MusixFinest Liturgies

Gospel Reflection

What are your conversations with God like? Are they a laundry list of things you wish you had? Do you ever complain of the life you were born into or the situations you find yourself in? Do you pray for a savior from all your troubles and worries? Do you ever wonder if He cares or is even listening…or worse, wonder if He even exists?? Chances are, then, that you have a lot in common with the disciples who encountered Jesus on their way to Emmaus.

They were so consumed with themselves that they couldn’t see Jesus standing there right in front of them. They were so scared of what life would be like without Him that they forgot He would live forever in their hearts and minds. They were so busy searching for answers to questions they had that they failed to realize He had already answered them.

Sometimes, a kind word from a stranger can pick us up and give us hope that things will turn around. Or maybe, all it takes is a simple change in perspective to see God’s grace already manifested in our lives.

So, what if the trials that we face in this life are simply God’s mercies in disguise? What if to see the sunshine, we must first walk through a couple of storms? What if we have to experience betrayal and hurt and pain and suffering to know how amazing God’s love and mercy could be? What if we had to witness the destructiveness of evil in order to be capable of overcoming it with good?

We have to remember that God has our best interests at heart and that He would never give us more than we couldn’t handle on our own. And besides, this life is just temporary, and there will come a day when God calls us home to be with Him.

 “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’
or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

After all, Jesus’ death on the cross opened the gates of Heaven and made a reunion with our Creator possible again.

Gathering | This Is the Day

This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad___in it

Preparation of the Gifts | Open My Eyes

Open my eyes, Lord
Help me to see Your face
Open my eyes, Lord
Help me to see

Open my ears, Lord
Help me to hear Your voice
Open my ears, Lord
Help me to hear

Open my heart, Lord
Help me to love like You
Open my heart, Lord
Help me to love

Communion | Purify My Heart (Refiner’s Fire)

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold
and precious silver

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold
pure gold

Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
is to be___holy
set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be___holy
set apart for You, my Master
ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
and make me holy

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
deep within

Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
is to be___holy
set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be___holy
set apart for You, my Master
ready to do Your will

Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
is to be___holy
set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be___holy
set apart for You, my Master
ready to do Your will
ready to do Your will

Closing | Jesus Reigns

Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Forever and ever
Forever and ever, Amen

Awakened to the light
darkness has been conquered
Eternal life
we now know the way
No fear and strife
Ev’rything is different
Jesus has been raised

We can never be the same
our eyes are open
We must proclaim

Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Forever and ever
Forever and ever, Amen

Gospel Reflection

How must it have felt to be one of Jesus’ followers just days after His death? The man they lived with, ate with, and prayed with had just been brutally tortured and killed for all to see. He was their brother, their teacher, their friend. He was supposed to be their Messiah. How easily did fear and doubt creep in to cloud their memories of the miracles He performed and the wonders they had seen? If He was God, how could He have let this happen?

Does this sound familiar? How many times does God have to manifest in blessings for us to truly believe? How many times do we forget His saving power and love in the midst of tragedy and/or hardship? Why is it much easier to point fingers or wallow in our misery or lose our minds thinking of what-ifs than it is to believe that God could ever care for us or help us?

Don’t worry. God knows all this. He knows you and me. He knows how skeptical we are. And this is WHY the Resurrection took place. It isn’t easy to believe that God would send His only Begotten Son to earth just to be mocked and ridiculed and ultimately murdered…because God’s plan didn’t end there. It isn’t easy to believe in a risen Lord if Jesus’ disciples hadn’t found the stone rolled to the side and the tomb empty. It isn’t easy to understand Jesus’ pain and suffering on the cross without Jesus first allowing Thomas to feel the holes in His hands, feet, and side. We would never know God today had the disciples not been convinced of His story to tell it.

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never die…” We are blessed to know this familiar passage from scripture because of the brave men and women who ensured its survival over time. Oftentimes, though, we forget its truth and the comfort it brings. Repeat these words to yourself whenever you feel lost or troubled. Hold on to them. Keep them close to your heart. And when a new day rises, bringing you out of the darkness, remember that God’s plan doesn’t end there. “Go into the whole world and [tell the Good News].”

Gathering | Sweet Redeemer

King of Kings
blessed Jesus
hand of mercy
giver of grace

I have come
to sing glory
to lay my heart
before You in this place

Refrain
Sweet redeemer
I surrender
all I am to You

Repeat refrain

I was lost
and You found me
in the darkness
You were my light

When I fell down
You forgave me
lifted me up
and held me to Your side

Refrain
Sweet redeemer
I surrender
all I am to You

Repeat refrain X times

Mass Setting | Mass of St. Ann

Click here for videos and lyrics

Responsorial Psalm | Ps. 118 This Is the Day

R./ This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad___in it

Repeat

I will give thanks to the Lord
for He is good to me
and the love of the Lord endures forever

R./ This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad___in it

He is my strength and my song
for He has rescued me
and the love of the Lord is my salvation

R./ This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad___in it

This is the day of the Lord
Let all creation sing
for the love of the Lord will never fail us

R./ This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad___in it

Preparation of the Gifts | We Bring Our Gifts to the Altar

We bring our gifts to Your altar, O Lord God of hosts
We lay them at the foot of Your throne
We bring our gifts to Your altar, O Lord God of hosts
We offer them to praise You alone
We bring our gifts to Your altar, O Lord

We bring our hearts to Your altar, O Lord God of hosts
Unite them with the heart of Your Son
For He offered His life as a ransom for sin
By His death the victory is won
We bring our hearts to Your altar, O Lord

Prepare our hearts to receive You, O Lord God of hosts
Cleanse us and wash away our sins
We sing Your praise with the angels and saints at Your throne
For this is where Heaven enters in
Prepare our hearts to receive You, O Lord

We bring our gifts to Your altar, O Lord God of hosts
May our sacrifice be pleasing in Your sight
Fruit of the earth and work of human hands
Which will become for us the Bread of Life
We bring our gifts to Your altar, O Lord

We bring our gifts to Your altar, O Lord

Communion | Do This In Memory of Me

I am the bread of life
all who believe in Me will have eternal life
I am the bread of life
come down from Heaven so that all who eat this bread
will never die

Take the living bread of life
take the cup of sacrifice
do this in memory of me
Take the body and the blood
given freely out of love
do this in memory of me
do this in memory of me

I am the bread of life
whoever comes to Me will not hunger again
I am the bread of life
no one can come to Me unless the Father draws them
near to Him

Take the living bread of life
take the cup of sacrifice
do this in memory of me
Take the body and the blood
given freely out of love
do this in memory of me
do this in memory of me

Amen I say unless you eat the Son of Man and His blood drink
You will not have My life within nor will you be raised up again
Amen I say unless you eat the Son of Man and His blood drink
I cannot raise you up again

Take the living bread of life
take the cup of sacrifice
do this in memory of me
Take the body and the blood
given freely out of love
do this in memory of me
do this in memory of me
do this in memory of me
do this in memory of me

Reflection | Hallelujah Is Our Song

What hope we have
even in the longest night
for the light will overcome
We will not fear
for we know the sun will rise
Hallelujah is our song

What peace we have
even in this wounded world
where the battle rages on
We will not fear
for we know who heals our souls
Hallelujah is our song

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song

What joy we have
for the stone is rolled away
and the tomb holds nothing now
No sting of death
no power over sin or grave
Hallelujah is our song

What hope we have,
even in the longest night
for the light will overcome
And we shall live
sinners, we will rise to saints
Hallelujah is our song

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song
Hallelujah is our song
Hallelujah is our song

Closing | Jesus Reigns

Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Forever and ever
Forever and ever, Amen

Repeat

Awakened to the light
darkness has been conquered
Eternal life
we now know the way
No fear and strife
Ev’rything is different
Jesus has been raised

We can never be the same
our eyes are open
We must proclaim

Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Forever and ever
Forever and ever, Amen

Repeat

Everywhere That I Go

I belong to You
You belong to me, Lord
I’m surrounded everywhere that I go
I will walk with You
You will walk with me, Lord
I’m surrounded everywhere that I go

I belong to You
You belong to me, Lord
I’m surrounded everywhere that I go
I will walk with You
You will walk with me, Lord
I’m surrounded everywhere that I go

And I am Yours
And You are mine
All mine!

You promise me
You’ll never leave
You promise me
I’m never forsaken
I believe___goodness and mercy will follow me
surrounding me where I go
everywhere that I go

I belong to You
You belong to me, Lord
I’m surrounded everywhere that I go
I will walk with You
You will walk with me, Lord
I’m surrounded everywhere that I go

And I am Yours
And You are mine
All mine!

You promise me
You’ll never leave
You promise me
I’m never forsaken
I believe___goodness and mercy will follow me
surrounding me where I go
everywhere that I go

You, Lord, are a shield around me
everywhere, everywhere that I go
You, Lord, are a shield around me
everywhere, everywhere that I go
You, Lord, are a shield around me
everywhere, everywhere that I go
Your grace and love surround me
everywhere, everywhere that I go

You promise me
You’ll never leave
You promise me
I’m never forsaken
I believe___goodness and mercy will follow me
surrounding me where I go
everywhere that I go

Spirit, Touch Your Church

Lord, we need Your grace and mercy
We need to pray like never before
We need the power of Your Holy Spirit
To open Heaven’s door

Spirit, touch Your church
Stir the hearts of men
Revive us, Lord
with Your passion once again
I want to care for others
like Jesus cares for me
Let Your rain fall upon me

Lord, we humbly come before You
We don’t deserve of You what we ask
But we long to see Your glory
Restore this dying land

Spirit, touch Your church
Stir the hearts of men
Revive us, Lord
with Your passion once again
I want to care for others
like Jesus cares for me
Let Your rain fall upon me

Spirit, touch Your church
Stir the hearts of men
Revive us, Lord
with Your passion once again
I want to care for others
like Jesus cares for me
Let Your rain fall upon me
Let Your rain fall upon me
Let Your rain fall upon me

The Power of Your Love/I Give You My Heart [To be used for OC Anniversary]

Lord, I come to You
let my heart be changed, renewed
flowing from the grace___that I found___in You
Lord, I’ve come to know
the weaknesses I see___in me
will be stripped away___by the pow’r of Your love

Hold___me close
let Your love surround___me
Bring me near
draw me to Your side
And as___I wait
I’ll rise up like the ea___gle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
in the pow’r of Your love

Lord, unveil my eyes
let me see You face to face
the knowledge of Your love___as You live__in me
Lord, renew my mind
as Your will unfolds___in my life
In living everyday___by the pow’r of Your love

Hold___me close
let Your love surround___me
Bring me near
draw me to Your side
And as___I wait
I’ll rise up like the ea___gle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
in the pow’r of Your love

Hold___me close
let Your love surround___me
Bring me near
draw me to Your side
And as___I wait
I’ll rise up like the ea___gle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
in the pow’r of Your love

And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
in the pow’r of Your love

[Singing in the spirit/Praising]

I give You my heart
I give You my soul

Repeat X times

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
And I live for You alone
With ev’ry breath that I take
Ev’ry moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me

Repeat

Gospel Reflection

Why does God constantly forgive us when we seek His forgiveness? Why does He forgive us for sins we seem to commit over and over again? Why does He see beauty in us when all we see is a mess? And even in the times we don’t want to be found, why does He continue looking for us? Why does He hold on tighter when all we want to do is let go?

Maybe, all God wants is to see us happy again, when all sin does is take away our smiles. Maybe, He understands how unsteady we are in our footsteps and is always ready to catch us when we fall. Maybe, He sees what we can become, with just a little bit of encouragement and a little bit of His grace. And maybe, just maybe, because He knew us before we were even born, He can’t ever forget who we are.

This is God. Our Father. Our protector. Our provider. The world may stop caring about you, but He never will. The world may judge you and put you down, but He never will. The world may want to hurt you, but He never will. So, stop loving the world, and love the one person that will always love you back.

Abba…

Gathering | We Gather In Love

We come to gather in our weakness
to reconnect as seekers
and worship one true God
We come to gather with the broken
whose words may go unspoken
We gather all as one

United in one Spirit
each different in appearance
all are welcome in the house of God
We gather in love

We come to claim the truth in Jesus
who gave His life to free us
and show us how to love
We come to light our lives on fire
With mercy, we inspire
and gather all as one

United in one Spirit
each different in appearance
all are welcome in the house of God
We gather in love
We gather in love

Responsorial Psalm | Ps. 126 The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us

R./ The Lord has done great things,
has done great things for us
The Lord has done great things,
we are filled with joy

Repeat

When He brought back the captives of Zion
we were like men dreaming
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
and our tongue with rejoicing

R./ The Lord has done great things,
has done great things for us
The Lord has done great things,
we are filled with joy

Restore our fortunes, O Lord
like the torrents in the southern desert
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing

R./ The Lord has done great things,
has done great things for us
The Lord has done great things,
we are filled with joy

Repeat

Preparation of the Gifts | Grace

My heart is so proud.
My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me
as great things I have done.
And now You gently break me,
then lovingly You take me
And hold me as my Father
and mold me as my maker.

I ask you: “How many times will You pick me up,
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?”
And You answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face,
You’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

At times I may grow weak
and feel a bit discouraged,
Knowing that someone, somewhere
could do a better job.
For who am I to serve You?
I know I don’t deserve You.
And that’s the part that burns in my heart
and keeps me hanging on.

I ask you: “How many times will You pick me up,
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?”
And You answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face,
You’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

You are so patient with me, Lord.

As I walk with You, I’m learning
what Your grace really means.
The price that I could never pay
was paid at Calvary.
So, instead of trying to repay You,
I’m learning to simply obey You
By giving up my life to You
For all that You’ve given to me.

I ask you: “How many times will You pick me up,
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?”
And You answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face,
You’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”

Communion | We Come to You

By Your body and blood
by Your life and Your love
renew us
May Your sacrifice be
forgiveness in me
heal us

We come to You
We come to You
Broken___hungry
We come to You
We come to You
Make us whole again

In the Body of Christ
we are brought to new life
restore us
May the Flesh that we eat
and the Blood that we drink
save us

We come to You
We come to You
Broken___hungry
We come to You
We come to You
Make us whole again

By the faith we profess
and the sins we confess
mold us
We are brought to our knees
at the altar of peace
change us

We come to You
We come to You
Broken___hungry
We come to You
We come to You
Make us whole again

Reflection after Communion | My Life In You

Where can I run and hide from you?
Or could I ever do?
When everywhere I know You’re there
Anywhere You’ll find me.
Where could I go to flee from You?
Or could I ever do?
When Your hands keep holding me,
Guiding me around me

God, I know that You are there
You know who I am and all I do
God, You see me through and through
Take my hand I trust in You
I put my life in You

You know me when I sit or stand
My life is in Your hand
You read my thoughts from far away
In everything You know me
You know me in my darkest hour
You give me strength and pow’r.
You are there beside me
Watching me for always

God, I know that You are there
You know who I am and all I do
God, You see me through and through
Take my hand I trust in You
I put my life in You
I put___my life____in You

There is no Closing song.

Gospel Reflection

Do we really believe that Jesus is the Son of God? That He is our Lord and Savior? That He is the way, the truth, and the life? That no one can go to the Father, except through Him? As little children, we are taught this. We learn of the miracles He performed, the parables that He shared, the tragic ending that befell Him, and the unbelievable resurrection where our superhero came back to life. As we grow older, the story reads more like a fairy tale than a history book–more fantasy than reality.

Sure, we still say that Jesus is God, that He died to redeem our sins, and that by believing in Him, we’ll go to Heaven someday. But we also turn our backs on Him when we sin. We ignore Him when other things come in the way of us going to Sunday Mass. We look away from Him when a homeless person asks us for change. We make Him feel insignificant when we belittle our spouses, our parents, or our children. We forget His Word when we watch pornography, violent movies, or brainless television. We say thanks, but no thanks to His other-worldly promises in favor of consumerism and instant gratification.

How are we any better than the Jews who denied their Messiah, the ones who succeeded at killing Jesus? Maybe, we aren’t. But it’s not too late to choose a different side. And more importantly, Jesus has not given up on you. Lay down your pride and start believing again. Confess your sins and be reunited with Him in the Eucharist. Pray to God and make Him the center of your (family) life. Do good and inspire others to do the same.

Just because our God isn’t living and breathing, doesn’t mean He isn’t alive or that He no longer has the power to change lives or heal people or turn evil away. Our God is, was, and will always be! Never changing, always loving!

Let your actions speak His truth!

Gathering | There Is None Like You

Refrain only
There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
And I could search for all eternity long
And find___there is none like You
There is none like You

Preparation of the Gifts | One True God

One voice in the dark
a song that lights up the stars
one breath___that gives life
One sov’reign in pow’r
who speak with thunder and fire
one Lord, one King
There is no other___that can compare to You

You are___the One alone in greatness
the One who never changes
Jesus___You are___the One who rose in power
the One who reigns forever
Jesus___the one true God
You’re the one true God
You’re the one true God

Communion | My Life in You

Where can I run and hide from you?
Or could I ever do?
When everywhere I know You’re there
Anywhere You’ll find me.
Where could I go to flee from You?
Or could I ever do?
When Your hands keep holding me,
Guiding me around me

God, I know that You are there
You know who I am and all I do
God, You see me through and through
Take my hand I trust in You
I put my life in You

You know me when I sit or stand
My life is in Your hand
You read my thoughts from far away
In everything You know me
You know me in my darkest hour
You give me strength and pow’r.
You are there beside me
Watching me for always

God, I know that You are there
You know who I am and all I do
God, You see me through and through
Take my hand I trust in You
I put my life in You
I put my life in You

There is no Closing song.