Greenbelt 2012: Liturgy for Nursery Rhyme Mass
This liturgy may be found in my second book Creative Ideas for Sacramental Worship with Children
Gathering
(to the tune of Here we go round the Mulberry Bush)
We gather round in this holy space
Holy Space, filled with grace
We gather round in this holy space
To do what Jesus taught us
We hear the stories of our King
Eternal life, for us he’ll win
We share his meal and pray with him
And do what Jesus taught us.
In the name of the +Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen
Penitential Rite
(to the tune of Ba Ba Black Sheep or Twinkle Twinkle)
Just like lost sheep we have gone astray
Done bad things and run away
So we come to say sorry
Make things better as you see
Loving Jesus make anew
Our lives so we can be like you.
Absolution
(to the tune of If you’re happy and you know it)
You’re forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands
You’re forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands
You’re forgiven and you know, so you really ought to show it,
You’re forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands
Jesus loves you and you know it, so stamp your feet
Jesus loves you and you know it, so stamp your feet
Jesus loves you and you know it, so you really ought to show it
Jesus loves you and you know it, so stamp your feet
If you believe that God forgives you, say “We do” “We do”
If you believe that God forgives you, say “We do” “We do”
When you say that you are sorry, you no longer have to worry
God takes away your sin, so say “Amen”. Amen!
Collect
Let us pray…
Lord Jesus Christ,
you gave us the eucharist
as the memorial of your suffering and death.
May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood
help us to experience the salvation you won for us
and the peace of the kingdom
where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Word: The Mystery of the Eucharist
Prayers
(to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)
We thank you Lord for all we have
All we have, all we have
We thank you Lord for all we have
Which you give us
We pray to you for all our friends,
all our friends, all our friends
And all those who need our prayer
Come and help them
We pray for those who are sick or ill
sick or ill, sick or ill
sad or lonely, stressed or ill
Come and help them
Hail Mary full of grace
full of grace, full of grace
The Lord is with you, pray for us
Now and always
And to God we give our prayers
give our prayers, give our prayers
Hear us Lord and help us on
Now and always
Amen!
Peace
(to the tune of This Old Man)
Here we are
One in Christ
Gathered here
Ain’t this nice?
So let us share a sign of peace
A kiss or hug before the feast…
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you
<we share a sign of peace>
Eucharistic Prayer
(to the tune of Michael Row the Boat Ashore or Kum-Bye-Ya)
The Lord is here right now
His spirit with us
Lift up your hearts to him
We lift them up
It’s the right thing to do
Yes, Jesus
Oh yes, we come in prayer
It is right, O Lord
That we come
To worship you
In thanks and praise
We gather here
Hearts and minds
Knowing that
You’re here with us.
Holy, Holy Lord, O Holy God
Our prayers are joined
By the Saints
Blessed is the one
Who comes in peace
Blessed is the Prince of Peace
+Send your Spirit, Lord
On these gifts
So they may be to us
Christ’s Flesh and Blood
As we share in them
May he be with us
And save us by these heavenly gifts
On that night
That he was betrayed
He took the bread
And gave God thanks
“Take this and eat
Of my flesh”
It will become that bread of life
<bells>
And then he took
The cup of wine
He gave God thanks
And bid us drink
“This is my blood
I spill for you
It is a sign that all is new”
<bells>
Let us proclaim
Of our faith
“Christ has died
And has arisen
Christ will come
To us again
O yes, he will return”
And we join
our prayers here now
Angels and Saints
And all in heaven
With Our Lady
and all on earth
So we pray as one voice
Amen, Amen
Let it be so,
Amen, Amen
Let it be so,
Amen, Amen
We say this now,
Amen, O yes, Amen!
Lord’s Prayer
(to the tune of Jack and Jill)
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy na-a-ame.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us all our si-i-ns
As we forgive
all those us who sin
or trespass against us
Let us not be drawn into
Any kind of temptation
Deliver us
from the evil one
Amen, Amen, Amen.
Agnus Dei
(to the tune of Three Blind Mice)
Lamb of God, Lamb of God
You take away, the sin of the world
Have mercy on us, Lamb of God
Don’t let us stray away from the flock
You take away the sin of the world
So grant us peace
Come and eat, come and drink
You’re welcome here, come quite near
Share in his body and blood with us
It tastes like wine and bread but just
Know that inside it’s not like that
Share the food of God.
<communion and blessings are distributed>
Post Communion Prayer
Let us pray…
Lord Jesus Christ,
you give us your body and blood in the eucharist
as a sign that even now we share your life.
May we come to share it completely in the kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing & Dismissal
(to the tune of Sing a Song of Sixpence)
May the Lord now +bless you
And keep you all safe
Send you out from here
In a state of grace
Take what we have learned
About Jesus our King
And do what he has taught us
To make the world a better thing.
Go, the Mass has ended
But our service has begun
We heard it straight from Jesus
What it means to live as one
With him now up in heaven
Looking from above
Blessing us in all our work
Let’s go and share his love.
Amen
