THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION:
ONE: In Luke’s Gospel we read that Jesus, at the table with two of the disciples, took bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, and their eyes were opened, and they recognized the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.
In the Acts of the Apostles we read that as the church was gathered, often in the homes of the believers, Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and community, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.
ALL: Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, we gather at your table to know you in the breaking of the bread.
COMMUNION PRAYER:
ONE: Holy God, we praise and bless you for creation and the gift of life and for your abiding love which brings us close to you, the source of all blessing. We thank you for revealing your will for us in the giving of the law and in the preaching of the prophets.
ONE: We thank you especially that in the fullness of time you sent Jesus, born of Mary, to live in our midst, to share in our suffering, and to accept the pain of death at the hands of those whom Jesus loved. We rejoice that in a perfect victory over the grave you raised Christ with power to become sovereign in your realm. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to gather your church by which your work may be done in the world and through which we share the gift of eternal life.
ALL: With the faithful in every place and time, we praise with joy your holy name: Holy, holy, holy, God of love and majesty, the whole universe speaks of your glory, O God Most High.
ONE: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, Jesus also took the cup, after supper, saying: “This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
PASTOR JOHN: Consecrate, therefore, by your Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, and bless us that as we receive them at this table, we may offer you our faith and praise, we may be united with Christ and with one another, and we may continue faithful in all things.
In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you have called us to serve you. Amen.
BREAKING BREAD AND POURING WINE:
Through the broken bread we participate in the body of Christ.
Through the cup of blessing we participate in the new life Christ gives.
SHARING THE ELEMENTS:
Eat this, for it is the body of Christ, broken for you.
Drink this, for it is the blood of Christ, shed for you.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
ALL: We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received all Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Leave a Reply