communion

Called by name — Ana Gobledale, UK

God, come close and speak our names. Remind us that we are fully known and loved. God, thank you… for calling us by name. Come close to us, re-claim us for life. God, thank you… for calling us by name. Come close to us, and never let us go. God, thank you… for calling us […]

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Communion table, Warren Lynn, USA

Call to the Table — Loren McGrail, Palestine/USA

Originally written in Palestine for World Communion Sunday Slightly adapted for inclusive language God of our grandmothers and mothers, of Eve and Sarah, Miriam and Hanna, Mary and Martha, Mother Mary and Mary of Magdala, of Lois and Eunice we come to your table today, [World Communion Sunday,] in this season of repentance of leaves […]

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Communion for an outside setting — Maren Tirabassi, USA

Reading:  one of the 7 biblical accounts of the ‘feeding of the multitude’ from either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Invitation Christ’s invitation is simple — sit down where you are. You don’t need to run off somewhere else — not a nearby village market or a familiar sanctuary, communion is where you are — […]

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Communion table, Warren Lynn, USA

The love you pour in — Sam Goodman, UK

There are two versions of this communion prayer — singular for personal devotion and plural for corporate worship. Version for personal devotion: This time and place is yours I’m your guest You invite me at my worst And at my best You inhabit this thin place And clothe it in your grace This is where […]

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Communion beyond the table — Anna Blaedel, USA

Bread & Blessing Still Thoughts on communion… These days, I mostly celebrate communion outside of sanctuaries, no words of institution, no formal liturgy. Consecrated by the intention of savouring and sharing. The sacred practice of paying attention to bodies and bellies, to beauty, and longing, and hunger, and delight, and enoughness, and need. The sacrament […]

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Agape Prayer — Warren Hartley, UK

We remember a baby born into poverty, a child who grew up and preached a radical message of peace, justice and equality, a message he knew that would eventually get him killed. Knowing that his time was coming to an end, he wanted to explain again to those closest to him what he was trying […]

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Feast — Karen Campbell, UK

Karen writes, ‘This poem is in part autobiographical, speaking of my family, but also about the Church and world.’ Consider sharing this at a communion service. Mummy says ‘Come, for the feast is spread!’ She cracks the sweet between her teeth; A piece for you, a piece for me, No one on top, no one […]

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Words for communion — David Parkin, UK

At the breaking of bread and the pouring of the cup: ‘This represents my body—broken in solidarity with the suffering of the world.’ ‘This cup is about a new community – with God, with each other, and with the world.’ At the sharing (assuming the practice of eating and drinking together): ‘The bread of life […]

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Unfolding – David Long-Higgins, USA

O Love, Unfold me anew; For my spirit easily tightens Around yesterday’s too much Sadness and loss and worry. Stretch me open With an energy not my own But given as the gift of Life Revealing beauty within Already formed by You Before I even knew to notice. Yes, Love, ground me In Your forming […]

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Communion, Children’s Message – Tod Gobledale, UK

Pentecost (5 Aug 2012) Year B Materials: Loaf of bread (unsliced) Travel communion set Bag in which the above items are held (out of which they are drawn) Script: Pull out bread and ask:   What is this? When do you eat bread? When do we eat bread in church? Bread is important. Pull out communion […]

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Communion Prayer of preparation — Ian Wallis, UK

Gather us in, O God From every age and outlook. Gather us in, O God From every creed and colour. Gather us in, O God From every circumstance and walk of life. Be found among us In the sharing of bread and wine, in the offering of friendship and service, in the openness of thankful […]

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Christmas communion — Warren Hartley, UK

At Christmas we remember a baby born into poverty, a child who grew up and preached a radical message of peace, justice and equality, a message he knew that would eventually get him killed. Knowing that his time was coming to an end, he wanted to explain again to those closest to him what he […]

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God’s table of Love — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This might be used as a Call to Worship or Call to Communion. It works as a responsive reading involving the entire congregation or read by 2-3 readers.  It has been written with young readers in mind. If you’re worshipping on-line, parents might video their children reading this, or audio-record it and play as the […]

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Communion prayer of thanksgiving — Ana Gobledale, UK

Matthew 11 Proper 9, (usually 5th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A God of gentleness, thank you for relieving our burdens and for filling our emptiness with the Bread of Life.  Create of us the living Body of Christ, that in these challenging times we might witness the power and possibility of your love and peace […]

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Lockdown Liturgy for Communion — Cara Heafey, UK

Participating in communion in my home, along with fellow Christians in their home, has proven, for me, a powerful expression of the living Body of Christ and the Priesthood of all Believers. Cara provides a complete communion liturgy to use on-line in either a live stream, podcast or Zoom-type platform. Ready-to-print copies: PDF Lockdown Liturgy […]

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Call to Communion on-line — Cara Heafey

With what words do we invite the Body of Christ to gather on video screens? What actions and words recognize and welcome Jesus as host for our home communion meals? What terms express the authentic and powerful experience of Christ’s presence in our virtual midst? Invitation Jesus shared meals in all kinds of homes: The […]

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Table For Two, Communion in isolation — Bob Hill, USA

Table for two or more, please: tabla rasa or elemental mesa, fine-grained wood or chrismed marble slab, in the center of the city or in the heart of the heart of the brush arbor; whatever works, whatever lets you face your face and pandemic’s knell. Let it be set, accordingly, with clouds passing overhead or […]

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Watched Word by John Potter, UK

Communion invitation — Ana Gobledale, UK

Friends, come in peace for all things are now ready. After or as the bread is distributed… The bread of life shared with you. After or as the juice is distributed… The power of God shared with you. After meal is shared… We give thanks to you, Source of all life, that you have refreshed […]

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Bread to share, Watched Word by John Potter, UK

Creation Communion — Ana Gobledale, UK

These communion prayers focus on creation. They might be used to celebrate Earth Day or during the Season of Creation. Genesis 1:1-19 Words of gratitude God of creation and transformation, for this time together around this table, we give thanks. For the power of this meal, this simple bread and juice, to unite us as […]

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Communion Institution — Jim Burklo, USA

You bring alive what once seemed dead Your word becomes as real as bread Your love we taste in sips of wine Your meal reveals the life divine   Jim Burklo, Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, writes regularly for the ProgressiveChristianity.org liturgy project.  Many of his liturgical materials can […]

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Easter communion liturgy, involving children — Ana Gobledale, UK

This communion liturgy seeks to be worshipful, educational and inspirational. Children and youth might be used as servers and/or readers.   Welcome & Invitation Here is the table set for our special meal. The bread, the juice, prepared and presented. Ready to be served and shared. We remember Jesus sharing a meal like this with […]

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World Communion Sunday – Oct

World Communion Sunday, celebrated in many countries on the first Sunday of October, offers a congregation an opportunity to hear global voices and sing international hymns.  Choose from these hymns and prayers for your service.   Complete services for World Communion Sunday Children’s Messages for World Communion Sunday Hymns for World Communion Sunday Prayers for […]

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