WORSHIP@HOME
Note
We are deeply saddened and troubled by the events of the past few days in particular, and know the recent violence has shaken many children and adults. It is more important than ever that people of faith speak out about and act for social justice and active, reconciling nonviolence.
We address recent events in a very general way in this service, but you may wish to be more specific with your children as is age appropriate.
Preparation
- Prepare a bowl of water and a sprig of a plant for the sprinkling rite.
- 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 WHITE table cloth, some candles, and anything else to make your space festive and prayerful. 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.
- 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
Introduction
Leader:
We now begin the celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord,
remembering when John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
Greeting
Leader:
┼ In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader:
Peace and joy to you from God our Father
and from his Son, Jesus, who became human like us.
We love you, O Lord, and we thank you.
(The response is: We love you, O Lord, and we thank you.)
All: We love you, O Lord, and we thank you.
Leader:
We gather together now after a troubling week
to remember how Jesus was baptized and then showed us how to live.
One with all who follow him,
let us now listen to God's Word and join in prayer.
All: Amen.
Gloria & Sprinking Rite
Leader:
God has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit.
May we stay faithful to Jesus for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Opening Prayer
Leader: Let us pray
Leader:
God of peace and reconciliation,
your Son was born into a time of division and violence,
but he showed us how we are loved by you.
Help us to be a force for peace and love in the world,
especially caring for those who are poor and in need,
because you were one of them.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Alleluia
Gospel
Reader 1:
In today’s reading, we hear about when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
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:
John also told the people,
“Someone more powerful is going to come.
And I am not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals.
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee,
and John baptized him in the Jordan River.
As soon as Jesus came out of the water,
he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove.
A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”
Reader 1:
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Reader 1: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Video Retelling
Here is a cartoon retelling of this gospel story.
Gospel Video Reflections
Here's a eight minute video for kids that helps us enter into this story.
Reflections on the Readings
- In today's reading, we hear the Holy Spirit compared to a dove—an symbol of peace. When Jesus became human, he "emptied himself" of God's limitless power, to show us that love was more important than power. What can we do in our lives to also show that love is more important than power?
- On the day that we remember Jesus’ baptism, let’s take some time to remember our own baptism too. Do you remember your baptism? If not, have your parents tell you about it now. How old were you? Who was there? How did you react during the ceremony? Who are your godparents? Why did your parents choose them? Take some time to tell the baptismal stories of all those present now.
- John the Baptist recognized that something was extremely special about Jesus. Even though John was very popular with the people and huge crowds were going out to see him and listen to him, he was humble. He knew that he wasn’t the most important person in the world. Who do you know who is a wonderful person, maybe even a popular person, who remains humble and doesn’t think they are the center of the universe?
- Baptism is a reminder that we are all sons and daughters of God and that God is well pleased with us, too. Close your eyes and take about a minute of silence now to imagine God telling you what God told Jesus. “You are my beloved son/daughter. With you I am well pleased.” What is God’s voice like? How does it make you feel to hear this? (Parents, pause here for a minute or so.) Share how it felt like to hear God say that to you. Can you believe it? Why or why not?
General Intercessions
Leader: Now let’s pray together to God for what we need.
Reader 2:
We pray for the United States government, its elected officials, and everyone who works for it,
that they may be servant leaders who seek the good of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
We pray for all those who are sick,
and for all the doctors, nurses, caregivers and essential workers
who are caring for them, that they remain healthy,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
We pray for all those in public safety—police, fire, and other security—
that they can remain safe as they protect us,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
We pray for students who are struggling to learn or stay connected to friends
while the coronavirus keeps some schooling virtual,
that they can stay focused until they can gather in person again,
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
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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.
