Praying Together 2021

39 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. COLLECT Today we remember Joseph, husband of Mary and father of the Holy Family. Let us pray that, in our own families, we will imitate his faithfulness to God’s call. (pause ) God our Father, with the help of Saint Joseph’s prayers and good example, bless our families today. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:18-21, 24 A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Having heard a scripture reading about St Joseph and the holy family, let us call to mind the people in our own families we would like to pray for today. (pause) Take turns at sharing these prayer intentions aloud e.g. “For my uncle who is sick in hospital.” After each intention, the prayer leader says, “We pray as one” and the group responds “Gracious God, hear our prayer.” DISMISSAL May God look upon us with kindness and give us peace. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. “An angel from the Lord came to him in a dream.” Friday St Joseph 19 March 2021