THE LORD’S 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
Responsorial Prayer
(Leader extends his hands towards 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 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 Lord’s 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 Lord’s Day.
Song: (e.g., Light of Christ; Isaiah 60; etc.)

Blessing of the Lord’s Day Light

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 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, God’s 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 Lord’s 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 Lord’s Day Greeting

(After the thanksgiving prayers are said, all eat the bread together while the Leader says 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 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.