LORD’S DAYIntroduction 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. all should be done and set up before the celebration begins.Preparation for the Opening Ceremony Have available: • Table set with dinner cloth and flowers • Lord’s Day booklets • Bible • Candle • Wine cup • Wine or grape juice • Loaf of bread • Cheese (optional) • Meal already prepared and ready to serve. Have different members of the household take responsibility for these different areas of preparation. . THE LORD’S 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 • Ephesians1:3-14 • Colossians 1:15-20 . and the darkness has not overcome it. He was in the beginning with God. What came to be through him was life. the light shines in the darkness. All things came to be through him. . and this life was the light of the human race. and the Word was God. and the Word was with God. and without him nothing came to be.John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word. . He was not the light. to those who believe in his name. and the world came to be through him. The true light. which enlightens everyone. but the world did not know him. so that all might believe through him. but came to testify to the light. He was in the world. was coming into the world. who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. He came for testimony. but his own people did not accept him. He came to what was his own.John 1:6-13 A man named John was sent from God. to testify to the light. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. and we saw his glory. who is at the Father’s side. grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. full of grace and truth. saying. John testified to him and cried out. because while the law was given through Moses. “This was he of whom I said. grace in place of grace. The only Son. has revealed him. NEXT . God. ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received.John 1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. No one has ever seen God. the glory as of the Father’s only Son. The word of the Lord. Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. before the foundation of the world. as he chose us in him. to be holy and without blemish before him. who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ. . in accord with the favor of his will. for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Ephesians 1:7-10 In him we have redemption by his blood. . In all wisdom and insight. he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times. in heaven and on earth. to sum up all things in Christ. the forgiveness of transgressions. in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. Ephesians 1:11-14 In him we were also chosen. to the praise of his glory. the gospel of your salvation. destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will. were sealed with the promised holy Spirit. so that we might exist for the praise of his glory. who have heard the word of truth. we who first hoped in Christ. and have believed in him. In him you also. The word of the Lord. which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession. NEXT . Colossians 1:15-16 The Preeminence of Christ He is the image of the invisible God. the visible and the invisible. . the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth. all things were created through him and for him. whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. that in all things he himself might be preeminent. the firstborn from the dead. the church. He is the beginning. . and through him to reconcile all things for him.Colossians 1:17-20 He is before all things. whether those on earth or those in heaven. The word of the Lord. making peace by the blood of his cross [through him]. He is the head of the body. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell. and in him all things hold together. Father of Mercy. and grant that peace. in honor of Your Son. darkness and gloom. that You may be gracious unto us and cause Your Holy Spirit to dwell more richly among us. Make us worthy to walk in the way of Your Son. even as it is written: “and you shall call the Sabbath a delight.Leader Prays: Lord of the Universe. loyal to your teaching and unwavering in love and service. for in You is the fountain of life. in Your light do we see light.” and may the effect of our fulfilling this commandment be. Light of the World and Author of Life. O continue Your loving kindness toward us. light and joy ever abide in our home. Keep far from us all anxiety. I am about to perform the duty of kindling the light for the Lord’s Day. and the holy day of the Lord honorable. that the stream of abundant life and heavenly blessing flow in upon us. Response: Amen . Response: He is the true light that enlightens every man. Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lord Jesus. Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.Responsorial Prayer (Leader extends his hands towards unlit candle during this prayer) Leader: Let us welcome the Lord’s Day. Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lord’s presence with us. Response: May its radiance illuminate our hearts as we enkindle this candle. . . Leader: Light is the symbol of the mission to which the Lord has called us. Response: His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.Responsorial Prayer Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lord’s purpose and ways. 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. Light of Christ. O Lord our God.) . Song: (e..Blessing of the Lord’s Day Light Leader: Therefore. and united with all our brothers and sisters and wish all the angels and saints. etc.g. Who has hallowed us by Your loving word and taught us to kindle the light of the Lord’s Day. Isaiah 60. Assistant: (The wife or assistant now lights the candle. remembering the Lord Jesus Who is source of all light and life. King of the Universe. Then with hands raised over the light prays the following blessing): Blessed are you. we enkindle this light. Blessing of the Lord’s Day Light Song: (e. may so live together in the light live together inthat theourlight truth of His truth love of for His one another may continue grow each day..) Leader: Father. You have glorified the Son. etc. sentThrough Your Spirit Our Lord Him Youworld sent Your into theinworld to into the to Spirit enkindle us the in us the fire ofthat Yourwe love. Son.g. Grant who Grant that we who are gathered in His are gathered in His Name. Isaiah 60. may that our love forto one another continue to grow each day. Through HimJesus YouChrist. . may so Name. world Ourby the Lord light ofJesus your RisenChrist. King of the Universe. O Lord our God. Who has hallowed us by Your loving word and taught us to kindle the light of the Lord’s Day. You have glorified Leadeby r: the light of your Risen the world Father. fire ofenkindle Your love.Blessed are you. Light of Chri st. In that light all our blessings are enriched. Who ht us to kindle the light are enriched. strengthening the bond of devotion to that pure and lofty ideal of brotherhood and sisterhood that is found in Holy Scripture. radiant and joyous. God’s messenger of Peace comes and turns our heart towards one another. Like a bride. all our griefs and trials are softened.andle. Blessing of the Wine Leader: Come let us welcome the day of the Lord in joy and peace. . It brings blessings to our hearts. strengthening the bond of devotion to that pure and lofty ideal of brotherhood and sisterhood that is found in Holy Scripture. comes the day of the Lord. At this hour. At this hour. workday thoughts and cares are put aside. God’s messenger of Peace comes and turns our heart towards one another. Then with hands ng): g of the Universe. all our griefs and trials are softened. The brightness of the Lord’s Day light shines forth to tell that the Divine Spirit of Love abides within our home. King of the Universe. health and strength. O Lord. who has created the fruit of the vine. O Lord our God. he recites the following prayer) Leader: Lord. 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. Holding the cup. we thank you for the blessings of this past week. symbol of joy.” Response: Amen (The leader now raises the wine cup and prays the traditional blessing): Blessed are You. You have enabled us.Blessing of the Wine (Here the leader pours wine into the cup. but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. through Your goodness we have this wine. for the discipline of our trials and temptations through which we are strengthened. for life. As we enter into this Lord’s Day celebration. for the fruit that has come out of our labors. (The cup is now passed around) . by the blessing of work. love and friendship. for home. Who causes the earth to yield food for all. As we have this one bread may we also share completely our lives together through the power of the Holy Spirit. says the traditional blessing) Blessed are You. King of the Universe. Response: Amen. It is a symbol of our brotherhood and unity. It is a sign of Your daily provident care and love.) . the Lord and Giver of Life. Leader: (Holding up the bread. through Your goodness we have this bread. says:) Lord. since this one bread comes from many grains of wheat. O Lord our God. (The bread is now passed around.Blessing of the Bread Leader: (Holding the bread in his hands. ) .” “I thank the Lord for the rain we have received.” (Or..Thanksgiving (As a portion of the bread is taken. O Lord our God.” (The bread is not eaten until all have given thanks. in the form of “Berakah”): “Blessed are You. each person may give thanks for a particular blessing he/she has received during the past week. King of the Universe Who has given us...) For example: “I thank the Lord for this good day with my family.. The ceremony concludes with a song of praise or any other appropriate song.) Leader: “This is the Lord’s Day – let us be glad and rejoice in it. all eat the bread together while the Leader says the Lord’s Day greeting.) .The Lord’s Day Greeting (After the thanksgiving prayers are said.” Response: Amen (Cheese may be passed around now. 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. The Lord makes His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. So that we may experience the fullness of the life of Jesus Christ. . Response: Amen Dinner is now served. He calls us to live lives that are truly Christ-like. The Lord lifts up His countenance upon us and gives us peace. Response: Amen 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. I now pray that God will bless us and empower us to live in holiness and honor all the days of our lives.Note: In case the celebration is among CFC members.