The Gift of Sabbath

Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		Blessed is the Lord our God who rules the universe. To honor the Sabbath, we light candles. We pray: Blessed is our God who created us and who calls us to light the Sabbath candles and to keep the day holy.
All		Shabbat, Shalom.
PSALM RESPONSE
Leader		We sing praises to our God!
Reader		Let us sing and make joyful sounds as we offer thanksgiving. Our God is a great God, A king above all others.
All		We sing praises to our God!
Reader		God brought about the depths of the earth, and the heights of the mountains. God made the sea and it belongs to God as does the dry land that God formed.
All		We sing praises to our God!
Reader		Let us worship and bow down before God, our Creator. We are the people of God’s pasture, the sheep of God’s hand.
All		We sing praises to our God! (based on Psalm 95)
READING
Reader		(Read Exodus 31:12-17) The word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.
RITUAL (Participants, come forward with your candles to light them from one of the two lit candles in front. Return and stand in place with your lit candle.)
RESPONSE
Reader		Since the time of Moses, you have called us to observe your Sabbath.
All		Thank you Lord, for the gift of Sabbath.
Reader		You give us six days to honor you through the work of our hands.
All		Thank you Lord, for the gift of Sabbath.
Reader		You put aside one day for us to show praise to you by resting so that we might be refreshed.
All		Thank you Lord, for the gift of Sabbath.
Reader		We honor your sabbath by our friendly interaction with family and friends.
All		Thank you Lord, for the gift of Sabbath.
Reader		We observe your Sabbath by joining with members of our parish community to share in your eucharistic meal.
All		Thank you Lord, for the gift of Sabbath.
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader		Blessed are you, Lord God, who rules the universe. You separate the sacred from the sinful, light from darkness, and Sabbath rest from six days of work.
All		Blessed are you Lord God. Shabbat Shalom. The Sabbath peace. Amen. (Participants extinguish candles.)
CLOSING SONG