This communion liturgy was inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, the famous Love Hymn of Corinthians.
Invitation to the Meal
Our unity here at this table—just like our unity as a congregation, as a denomination, as a community or country—is not an easy thing. And yet love, which endures all things—keeps drawing us together. It does not always work as fast as we would hope. Still, we come to this table to remind us what love can do—and all that it has already done.
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.
It was love—your love, God—that brought the earth to life,
Each cell and substance arising to your call.
It was love that turned a people into your people—
called to something greater than mere survival.
It was love that led those people out of slavery
And love that gave them the law
so they would learn to care for each other
to love not just the next of kin
but the neighbor, the stranger, the widow, and the immigrant.
It was love that set loose prophets
to challenge people to change their ways
when cruelty and greed got the better of us.
It was love that brought you down to us,
as a tiny child in a manger
as a preacher on a hilltop
as a healer at the deathbed,
as a challenger in the town square
as a criminal in the courtroom
as a convict on a cross.
It was love that led you to do the impossible for us
and love that lifted you up on that third morning-
more impossible still.
And so we praise your name, Creator, Christ, Holy Spirit,
and we ask that you make this meal your gift of love once more.
in the bread and cup, nourish us with enough love to keep us strong
until the day you return, when we shall see all things clearly
and the mysteries and malignancies be cleared away
and we shall know you, as you have known us from the start.
Awaiting that day, we pray with the simple words you taught us.
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.
Sharing of the Bread and Cup
Closing Prayer
Food is fuel.
May this food fuel us to love.
Not just in words, but in actions,
that the world may see
there is something different about us
something that tastes of God.
Amen.
Deep Well Worship 