Week Two
Wednesday Evening


Greeting and Doxology

PSALM 18:2-4, 26-32

My God, you are my light, a lamp for my darkness.

I love you, God my strength,
my rock, my shelter, my stronghold.

My God, I lean on you,
my shield, my rock,
my champion, my defense.
When I call for help,
I am safe from my enemies.
Praise the Lord!

To those who are faithful
you are faithful,
with those who are honest
you are candid.

To the just you show goodness,
with the perverse you are cunning.
You rescue the humble,
the mighty are brought low.

My God, you are my light,
a lamp for my darkness.
With strength from you, Lord,
I charge the enemy,
I climb their ramparts.

God, your way is perfect,
your work is fire-tried.
You shield all who seek refuge.
Who is God but the Lord?
Who is the rock but our God?

READING: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 14-16

Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and i will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

CANTICLE OF MARY
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.

I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on All ages will call me blest.

For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.

The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
Pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
And lets the rich go hungry.

God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.

INTERCESSIONS
We call upon you, O Christ, our good shepherd, to aid all those in leadership.
For Pope_________________________and Bishop______________________, we pray:
~Inspire them with Gospel vision.
For leaders in ecclesial and religious institutions, we pray:
~Fill them with wisdom.
For rulers in countries, states and all civiv domains, we pray:
 ~Open their eyes to the needs of their citizens.
For parents, teachers and caregivers, we pray:
~Grant them patience and perseverance.
For all who give witness to your presence, we pray:
~Sustain them in their holy efforts
For incorporation ministers, we pray:
~Give them the wisdom and grace they need to accompany new members.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER

Gentle Shepherd, may the leaders of our church, our country, our religious community, find in you the model of compassionate, just and courageous leadership. Inspired by your example, may they be an encouraging and nurturing presence among us. May we challenge and support them in their efforts, so that together, we may be one holyy people making our way to you. We ask this, united in faith. Amen.

BLESSING
May God’s blessing be upon us. Amen
May God’s light lead us in the way of Righteousness. Amen.
May our lives be patterned on Christ Jesus. Amen.