“L” refers to the leader(s) of worship and is chosen from those churches present at worship.
“A” refers to the assembly gathered for worship.
“R” refers a reader.

THE GATHERING

INTRODUCTORY HYMN

During the singing of the introductory hymn, church leaders and representatives enter. They are led by a participant carrying the Bible for all to see. The Bible is placed in a place of honor in the center of the worshipping community.

WORDS OF WELCOME

L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
A: And also with you.

L: Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, we have assembled here to pray for unity among Christians and reconciliation in the world. Divisions among Christians have existed for many centuries. This causes great pain and is contrary to God’s will. We believe in the power of prayer. Together with Christians all over the world, we offer our prayers as we seek to overcome separation.

The resources for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by different Christian Churches in Malta. The history of Christianity in this small island nation dates back to the time of the apostles. According to tradition, St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, reached the shores of Malta in the year 60 CE. The narrative describing this eventful and providential episode is conveyed to us in the final two chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.

This text signals the beginning of Christianity in Malta – a small country made up of two main inhabited islands, Malta and Gozo, as well as other islets – at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, halfway between the southern tip of Sicily and Northern Africa. This biblical land lies at the crossroads of civilizations, cultures and religions.

Our prayers and reflections, today, and during this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, are centered on the hospitality shown by the islanders towards those who had just been shipwrecked: “They showed us unusual kindness” (cf. Acts 28:2). May the love and respect we show each other today as we pray for Christian unity be with us throughout the whole year.

INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

L: Spirit of love, come upon this assembly and dwell among us.
A: Come, Holy Spirit! (or Veni Sancte Spiritus!)
L: Spirit of unity, show us the path towards Christian unity.
A: Come, Holy Spirit!
L: Spirit of hospitality, teach us to be welcoming.
A: Come, Holy Spirit!
L: Spirit of compassion, instill within us an attitude of respect to all those whom we meet.
A: Come, Holy Spirit!
L: Spirit of hope, help us to detach ourselves from all hindrances to our ecumenical journey.
A: Come, Holy Spirit!

PRAYERS OF PARDON AND RECONCILIATION

(The response to each prayer may be sung by a cantor and repeated by the whole congregation.)

L: Forgive us, Lord, for past mistakes, mistrust and misdeeds between Christians from different Churches and traditions.
A: Lord, have mercy! (or Kyrie eleison!)
L: Forgive us, Lord, for remaining in the darkness rather than seeking the path of Light; for you, O Lord, are the only true Light.
A: Lord, have mercy!
L: Forgive us, Lord, for our lack of faith and for our failure to be people of expectant hope and authentic charity.
A: Lord, have mercy!
L: Forgive us, Lord, for having caused pain, hardship and anguish to others.
A: Lord, have mercy!
L: Forgive us, Lord, for isolating ourselves and remaining indifferent, instead of showing hospitality to all, especially strangers and refugees.
A: Lord, have mercy!
L: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:8.11-12).
A: Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE

LISTENING TO THE LIVING WORD OF GOD

L: Father in heaven, open our hearts and minds to your Word.Father in heaven, open our hearts and minds to your Word.
A: Your words are spirit and life!

L: Lead us to grow closer to each other in unity and charity.
A: Your word is a lamp on our path!

READING: ACTS 27:18 – 28:10

R: This is the Word of the Lord.
A: Thanks be to God who saves and who heals.

PSALM: PSALM 107:8-9.19-22.28-32

(A cantor may sing this Psalm and the congregation is invited to sing the Response.)

A: The Lord has delivered us from the mighty waves.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
For he satisfies the thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things. R/.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
he sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction. R/.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
and tell of his deeds with songs of joy. R/.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out from their distress;
he made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven. R/.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders. R/.

(An Alleluia acclamation may be sung before and after the Gospel reading.)

GOSPEL: MARK 16:14-20

R: This is the Word of the Lord.
A: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. You are the Good News!

SERMON

HYMN

THE NICENE CREED

L: Dear brothers and sisters, as we are united in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us proclaim our common faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
A: We believe in one God...

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

(During the prayers, eight oars (or oar-shaped models) are brought into the assembly by members of different communities. Each oar bears a single word – Reconciliation, Enlightenment, Hope, Trust, Strength, Hospitality, Conversion and Generosity. The presentation of an oar introduces each of the petitions. After the oar has been held high, it is placed near or in the boat and a time of silent prayer follows. A reader then announces the corresponding petition and all respond.)

L: We cannot face the storms of life alone. A boat moves forward when all row together.
In the face of difficulties we recognize the need to pull together and to unite our efforts. Let us pray:
(In silent prayer, the first oar, Reconciliation, is brought forward. The remaining oars are brought forward with each petition)
R: Gracious God, heal the painful memories of the past which have wounded our churches and continue to keep us apart.
A: Hear our prayer for Reconciliation.
R: Gracious God, teach us to fix our course on Christ, the True Light.
A: Hear our prayer for Enlightenment.
R: Gracious God, strengthen our confidence in your providence when we feel overwhelmed by the storms of life.
A: Hear our prayer for Hope.
R: Gracious God, transform our many separations into harmony and our mistrust into mutual acceptance.
A: Hear our prayer for Trust.
R: Gracious God, give us the courage to speak the truth with justice in love.
A: Hear our prayer for Strength.
R: Gracious God, dismantle the barriers, visible and invisible, that prevent us from welcoming our sisters and brothers who are in peril or in need.
A: Hear our prayer for Hospitality.
R: Gracious God, change our hearts and the hearts of our Christian communities, that we may be agents of your healing.
A: Hear our prayer for Conversion.
R: Gracious God, open our eyes to see the whole of creation as your gift, and our hands to share its fruit in solidarity.
A: Hear our prayer for Generosity.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

L: One in Jesus Christ, let us pray together in the words he taught us.
A: Our Father in heaven...

GREETING OF PEACE

L: The people of Malta welcomed Paul and his companions with unusual kindness. Let us greet each other and share the peace which is Christ’s gift to us.

DISMISSAL

(We are sent out together to proclaim the Good News.)
L: We have come together as Christians, and therefore as fellow disciples. As we yearn for Christian unity, let us commit ourselves anew to work for this common goal.
(Pause for silent prayer)

BLESSING

(Church leaders who are present may join in proclaiming the Prayer of Blessing.)

L: May God the Father, who called us from darkness into light, make us true bearers of God’s light.
A: Amen.
L: May God the Son, who redeemed us by his precious blood, empower us to follow his example in serving others.
A: Amen.
L: May God the Holy Spirit, who is Lord and giver of life, strengthen us to endure the shipwrecks of life and reach the shores of salvation.
A: Amen.
L: May the Almighty and Merciful God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless and protect us now and forever.
A: Amen.
L: We will set out together, to proclaim the wonders of God’s love.
A: Amen! Alleluia! Amen!

CONCLUDING HYMN