Bless the Lord

Psalm 113

God the Helper of the Needy

​Praise the Lord!

Praise, O servants of the Lord;

praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

from this time on and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to its setting

the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations,

and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,

who is seated on high,

who looks far down

on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust,

and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes,

with the princes of his people.

He gives the barren woman a home,

making her the joyous mother of children.

Praise the Lord!

Invitation

This is Christ's table where all are welcome

Those who are full of praise

Those who are full of woe 

Those for whom life brings joy

Those for whom life brings challenge

Whoever you are 

Whatever you face

Christ meets you here offering love and grace

Come to Christ's table knowing Christ welcomes you here.

Narrative

Christ walked with friends and strangers

along dusty roads and rocky shores

on beaches and hillsides

At bedsides and gravesides

He taught and healed, laughed and cried

Lifted people up or got down beside them

And, on the night he was betrayed,

he gathered some of those friends

around a table in an upper room. 

He washed their feet and taught them to serve

He fed their minds and bodies and taught them to share.

He took bread, blessed it and broke it, and told them:

This is my body broken for you.

And then he took a cup and told them:

This cup symbolises a new beginning with God 

made possible because of my death. 

Do this to remember me.

And so we take this bread and this cup 

and we give thanks to God for these symbols of grace.

Let us pray

Thanksgiving

God, like the Psalmist we praise you today

because you accept us just as we are.

The rejoicing and the grieving

Those who are content and those who are restless

Those who find life easy, those who find life hard

You know us and love us and hold out your arms in welcome.

And so we come, some with faltering steps, some at a run 

some in our own time, some dragged along by others.

We come and find you waiting on us.

As we bask in your welcome we bring with us

all who need to be fed today

Those hungry for love

Those hungry for knowledge

Those hungry for justice, those hungry for peace

Those hungry for shelter, those hungry for status

Those hungry for stability, those hungry for family.

At your table there is room for all and enough for all.

Those of this world- and the next.

And so we thank you that you call us sons and daughters.

You lift us from the places we have been and open up for us new horizons.

Send your Spirit on these symbols that we use here.

May our hearts and minds be open wide in wonder that such love and grace

And mercy and forgiveness is crammed into a sip of wine and a cube of bread.

And as we share together may we know at your table 

there is room for us and room for all.

And may we bless your name forevermore.

Amen

Fraction

In this bread, we know Christ's body broken for us

We share the feast together

In this cup we know a new relationship with God

We do this to remember him

Prayer after Communion

God we have been fed at this table

We have been nourished and encouraged

We have been cradled in caring and lifted in love

Help us now to go into all the world sharing the gifts we have been given

until all your world is fed.

Knowing your grace in simple things, may we simply live to hand on your love

as you have handed it to us.

May we carry your very self in us so that all may see you

 the God of the Universe making your home with us

Bless the Lord O my soul.

On a journey

Hopes and dreams for the journey

A Communion Liturgy written for a RevGals event in Scotland

Prayer

God of familiar paths and new discoveries

We greet you here

God of ancient texts and fresh insight

We open our hearts

God embraced by some, rejected by others

We make room for you this day

As you make room for us.

Remove all that would keep us from recognising you as we worship you here

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Luke 24:28-35

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Two women walked the road

And as they walked

they talked - 

of death and resurrection

of hope and promise

of faith and discernment

of love and discipleship

Sharing a vocation

that is costly and demanding

Sifting through the detritus

for the jewels that are buried.

And between them

was the risen Christ

listening and encouraging

consoling and affirming

making his presence known

in the breaking of the bread of life

- the sharing of stories

of joys and disappointments

of comfort and longings

Souls laid bare

not seeking answers

or solutions

not even congratulations

or commiserations

But simply the sacred gift

Of listening

in which the work of healing is begun.

(This week has been a week of revelations, of companionship, of listening and of healing and now, as we share Communion together, let's hear Christ's invitation to us.)

Invitation

We come from North and South, from East and West.

Christ invites us to sit at table, one with each other and with God.

Narrative

Christ walks alongside us opening our eyes to the things of the Spirit

Inviting us to enter into a deeper relationship, a new understanding, changing us one step at a time.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus shared super with his disciples, one who would betray him, one who would deny him and the others who would run away.

Knowing all that -  Jesus invited them into a new relationship made possible because of his death.

Today in the midst of our pilgrimage, Christ invites us to do the same.

To break bread and to share the cup in memory of him.

Let us give thanks;

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Walking and talking

Going ahead

Hanging back

Jesus meets us on the road

The road that is strewn with pebbles

The road that is full of pot holes

At times with strident steps

At times with faltering shuffle

Sometimes matching our pace

Sometimes slowing us down or moving us on

God we thank you for this time away from our daily routine

Sharing with strangers, now friends

We thank you for all the evidence of your presence as we have travelled

Breadcrumbs dropped along the way

For expectations met or exceeded

For hopes kindled or fulfilled

For challenges laid down or taken up

We bring to you those we have met on the way this week

Those physically present

Those we have carried in our hearts and minds

And those whose stories we have heard and shared

We thank you for causing our hearts to burn within us

as you have revealed to us new insight

as you have unlocked mystery

and upset our certainty,

uprooting, changing, bending and breaking

And now as we break bread together with you in our midst

send your Holy Spirit on these your gifts

May we be nourished and inspired to continue our pilgrimage

In the name of Christ our beginning and our ending

Amen

Sharing Peace

Gods peace is here, not to make us content, but to make us restless to find our way home.

Let us share the peace together.

RevGals Pheeto

Maundy Thursday: Matthew

Thursday

*On this day our Lord went again to Jerusalem. In the evening in the Upper Room, he washed the feet of the disciples, and instituted the blessed sacrament of his Body and Blood. He spoke the words of comfort and peace, gave the promise of the Holy Spirit and made the great intercession. In the Garden of Gethsemane he endured his agony. Betrayed by Judas and arrested by his enemies, he was taken to prison and to judgement.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(*Church of Scotland Prayers for the Christian Year 1935)

Prayer

As we gather on this holy night

As we follow Jesus and his disciples to the upper room

where they shared the Passover meal,

As we take our place at the table, hanging on Jesus' every word,

and celebrate the feast in memory of him,

then follow him to the garden

where he was betrayed and arrested,

may we see ourselves in all the antics of the disciples

Some who stay in the background

Some who step up to defend Jesus

Some who are betrayers

Some who would deny him

Some who get scared and run away

But all who nonetheless are welcomed by Jesus

who knows us and loves us.

And in sharing this sacrament here

may we know God's love and forgiveness

reaching out to us

and drawing us close.

This night and always

Amen

The Preparation of the Passover Matthew 26:1-5,14-16

 Matthew 26:1-5

 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Hymn  - Ride on, ride on

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

Matthew 26:26-30

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Invitation

We gather round this table tonight, much like the disciples did, with Jesus in our midst. Jesus calls us friends and invites us to share in his body broken for us and his blood poured out for us in love.

We do this to remember him.

Prayer

Lord, here is bread and wine

And here are your disciples

gathered around your table

As we partake of this food

that you make holy

may we do so

fully aware

that we are capable 

of betraying you

just as Judas did.

Send your Spirit upon these your gifts

and as we share in communion

with you and each other

and with all the saints

crowding around this sanctuary

jostling for a place

may we know your healing

and your forgiveness

in every part of our lives.

May your selfless giving

teach us how to give and forgive

for the healing of the nations.

We do this to remember you.

Hymn  - Twas on that night

Fraction

The body of Christ broken for us.

The blood of Christ poured out in love.

Sharing of Communion

Music

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

 Matthew 26:36-46

 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

Hymn  - Praise to the holiest

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

 Matthew 26:47-56

 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Hymn  - We turn to God

Not over

We know it's not over

But for now we go and wait

on the authorities

doing their worst

Offloading the responsibility 

and blame

As they achieve

their inevitable outcomes

All the while knowing

We would have done the same...

Stripping of the Sanctuary

Earth Shattering

Matthew 28:1-10

The Resurrection of Jesus

​After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Invitation

Do not be afraid

The darkness is overcome

Do not be afraid

The betrayer does not have the last word

Do not be afraid

Death is defeated

In the light of the new dawn

The Risen Christ invites you to this table

where we feast on the love of God

Narrative

This do in remembrance of me.

Jesus, who astounded the women who came to the tomb early in the morning with his risen presence, gathered his friends around him the night before his death. His disciples were there, some who would flee, some who would betray, some who would deny. And the women were there,who would look on and weep as Jesus was tried, convicted and crucified.

He shared the Passover meal with these friends who had journeyed with him.

He spoke to them of his impending betrayal, suffering and death, though they did not understand.

After supper, he took bread, blessed it, broke it and shared it, saying:  Do this in remembrance of me.

Then he took the cup and gave it to them saying: this cup is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink it all of you to remember me.

We who live in the light of the Resurrection give thanks for Jesus' willingness to die for us.

And we do this to remember him.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Risen Christ, you emerge from the earthquake proclaiming : Do not be afraid

Surrounded by angels, you roll away the stone from all the tombs that imprison today.

Tombs of fear, of despair, of hopelessness, of lovelessness. Tombs of hurt and emptiness, of betrayal and death.

You roll back those stones and you sit on them calling your children to emerge from the darkness into your glorious light.

 Not only do you call us out - but you commission us - to go and tell the good news.

As we remember you here, as we celebrate your resurrection and feast on your love, may we be freed from fear and filled with urgency to share the good news.

In all that rocks the life of others, may we be willing to stand with you in the midst, bringing hope, light, love and life.

Risen Christ, send your Spirit on this bread and wine today, that as we remember your death and share this resurrection food, we may be rudely awakened to your disturbing presence and be shaken out of our complacency by the power of your love here in this place today.

Fraction

Christ, whose body was broken for us 

meets us on this day of Resurrection 

to take our fear away

Christ whose blood was poured out for us

meets us on this day of Resurrection

commissioning us to share the Good News

Out of the earthquake that rolled the stone away

see the Risen Christ emerge for you 

Prayer after Communion

We have feasted on the love of God

We have celebrated that death is overcome

and that darkness gives way to light

Now we go into the world

To share the earth-shattering good news

that Christ is risen

He is risen indeed.

Alleluia! Amen.

Come early, come late

Matthew 20:1-16

The Laborers in the Vineyard

​“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Invitation

This table is spread

For the old and the young

For the long-timers and the new-comers

For those who feel at home and those who are just settling in

It is the table of our Lord

Where grace is extended to all

So come and join the feast

You for whom this is new

And you who do this often

Here, know the grace of God

embraces you.

Feel welcome, valued and affirmed

As God meets us here in bread and in wine.

Narrative

Jesus gathered friends around him

To teach, to heal, 

to live, to love, to laugh

Over meals they shared stories and created memories together.

And the night he was betrayed, sharing supper with his friends,

Jesus took bread,

He broke it, blessed it and shared it

And said: Do this to remember me

As he passed around the cup after supper

He said: This cup tells of a new relationship made possible with God

Drink this to remember me.

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup

you remember my dying for you.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

God we bring you our thanks today for memories

Memories created with loved ones now lost

Memories created new every day with those with whom we now share life

You are a God who never forgets

A God who loves us - not because of who we have been

Or because of our potential

But because of who we are now

Your beloved children

You welcome us to this table

Those of us for whom this is a familiar ritual

And those of us for whom it is new

You welcome us

And you give every moment new significance

Finding ourselves known and loved and welcomed at your table

we bring with us today

those who feel rejected

those who have never known a place set for them at any table

and those whose memories of table

are too far in the past to remember

or so traumatic that they have tried to forget.

We bring those who feel their value is only in what they can bring

who have never known themselves valued for who they are.

As we meet your generosity here

we pray for those who withhold from others

what is rightfully theirs.

For all those we exclude or overlook in our everyday.

May our experience of sharing at your table today

transform us in the way we make room for others

and in the way that we recreate memories

that honour your love shown for us here in the symbols of bread and wine

your body broken for us, your love poured out.

So send your Spirit on this bread and wine that we share, 

May we be fed, nourished, held and changed.

May our horizons be expanded

our certainties challenged

and our memories made new

as we meet you in this feast.

Amen

Fraction

Jesus, the night he was betrayed, took bread, blessed it broke it and shared it.

We do this to remember him.

After supper, he took the cup, symbol of a new start with God. Sharing it, he said:

Do this to remember me.

We meet Jesus here and celebrate the generosity of God. 

Break this bread. Drink this cup. Make room for others.

Know God's welcome healing you today.

Prayer after communion

At your table O God we find welcome.

At your table we find healing.

At your table we find grace enough to spill over into our daily lives.

Filled with your spirit may we go from here to practice generosity

creating a new reality for those who expect only rejection

making room for those who have known only exclusion

And so may we usher in your new kingdom 

where the last shall be first 

and the first shall be last.

Amen

God in the midst of conflict

Matthew 18:15-20

Reproving Another Who Sins

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Invitation

Where two or three are gathered, God is in the midst

God,in our midst, invites us to this table

A table where we are welcomed

With our conflict

With our differences

With all that makes us less than we might be

God invites us not because of our potential

But because we are loved and made welcome now

Narrative

Jesus often dined with those whom others rejected.

He gathered up an odd assortment of friends.

And the night he was betrayed, he gathered those friends around him

and set up a memorial by which we would remember him.

He didn't ask them to settle their differences before they dined with him

He didn't ask them to swear undying loyalty, knowing that one would deny him

and one would betray him.

He encompassed them all - and us, when he took bread and shared, saying:

This is my body, broken for you.

Do this to remember me.

And as he shared the cup, saying,

This cup symbolises a new relationship made possible because of my death

Do this to remember me.

So now we come, knowing ourselves accepted by the one who died in love.

We do this to remember him.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Denial, betrayal, violence death.

All of these you met and conquered with the power of love.

God give us faith today that there are ways to resolve conflict

that do not involve violence but that demand sacrifice from us.

Make us willing to sacrifice pride on the altar of tolerance.

Make us willing to sacrifice wealth on the altar of sharing.

Make us willing to sacrifice security on the altar of inclusion

Make us willing to sacrifice supremacy on the altar of peace.

The road you call us to travel is not easy

But you have walked the way before us

And you join us on the journey.

We celebrate all those with whom you travelled

Andrew, Philip, James and John, Peter and Judas too.

As well as the saints who have graced this place with us and before us.

As we gather at your table now, may we be conscious

of all of these present with us, sharing in this great feast

that unites heaven and earth.

May we take our place at the table

knowing ourselves loved, forgiven and blest.

Risen, Lord Jesus, we dine with you now.

Send your spirit on these gifts of bread and wine

and upon us as we share.

May these gifts by which we remember you

fill us with the courage to make sacrifices

to bring about peace

the peace that only you can give

In the name of Christ, Prince of Peace.

Amen

Fraction

The Lord Jesus gathered around the table friends, supporters and doubters

He broke bread and said: Take, eat.

Do this to remember me

He took the cup,offering it around to symbolise the possibility of a new beginning with God

made possible because of Christ's death, saying

Drink this all of you to remember me.

We, friends, supporters and doubters share these gifts to remember him.

Prayer after communion

Lord you have met us on the path where we are

and fed us with holy food

Now take us to where you want us to be

Law breakers, peace makers, world changers

For sake of your kingdom

Amen. 

Covenant God

Genesis 9:11-17

I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Invitation

Come to this table all who seek peace

Come to this table all who seek love

Come to this table all who seek relationship

The God of peace, love and relationship

waits to serve you here

Narrative

God who created the world lives in relationship with creation

God created humankind to enjoy fellowship with God and with each other

All through history, God has found ways to demonstrate love 

In creation, through the prophets, and, by sending Jesus

Rituals and memorials help us to recall history and to celebrate love

The night before he died, Jesus gathered his friends around him 

to speak again of love and to set up this memorial in which we remember him

He took bread, symbol of everyday life and sustenance 

Symbol of Christ's body broken to sustain us in life and love.

He took wine, symbol of thirst quenching celebration

Symbol of Christ's blood poured out for us that we might enjoy life to the full

And so, continuing the covenant he makes with us, we take these symbols 

and consecrate them to use in this memorial.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

God you set your bow in the sky, a symbol of your never ending love

 You made a covenant with Noah, with Abraham, with Joseph, with Moses, with prophets,priests and kings.

And now you make a covenant with us, gathered here

You are our God and we are your people, swept up in the continuum of your everlasting love.

We praise you for every sign of your love we see around us

In the beauty of creation

In the clouds and the rainbows

In the people around us every day

And we remember in this place, all those who made your covenant known to us

Those who lived out your promises and showed us your love

Those who join us today as we share in this feast that is celebrated in Heaven and on earth

Living God, true to their memory, may we take every opportunity to hand on your love

In our homes, in our communities, in our nation and throughout the world.

Show us how to live in covenant with you by exploiting every opportunity 

with which you present us to demonstrate your love in action.

May we care for one another - when that is easy and when it is hard.

May we serve one another- when that comes naturally and when it takes effort

May we speak out against injustice and seek peace in all things, 

especially when speaking up or seeking peace costs us.

God, you held nothing back and never gave up.

So may we follow your example, persistently loving

never giving up hope until all the world knows your incredible love.

May that love unfreeze our cold hearts, loosen our clenched fists

and release our energy to serve you in love

beginning right here, right now.

God, send your Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine and upon us.

As we share here may we be filled and energised to serve you in the world.

May this spiritual food sustain us to walk with you wherever you may lead.

In the name of Christ who walked the way of the cross for us.

Amen

Fraction

Jesus, the night he was betrayed, gathered his friends around, took bread and said:

This is my body broken for you.

Do this to remember me.

He took a cup, passed it around with these words:

This cup is the NEW covenant, a new relationship with God, made possible because of my death

Drink this to remember me.

We eat this bread and drink this cup in a new covenant with God.

Prayer after communion

Lord Jesus, we have recalled the new covenant you made with us

We have recalled your life, your love and your death

We have been filled by your promise

So may we step out in faith, in hope and in love

to bring your peace into all the world

Beginning here, beginning now,

In the name of God who keeps covenant.

Amen