THE LORD’S DAY CEREMONY

THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE

Opening Song
Reading: JOHN 1:1-18, JOHN 1:1-5, EPH. 1:3-14, COL. 1:15-20
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 Lord’s 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 towards 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 You in the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.
Response: Amen.

RESPONSORIAL PRAYER
(Leader extends his hands toward unlit candle during this prayer.)
Leader: Let us welcome the Lord’s 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 Lord’s presence with us.
Response: He is the true light that enlightens every man.
Leader: Light is the symbol of the Lord’s purpose and ways.
Response: His word is a lamp unto my feet and the 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 LORD’S DAY LIGHT

Leader: Therefore, remembering the Lord Jesus Who is the source of all light and life, united with all our brothers and
sisters and with all the angels and saints, we enkindle this light.
Assistant: ( The wife now lights the candle.) 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 for the Lord’s Day.
Song: (e.g., Light of Christ; Isaiah 60; etc.)
Leader: Father, You have glorified the world by the light of Your Risen son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him You
sent Your Spirit into the world to enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Grant that we who are gathered in His
Name, may so live together in the light of His truth that our love for one another may continue to grow each day.

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 Lord’s
Day Lightness shines forth to tell 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, God’s messenger of Peace comes and turns our
hearts towards one another, strengthening the bond of devotion to that pure and lofty ideal of brotherhood and
sisterhood that is found in Holy Scripture.
(Leader pours wine into the cup.) Lord, through Your Goodness we have this wine, symbol of joy. As we enter into
the Lord’s Day celebration, we thank You for the blessings of his 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 enable 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.
Leader: (Raise the wine cup and pray 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: Lord, through Your Goodness we have this bread. It is the symbol of our brotherhoods 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 may also share completely our lives together through the power of your Holy Spirit, the Lord and
Giver of Life.
Response: Amen.
Leader: (holding the bread and says) 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
“ I thank the Lord for this good day with my family.” I thank the Lord for the rain we have received.” “ Blessed are You, O
Lord our God, King of the Universe Who has given us…”

THE LORD’S DAY GREETING

Leader: This is the Lord’s day, let us be glad and rejoice in it.
Response: Amen. (Cheese may be passed around.)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Father & Mother: (extend their right hands towards their children as they pray:) God has given you to us as a special gifts. He
calls
you to be true children of God. He calls you to live lives that are truly Christ-like. So that you may experience the
fullness of the life of Jesus Christ, we pray that God will bless you and empower you to live in holiness and honor all
the days of your lives.
Response: Amen.
Father: I now call upon you the blessing which God commanded to Aaron should pray over the chosen people.
__________( Father calls each child’s name), may the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you
and be Gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Response: Amen.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY

(The leader should introduce the closing ceremony with a song. He then reads the “Benedictus” Luke 1:68-79)
(The Leader takes the cup of wine and says:)
Leader: “Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has created the fruit of the vine.”
(Spreading his hands towards the light and says;)
Leader: “Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has created the light of fire.”
(The leader passes the cup around and prays;)
Leader: “Sovereign of the Universe, Father of Mercy and forgiveness, grant that we may begin the working days which
draw near to us in peace; freed from all sin and transgression; living in the joy of Your Holy Spirit and clinging
to the study of your teaching and to the performance of good deeds. Through Christ our Lord.”
Response: Amen.
Leader: “Sovereign of the Universe, Father of Mercy and forgiveness, cause us to hear in the coming week, news of joy
and gladness. May there not arise in the heart of any man malice towards us, nor in us, malice toward any man.
For all who devise against your people plans which are not for good, O frustrate them and make their designs to no
effect. As it is said: ‘Take counsel together but it will come to nothing, speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is
with us. ‘ Through Christ Our Lord.”
Response: Amen.
Leader: “ Father of Mercies and Lord of Forgiveness, open to us in this weeks and in the weeks to come, the gates of
lights and blessing, of redemption and salvation of heavenly help and rejoicing of holiness and peace, of the study of
your teaching and prayer. We give you thanks and praise for saving us through Your Son Jesus, and calling us by
name to be numbered among Your people. May we work for the building of the kingdom until the day of your
coming. We make our prayer to you, Father through Christ our Lord.”
Response: Amen.
Leader: The Lord’s Day has ended.
Response: Let us praise and serve the Lord. Amen.
(The meal is then served.)

For He is our God and His people are we

The flock under His care (Refrain)

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

Refrain: The light of Christ has come into the world.
The light of Christ has come into the world.

1. All men must be born again GIVE THANKS

to see the kingdom of God Verse: Give thanks with a grateful heart,
The water and the Spirit bring new life in God’s love. give thanks to the Holy one, give thanks
because He’s given Jesus Christ, His son. (Repeat)
2. God gave up his only Son out of love for the world
So that all men who believe in Him will live forever. Refrain: And now let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
3. The light of God has come to us because of what the Lord has done for us.
so that we might have salvation (Repeat Refrain)
From the darkness of our sins
we walk into glory with Christ Jesus Give thanks (3x)

PSALM 95
1. Come let us sing for joy to the Lord
Let us shout to the rock of salvation
Let us come before Him giving thanks
And extol Him with music and song

Refrain: Alleluia, Alleluia! Hope in God O my soul in Him

your joy will be full

2. For the Lord is the great God and the

King above kings
In His hands are the depths of the earth
The mountains are His and the sea is His
He formed all living things (Refrain)

3. Come let us bow down and worship Him

Let us kneel before the Lord our maker