GATHERING SONG
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GATHERING PRAYER
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| Leader |
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Pope John Paul II has challenged young people to be taken over by the light of Christ, to spread that light wherever we are. He calls us to communicate to everyone the beauty of the contact with God that gives meaning to our lives. We pray during this Christmas season to spread that light.
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| All |
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Amen.
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READING
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| Reader |
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A reading from the Gospel of Matthew.
(Read Matthew 5:13-16.)
The Gospel of the Lord.
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| All |
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Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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RESPONSE
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| Reader 1 |
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The Lord is my light and salvation,
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is my refuge for life
of whom should I be afraid?
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| All |
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The Lord is our light and salvation.
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| Reader 2 |
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One thing I ask of the Lord,
I seek to dwell in the Lord’s house
all the days of my life.
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| All |
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The Lord is our light and salvation.
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| Reader 1 |
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God will hide and shelter me
in times of trouble.
God will cover me inside God’s own tent.
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| All |
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The Lord is our light and salvation.
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| Reader 2 |
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I do believe that I shall see God’s goodness
in the land of the living.
I will take courage and wait for the Lord.
(based on Psalm 27:1,4-5,13-14)
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| All |
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The Lord is our light and salvation.
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RITUAL CANDLE LIGHTING
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| Leader |
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We have been called to be a light to the world.
(Hold lit candle from prayer table with background instrumental music playing. Participants individually approach leader with unlit candle.)
[Name] , you are called to be the light of Christ.
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| All |
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Thanks be to God.
(Repeat until all participants’ candles are lit.)
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LITANY
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| Leader |
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Do you promise to be the light of Christ for others?
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| All |
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I do.
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| Leader |
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Will you act fairly instead of selfishly?
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| All |
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I will.
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| Leader |
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Will you live at peace with others?
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| All |
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I will.
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| Leader |
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Will you be salt, the giver of love?
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| All |
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I will.
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| Leader |
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Will you be light, the sharer of all gifts?
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| All |
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I will.
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| Leader |
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Loving God, help us to be people of the light, to choose good over evil, love over hatred, understanding over fear. We find strength in the love you have shared with us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus,
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| All |
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Amen.
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CLOSING SONG
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Grade Level Activity & Answer Key Feasts & Seasons Grade Level Resources 
