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 Brians 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 hell 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

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 youre happy and you know it)

Youre forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands Youre forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands Youre forgiven and you know, so you really ought to show it, Youre forgiven and you know it, so clap your hands Jesus loves you and you know it, so stamp your feet 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 Jesus loves you and you know it, so stamp your feet 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
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Word
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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 We believe, we believe Lived and died and risen, lived and died and risen You and me, set us free.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit We believe, we believe 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 Aint 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

Its 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 Youre 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 Christs 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!

Lords 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 Dont 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 Youre welcome here, come quite near Share in his body and blood with us It tastes like wine and bread but just

Know that inside its not like that Share the food of God.

<communion and blessings are distributed>

Post Communion Prayer

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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 Lets go and share his love. Amen