Prayer Service for Mother's Day - Whole School
Welcome
Welcome to our prayer this morning in which we thank God for the wonderful gift of mothers. Today we especially welcome all who are mothers, mothers-to-be and grandmothers, as well as those who love and care for children like a mother.
We praise and thank our God for the nurturing and maternal love that you bring to your families. Today we also remember Mary, the mother of Jesus, today during our prayer and during the month of May which is dedicated to Mary.
Opening Song: Mary Loved Him by Jane Mitchell
OR We Walk With Mary by Andrew Chinn
WE GATHER
Reader: Let us pray.
Together: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Response: Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Reader:
Loving God,
You know what it is to nourish and care,
And to support and protect your children.
As we gather to celebrate our mothers,
And all who are like mothers to us,
Be with us in joyful love and gratitude.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Risen Son.
Reader: Peace be with you.
Response: And with your Spirit.
WE LISTEN - THE WORD OF GOD
We welcome the Gospel
Mass for God's Children: Alleluia music by Andrew Chinn OR
Alleluia by Tim Hart
Reader: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: The Boy Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:41-51)
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: You Were There (A Song for Mothers) by Andrew Chinn and Drew Lane
WE RESPOND - PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Reader: God is faithful, always loving and listens to us. Let us now bring our needs before God, confident in God’s help.
Reader: Mothers show us what selfless love is. Help us to put the needs of others before our own needs. We Pray to our Loving God.
All: Loving God, hear our prayer
Reader: Mothers are nurturers. May we learn to look after one another, to grow to become the best people we can be. We Pray to our Loving God.
All: Loving God, hear our prayer
(Reader: Mothers protect those in their care. Help us to protect those who are weak and vulnerable in our school, our community and our world.
We Pray to our Loving God.
All: Loving God, hear our prayer
Reader: Mothers are people who give. May we learn to be givers and not takers; generous with our time and talents for the good of others.
We Pray to our Loving God.
All: Loving God, hear our prayer
Reader: Mothers are a gift from you. We pray for those whose mothers have died, that they experience your motherly love. We Pray to our Loving God.
All: Loving God, hear our prayer
Leader: Faithful God, hear our heartfelt prayers we pray and those unspoken in our hearts.
All: Amen
WE ARE SENT FORTH - CLOSING PRAYER
Reader:
God of blessing, God of life,
We thank you for the gift of our mothers,
And all those who are like mothers to us.
We place them in your loving care
And trust that you will give them all that they need for life.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Risen Son.
All: Amen
Closing Song: Mother and Child by Timothy Hart