I am the way, the truth, and the life
I am the resurrection
 

CANDLE LIGHT PRAYER SERVICE
NOVEMBER 12, 2008

“THOSE WHO WERE A LIGHT TO US NOW LIVE IN THE LORD.”

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night.
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Tonight I light a candle for you.

The seasons come and go and I am weary from the change.

You filled my life with wonder, touched me with surprise.
Always saw something special deep within your eyes.
And through the good times and the bad,
We carried on with pride.
I hold onto the love and life we knew.

Tonight I light a candle for you.

• We light a candle for the members of our faith community who died this past year and we place them in the loving hands of Mary the Mother of Jesus, who held the body of her Son, Jesus, in her arms.

• We light a candle of John Paul II

• We light a candle for those who died in war and we place them in the care of St. Jude and St. Simon…

• We light a candle for our brothers and sisters who were victims of natural disasters, tsunamis, earthquakes, flooding and hurricanes and we place them in the care of St. Agatha.

• We light a candle in memory of those who nobody remember this day; those who are not members of Christian Faith; and those who did not believe in God and we place them in the care of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac

• We light a candle for those who will die today and all members of our community who died in Christ and we place them in the care of All Saints.

PRAYER SERVICE OUTLINE

Opening Song: “Here I am Lord” or other

Sign of the Cross and Greeting

Introduction:

We come together to remember those who have been a light to us here on earth. Although they are not physically present to us, the goodness that was unique to them now shines brightly before their Lord and God.

We remember them in a very special way today by using the very symbol that Christ used to proclaim his presence among us. “I am the light of world,” he said. Our loved ones have been light to us, and so we honor and remember them in a ceremony of Light

Lighting of the Paschal Candle: “When Grief is Raw.”

Opening Prayer:

Dear God, today we think of all the people who have died. We remember them, and pray for them in a special way. We pray for our family members and friends who have died. We also pray for those whom we do not know. God, please, give them all a new life filled with love and light and happiness – a life with you and all the saints that will never end. We ask this through Christ our Lord who lives with you now and forever. Amen

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

Psalm: “Shepherd, Me O Lord.”

Second Reading: Romans 8:35-39

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel Reading: John 11:21-27 “I am the resurrection and the light.”

Reflection

Song: “AVE MARIA” 

The Ritual of Light and Life

Leader:

The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us:

There is a season for everything under the sun,

A time to do and a time to be done,

A time to laugh and a time to cry,

A time to live and a time to die.

Let us, the living, remember those who have touched our lives in a special way, those who have helped light our way on earth, but who now enjoy eternal light and life in heaven.

Common Prayer

All:

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night.
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Tonight I light a candle for you.

The seasons come and go and I am weary from the change.

You filled my life with wonder, touched me with surprise.
Always saw something special deep within your eyes.
And through the good times and the bad,
We carried on with pride.
I hold onto the love and life we knew.

Tonight I light a candle for you.

Leader:

We light a candle for the members of our faith community who died this past year and we place them in the loving hands of Mary the Mother of Jesus, who herself held the body of her son in her arms.

Reading of the Names:

As we call upon the name of your loved one, we ask that you come forward to light a candle in his or her memory. After each name is read we will recite Hail Mary.

            Reading of the Name
            Bell Toll
            Lightening of the Candle
            Hail Mary, Full of Grace…
            Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord…

Leader:

May the Lord be our strength as we struggle through our loss;
May the Lord be our vision so that we can see how to move through every suffering;
May the Lord be our companion on our journey through every moment of every day;
And may we always be aware that the Lord walks beside us in order to help us carry our crosses.

Our Father

Leader

Longing for the coming of God’s Kingdom we gather all our prayers as we pray in the words Christ our Savior gave us:

Sign of Peace and Consolation: “Peace Song.”

Leader:

Let us share with one another a sign of consolation and peace.

Closing Prayer

Leader:

Merciful Father, hear our prayers and console us.
As we renew our faith in your Son, The Light of the Word,
Whom you have raised from the darkness of death,
Strengthen our faith that all our brothers and sisters
Will share in his resurrection, who lives and reigns
With you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen

Blessing:

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World,
A light no darkness can overpower.
All blessing be ours through Christ;
The Light of nations, and the glory of Israel,
For ever and ever. Amen.

May almighty God bless us today and for ever,
The Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 Let us go in the peace of Christ, our life, our Resurrection and our Salvation.

Closing Song: “Amazing Grace”