The Thanksgiving
The time completed, the
cycle ended,
earth returns its bounty to our hands.
Leaves descending with thanks unending
cloak the wintering ground.
From April seed October feeds
the mouths of all God's people.
The bursting harvest of God's love
still seeks to break the bonds of greed,
make every field a table,
every mouth the fullness of God's glory.
The Presence in the People
O God, Immanuel,
We came broken and you healed
us.
We came empty and you filled us.
We came as children and you made us friends.
We came as enemies. You sat us down to table.
In creation you gave us food and drink.
In exodus you gave us the freedom of your Spirit.
In the wilderness you gave us daily bread.
In the law you gave us your justice.
In Jesus you gave us our peace.
In the power of his promise
preside at his table,
bring us to thanks again. AMEN.
The Presence in the Bread
At the culmination of his ministry, Jesus gathered his people around him at the Passover table. Here they remembered the power of God, who redeemed them from the hell of slavery and led them on a difficult journey to new life. And Jesus took the bread in memory of God's power and said, "This is my Body, eat this in memory of me."
People: This is The Power and Presence of Christ!
The Presence in the Cup
Likewise, he took the cup and blessed it, saying "this is the blood of the new covenant in my blood." And so we are no longer frightened children, no longer are we to lord it over one another. We are friends in the power of Christ. Take this cup in anticipation of the fulfilment of this covenant in the new creation.
People: This is The Power and Presence of Christ!
The Presence in the Sharing
Let us come to the table of God's justice and of our peace.
The Presence in God's Future
All creation longs for the completion of your purpose, O God. With this meal we are nurtured in that hope and elected in your power. May your new creation come, may you govern us forever, may all peoples be drawn into your power and peace. May their every cry be heard, may their every need be met. In the name of Jesus, who presides among us forever. AMEN and AMEN.
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