P: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. He destined us for adoption as his children though Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1: 3,5,6,7
For I received from the Lord that which I also handed down to you—that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and after giving thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant which is in My blood; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. I Corinthians 11:23-26
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P: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.John 1:1-14
For I received from the Lord
that which I also handed down to you—
that the Lord Jesus
in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and after giving thanks, He broke it and said,
“This is My body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup
after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant which is in My blood;
do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. I Corinthians 11:23-26
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P God who was and is before all things moved over the mists of nothingness and called all things into being: light and dark, stars and planets, sea and land, plants and fish, birds and animals. All things did God create.
And God formed and breathed life into humankind. Walking and talking with them. But the man and the woman sought fulfillment through other things. Things forbidden. And so God banished the betrayers of this trust into a broken world. A world of pain and sorrow and death.... Yet, God did not abandon humanity nor all the things brought into being. From before time and creation God set into motion the salvation of all creation and all humanity....
For I received from the Lord
that which I also handed down to you—
that the Lord Jesus
in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and after giving thanks, He broke it and said,
“This is My body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant which is in My blood;
do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
I Corinthians 11:23-26 (tr. Annal Frenz)
So marvelous are your works, O God! So wondrous are your deeds. Hidden from our eyes, you move to save us. In the quietest of ways you set in motion the greatest of tasks. Intricately wrought, eternal in scope, human in execution, you bring your saving love to fulfillment.
God’s Word flowed out and took human form. An ocean contained in a stream. A star cupped in a hand. God – conceived, carried and born of a woman. The plan from before time put into time and space.... As promised, the virgin conceived and bore a son. And he was named Jesus... Emmanuel... God With Us.
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P: As you called Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Jacob, Miriam and Deborah, David, Solomon, and all the prophets. As you called Elizabeth and Zachariah, Mary and Joseph, and John the Baptizer. As you called your disciples, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, Lazarus and St. Paul, you call us to come forward and lift the burden of your love and sacrifice upon our shoulders. And so we come in answer to that call to be fed and nourished at the table of your body and blood, that we may go from here to serve as you served.
For I received from the Lord
that which I also handed down to you—
that the Lord Jesus
in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
and after giving thanks, He broke it and said,
“This is My body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant which is in My blood;
do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
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A: Wonderful Counselor!
C: Mighty God!
P: Everlasting Father!
A: Prince of Peace!
C: We bless your Name forever!
A: Light of Light!
C: Lord of Lords!
P: King of Kings!
A: Emanuel, God with Us!
C: We bless your Name forever!
P: True God, Giver of Life, Word of our Creator, Spirit of Counsel and Might; God of our essence, be with us now as we join in the celebration of your love.
On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this often in remembrance of me."
After supper Jesus took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this often in remembrance of me."
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you make public Jesus' death until he comes. So, come, eat and drink. This Bread of Life and this Cup of Christ are given for you.
C: Amen.
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P: Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
C: God is with us, today.
P: For to which of the angels did God ever say, `You are my Son; today I have begotten you'? Or again, `I will be his Father, and he will be my Son'? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, `Let all God's angels worship him.' Of the angels he says, `He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.'
C: Christ is with us, today.
P: But of the Son he says, `Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'
C: The Spirit is with us, today.
P: And, `In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.'
Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]
C: God is with us, today and always.
A: The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
Men: Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
Women: His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
All: The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
A: All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
All: Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
Women: For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Men: The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
A: Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
All: Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 97
P: For I received from the Lord
that which I also handed down to you—
that the Lord Jesus
in the night in which He was betrayed
took bread;
and after giving thanks, He broke it and said,
“This is My body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant which is in
My blood;
do this as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and
drink the cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
I Corinthians 11:23-26 (tr. Annal Frenz, 2001)
Come for all things are ready. The Holy Child of Bethlehem calls you to partake of new life and be one with God
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(spoken over music)
P: In the beginning there was only God: the Creator dreamed, giving birth to a vision; the Word spoke, calling the universe into being; the Breath swept through all things, bringing life.
C: Breathe on us, O Breath of God. Give us the promise of life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
P: In the beginning, O God, there was only you. Be our guide, our hope and our joy. As you led your people Israel, as you led Sara and Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, Moses and David, Mary and Joseph, lead us.
C: Breathe on us, O Breath of God. Send us your light, our hope and our salvation. Send us your Son. Send us Jesus.
P: In the beginning, O God, there was only you: Creator, Word and Breath. And from that beginning we see our birth. From that beginning we see our salvation. From that beginning we see our source of life.
C: Come loving Parent. Come Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit. Come to us now.
P: For the promise of our salvation, the ember of life still burning, is Christ Jesus who comes as one of us, who comes to save us, who sends us the fire of your Spirit, who comes to lead us into the light.
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, "This cup is the new covenant which is in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me"
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A: From the grains of God’s earth are we fed:
C: The home baked bread of the loving home,
A: The store bought loaf of our busy world,
C: The sweet coffee cake of community and friendship,
A: The unleavened bread of the flight to freedom.
C: For these we thank you, O God.
P: As we partake of your bread remind us of those for whom the grain has not grown and for whom famine is a constant ache; for whom the grain has been stolen or sold at a loss; for whom the grain has been destroyed in wars and acts of terrorism; for whom the grain has been left behind as they flee persecution and become refugees; for whom grain is a necessity they cannot afford. Show us the way to share your grain, your bread and your gifts as you have shared yourself with us in the bread and wine that is Christ, our Savior, feeding us with heavenly food so that the body and blood of our Lord may give us the strength and courage to do what is right, to reach out to the lonely, the unlovely, the grieving, the frightened, the wounded, the hungry, the stranger, to walk the Way of truth.
C: Amen.
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