The start of the Mass.
NOTE: Text in italics is for information only and NOT TO BE SPOKEN ALOUD
Notices are to be read at the beginning of all services The congregation is to be informed that
We are commemorating Word Aids day today.
The stand for the Easter candle will be placed in a front central location (at St Thomas' Linden - between the choir stalls for 08:00, in front of the steps for the 09:45). A person carrying the unlit Easter Candle will join the procession behind the Deacon carrying the bible. The introit hymn will be announced and the procession / singing begun.
The procession and singing will be interrupted once the procession of the bible has reached the lectern. In the silence the Easter candle will be placed in the stand and the congregation addressed by the candle bearer before lighting the candle :
There are only two kinds of people in Africa :
those infected with HIV/Aids
those affected by HIV/Aids
The candle is lit (using matches / taper from the votive candle stand. Assistance given by of one of the servers?) and the congregation addressed by the candle bearer :
Christ died for all - without exception
Christ is the light of all - without exception
The procession continues and the candle bearer takes a place in the pews.The order of the Mass continues as normal till the readings.
The readings.
First reading : James 1:19-20; 22-27 (Member of HIV/AIDS response team)
(Psalm : 103 verses 1-12)
Gospel : John 13:3-17 (The Deacon.)
The prayers.
The member of the HIV/AIDS response team goes to the lectern, and informs the congregation that
The prayers will include the words "Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer" and the response is "and let our cry come unto you."
For those infected
Lord, you know that nobody wants to get HIV and that it comes by many means :
sometimes through accident,
sometimes as an inheritance to the innocent,
sometimes through ignorance of your ways,
sometimes as a consequence of the willful act of others,
sometimes as a result of pride, arrogance and other expressions of human frailty and sin.
Always it brings to the fore the great issues of life - its meaning, our value, eternity, what it means to love, our relationships with others, our relationship with you. Lord we pray for all who have been diagnosed as HIV positive that, as they have to come to terms with all the implications to themselves and their loved ones, they may know that your love for and acceptance of them is unbounded. Let your love encourage them to live each day to the full in the hope of the resurrection.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto you.
For those affected by their near and dear.
Lord we remember before you the family, friends and other loved ones of those diagnosed as HIV positive. They too have had their trusts, hopes and expectations of life turned upside down. They too have to come to terms with all the implications of the sickness that has come uninvited into their lives. Give them grace to recognise their own humanity and frailty, that they may forgive whoever and whatever they are tempted to blame; thus healed and set free may they grow in the sacrificial love which reflects your life, death and resurrection to the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto you.
For those who are ill - including those with AIDS
We pray for those in trouble, sorrow, need sickness or any other adversity especially ..... those named on the pew leaflet. We give thanks to you that for so many of us we have access to hospitals, doctors, nurses, medicines and places of comfort in our time of need.
Lord we bring before you those who are suffering from AIDS, often denied access to the simplest of medicines to offer some hope and relief, often having to be nursed by their children who have no knowledge of what to do and how best to do things, often in very poor and difficult conditions where the best that can be done is far less than could be done. Lord forgive us for failing to serve you in them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto you.
For the dead and dying.
We remember with thanksgiving your servants who have gone before, especially ..... name those years minds named on the pew leaflet, as well as any who died this week.
We pray for all those who are at present dying from whatever cause, particularly those with AIDS who may be in a community with few facilities, or in institutions away from those that remain of their family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto you.
For all care givers
We give you thanks, Lord, for all those you have called to minister to the sick and needy;
doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and those trained in all branches of medicine,
those who care for orphans by adoption, fostering and in institutions,
those who seek the outcasts of our society on the streets and refuse dumps and bring them comfort,
those who provide the food, shelter and other material needs of other people,
those who provide home care to friends and relations,
those who teach and empower others to gain dignity by helping themselves,
those who sew, knit and make things as gifts for the less fortunate,
those who carry your words of comfort to your people.
Strengthen and encourage them all, Lord, so that they may joyfully show forth your love in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto you.
For the Church (includes ourselves) & leaders
Lord in your wisdom you have brought together all sorts & conditions of persons into your church, inspiring some to deal with present realities, some to plan and work to bring about an HIV negative generation. So we pray for the equipping of your church with the blessings of the Spirit - especially wisdom, knowledge and prophecy - that we may be united in the knowledge of your perfect will for these times, strengthened and made eager for the task so that your blessings may flow to all people.
We give you thanks for the inspired leaders you have raised up in your church and pray that they may be diligent and fearless as they respond to you calling. We give thanks for the response to the programme for Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV, for the programme of action for prevention of mother to child transmission, for the challenge to the government of this land to make medication available to those our brothers and sisters in need.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
and let our cry come unto you.
Closing.
Merciful Father, accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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