Praying Together 2021

67 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 Let us pray that we will be united to Christ and bear fruit in our lives. (pause ) O God, source of all wisdom, fill us with love and kindness so we may give ourselves to your service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:1-4 Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you. Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Trusting that God is very close to us, let us pray that we might produce good fruit in our lives. For wisdom to stay close to Jesus: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For children growing in the love of God: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For farmers who grow fruits and vegetables: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the care of our earth and all creation: (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 peace of Christ dwell in our hearts. 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. “Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you.” Friday Week 4 Easter 30 April 2021