‘Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey you are welcome here at Christ’s table.’* You can bring your problems, you can bring your doubts. You can bring your body with its aches and pains, its stretchmarks and scars. You can come in your ‘Sunday best’ or your scruffiest scuffed-up sneakers. You can […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 — […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
This communion service was prepared by John Churcher for the Progressive Christian Network in Great Britain. Churcher based the service on various sources including the Methodist Worship Book and the writings of Bishop John Shelby Spong and Marcus Borg. The full communion service is published on the PCN website. Gathering Many names and images are […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
John 12:1-11 While the reading falls traditionally on Monday of Holy Week, this prayer may be used throughout the year. Anointing and blessing God help us to recognize you in all your glory and humble disguises including the poor of the world who are your body. When we meet you may we fall to our […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
‘This is my body…’ This is the body of Christ. This body knows what it is like to long for a hug, but not be able to get one when it needs it the most. This body knows how to feel a hug through a window or a screen. This body knows what it is […]
Read full text
Helpful for those still looking for a template for Maundy Thursday for families to use at home. Thandiwe gives full permission for the use of the service and Maren Tirabasi gives permission for all that is adapted from Gifts in Open Hands. Maundy Thursday: A Feast of Love Though we are separated in body, nothing […]
Read full text
Words to share as a congregation drinks the juice/wine together in a communion service: As you drink of it, remember the shed blood of those who hurt, and the common blood that binds us all. Heard and noted at a worship service at University Church, United Church of Christ, Seattle, Washington USA
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
A reflective and interactive prayer for a group preparing to share a communion meal. At the end of each section, pause to allow participants time to reflect and fill in the names of places and people as appropriate, silently or aloud, as appropriate for the group. I cannot take bread and forget those who are […]
Read full text
Words to print on a communion service sheet (order of worship) Sharing of the Bread and the Cup This is an open table: you do not have to have been baptized or be a member of this or any church to take part in this meal. We invite you to receive these gifts of life […]
Read full text
tune: Regent Square by Henry Thomas Smart A wedding version of this hymn, adapted for Bronwyn’s daughter’s marriage and suitable for same-sex partners weddings can be found on Bronwyn’s website. Faith of metaphor and mystery Christ of paradox and pun Sure foundation, revelation Many facets of the One Sacred found in the familiar: phase of […]
Read full text
O god whose face changes as we move and learn and change, whose image becomes less like ours, and more like that of the stranger we treat as a friend; O god who we create from the sum of all we know that is wonderful, generous, true and wise, may we see ourselves in the god-ness of others, and […]
Read full text
Vulnerable God, broken and poured out to give us life: May we go from your table with full hearts. Ready to be vulnerable, broken and poured out, to share your love with a hungry world.
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text
Written specifically for sharing during a re-enactment of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, this prayer might be used at other communion services throughout the year. Out of the chaos, O God, you spoke and order came. Out of the nothingness, your hand touched dirt and water and we were formed. Out of your creative […]
Read full text
This service was compiled in 2007 for Boronia Church of Christ, Boronia, Victoria, Australia Call to Communion Face the music. Jesus calls us to follow him, not just to another party of praise, but to the hard work of bringing God’s love and justice into this world of violence and fear. Let us prepare ourselves […]
Read full text
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 […]
Read full text