Prayer Celebration Directions

Mary’s Trust in God

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		Mary is our model of trust, faith, and obedience to God. We ask God to instill in us the same trust that Mary lived in her life. Let us pray. Loving God, you always hear the words of those who pray to you. Fill our hearts with trust in you, and we will praise your great kindness. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.
SCRIPTURE STORY (based on Luke 1:26-42)
Leader		Let us open our hearts to the words of the Bible in the story of the Annunciation, found in the Gospel of Luke.
Narrator		In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a young woman engaged to a man named Joseph. Her name was Mary. Gabriel went to Mary and said,
Gabriel		Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! God is with you.
Narrator		She was upset by these words and wondered what they meant. The angel said,
Gabriel		Do not be afraid, Mary! You have won God’s favor. Listen to me! You will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. He will rule forever.
Mary		But how is this going to happen?
Gabriel		The Holy Spirit will come upon you. Your child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this, too. Your cousin Elizabeth is going to have a son. No one thought she could, but nothing is impossible to God.
Mary		I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me.
Narrator		And the angel left Mary. Mary went quickly to the town where Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, lived. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried loudly and said,
Elizabeth		"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Zechariah		Welcome, Mary to our home.
Narrator		Mary stayed with Elizabeth and Zechariah about three months and then returned home. This was a very joyous time for Mary, as she helped Elizabeth and waited for the birth of Jesus.
PRAYER RESPONSE
Leader		Faithful God, we trust you every day.
All		Lord, help us to always trust in you.
Leader		Faithful God, we trust your every name.
All		Lord, help us to always trust in you.
Leader		Faithful God, we trust you at home and in school.
All		Lord, help us to always trust in you.
Leader		Faithful God, we trust you in every way everywhere.
All		Lord, help us to always trust in you. Amen.