Yesterday I was present the first time a minster served his congregation communion and it was World Communion Sunday! The Sunday where Christians all over the world are gathered around Christ’s table. Some will walk miles, so will risk death and some will put on suits and ties and ALL will received a welcome to the dress rehearsal for the great feast! I was reminded By watching this new minster that world communion dose not just remind us that we come to the table with all of those around the world (our brothers and sisters) but also the table is a place of new beginnings, renewal for the journey, Sustenance to continue on the path. The liturgy for the communion service provided was so very beautiful as well That as I reflect on the meaning of beginning and the table, I share the art of beautifully crafted words.
I wanted to share some of the Artistic liturgy —
A Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for World Communion Sunday
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 is our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise
for you looked upon all your hands wrought
and called it good.
You smile upon purple mountains soaring above wildflower plains
where grasses raise their backs to meet your Spirit’s caress
You send clouds scuttling across reflective waters
and set stars to wink upon the earth in deep, knowing delight.
You call the tune for dolphins dancing in the play of waves.
As giraffes amble across savannahs,
birds sing in full-throated praise
and children of various hues giggle
as they run free in your image.
Despite your created goodness,
we use our freedom for ourselves alone
without regard for your intentions for all.
Still, you chase after us to save us from sin’s harm,
freeing us from slavery to give us a new world
flowing with milk and honey.
When we chase after other gods,
you call us back to you
through cries of prophets,
which we ignore,
until at last you send your own child
to be for us the goodness we refuse.
Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with the choir of creation
and all the saints of all times and places
who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed are you, O Christ,
for coming to us as a little child
to live baptized in the muck of our fallen world.
Embodying God’s desire to bless all people
you spoke peace to a war-mongering empire,
and were blessed to be a blessing to all people.
When threatened with the terror of crucifixion,
you did not keep silent but stood up
with resurrection new life
to turn the bread of human affliction
into manna from heaven,
and to turn the bitter dregs of sin
into the cup of joyful celebration.
So as we await your coming among us
In the fullness of your sovereign glory,
we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Praised be you, Holy Spirit,
blowing through time
to enliven your people, the church,
to live as Christ’s body,
in God’s ministry of repairing our broken world. Come hover over us now
with your bright brooding wings
in the breaking of bread
and in the celebration of this cup,
that our eyes may be opened
to recognize Christ among us
and in all who share in this feast.
Knit us more closely together
in the fellowship of your sovereign Way.
We offer ourselves, our lives, our resources,
To be your hands reaching into the world
With your unfathomable compassion.
Fill us like breath fills flutes
To be instruments of your peace.
Where there is lack of regard for your creation
Prod us to speak up.
Where people fail to see the dignity of all persons,
Open blind eyes.
Where there is silence about others being hurt,
Impassion us with a desire for justice.
Lord, your creation groans under abuse.
Renew the earth with goodness.
Your children are starving across this globe.
To those who hunger
Give bread.
And to those who have bread
Give hunger for justice.
People languish in prisons,
Some unjustly,
Some without repentance,
And some for standing up for your Way.
Release the captives, Lord.
O God, our Sovereign, leaders in all lands
take bribes and afflict their peoples.
Topple oppressive powers with your rule
and send the rich empty away.
Your church luxuriates in the comfort of faith;
Send us to be your servants in service to the world.
The sick suffer forgotten in pain
Heal their hurts in body, mind, and spirit.
People have solicited our prayers
And others needing our prayers weigh heavy on our hearts
So we offer these, our prayers to you:
{Name those for whom you are in intercession before God}
Gather all these prayers and praise
And join them with those of all the saints
And with our Great High Priest
who taught us to pray, saying . . .