Couples for Christ Hercules Chapter

Leader: Sovereign of the Universe, Father of Mercy and forgiveness, cause us to hear in the coming week, news of joy and gladness. May there not arise in the heart of any man malice towards us, nor in us, malice toward any man. For all who devise against your people plans which are not for good, O frustrate them and make their designs to no effect. As it is said, Take counsel together but it will come to nothing, speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. Through Christ Our Lord. Response: Leader: Father of mercies and Lord of forgiveness, open to us in this week and in the weeks to come, the gates of light and blessing, of redemption and salvation, of heavenly help and rejoicing, of holiness and peace, of the study of your teaching and prayer. We give you thanks and praise for saving us through Your Son Jesus, and calling us by name to be numbered among your people. May we work for the building of the kingdom until the day of your coming. We make our prayer to you, Father through Christ our Lord. Response: Leader: Amen (Extinguishes the Lords Day light and says:) Amen

The Lords Day has ended. Response: Let us praise and serve the Lord. Amen. (The meal is then served.) 16

Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth

Note: In case the celebration is among CFC members, the following concluding prayer may be used: Leader: (The Leader extends his right hand towards the members as he prays:)

God has given us to one another as special gifts. He calls us to be true children of God. He calls us to live lives that are truly Christ-like. So that we may experience the fullness of the life of Jesus Christ, I now pray that God will bless us and empower us to live in holiness and honor all the days of our lives. Response: Leader: I now call upon us all the blessing which God commanded that Aaron should pray over the chosen people: May the Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord makes His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. The Lord lifts up His countenance upon us and gives us peace. Response: Amen Amen

Introduction
This ceremony resembles the Sabbath Ceremony actually used by Jewish families for beginning the Sabbath. The ceremony is usually performed before the dinner meal. In this meal, we make use of the Jewish form of thanking God for His blessings, which is called The Berakah (Blessed are You, O Lord, King of the Universe, Who etc..) As the first Christians were Jews, well founded in Old Testament tradition, they made use of this form of blessing in their prayers (Eph. 1:3-14) and Liturgy. Jesus himself would have been familiar with this blessing as He would have heard Joseph praying and blessing the bread and wine on the Sabbath. Mary His Mother, also, like the Jewish women of her time, would have begun the celebration by lighting and blessing of the Sabbath light.

Dinner is now served.

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Thanksgiving
(As a portion of the bread is taken, each person may give thanks for a particular blessing he/she has received during the past week.)

About the Ceremony

For example: I thank the Lord for this good day with my family. I thank the Lord for the rain we have received. (Or, in the form of Berakah): Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe Who has given us.. (The bread is not eaten until all have given thanks.) The Opening Ceremony normally begins around sunset or later on Saturday evening. The Closing Ceremony (latter part of booklet) is held on the evening of the following day. The head of the household should lead the ceremony. The wife or other designated person should: Light the candle Read the meditation prayer Distribute the bread and cheese

The Lords Day Greeting

(After the thanksgiving prayers are said, all eat the bread together while the Leader says the Lords Day greeting.) Leader: Response: This is the Lords Day let us be glad and rejoice in it. Amen

The ceremony should normally take place seated around the dining room table. (If done in the living room, a small table for candle, wine, bread, etc. should be set before the heads place.) There are two opening ceremonies: The Lighting of the Candle The Blessing of the Meal

(Cheese may be passed around now. The ceremony concludes with a song of praise or any other appropriate song.)

It is appropriate to sing and worship the Lord at different times during the celebration.

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(Here the leader pours wine into the cup. Holding the cup, he recites the following prayer) Leader: Lord, through Your goodness we have this wine, symbol of joy. As we enter into this Lords Day celebration, we thank you for the blessings of this past week; for life, health and strength; for home, love and friendship; for the discipline of our trials and temptations through which we are strengthened; for the fruit that has come out of our labors. You have enabled us, O Lord, by the blessing of work, and in your love and kindness you have made us holy by the blessing of rest according to your commandment: Six days shall you labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Response: Amen

Responsorial Prayer
(Leader extends his hands towards unlit candle during this prayer) Leader: Let us welcome the Lords Day. Response: May its radiance illuminate our hearts as we enkindle this candle. Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lord Jesus. Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation. Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lords presence with us. Response: He is the true light that enlightens every man. Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lords purpose and ways. Response: His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Leader: Light is the symbol of the mission to which the Lord has called us. Response: You are the light of the world; let Your light so shine before men that they may see Your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 7

(The leader now raises the wine cup and prays the traditional blessing): Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine. (The cup is now passed around)

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Blessing of the Lords Day Light

Blessing of the Wine

Leader: Therefore, remembering the Lord Jesus Who is source of all light and life, and united with all our brothers and sisters and wish all the angels and saints, we enkindle this light. Assistant: (The wife or assistant now lights the candle. Then with hands raised over the light prays the following blessing): Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has hallowed us by Your loving word and taught us to kindle the light of the Lords Day. Song: (e.g., Light of Christ; Isaiah 60; etc.) Leader: Father, You have glorified the world by the light of your Risen Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him You sent Your Spirit into the world to enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Grant that we who are gathered in His Name, may so live together in the light of His truth that our love for one another may continue to grow each day.

Leader: Come let us welcome the day of the Lord in joy and peace. Like a bride, radiant and joyous, comes the day of the Lord. It brings blessings to our hearts, workday thoughts and cares are put aside. The brightness of the Lords Day light shines forth to tell that the Divine Spirit of Love abides within our home. In that light all our blessings are enriched, all our griefs and trials are softened. At this hour, Gods messenger of Peace comes and turns our heart towards one another, strengthening the bond of devotion to that pure and lofty ideal of brotherhood and sisterhood that is found in Holy Scripture.

The Lords Day Ceremony

The Lighting of the Candle
Song: (Opening song to be selected according to the festive season) Reading: (One of the following can be selected): John 1:1-18 John 1:1-5 Ephesians 1:3-14 Colossians 1:15-20 Leader Prays: Lord of the Universe, in honor of Your Son, Light of the World and Author of Life, I am about to perform the duty of kindling the light for the Lords Day, even as it is written: and you shall call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord honorable, and may the effect of our fulfilling this commandment be, that the stream of abundant life and heavenly blessing flow in upon us; that You may be gracious unto us and cause Your Holy Spirit to dwell more richly among us. Father of Mercy, O 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 in our home; for in You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light. Response: Amen

Blessing of the Bread

Leader: (Holding the bread in his hands, says:) Lord, through Your goodness we have this bread. It is a symbol of our brotherhood and unity, since this one bread comes from many grains of wheat. It is a sign of Your daily provident care and love. As we have this one bread may we also share completely our lives together through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life. Response: Leader: Amen. (Holding up the bread, says the traditional blessing):

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who causes the earth to yield food for all.

(The bread is now passed around.)

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Concluding prayer
Father and Mother: (Father and Mother extend their right hands towards their children and extended family members as they pray:) God has given you to us as special gifts. He calls you to be true children of God. He calls you to live lives that are truly Christ-like. So that you may experience the fullness of the life of Jesus Christ, we pray that God will bless you and empower you to live in holiness and honor all the days of your lives.

Preparation for the Opening Ceremony

Have available: Table set with dinner cloth and flowers Lords Day booklets Bible Candle Wine cup Wine or grape juice Loaf of bread Cheese (optional) Meal already prepared and ready to serve.

Response: Father:

Amen

I now call upon you the blessing which God commanded that Aaron should pray over the chosen people: (Then the Father calls each child to give his blessing. He may also choose to bless each household helper present.) _____________________(childs name), may 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 peace. Response: Amen

Have different members of the household take responsibility for these different areas of preparation; all should be done and set up before the celebration begins.

The Closing Ceremony

Sunday Evening

Preparation
Have available: Bible Lit Candle Wine Cup Wine or grape juice Meal prepared beforehand

The Ceremony
(The Leader should introduce the closing ceremony with a song. He then reads the Benedictus Luke 1:68-79) Leader: (The Leader takes the cup of wine and says:)

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has created the fruit of the vine. (Spreading his hands towards the light, he says:) Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has created the light of the fire. (The Leader passes the cup around and prays:) Sovereign of the Universe, Father of Mercy and forgiveness, grant that we may begin the working days which draw near to us in peace; freed from all sin and transgression; living in the joy of Your Holy Spirit and clinging to the study of your teaching and to the performance of good deeds. Through Christ our Lord. Response: 15 Amen