THE COMMUNION LITURGY II

Prayer of Preparation

Leader:
ALMIGHTY GOD,
AS WE APPROACH YOUR TABLE,
PREPARE OUR HEARTS
THAT THE BREAKING OF BREAD,
AND THE DRINKING OF WINE,
MAY BE AN OPENING TO YOU,
TO ONE ANOTHER,
AND TO ALL IN CREATION.

IN THIS, WE PRAY
THERE WILL BE A PERFECTING
OF YOUR LIFE IN US,
AND A FULFILMENT
OF YOUR WILL THROUGH US.

All:
AMEN

[Moment of Silent Reflection]

Prayer of Confession

All:
MOST GRACIOUS LORD,
WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND LAMENT
OUR MANY SINS.
WE HAVE PLACED OURSELVES ABOVE YOU
WE HAVE FAILED TO LOVE YOU
WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND,
SOUL AND STRENGTH.

WE HAVE LIVED SELFISHLY
NOT ALWAYS CARING FOR THOSE AROUND US.
WE HAVE FAILED TO LOVE
OUR NEIGHBOUR AS OURSELVES.
HAVE MERCY UPON US
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.
FORGIVE US AS WE REPENT,
WITH THE HELP OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT.

AND GRANT THAT FROM THIS TIME FORWARD,
WE MAY LIVE TO WORSHIP YOU
AND LOVE OUR FELLOW MEN AND WOMEN;
SO THAT YOU MAY BE GLORIFIED,
THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
AMEN.

Gathering at the Table

Leader:
AT THIS TABLE, MOST MERCIFUL LORD,
YOUR LOVE COMPELS US TO COME IN.

All:
EVEN WHILE WE TAKE THIS BREAD,
WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE ABUSED,
AND KNOW THAT OUR JOY
IS NEVER COMPLETE
TILL THEY FIND REFUGE AND SAFETY.

Leader:
YOU O LORD ARE THE GOD
OF GRACE AND COMPASSION.
SO TEACH US TO BE YOUR HANDS
OF HEALING TO THE WOUNDED.

All:
WHILE WE TAKE THE CUP,
WE REMEMBER THOSE
WHO ARE DESPISED AND REJECTED,
AND KNOW THAT OUR HOPE IS FOR ALL
TO KNOW EQUALITY BEFORE YOU.

Leader:
YOU O LORD
ARE THE SOVEREIGN GOD OF JUSTICE
SO HELP US TO BE YOUR SOURCE OF LIGHT
IN THIS WORLD OF DARKNESS.

All:
JUST AS YOUR SON GAVE OF HIS LIFE
FREELY FOR US,
MAY WE ALSO GIVE OF OURSELVES
FREELY TO THOSE AROUND US.
LET YOUR BROKEN BODY AND SHED BLOOD
MOVE AND FLOW THROUGH US,
THAT WE MAY PRACTISE A LIVING FAITH,
THE ONLY TRUE FAITH
IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
AMEN .

Leader:
HEAR OUR PRAYERS, O MERCIFUL GOD
AS WE RECEIVE THIS BREAD
AND REMEMBER YOUR BODY
WHICH WAS BROKEN FOR US.
HEAR OUR PETITIONS, O GRACIOUS LORD
AS WE RECEIVE THIS CUP
AND REMEMBER YOUR BLOOD
WHICH WAS SHED FOR US.

[Emblems Distributed by Helpers]

Leader:
ALMIGHTY GOD,
WE OFFER YOU THIS BREAD AND THIS WINE
AND WE GIVE THANKS FOR CHRIST'S
DEATH AND RESURRECTION.
BECAUSE HE DIED, WE LIVE.
SEND US YOUR LOVING SPIRIT,
TO MAKE THIS BREAD AND THIS WINE
THE LIFE-GIVING BODY AND BLOOD
OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST,
AND TO MAKE US ONE WITH HIM
IN YOUR COVENANT OF LOVE.

All:
WE ASK THIS HUMBLY OF YOU.

Leader:
LET US NOW EAT OF THE BREAD
AND DRINK OF THE CUP AS ONE BODY.

[Congregation Partakes Emblems – Silent Reflection]

Prayer of Communion

[Congregation Stands for Prayer]

All:
ALL POWERFUL AND LIVING GOD
HELP US TO BE GRATEFUL ALWAYS
FOR YOUR AMAZING LOVE
EXPRESSED THROUGH THE SACRIFICE
OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.

AS YOU WALK WITH US
ALONG THE PATH OF ETERNITY,
LET YOUR SPIRIT WORK WITHIN US
THAT WE MAY LIVE AS TRUE WITNESSES
OF YOUR LOVE.
TO YOUR PRAISE AND GLORY,
AMEN.

[Collection of Offering and Intercession]