Agape Prayer Service
This information was provided by Church of the Ascension regarding the Agape Prayer Service.
PURPOSE: The Christ Renews His Parish Community and family members gather to pray with and for team members who are about to put on a Renewal Weekend.
TIMING AND LOCATION: The Agape Service is held on Friday night before the Renewal Weekend, after set up is completed. The Service takes place in the Sanctuary of the church. Previous CSD coordinates with current CSD as to time.
SET UP: On the altar, Christ Candle to be used on the upcoming weekend, as well as candles representing all past Ascension teams. Candles for each team member on the current team can be placed on the upper credence table. Candles for the team are decorated with the logo label for the upcoming weekend by previous team as a gift to current team.
Have lighting sticks, ceramic bowl of sand and lighter available to light agape gift candles also on upper credence table.
Programs to hand out at baptismal font
Music CDs and player or other music source
Leave space for Current Team Christ Candle on the altar that will be processed in.
Teams are allowed their own creativity within reason.
The following is a sample of what has been done and worked well. TOTAL TIME 45 min.
PROGRAM: Previous team creates program to be handed out- includes schedule for evening, current team members and ministry and words to songs.
ATTENDEES: Team members, their families, past retreatants and their families are all invited to attend. The immediate past team plans and presents the Agape service for the current team and helps invite community to come as prayer support.
Opening Song
Team processes in singing opening song with Christ candle and is seated together in the front pews to the right. The team hosting the Agape service is seated together in the front to the left.
Opening Prayer and Welcome
Welcome all in attendance, especially those who have not been through Christ Renews – do not use the word “Chirp or Chirps.” Talk about Christ RENEWING. Encourage everyone to participate fully in the evening.
The team planning the Agape Service will determine who will fill each of the roles in the service. This is a good opportunity for those in service roles on the weekend to share their faith in a more public role.
Reflection on meaning of “Agape” 3 minutes can focus on agape love from team to retreatants
A suggested definition of agape from Pope Benedict: “Love – ‘agape” in Greek, ‘caritas’ in Latin – does not mean first of all a charitable act or sentiment, but the spiritual gift, the love of God that the Holy Spirit infuses in the human heart and that leads in turn to giving oneself to God himself and to one’s neighbor.”
Scripture Reflection 3-4 minutes: can focus on gift of team to each other
This can be the Scripture Theme from the weekend the current team attended.
Time allowed should include reading of verses and reflection. To reflect on where they came from
Comments Cards from the Renewal Weekend
The past Lay Director will have comment cards from the weekend the current team attended. Can have a few members read these.—PLEASE DO NOT READ COMMENTS ABOUT SLEEPING IN CHURCH OR FOOTWASHING- thank you.
Scripture Reflection II; 3-5 minutes: can focus on gift of weekend to retreatants
This can be the Scripture Theme for the upcoming weekend. To reflect on where they are going. Time allowed should include reading of verses and reflection.
Introduction of Team 2- by CSD or Father
The team comes up in front as their names and ministries are called.
Signing of the Senses- see page 5
The immediate past team lines up facing the current team for the signing of the Senses (taken from RCIA.) Any past team member may fill in if more signers are needed. Signers need to have participated on past teams.
Passing on of the Light of Christ
Ask current team to come forward and surround the altar then have past team members (this can be 5-10) come to alter and light Agape Gift candles from Christ candle with lighting sticks or lighters and pass to the current team members.
Blessing of the Team
Family members and Christ Renews community are invited to come forward to surrounding the team at alter. Father or Co-Spiritual Director concludes with prayer SPECIFICALLY invoking the name of the Holy Spirit upon the team.
Song of Blessing /Concluding Song: Go Light Your World
Ascension tradition to sing “Go Light Your World” as the team processes out with their candles, or other appropriate song.
Tradition for Men – Chris Rice Version
Tradition for Women – Kathy Tricoli version
PAST CSD instruct CURRENT CSD to lead Current team to gathering space halfway through closing song as the ending- helps move the entire group out of the sanctuary area.
There is no social time following Agape, as team members need to spend time with their families, and get a good rest before the weekend begins. The Agape Services should not be lengthy for the same reason. REMEMBER Agape Service is about the current team and the retreatants that God is calling for the weekend, about passing on the gift of renewal to more in the parish. Please have those that reflect on scripture keep that focus and keep the reflections short – entire service to be less than an hour.