THE COMMUNION LITURGY I

Prayer of Preparation

Leader:
ALMIGHTY GOD,
TO WHOM ALL HEARTS ARE OPEN,
ALL DESIRES KNOWN,
AND FROM WHOM NO SECRETS ARE HIDDEN;
CLEANSE THE THOUGHTS OF OUR HEARTS
BY THE INSPIRATION OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT,
THAT WE MAY PERFECTLY LOVE YOU,
AND WORTHILY MAGNIFY YOUR HOLY NAME;
THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

All:
AMEN

Call to Reflection and Confession

Leader:
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO CELEBRATE
THE SACRED MYSTERIES,
LET US CALL TO MIND OUR SINS.

[Moment of Silent Reflection]

Prayer of Confession

All:
MOST MERCIFUL GOD
WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU,
AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOUR,
AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD
THE CRY OF THE NEEDY,
IN WHAT WE HAVE THOUGHT,
IN WHAT WE HAVE SAID AND DONE,
AND WHAT WE HAVE LEFT UNDONE,
THROUGH IGNORANCE,
THROUGH WEAKNESS,
THROUGH OUR OWN DELIBERATE FAULT,
WE HAVE WOUNDED YOUR LOVE,
AND MARRED YOUR IMAGE IN US.
WE ARE SORRY AND REPENT OF ALL OUR SINS.
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST,
WHO DIED FOR US,
FORGIVE US ALL THAT IS PAST;
AND LEAD US OUT FROM DARKNESS
TO WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT. AMEN.

Gathering at the Table

Leader:
WHAT DO YOU BRING TO CHRIST'S TABLE?

All:
WE BRING BREAD,
MADE BY MANY PEOPLE'S WORK,
FROM AN UNJUST WORLD
WHERE SOME HAVE PLENTY
AND MOST GO HUNGRY
AND NOW THE BODY OF CHRIST BROKEN FOR US.

Leader:
AT THIS TABLE ALL ARE FED
AND NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY.

All:
THANKS BE TO GOD.

Leader:
WHAT DO YOU BRING TO CHRIST'S TABLE?

All:
WE BRING WINE,
MADE BY MANY PEOPLE'S WORK,
FROM AN UNJUST WORLD
WHERE SOME HAVE LEISURE
AND MOST STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE
AND NOW THE BLOOD OF CHRIST POURED OUT FOR US

Leader:
AT THIS TABLE ALL SHARE
THE CUP OF PAIN AND CELEBRATION
AND NO ONE IS DENIED.

All:
THANKS BE TO GOD.
THESE GIFTS SHALL BE FOR US
THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST,
OUR WITNESS AGAINST HUNGER,
OUR CRY AGAINST INJUSTICE,
AND OUR HOPE FOR A WORLD
WHERE GOD IS FULLY KNOWN
AND EVERY CHILD IS FED.

Consecration of Emblems

Leader:
BECAUSE THERE IS ONE LOAF,
WE, WHO ARE MANY,
ARE ONE BODY,
FOR WE ALL PARTAKE OF THE ONE LOAF.
THE BREAD WHICH WE BREAK
IS A SHARING IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

[Leader Breaks the Bread]

THE CUP OVER WHICH WE GIVE THANKS
IS A SHARING IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

[Leader Tips Chalice to Pour Some Wine Over the Rest of the Wine Cups]

[Emblems Distributed by Helpers]

Prayer of Recognition

Leader:
THIS IS THE LAMB OF GOD
WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO ARE
CALLED TO HIS SUPPER.

All:
LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY
TO RECEIVE YOU,
BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD
AND I SHALL BE HEALED.

Leader:
LET US NOW PARTAKE OF THE EMBLEMS WITH THANKFULNESS

[Congregation Partakes Emblems – Silent Reflection]

Prayer of Communion

[Congregation Stands for Prayer]

All:
ALMIGHTY GOD,
WE THANK YOU FOR FEEDING US
WITH THE BODY AND BLOOD
OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.
THROUGH HIM
WE OFFER YOU OUR SOULS AND BODIES
TO BE A LIVING SACRIFICE.
SEND US OUT
IN THE POWER OF YOUR SPIRIT
TO LIVE AND WORK
TO YOUR PRAISE AND GLORY.

AMEN.

[Collection of Offering and Intercession]