The Many Blessings of the Sabbath

Prayer Celebration Directions

OPENING SONG
Leader		The Sabbath is a day of rest and of peace. It is a day to worship God, enjoy nature, and be with our families. We thank God for the many blessings of the Sabbath. 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. 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. This is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation.
All		Blessed be God
Leader		The Kiddush is a Jewish prayer said at festivals and on the Sabbath. It is a prayer of blessing for bread and wine. At Mass, we celebrate the blessing of bread and wine. Blessed be God who gives us these gifts to eat and drink.
All		Blessed be God
Leader		God made the seventh day, the Sabbath, holy. There are ways to keep Sunday blessed within our own families. On the Sabbath,
Reader 2		We will spend time with our families.
All		Thank you, God, for blessing us with the Sabbath.
Reader 3		This is a day to celebrate with our parish community at Mass.
All		Thank you, God, for blessing us with the Sabbath.
Reader 4		This is a day to take time to be quiet and to pray bringing us closer to God on this day.
All		Thank you, God, for blessing us with the Sabbath.
Reader 5		This is day to try even harder to be kind to others.
All		Thank you, God, for blessing us with the Sabbath.
Reader 6		This is a day to enjoy life and be happy.
All		Thank you, God, for blessing us with the Sabbath.
Leader		At this, time, feel free to share a way you can make the Sabbath special. (Invite participants to share.)
All		Thank you, God, for blessing us with the Sabbath.
Leader		We ask for God’s blessings on all of us—on the Sabbath and all the days of the week. For our part, we will strive to protect your creation—people, animals, birds, and plants. You made everything and saw that it was very good. Help us do our part to keep creation very good.
All		Send us your blessings, Lord. Shalom! Peace! (Participants share handshakes of peace with one another.)
CLOSING SONG