Sabbath—Celebrating Creation

Prayer Celebration Directions

OPENING SONG
Leader		The Sabbath is a day for resting. It is a day to worship God, enjoy nature, and be with our families. We give special thanks for God’s gift of creation—not just people, but animals, birds, fish, bugs, and plants. Our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Christians celebrate the Sabbath every Sunday. In honor of the Sabbath, we light two candles during our prayer. (Light candles) We pray: Blessed is our God who created us, and who calls on us to light the Sabbath candles and to keep Sunday holy.
All		Blessed be God
READING (based on Genesis 1:31–2:4)
Reader 1		God created the heavens, the earth, and all living creatures. God looked at all of creation and saw that it was very good.
Reader 2		God had finished working. On the seventh day, God rested. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because it was to be a day of rest.
All		Blessed be God.
Leader		The Kiddush is a Jewish prayer said at festivals and on the Sabbath. A prayer of blessing is said over the bread and wine that will be eaten during the Sabbath dinner. As Catholics, we also celebrate a blessing of bread and wine. At Mass, they become the Body and Blood of Christ. God made the seventh day, the Sabbath, holy. Think of ways to make the Sabbath holy in your families. On the Sabbath—
Reader 3		We will find things to do with our families.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Reader 4		We will try to be with our parish community at Mass.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Reader 5		We will take time to be quiet and to pray.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Reader 6		We will protect and care for all created things.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Reader 7		We will have fun and be happy on this day.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Leader		At this time, feel free to share a way to make the Sabbath special for you. (Invite participants to share.)
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Leader		O God, be with us on the Sabbath and the rest of the week. Help us to make the earth, your creation, a safe place for all your creatures—people, animals, birds and plants.
All		Amen. Shalom.
CLOSING SONG