April 2018

SUGGESTED OPENING SONGS

• Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) ~Spirit and Song 265
• 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) ~Spirit and Song 270
• Your Grace is Enough ~Spirit and Song 374

OPENING PRAYER

Lord our God,
Fill us with hope and joy as we celebrate this Easter season.
Let us proclaim our voices in glorious Alleluias as we praise and glorify you.
May the spirit of the resurrected Christ, fill our days with wonder and awe.
May we be renewed in our faith as we go out as Disciples of Christ, proclaiming your glory.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. +

READING: Matthew 28:16-20

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. R. Glory to You, O Lord.

 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him. But some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Gospel of the Lord. R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

How do you feel about Jesus sending you out to proclaim God’s glory? Are there things that make you nervous about your role as an evangelist? Where can you find support in your journey as Christ’s disciple?

READING AND GUIDED REFLECTION QUESTIONS

“Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God.”
~Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis

Think about all the people you encounter on a daily basis; your family, friends, colleagues, students, parishioners and community members… How do you show God’s love and joy in your encounters? Are you living your call to love and serve God? Are you evangelizing through word and deed? What do we learn about God through these encounters? Through evangelization?

We learn to love one another, as God loves us. We learn to be Christ’s hands and feet on earth. We learn to answer the call to be Christ’s disciples, to go out and spread the good news.

Let us take note of leadership from Pope Francis… This is a man who leads with courage, compassion and conviction. In his address from St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2013, Pope Francis said, “Today’s world stands in great need of witnesses, not so much of teachers, but rather of witnesses. It’s not so much about speaking, but rather speaking with our whole lives.” Being a witness of faith and evangelization takes courage. Do not be afraid to fail. “If we start without confidence, we have already lost half the battle and we bury our talents.”  ~Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium

CLOSING PRAYER

God of Easter joy,
We thank you for your son, the light of the world.
May he reveal to us, the way to you and may his light shine through us.
Heavenly Father, nurture us as we grow in your love.
Strengthen our faith to proclaim your glory.
Empower us to give witness, so that others may know your love.
Let us always remember our Baptismal call.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. +

SUGGESTED CLOSING SONGS

• • Go Make A Difference ~Spirit and Song 213
  • Everlasting God ~Spirit and Song 286
  • Blessed be Your Name ~Spirit and Song 206