To Celebrate Grandparents Day/International Day of Older Persons/Older Americans Month
Environment
The starfish is the symbol of this prayer service. Find, draw, or obtain a starfish and display it prominently with the scriptures.
Gathering Song:
Opening Reading
Reader: One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure in the distance. As he got closer, he realized the figure was that of a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked. “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing a starfish into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t possibly make a difference.”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”
Leader: Let us pray. Creator of life and love, when we were in danger of dying without the hope for eternal life, You sent Jesus to pick us up and “toss us into the life-giving waters.” The sacrifice of His life tells us clearly that each of us is important, and that each of us can make a difference in the lives of others.
As we celebrate …….(Grandparents Day, International Day of Older Persons/Older Americans Month), we who are young ask Your blessings upon our Elders. Each in their own way has made us feel so very special, and each of them has made a difference in the lives of others. May they reap the blessings of their years.
This we ask in Your Name. +Amen
1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm: Hymn –
2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:3-4
Gospel: John 13:31-35
Homily
Prayers of the Gathered Church
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God, and for our elders, for the young and for the not so young, and for their needs.
People: We praise you, God, for the mystery of Your presence among us. Especially this day we remember Your presence in the lives of our elders among us. May we honor them with Your love.
Leader: Let us pray for all who have taught us how to give care, for those who are now caregivers, and for those in need of the care we can give.
People: Grant, O God, tenderness and tenacity, insight and imagination, patience and perseverance to all who give intimate care, and all in need of care.
Leader: Let us pray for all who receive care.
People: Kind and loving God, it is not easy to have the tables turned – to receive rather than to give care, to need a reassuring touch rather than to share one, to be weak when we would like to be strong. Give us graciousness to receive care in your name.
Leader: Let us pray for our elders, who tell us we are special by how they care for us, and who are special because they have shared with us the gift of their time.
People: O God, on the cross you remembered Your mother saying to the friend He loved, “Here is your mother.” Mature and strengthen us so that we too may see the needs of those who have cared for us.
Leader: Let us pray for ourselves as we age.
People: God, please us in touch with our own aging. Help us to value our years both as a gift and as a chance to demonstrate to others that they are special in Your eyes.
Leader: God of Compassion, we pray for all those in special need this day. We especially name in prayer……………………. God, in your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Into Your hands, God, we commend all for who we pray, young and old, trusting in Your mercy and love; through Your Son, Jesus the Christ
People: +Amen
Leader: Those of you who have not reached the age of 65, please stand. ( Pause) You are special in God’s eyes. Recognize the gifts God has given you on your life’s journey – your friends, the people dearest to you, parents and grandparents, moments of special and warm remembering. God has entered your life through the sacramental life of the Church. God continues to tell you in many ways that He will never leave or abandon you. So I ask each of you, do you pledge to celebrate God’s love for you by sharing that love with others, remembering especially those older and their needs, welcoming their wisdom, cherishing their friendship, remembering them to be temples where God resides, and seeking ways to include them in your playing, praying, and working together to serve God and one another?
People: Yes, with God’s help.
Leader: All of you whom God has given the gift of years beyond 65, please stand. (Pause) You too are special in God’s eyes. Recognize the gifts God has given you on your life’s journey – your friends, the people dearest to you, and grandchildren, moments of special and warm remembering. God has entered your life through the sacramental life of the Church. God continues to tell you in many ways that He will never leave or abandon you. So I ask each of you, do you pledge to celebrate God’s love for you by sharing that love with others? Will you seek new expressions of service that promote healing, reconciliation, growth, and justice?
People: Yes, with God’s help.
Leader: Thanks be to God.
Let us now share with one another an appropriate sign of peace.
Closing Blessing: (Leader)