Invitation to the Meal
Friends, the year may be new,
but the story is old and worth retelling:
Christ gave his life that we might live our own
knowing we are loved, forgiven, and freed.
So come to this communion meal
with the joy of children
sitting down to a good breakfast.
Know that you are welcomed and wanted here,
just the way you are.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving + The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God, you take delight in beginnings.
You were there before creation,
marking out plans for earth and sea and sky.
You were there in Eden,
shaping humanity in your image.
You were there in Egypt,
making a path through the waters
for slaves to take flight.
You were there in the desert,
shaping a people with your law and your love.
You were there in the kingdom,
when wars and greed made for long years.
You were there in exile,
when they feared all was lost.
You were there at the homecoming,
a new beginning for your people.
And you were there in a stable,
as the word made flesh
a crying infant who would change the world.
In Jesus you began again,
to teach and heal us,
guide and chide us,
welcome and warn us
this time right up close.
And even on the cross,
when the sky darkened and the earth shook,
and it felt like everything was at an end
you were planning a new day.
So on Easter morning the world began again
with death defeated,
and love having won the day.
O Lord our God, we remember the old story
and live in hope of new beginnings still:
creation made whole, suffering ceased,
peace on earth, and goodwill among all.
Spirit, pour yourself out in this place,
and in all places that need a touch of renewal.
Make this ordinary bread and juice
the sign for us of Christ’s amazing grace.
Make of our ordinary lives
the sign for others of Christ’s amazing grace.
And so we join together in the words Christ taught us, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Words of Institution
On the night before he died, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Sharing of the Bread and Cup
Closing Prayer
Holy Lord, you have fed us: teach us to feed others.
You have forgiven us: teach us to forgive.
You have welcomed us: teach us to welcome others.
You have given us your life: teach us to share it with others.
Begin a good work in us this day. Amen.
Deep Well Worship 