Praying Together 2021

62 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. Alleluia! And with your spirit. Alleluia! COLLECT In these Easter days, let us pray that we will be protected by Christ the Good Shepherd. (pause) Lord God, our strength and help, may Christ our Shepherd guide us and always keep us safe. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 10:11-16 Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don’t own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock. Hired workers run away because they don’t care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE United as one family with our brothers and sisters around the world, let us pray together. For ears to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For eyes to see the care of the Good Shepherd: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For feet to follow the Good Shepherd: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For hearts to love like the Good Shepherd: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the prayers in our hearts today: (pause while students offer their prayers aloud) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. DISMISSAL May the joy of the Spirit fill our lives. Alleluia! Alleluia! May God bless us 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. “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me.” Friday Week 3 Easter 23 April 2021