LORDS DAY

Introduction
This ceremony resembles the Sabbath Ceremony actually used by Jewish
families for beginning the Sabbath. The ceremony is usually performed before
the dinner meal.
In this meal, we make use of the Jewish form of thanking God for His
blessings, which is called The Berakah (Blessed are You, O Lord, King of
the Universe, Who etc.....)
As the first Christians were Jews, well founded in Old Testament tradition,
they made use of this form of blessing in their prayers (Eph. 1:3-14) and
Liturgy.
Jesus himself would have been familiar with this blessing as He would have
heard Joseph praying and blessing the bread and wine on the Sabbath. Mary
His Mother, also, like the Jewish women of her time, would have begun the
celebration by lighting and blessing of the Sabbath light.

Preparation for the Opening Ceremony

Have available:
Table set with dinner cloth and flowers
Lords Day booklets
Bible
Candle
Wine cup
Wine or grape juice
Loaf of bread
Cheese (optional)
Meal already prepared and ready to serve.
Have different members of the household take responsibility for these
different areas of preparation; all should be done and set up before the
celebration begins.

THE LORDS DAY

CEREMONY

The Lighting of the Candle

Song: (Opening song to be selected according to the
festive season)
Reading: (One of the following can be selected):
John 1:1-18
John 1:1-5
Ephesians1:3-14
Colossians 1:15-20

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:6-13
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to
testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not
the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children
of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by
natural generation nor by human choice nor by a mans decision but
of God.

John 1:14-18
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Fathers only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying, This was he of whom I said,
The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he
existed before me. From his fullness we have all received, grace in
place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The
only Son, God, who is at the Fathers side, has revealed him.
The word of the Lord.

NEXT

Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in
the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation
of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In
love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus
Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of
the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of
transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that
he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has
made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his
favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of
times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on
earth.

Ephesians 1:11-14
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the
purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according
to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the
praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you
also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the
promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our
inheritance toward redemption as Gods possession, to the
praise of his glory.
The word of the Lord.

NEXT

Colossians 1:15-16
The Preeminence of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:17-20
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
[through him], whether those on earth or those in heaven.
The word of the Lord.

Leader Prays: Lord of the Universe, in honor of Your Son, Light of

the World and Author of Life, I am about to perform the duty of
kindling the light for the Lords Day, even as it is written: and you
shall call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord
honorable, and may the effect of our fulfilling this commandment be,
that the stream of abundant life and heavenly blessing flow in upon
us; that You may be gracious unto us and cause Your Holy Spirit to
dwell more richly among us. Father of Mercy, O continue Your loving
kindness toward us. Make us worthy to walk in the way of Your Son,
loyal to your teaching and unwavering in love and service. Keep far
from us all anxiety, darkness and gloom; and grant that peace, light
and joy ever abide in our home; for in You is the fountain of life; in
Your light do we see light.
Response: Amen

Responsorial Prayer
(Leader extends his hands towards unlit candle during this
prayer)
Leader: Let us welcome the Lords Day.
Response: May its radiance illuminate our hearts as we
enkindle this candle.
Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lord Jesus.
Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lords presence with us.
Response: He is the true light that enlightens every man.

Responsorial Prayer
Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lords purpose and
ways.
Response: His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for
my path.
Leader: Light is the symbol of the mission to which the
Lord has called us.
Response: You are the light of the world; let Your light so
shine before men that they may see Your good works and
give glory to your Father in heaven.

Blessing of the Lords Day Light

Leader: Therefore, remembering the Lord Jesus Who is source
of all light and life, and united with all our brothers and sisters
and wish all the angels and saints, we enkindle this light.
Assistant: (The wife or assistant now lights the candle. Then
with hands raised over the light prays the following blessing):
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who
has hallowed us by Your loving word and taught us to kindle the
light of the Lords Day.
Song: (e.g., Light of Christ; Isaiah 60; etc.)

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who
has hallowed us by Your loving word and taught us to kindle the light
of the Lords Day.

Blessing of the Lords Day Light

Song: (e.g., Light of Chri st; Isaiah 60; etc.)

Leader: Father, You have glorified

Leadeby
r: the light of your Risen
the world
Father, You have glorified the
Son, world
Ourby the
Lord
light ofJesus
your RisenChrist.
Son,
Through
HimJesus
YouChrist.
sentThrough
Your Spirit
Our Lord
Him
Youworld
sent Your
into theinworld
to
into the
to Spirit
enkindle
us the
in us the
fire ofthat
Yourwe
love.
fire ofenkindle
Your love.
Grant
who
Grant that we who are gathered in His
are gathered
in His Name, may so
Name, may so live together in the light
live together
inthat
theourlight
truth
of His truth
love of
for His
one another
may continue
grow each
day. may
that our
love forto one
another
continue to grow each day.

andle. Then with hands

ng):

g of the Universe, Who

ht us to kindle the light

are enriched, all our griefs and trials are softened.

At this hour, Gods messenger of Peace comes and turns our heart
towards one another, strengthening the bond of devotion to that pure
and lofty ideal of brotherhood and sisterhood that is found in Holy
Scripture.

Blessing of the Wine

Leader: Come let us welcome the day of the

Lord in joy and peace. Like a bride, radiant
and joyous, comes the day of the Lord. It
brings blessings to our hearts, workday
thoughts and cares are put aside. The
brightness of the Lords Day light shines forth
to tell that the Divine Spirit of Love abides
within our home. In that light all our blessings
are enriched, all our griefs and trials are
softened.
At this hour, Gods messenger of Peace
comes and turns our heart towards one
another, strengthening the bond of devotion
to that pure and lofty ideal of brotherhood and
sisterhood that is found in Holy Scripture.

Blessing of the Wine

(Here the leader pours wine into the cup. Holding the cup, he recites the
following prayer)
Leader: Lord, through Your goodness we have this wine, symbol of joy. As we
enter into this Lords Day celebration, we thank you for the blessings of this
past week; for life, health and strength; for home, love and friendship; for the
discipline of our trials and temptations through which we are strengthened; for
the fruit that has come out of our labors. You have enabled us, O Lord, by the
blessing of work, and in your love and kindness you have made us holy by the
blessing of rest according to your commandment: Six days shall you labor
and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
Response: Amen
(The leader now raises the wine cup and prays the traditional blessing):
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has created the
fruit of the vine. (The cup is now passed around)

Blessing of the Bread

Leader: (Holding the bread in his hands, says:)
Lord, through Your goodness we have this bread. It is a
symbol of our brotherhood and unity, since this one bread
comes from many grains of wheat. It is a sign of Your daily
provident care and love. As we have this one bread may
we also share completely our lives together through the
power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life.
Response: Amen.
Leader: (Holding up the bread, says the traditional
blessing) Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the
Universe, Who causes the earth to yield food for all.
(The bread is now passed around.)

Thanksgiving
(As a portion of the bread is taken, each person may give
thanks for a particular blessing he/she has received during
the past week.)
For example:
I thank the Lord for this good day with my family.
I thank the Lord for the rain we have received.
(Or, in the form of Berakah): Blessed are You, O Lord our
God, King of the Universe Who has given us.....
(The bread is not eaten until all have given thanks.)

The Lords Day Greeting

(After the thanksgiving prayers are said, all eat the bread
together while the Leader says the Lords Day greeting.)
Leader: This is the Lords Day let us be glad and rejoice
in it.
Response: Amen
(Cheese may be passed around now. The ceremony
concludes with a song of praise or any other appropriate
song.)

Note: In case the celebration is among CFC members, the following

concluding prayer may be used:
Leader: (The Leader extends his right hand towards the members as he
prays:) God has given us to one another as special gifts. He calls us to be true
children of God. He calls us to live lives that are truly Christ-like. So that we
may experience the fullness of the life of Jesus Christ, I now pray that God will
bless us and empower us to live in holiness and honor all the days of our lives.
Response: Amen
Leader: I now call upon us all the blessing which God commanded that Aaron
should pray over the chosen people: May the Lord bless us and keep us. The
Lord makes His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us. The Lord lifts up
His countenance upon us and gives us peace.
Response: Amen
Dinner is now served.