Second Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Feast of MERCY. April 19th April, 2020
Preparing the worship space.
- Colour: White/Gold
- Theme: Divine Mercy.
Welcome: The Feast of Mercy is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter, that is on the Second Sunday of Easter, which is called the Divine Mercy Sunday today.… The greatest of the graces given, is of complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.
Ask: What was last week’s theme? <“Sun.”> The sun gives warmth, When Jesus rose from the dead! We became better than new!
And loves us the way we are;
==== 7:00 - 7:03 ===
Entrance Song
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, …….
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
//V// In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
//R// Amen.
//V// May The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And the love of God,
And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you all.
//R// And with Your Spirit.
==== 7:03 - 7:08 ====
NEWS TIME :-)
==== 7:08 - 7:11 ====
Penitential Rite
Dear little children, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Confession of our sins
I confess to the Almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words
in what I have done and In what I have failed to do
-strike the breast 3 times as you say-
through my fault
through my fault
through my most grievous fault
THEREFORE I ask Blessed Mary Ever Virgin
all the Angels and Saints
and you, my brothers and sisters
to pray for me to the Lord our God…
Have Mercy on us oh Lord
For we have sinned against you.
Show us, Oh Lord, your mercy
And grant us your salvation.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart.
Lord have Mercy
Lord have Mercy
You came to sinners
Christ have mercy
Christ have mercy
You are seated at the right hand of the father to intercede for us.
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
May the almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to life everlasting?
AMEN
==== 7:11 - 7:14 ====
With a loud voice lets sing the Gloria!
GLORIA - Eco
Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to the Father...x2 To Him be glory forever!!x2 Alleluia Amen x2
Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to the Son...x2 To Him be glory forever!!x2 Alleluia Amen x2
Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to the Spirit...x2 To Him be glory forever!!x2 Alleluia Amen x2
Opening Prayer:
God of truth, fill us with your Spirit and strengthen our faith, so that we may not doubt your love for us. Give us courage to spread your peace throughout the world.
Amen.
=== 7:14 - 7:19 ====
Liturgy of the Word
Introduce the first reading.
Say: Today’s first reading is from the first New Testament book of Acts. In this reading, we learn how the apostles and other early followers of Jesus treated each other. If you think about Jesus’ message, how do you think his followers would treat each other? <let the children respond> Let’s pretend that we don’t know about Jesus. His followers are strangers to us. Let’s listen to this reading and see if the way the apostles lived is the way most people in the world live.
A prepared child/children come and take the reading.
First Reading is from the book of
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers Life among the Believers
43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
“This is the word of the Lord”
All say “Thanks be to God”.
Ask: How did they live? <discuss> Do you think that everybody lives this way? <no> What is different? <they shared everything, sold all their things and gave away the money, and prayed together>. Can we do this?
Say: Let us now focus on our responsorial Psalm:
< Give thanks for the Lord is good. God’s love is everlasting.. ...>3x
Introduce the Gospel
Say: This reading tells us about two times when all of Jesus’ friends were gathered together in an upper room with the doors locked, probably the same one where they shared the Last Supper with Jesus. It was right after Jesus rose from the dead. The Apostles were frightened of the Romans and of their fellow Jews.....
...with Alleluia!! –
We sing while standing and welcome the gospel!!
Alle-lu Alle-lu, Alle-lu Alle-lluia!!
Lets praise the Lord….
Alle-lu Alle-lu Alle-lu Alle-lluia!!,
Lets praise the Lord….
Alle-luia, Lets Praise the Lord!
Alle-luia, Lets Praise the Lord!
Alle..lluia Lets praise the Lord….!!!
The leader reading the gospel, silently says: “Cleanse our hearts and our lips almighty God, that we may worthily proclaim your Holy Gospel”.
The Leader starts: The Lord be with You,
And with your Spirit.
A reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John.
Glory to You, O Lord
John 20:19-29 (RSVCE)
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
The Gospel of the Lord”
“Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ”
==== 7:19 - 7:24 ====
(*) Tell your prepared reflecting story to motivate the children, but according to the Gospel and children’s level of understanding like in the suggestions below…
Gospel reflection:
Ask: Did you already know this story? Did you hear anything new? <let the children respond> On the first night, what happened? <Jesus appeared to the Apostles> How do you think the Apostles felt? <glad to see him, scared a little because they had watched him die, worried about what it all meant> What did Jesus tell them? <He said He was sending them out, just like the Father had sent Him> Then what happened? Especially on the second night? <Thomas> Thomas didn’t believe, did he?
What did Thomas say to the Apostles? <that he would believe that Jesus had come back when he actually saw him and felt his wounds> When Jesus appeared the next time, what did he tell Thomas? <blessed are those who believe without seeing> Do you know anyone who believes in Jesus but has not seen him? <USJ>
Explain: Thomas needed proof that Jesus had risen – and Jesus loved him anyway. We can help each other to find the proof we need to have faith in Jesus.
Memory Verse: “…, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe......”
Let us stand up and we profess our faith.
Profession of our faith
I believe in God the Father, Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
--bow down--
Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, died and was buried:
He descended into hell:
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Spirit:
the holy catholic church:
the communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
==== 7:24 - 7:26 ====
Prayers of the Faithful Now is the time to pray for our stuff :-)Intercessions.
You may want to ask the children to offer their own prayers or you can use the suggestions here.
Leader: We all have times when we doubt and so we ask God to give us strength and fill us with faith as we pray together;
Prayer 1. We pray for the Church throughout the world: that she may continue to spread God’s peace throughout the world as she follows Christ’s example of care for those finding life difficult..... We pray to the Lord...
Prayer2. We pray for all people who are sad, lonely, frightened, sick or troubled: that they may find hope in the darkest times and know that they are never alone..... We pray to the Lord...
Prayer 3. We pray for our parish, family and friends: that we may find it in our hearts to believe and to share the peace of Christ with each other... We pray to the Lord....
Prayer 4. Our Lord Christ Jesus, came to show us how to live. May He fill us with faith and lead us to share your peace throughout the world.... We pray to the Lord...
==== 7:26 - 7:28 ====
Silently, each one tells God your petition.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.
Amen
==== 7:28 - 7:30 ====
Song Interlude: Walk Walk in the light, walk walk in the light, Sing as we give in our offertory and we walk to the big church... NOTE-- after the song, is being sung, we pick the children that will perform next Sunday...
