Third Sunday of Lent

Christ is with us He is with us indeed And so we gather.... In the name of the Father…

Loving Father, make our lives pleasing to you, as we bear the fruits of your love and produce a rich harvest. Grant this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus, you welcome us into your family. Lord Have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Jesus Christ, you bring hope and joy to all who believe in you. Christ have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you wash away the sins of the world. Lord have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke Glory to you, Oh Lord The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

I wonder what you heard in the Gospel today? What was the problem with the fig tree in the story? What did the man want his gardener to do? What did the gardener persuade his master to do? What does this story tell us about God?

As brothers and sisters in one loving family, together let us pray to our Heavenly Father... We pray for followers of Christ; that they may bear the fruit of his love in their lives. Lord in your mercy, Lord hear our prayer. We pray for people whose lives are choked by greed and selfishness; that they may grow in generosity and thoughtfulness. Lord in your mercy, Lord hear our prayer. We pray for people wounded and hurt by pain and suffering; that they may be strengthened by God’s patient care. Lord in your mercy, Lord hear our prayer. Knowing that our heavenly Father is listening, in the silence of our hearts, let us share our own unspoken prayers with him.

Our gesture... While we listen to some quiet music please could teacher’s ask one child from each class to come and collect a gesture from the focal point. The gestures have been created by the children in class 5 to reflect the meaning of our liturgy today!

Let us say this prayer together… Living Lord, may the word of God make our thoughts loving, our words kind and our hearts warm. Amen.

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you walk through the waters, I ’ ll be with you; you will never sink beneath the waves. Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine.

When the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames. Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine. When the fear of loneliness is looming, then remember I am at your side. Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are mine.