Liturgy–Jesus for All Nations

Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		Your people, O Lord, are diverse. Yet we all come to know you through each other. We are interconnected in our love for you. May this love grow into a genuine love for each other.
All		Amen.
READING
Reader		A reading from the Gospel of Matthew. (Read Matthew 2:1-12.) The Gospel of the Lord.
All		Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
RESPONSE
Group 1		Sing to the Lord a new song, God has done wonderful deeds; God’s right hand has brought victory.
All		We tell everyone of your goodness, O Lord.
Group 2		The Lord has made this victory known, has revealed God’s justice in the sight of the nations. All the ends of the earth have seen God’s great victory.
All		We tell everyone of your goodness, O Lord.
Group 1		Sing joyfully to the Lord all nations, everywhere. Sing joyfully, sing praises.
All		We tell everyone of your goodness, O Lord.
Group 2		Sing praises to the Lord with harp, trumpet, and horn. Sing joyfully to the king, our God. (Psalm 98:1-6)
All		We tell everyone of your goodness, O Lord.
RITUAL (Instrumental music plays in background. Each participant, in turn, brings his or her Christmas greeting to the prayer table. Leader takes strip, staples it onto the preceding strip with the greeting on the outside, to create a peace chain.)
Participant		We send greetings to the people of   [name of nation]  .
All		And, we wish you peace in the coming year. (Repeat for each participant.)
Leader		We extend Christmas wishes and prayers for peace to people of all nations. May our actions toward others reveal peace in our hearts. Lord God, bless our prayers. Make us loving, giving people to all whom we meet. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
All		Amen. Shalom.
CLOSING SONG