Invitation to the Assembly
Song: "What Is This Place?"
The Declaration
Hear ye, Hear ye! We convene this assembly in the name of Jesus, who has promised to preside among us always.
Response: We claim our citizenship in this place.
Prayer for God's Presence
Come Creator Spirit, mystery of the galaxies, power of supernovae, power of love. Attune our ears, open our eyes, infuse our hearts, so that we can hear, and speak, and have courage to follow the One who died for our sakes.
Response: Preside among us today, O Jesus.
A Prophetic Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-7
A Silence
A Gospel Reading: Matthew 4: 1-11
A Conversation with President Jesus (Appendix: The Politics of Worship)
Song: "Be With Me" Marty Haugen
Prayers of the People
The Thanksgiving (All)
We came empty and you filled
us.
We came broken and you healed us.
We came as enemies. You sat us down to table.
In creation you gave us food and drink.
In exodus you gave us your liberating Spirit.
In the wilderness you gave us daily bread.
In the law you gave us your justice.
In Jesus you gave us our peace.
And now in his Spirit preside at your table
Renew us with all your saints. AMEN.
The Acclamation
"Jesus Christ has Died..." (Tune: We Shall Overcome)
The Prayer for a New Creation (All)
O Founding Spirit,
Only you are holy,
Govern us with perfect justice,
Give us all the food we need,
Forgive us as we forgive our enemies.
Save us in the judgment day and
Deliver us from evil powers.
And let your new Creation come.
AMEN.
The Meal Prayers
O God,
You struggled with Jacob and chose Israel for liberation. Then you gave them bread for the Passover journey. You led Israel our mother in the wilderness and gave her manna for her daily bread. And then you elected Jesus to preside in our life together. In the power of his presence now we come for nurture and renewal. We lift up this bread made by struggling people, even as the Cross was lifted up for all to see and to claim their redemption. Gift us with your power as we say:
This is the Body of Christ, given for us all.
You gave refreshing drink in the desert. You led us beside cool waters. You struggled with us and you blessed us. Now you give us even the poured out love of Jesus to renew our world. As we remember his friendship with us we join in his power by saying:
This is the Blood of Christ, poured out for us all.
God has called us to trust in Jesus's promises to be with us unto the end. Now eat of this bread, the beginning of God's new creation, and partake of the cup, the seal of the everlasting covenant.
The Distribution
The Bread: "Receive the Body of God's love."
The Cup: "Receive the Seal of God's promise."
Communion Song
All the Bread in the World
is Here (3X);
We have bread that the world can see."
(All the wine...; All the love...; All the peace, All the joy.)
Prayer of Anticipation (All)
O God of our hopes, help
us live by Your hope.
O God of love, help us live by Your love.
O God of justice, help us live by Your truth.
Even as you have elected
us to be your people, may we elect you to preside among us -
that justice might abound where evil has prevailed,
that reason might shine where fear has made us blind,
that the spirit of service would melt the bondage of pride
and the little circle of our friends become the Great Republic of your peace.
May it be so and may it be soon. AMEN.
Song: "Give Us Your Light"
The Blessing and Adjournment
Now go from this place to
God's wider republic, and let the peace of Jesus preside in your hearts, and
may the work of peace be fruitful in your hands.
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