Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
Leader		Today we gather to celebrate gifts—the gifts of being and doing for other people. St. Nicholas was a bishop known for helping people in need. He showed us ways to share with everyone.
READING
Reader		A reading from the First Letter of Peter. (The reader reads 1 Peter 4:8–10)
		The word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.
RESPONSE
Leader		God’s Word has asked us to consider how we are using our gifts to serve others as the Christmas season comes closer. We are called to pray each day.
All		Help us, Jesus.
Leader		We are called to respect others.
All		Help us, Jesus.
Leader		We are called to thank God for our talents, our minds, our feelings, and our goodness.
All		Help us, Jesus.
Leader		We are called to share our time and talents with others.
All		Help us, Jesus.
Leader		We are called to love others with all that we are.
All		Help us, Jesus.
Leader		We are called to give good things to others.
All		Help us, Jesus.
Leader		Loving Jesus, we are thankful for the ability to love and give of ourselves to our brothers and sisters. St. Nicholas was a very special gift giver who always found ways to make others happy. May we, too, learn through prayer and service to give of ourselves as St. Nicholas did, and make others happy.
Group 1		Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before God with joyful song.
Group 2		The Lord made us. We are God’s people, the flock that God tends.
Group 1		Enter God’s temple with thanksgiving. Enter its courts with praise.
Group 2		Give thanks to the Lord. Bless the name of the Lord.
Group 1		The Lord’s love lasts forever.
Group 2		The Lord’s faithfulness endures for all generations. (Based on Psalm 100)
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG