We've identified centrally with the theme of Love in the second reading. In the first reading God says to us through the prophet that He has chosen us, appointed us, dedicated us as prophets to proclaim the Word to the nations without fear for He is our strength. We found the Gospel hard to understand, but think it flows from the first reading in that a prophet's work is not easy - proclaiming the good news will meet resistance and challenges.
Prelude: Power of Your Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The opening lines of this song are appropriate for a prelude, "Lord I come to You / Let my heart be changed, renewed ...." Preparing ourselves to approach the table where we will hear the call to proclaim the Word and to Love, we ask God to surround us with His love and ask "Your Spirit lead me on / In the power of Your love"
Gathering: Love Has Come (Maher) SS2-297
http://www.spiritandsong.com/
A generally resounding praise song to God that speaks of "prophets", "voice", "Word" and "love" that are major themes of the readings. (suggest skipping the bridge for congregational singing.)
or
Gather Your People (Hurd)
http://cdn.ocp.org/shared/mp3/
The song Gather Your People is a general purpose gathering song that echos the last two weeks' theme of the Body of Christ and tying it with "one spirit of love"; "brothers and sisters ... Free us, O Lord, from hardness of heart"
Psalm: Psalm 71 - I Will Sing (Haas) Gather Comprehensive 71
http://www.mycatholicvoice.
or
Psalm 71 - I Will Sing (Bolduc, Colson)
http://www.ocp.org/
Preview of Sheet Music PDF here:
http://cdn.ocp.org/shared/pdf/
Gospel Acclamation: (Sung to Mass of Glory)
He sent me to bring | glad ti-dings | to_ the po-or
And to proclaim | to the ca-ptives |_ li-ber-ty-y-y
Preparation: Ubi Caritas (Rosania)
http://cdn.ocp.org/shared/mp3/
I think this song speaks (sings) for itself about the theme of love: "Where true charity and love dwell, God himself is there." You have several options of this song, one by Hurd, and the Taize version have been sung by our group before.
Communion: You Are Near (Schutte)
http://cdn.ocp.org/shared/mp3/
Hearing our call to go out and proclaim the Word, being Christ to one another, we trust in God to protect, lead and guide us as we read in the First Reading. You could also interchange You Are Near with Ubi Caritas.
Meditation: Nothing Without You (Norman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
A response to the First Reading heading to the call for us to be prophets, but recognizing that we rely on God for the strength to lift our hands, to pour out our voice: covered by God's love, the world will see Him, not us - for we are nothing without Him.
or
You Alone (Hart/Liles)
http://www.spiritandsong.com/
A beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving, "Love is you alone ... Greater love has not been known / than that for which you gave / your only son"
Sending: With One Voice (Manalo)
http://cdn.ocp.org/shared/mp3/
This is a response to the First Reading and Gospel where we learn that we are dedicated by God to be prophets of the Word; so we "take the Word and go out to eve'ry land: shine the light of Christ for all to see!"
Ben and Mars
