Sabbath Blessings

Prayer Celebration Directions

OPENING SONG
Leader		The Sabbath is a day to rest. It is a day to worship God, enjoy nature, and be with our families. It is a day of peace. Our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday. Christians celebrate the Sabbath every Sunday. To show how special the day is, 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. Amen.
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. By the seventh day, God had finished working.
Reader 2		God rested from all work on that day. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. This is the story of God’s creation.
All		Thanks be to God.
Leader		We remember that God made the seventh day, the Sabbath, holy. We think of ways that we can make the Sabbath holy for our families. On the Sabbath, We will find things to do with our families.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Leader		We will try to be with our parish community at Mass.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Leader		We will take time to be quiet and to pray.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Leader		We will use this day to be kind to others.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath.
Leader		We will have fun and be happy on this day.
All		Thank you, God, for giving us the Sabbath. Amen.
Leader		It is traditional in Jewish homes for parents to bless their children on the Sabbath. Today, we too, will say prayers of blessing. (Have the boys stand and girls sit. Make the sign of the cross over the boys.) May God bless you and help you to be a blessing to others, just as your Father Abraham was to his people.
Boys		Amen.
Leader		(Have the boys sit and girls stand. Make the sign of the cross over the girls.) May God bless you and help you to be a blessing to others, just as Sarah serves as a model of faith in God.
Girls		Amen.
Leader		May God send many blessings upon you and keep you safe. May God shower happiness upon your families. May you have peace.
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG