive this bread with the words: God and I are one.
Communion Song:
https://youtu.be/nV_kFlsKrQUlist=RDnV_kFlsKrQU&t=12
After Communion
Pat: We pray for all of us gathered here, and like Jesus, we open ourselves up to your Spirit, for it is through living as he lived that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, at this time and always. Amen.Lord’s Prayer: Chris
Let us pray as Jesus taught us
Holy One, you are within, around, and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come, your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day, You give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our powerlessness, and we act
with courage.
For You are dwelling within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, amen.
Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter
Penny: Come, Holy Spirit enflame once more the dying embers of our weariness. Shake up our complacency. Whisper our names once more and scatter your gifts of grace with wild abandon. Break open the prisons of our inner being and let your raging justice be our liberty.
Final Blessing
Presider: Please extend your hands as we bless each other. May we truly be Jesus’s disciples, living in joy and love. May we walk together as we support and tend to one another and all creation. Let us o so in the name of the Creator, Jesus and Wisdom Spirit. Amen
Dismissal: Penny
Closing Song:
https://youtu.be/0_3e4zIPK-8?list=RD0_3e4zIPK-8&t=38
