Session 4 – Liturgy
Programme Prayer
Begin the Prayer with Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”
Let’s take a moment in silence to be still and quiet and open ourselves up to whatever God wants to lead us to today.
Can you think of some of these people and their experiences?
Many people like to listen to and read stories Through stories we can learn more about our world.
What’s your favourite story? Why?
When Samuel was still a young boy he went to live and work in the temple. He helped the old priest Eli, who was going blind. One night when it was very quiet he heard a voice calling him He thought it was Eli, so he jumped up and ran to him. “I didn’t call you,” said Eli. “Go back to bed.”
Samuel went back to bed, but he heard the voice calling him again. He jumped up and ran to Eli.
“Here I am I heard you calling me,” said Samuel. “I didn’t call you,” said Eli. “Go back to bed.”
Samuel went back to bed, very puzzled. He was just falling asleep when he heard the voice calling him for the third time. Up he jumped and ran to Eli. “You did call me,” he said. “I heard you.” This time Eli realised it was God calling Samuel. “Go back to bed,” he said. “If you hear the voice again, say, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
Samuel lay down and listened in the silence. Once again God called Samuel:
“Samuel! Samuel!”
Full of wonder Samuel said,
“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
God gave Samuel a message for Eli. It was the first message Samuel heard from God. When he grew up he often heard messages from God, and he passed them on to anyone who would listen.
The Liturgy of the Word
We stand to hear the Gospel
Write a prayer thanking God for all the things you like to listen to or write a prayer praying for something special in your life.
Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
We gather together as friends of Jesus in the community in which we belong.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
As we walk this journey with Jesus may the Lord be in our hearts and on our lips.
Amen.
Today we have been learning about the Gloria, the Creed and the Liturgy of the Word.
We believe God speaks to us through his word.
We heard the Old Testament story about Samuel.
Words can be very powerful. They have the power to make someone feel very special and also the power to hurt people. The words that God has given us give us courage and strength.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you O Lord.
Once there was a farmer who planted seeds. Some seeds did not fall in his field. They fell on the path. Birds came and ate these seeds.
Some seeds fell on rocky ground. The soil was not very deep. Plants began to grow. But then they dried up and died.
Other seeds fell into the thorns and weeds. Plants started to grow. But these plants were choked by the thorns and weeds.
But some fell on rich soil. These seeds grew into strong healthy plants and produced fruit. Anyone who has ears should listen.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray that we may always be ready to give thanks to God for all the good gifts we are given.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray that we may always be ready to listen carefully to God’s word at Mass.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for ourselves, that during our preparation for holy communion, we will always try to be the best we can be in following Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Closing Prayer
Lord, may I listen carefully to your words so that I can hear them. Lord, may my heart be ready for your words so that I can love them. Lord, may I be alert with open eyes so that I can see you in people. Lord, make me strong and brave to do what your words tell me to do. Here I am Lord, speak to me.
Amen.