WORSHIP@HOME
This is the 18th Worship@Home service we have created. When we began, we had no idea the need for these services would extend beyond a month or perhaps two.
Even with limited Masses starting to resume in some areas, it is clear that many families will still not be comfortable or able to attend in-person services for some time. We are tracking the number of families using the services each week, and while the numbers have dropped a lot since we began, we will continue posting services as long as we can.
The Pastoral Center is a small, family-based ministry and business (pictured: Paul, Madeleine, Ann, and Rachel). This is our full-time job and ministry, and it's the way we pay our bills. We do not receive funding from any parish or diocese, except through resource sales (which are now largely suspended indefinitely). You are under no obligation, but we are very grateful for any contributions!
Preparation
- We recommend glancing through the whole service before you start. Adapt the service for your family, especially so it will be age-appropriate.
- You could make the setting special by using a green table cloth and setting some candles out. Get the whole family involved in the preparations.
- Place your family Bible on the table, if you have one, opened up to the Gospel of the day (Matthew 13:1-9).
- The script has leader and various reader parts. Anyone old enough to read well can perform these roles.
- An iPad/tablet computer or large phone could work well for reading the script. It would would be helpful to have two devices for multiple people to read.
- Don't worry, you don't have to do this perfectly. Have some fun with it. Let's pray!
Just Before You Begin
- Silence and set aside all phones or other devices that may interrupt you.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Opening Song
Greeting
Leader:
┼ In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God forever.
(The response is: Blessed be God forever.)
All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader:
We gather together as a family
to listen to God's Word and let it grow in our hearts.
One with all of our sisters and brothers throughout the world,
let us now listen to God's Word and join in prayer.
All: Amen.
Litany in Praise of God's Mercy
Leader:
As we prepare to hear about God's plan for the world,
let us remember that God works through us and through our love.
Lord Jesus, you take away our fear in times of trouble:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds after we hurt each other:
Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Leader:
Lord Jesus, you remind us that every person is a child of God:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer
Leader: Let us pray
Leader:
God of Strength,
you have created us to live in freedom and joy
and given us all a dignity that can never be taken away.
May we be strong and courageous,
always working to lift others up
and living with compassion and justice.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Alleluia
Gospel
Reader 1:
In today’s reading, Jesus uses a story about a farmer to teach us about how we can allow God's Word to grow in our hearts.
We now do this action prayer together:
May the Lord be on my mind, ┼
on my lips, ┼
and in my heart ┼
as we hear the Gospel today.
A reading from the holy Gospel of Matthew.
Reader 1:
Jesus left the house and went out beside Lake Galilee, where he sat down to teach.
Such large crowds gathered around him that he had to sit in a boat, while the people stood on the shore.
Then he taught them many things by using stories. He said:
A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field.
While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds.
Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn’t very deep.
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots.
Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants.
But a few seeds did fall on good ground
where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered.
If you have ears, pay attention!
Reader 1:
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Reader 2: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Video Reflection
Reflections on the Readings
- Jesus was such a good storyteller and had so many helpful things to say to people that he drew big crowds. Once there were so many people trying to listen to him on a beach that he had to get into a boat to teach them. Who do you know who is a good story teller or is someone you like to listen to? What is it about them that you like?
- This parable about the seeds reminds us that sometimes things we hope will work out don’t work out, for lots of different reasons. When has that happened to you?
- The farmer who sowed the seeds kept planting them, even though he knew not all of them would grow and produce food. What do you think God might want you to keep doing or keep trying, even if you can’t tell you how it’s going to turn out?
General Intercessions
Leader: Now let’s pray together to God for what we need.
Reader 2:
For all those who are close to us and those who are far from us
who are still struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic,
that they may find new courage to continue the fight,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
We pray for all those who are unjustly treated, hurt, or killed
because of discrimination or hatred,
that they may trust in God’s special care for them,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
That we may have the strength and the courage
to speak up and act for the things that Jesus taught,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2: For what else and for who else shall we pray?
Lord's Prayer
Leader: Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say:
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Sign of Peace
Leader: Let us now offer each other a sign of peace.
A Litany for Spiritual Communion
Leader: The response is: Lord, bring us closer to you!
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader:
Lord our God,
we wish we could gather today with our parish community,
but we gather here out of love and concern for others.
You teach us that when two or three are gathered in your name,
you are there.
Together, we pray:
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader:
Christ Jesus, you are present in a special way
when bread and wine are turned into your Body and Blood.
Since we cannot receive you in this way today,
We ask that you enter our hearts
so that we may receive you spiritually.
Together, we pray:
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader:
Lord our God,
watch over your family
and keep us safe in your care,
for all our hope is in you.
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Concluding Rite
Blessing & Dismissal
Leader: Go in the peace of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
Closing Song
After the Service
Give Us a Tip: Support Our Ministry
The Pastoral Center is a small, family-based ministry and business (pictured: Paul, Madeleine, Ann, and Rachel). This is our full-time job and ministry, and it's the way we pay our bills. We do not receive funding from any parish or diocese, except through resource sales (which are now largely suspended indefinitely). You are under no obligation, but we are very grateful for any contributions!
Please Support Your Local Parish
Your parish still has to pay the electric bill and your staff, even when public Masses are cancelled. If you haven't already, sign up for electronic payments or mail in a check today.
Give Us Feedback
How did it go? What would have made it better? Send us an email at resources@pastoralcenter.com to share feedback with us.
Portions excerpted from or adapted from Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest: Leader's Guide © 1993 United States Catholic Conference (USCC), 3211 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017-1194 USA. All rights reserved.
© 2020 The Pastoral Center. All rights reserved.
