Nursery Rhyme Mass

Nursery Rhyme Mass

Brian Ogden wrote a wonderful collection of Nativity Plays for Infant School-age children1

which featured fun songs set to the tunes of well-known Nursery Rhymes. For younger

children this is firmly within their culture, and for older children it can be seen as ironic

fun. This Eucharist takes that idea and places it firmly within the sacramental liturgy, but

would not have been possible without Brian’s original genius idea.

Gathering

(to the tune of Here we go round the Mulberry Bush)

We gather round in this holy space

Holy Space, filled with grace

We gather round in this holy space

To do what Jesus taught us

We hear the stories of our King

Eternal life, for us he’ll win

We share his meal and pray with him

And do what Jesus taught us.

In the name of the +Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

Penitential Rite

(to the tune of Ba Ba Black Sheep or Twinkle Twinkle)

Just like lost sheep we have gone astray

Done bad things and run away

So we come to say sorry

Make things better as you see

1 Ogden, B (2002) Nursery Rhyme Nativities Barnabus/BRF. Oxford.

Loving Jesus make anew

Our lives so we can be like you.

Absolution

(to the tune of If you’re happy and you know it)

You’re forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands


You’re forgiven and you know, so you really ought to show it,


Jesus loves you and you know it, so stamp your feet


Jesus loves you and you know it, so you really ought to show it


If you believe that God forgives you, say “We do” “We do”

If you believe that God forgives you, say “We do” “We do”

When you say that you are sorry, you no longer have to worry

God takes away your sin, so say “Amen”. Amen!

Collect

<of the day/season/Sunday/festival>

Word


Creed

(to the tune of frere Jacques)

God our Father, God our Mother

We believe, we believe

who created all things, who created all things

Earth and sea, stars and me.

Christ our Saviour, Christ our Saviour


Lived and died and risen, lived and died and risen

You and me, set us free.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit


Moving here among us, moving here among us

God right here, near as near.

Three in one, three in one

One in three, one in three

God revealing all things, God revealing all things

Dancing free, trinity.

Prayers

(to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)

We thank you Lord for all we have

All we have, all we have

We thank you Lord for all we have

Which you give us

We pray to you for all our friends,

all our friends, all our friends

And all those who need our prayer

Come and help them

We pray for those who are sick or ill

sick or ill, sick or ill

sad or lonely, stressed or ill

Come and help them

Hail Mary full of grace

full of grace, full of grace

The Lord is with you, pray for us

Now and always

And to God we give our prayers

give our prayers, give our prayers

Hear us Lord and help us on

Now and always

Amen!

Peace

(to the tune of This Old Man)

Here we are

One in Christ

Gathered here

Ain’t this nice?

So let us share a sign of peace

A kiss or hug before the feast…

The peace of the Lord be always with you

And also with you

<we share a sign of peace>

Eucharistic Prayer

(to the tune of Michael Row the Boat Ashore or Kum-Bye-Ya)

The Lord is here right now

His spirit with us

Lift up your hearts to him

We lift them up

It’s the right thing to do

Yes, Jesus

Oh yes, we come in prayer

It is right, O Lord

That we come

To worship you

In thanks and praise

We gather here

Hearts and minds

Knowing that

You’re here with us.

Holy, Holy Lord, O Holy God

Our prayers are joined

By the Saints

Blessed is the one

Who comes in peace

Blessed is the Prince of Peace

+Send your Spirit, Lord

On these gifts

So they may be to us

Christ’s Flesh and Blood

As we share in them

May he be with us

And save us by these heavenly gifts

On that night

That he was betrayed

He took the bread

And gave God thanks

“Take this and eat

Of my flesh”

It will become that bread of life

<bells>

And then he took

The cup of wine

He gave God thanks

And bid us drink

“This is my blood

I spill for you

It is a sign that all is new”

<bells>

Let us proclaim

Of our faith

“Christ has died

And has arisen

Christ will come

To us again

O yes, he will return”

And we join

our prayers here now

Angels and Saints

And all in heaven

With Our Lady

and all on earth

So we pray as one voice

Amen, Amen

Let it be so,

Amen, Amen

Let it be so,

Amen, Amen

We say this now,

Amen, O yes, Amen!

Lord’s Prayer

(to the tune of Jack and Jill)

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy na-a-ame.

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread

Forgive us all our si-i-ns

As we forgive

all those us who sin

or trespass against us

Let us not be drawn into

Any kind of temptation

Deliver us

from the evil one

Amen, Amen, Amen.

Agnus Dei

(to the tune of Three Blind Mice)

Lamb of God, Lamb of God

You take away, the sin of the world

Have mercy on us, Lamb of God

Don’t let us stray away from the flock

You take away the sin of the world

So grant us peace

Come and eat, come and drink

You’re welcome here, come quite near

Share in his body and blood with us

It tastes like wine and bread but just

Know that inside it’s not like that

Share the food of God.

<communion and blessings are distributed>

Post Communion Prayer


Blessing & Dismissal

(to the tune of Sing a Song of Sixpence)

May the Lord now +bless you

And keep you all safe

Send you out from here

In a state of grace

Take what we have learned

About Jesus our King

And do what he has taught us

To make the world a better thing.

Go, the Mass has ended

But our service has begun

We heard it straight from Jesus

What it means to live as one

With him now up in heaven

Looking from above

Blessing us in all our work

Let’s go and share his love.

Amen

Nursery Rhyme Mass

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