READING: Isaiah 49: 1-6 (Recite alternate sides)
Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples.
The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he
gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the
shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I
show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
Yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God.
For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant
from the womb,
And I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God
is now my strength.
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the
survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may
reach to the ends of the earth.
READING: John 3: 1-8
“A certain Pharisee named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, came to him at night. ‘Rabbi,’ he said, ‘we know you are a teacher come from God, for no man can perform signs and wonders such as you perform unless God is with him.’ Jesus gave him this answer: “I solemnly assure you no one can see the reign of God unless he is begotten from above.”
“How can a man be born again once he is old?” retorted Nicodemus. “Can he return to his mother’s womb and be born over again?” Jesus replied: “I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God’s kingdom without being begotten of water and spirit. Flesh begets flesh, Spirit begets spirit. Do not be surprised that I tell you, you must be begotten from above. The wind blows where it will. You hear the sound it makes but you do not know where it comes from, or where it goes. So it is with everyone begotten of the Spirit.”
(SHARED PRAYER OR REFLECTIONS)
INTENTIONS:
We have been baptized - transformed in Jesus Christ – filled with the Spirit who draws us to the Father’s love. Let us now offer our prayers to our Loving God.
Father, we ask your grace and blessing upon all those born this day. Let them know you and the wonders of your love.
Father, be with all parents. May they serve as a witness of your caring concern for their families.
Father, shine the light of your presence upon all young people. Help them to respond to your will with great freedom of mind and heart.
Father, we thank you for the elders in our society. Strengthen and support them as they look forward to the coming of Your Kingdom.
Father, with these prayers, we add our prayers for our own need, the needs of our society, the needs of the world.
(Add any other petitions aloud or in silence.)
RECITE THE OUR FATHER
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me as you will. Whatever you do, I thank you now. I am ready for all, I accept everything. If only your will be done in me and in all creatures. I desire nothing else, my God. Into your hands I commend my Spirit. I give you my soul with all the love of my heart, for I love you, my God, and so need to give, to surrender myself into your hands without measure. I do this with confidence beyond all questioning because you are my Father. Amen.