MISSION TOGETHER
CANDLEMASCELEBRATION2 February 2001 |
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WALK IN THE LIGHT |
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| Display: Globe, bible, candles, Mission Together box |
GATHERING TOGETHER
| Hymn: | Walk in The Light ..................... Hymns Old & New no 547 |
| Children process from classrooms to hall carrying unlit class Mission Together candle | |
| Introduction | |
| Leader: | Today is the feast of the Presentation. It is also called the feast of Candlemas. |
| Child: | Today we celebrate the feast of Candlemas with all the children of the world in Mission Together. |
| Child: | Today we gather in the name of all children from the five continents to ask God to bless us and to help us walk in the light. |
| Gradually build up map of world as children speak. A dance may be developed. | |
| Child: | We ask a blessing on the children of Asia. May they walk in the light. |
| Mount picture of Asia landmass. | |
| Child: | We ask a blessing on the children of Africa. May they walk in the light. |
| Mount picture of Africa landmass. | |
| Child: | We ask a blessing on the children of America. May they walk in the light. |
| Mount picture of America land mass. | |
| Child: | We ask a blessing on the children of Australia and the Pacific Islands. May they walk in the light. |
| Mount picture of Australia and the Pacific Islands land mass. | |
| Child: | We ask a blessing on the children of Europe. May they walk in the light. |
| Mount picture of Europe land mass. |
THE WORD OF GOD
Light
| Leader: | We thank God for sending us light to help us see in so many different ways. We say: ® Thank you for the light. |
| Child: | I light a candle to say thank you for its flame which changes darkness into light. We thank God and say: ®Thank you for the light. |
| Child: | I light a candle to say thank you for the moon and stars which light up the night sky and show travellers the way.
We thank God and say: ® Thank you for the light. |
| Child: | I light a candle to say thank you for the sun which gives us day and helps us to see all the colours of the rainbow.
We thank God and say: ® Thank you for the light. |
| Child: | I light a candle to say thank you for Jesus the Light of the World who came
to show us the way to God our Father.
We thank God and say: ® Thank you for the light. |
Darkness
| Leader : | Many children in our world today walk in different kinds of darkness e.g. war, violence ............ |
| Dim lights in silence leaving only candles which have just been lit. | |
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Individual children may call out their own experience of darkness in today's world e.g. Darkness in our world today is ... bullying Darkness in our world today is ... racism |
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| As each child speaks a candle is blown out until there is darkness. |
A people in darkness
| Leader : | People in OT times waited in darkness for a Messiah who would save them from the darkness of sin and bring them into the light of love. |
| Song: | Jyothi dho .......... From Love and Anger Wild Goose Publicatio: |
Jesus the Light of the World
Gospel drama: Jesus is presented in the Temple Luke 2: 22-38
| Leader : | Mary and Joseph took the child Jesus on a journey to present him in the Temple. |
| Two children walk round carrying a lighted candle (Christ the Light) | |
| They are met by two other children, Simeon and Anna. | |
| One child to carry bible and present to leader. | |
| Leader reads the testament of Simeon Luke 2:29-32 | |
| Light the Paschal candle from Mary's candle | |
| Song: | Christ be our light ................. Bernadette Farrell |
| Restore lights |
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Bidding Prayers - lead us from darkness to light
| Leader : | Our friendship can bring the light of Jesus love into the lives of other children. We pray now for children who need our help and ask us to be their friends. May we also be inspired by the courage and bravery of many children who live in poverty and hardship, and learn from them how to be strong when we have to face doing hard things. |
| Sung response: | Hear me Jesus Freedom is coming ..... Wild Goose pub p35 |
| Child: | Help us to share friendship with children who live in countries where there is war. May all children live in peace. ® Hear me Jesus |
| Help us to share friendship with children who are starving. May all children have enough to eat. ® Hear me Jesus |
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| Help us to share friendship with children who are homeless. May all children have safe and loving homes. ® Hear me Jesus |
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| Help us to share friendship with children who are sick without medicine. May all children receive medical help when they are sick. ® Hear me Jesus |
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| Help us to share friendship with children who live in poverty and are not able to go to school. May all children receive education. ® Hear me Jesus |
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| Leader: | Let us join with all the children of the world and pray to God the Father as Jesus taught us - Our Father |
| Jesus needs us to be his followers to continue his work and to spread the light of his love. | |
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A liturgical dance could be developed to Christ has no body now but yours - Prayer of St Theresa by Sisters of Sion |
GOING FORTH AS CHILDREN IN MISSION TOGETHER
| Child: | Children in Mission Together can take the light of Jesus love around the world when we share with other children. |
| Hold up Mission Together box. Shake and put on display. | |
| Child: | Children in Mission Together can take the light of Jesus love around the world when we pray with other children. |
| Place Mission Together candle on display. |
Commissioning
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A child from each class comes forward with class Mission Together candle. Leader blesses candles and takes light from Paschal candle. |
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| Leader: | I send you out as Children in Mission Together to live your motto Children helping Children. Take the light of Christ into the lives of other children through your sharing and your prayers. |
| Children process back to class with lit Mission Together candle. | |
| Hymn: | This little light of Mine ...... Hymns Old & New no 566 |