Praying Together 2021

71 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 for God’s guidance and protection. (pause) God of wisdom, be our gentle guide on life’s journey and show us the right path. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 15:3-7 Jesus told them this story: "If any of you has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the ninety-nine in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbours and say, 'Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep." Jesus said, "In the same way there is more happiness in heaven because of one sinner who turns to God than over ninety-nine good people who don’t need to." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE This parable tells about God’s extraordinary love for each one of us. Watch this short animation calle d “The Parable of the Lost Sheep”, w hich tells the story of a lost sheep and the kind shepherd who goes out to find him. When we lose our way and walk away from God, God comes looking for us to bring us safely home. 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. “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Thursday Week 5 Easter 6 May 2021