Introduction
Over the past ten years I have been trying to reconstruct our worship forms so that they use the language and symbols of our contemporary political life rather than those of monarchy and feudalism. This liturgy is one attempt to do incorporate that language within the classic form of the Eucharist. For this worship I would want to seek out a round table, which symbolizes the round tables of democratic discourse, such as emerged in the revolutions of eastern Europe in 1989-91.
The Convening
The Call:
Out of the silence of fear,
Christ calls us to conversation;
Out of hunger and isolation, Christ calls us to his table of companionship;
Out of darkness and wandering, Christ calls us into the light of his assembly.
Response: We come to his table, we respond to his call.
The Invoking
The Presider:
O Spirit of the Living
God,
In Wisdom and Word, in Service and Suffering,
In Presidency and Power.
You brought us into being with a parent's care.
You have suffered with us in our wandering and warfare,
You give yourself daily to sustain us,
You invite us to the table of your mercy and your peace,
Now lead us in our prayer and praise.
The People: Come, Spirit of Life, preside in our midst.
The Claiming
"I'm Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table"
The Re-membering
Proverbs 9: 1-6
Luke 14: 15-24
The Interpretation
Prayers of the People
Even as you have called us O God, so now we call on you to hear the prayers and petitions of our hearts:
For us, who are often weary, frenzied, and driven by anxiety and fear,
RENEW YOUR SPIRIT AMONG YOUR PEOPLE, O GOD.
For neighbors broken in divorce and death, in bankruptcy and unemployment,
RENEW YOUR SPIRIT AMONG YOUR PEOPLE, O GOD.
For the drug addicted, the AIDS afflicted, the hungry, homeless and assaulted,
RENEW YOUR SPIRIT AMONG YOUR PEOPLE, O GOD.
Among the powerful work out your purposes. Among the violent work your patient power of persuasion,
RENEW YOUR SPIRIT AMONG YOUR PEOPLE, O GOD.
The Thanksgiving Meal
"Communion Song"
Prayer of Thanksgiving
O God, our Creator, for
our lives we give you thanks.
O God, our Redeemer, for our salvation we give you thanks.
O God, our Wisdom, for the light of your Truth we give you thanks.
When we were warring tribes
you gave us the covenant of your law.
When we were locked in legalities you gave us your grace.
When we made of our faith a fortress you broke down the walls with the power
of your freedom.
In creation, in exodus, in Jesus and in all your saints You have been marvelously
faithful to us.
Now, in this meal of memory and hope help us to renew our faithfulness to you.
The Hope Prayer
O Founding Spirit,
Only you are holy,
Come govern us with perfect justice,
Give us today all the food that we need,
Forgive our sin as we forgive our enemies.
Save us from the judgment day and
Deliver us from evil powers.
Let it be. AMEN.
The Living Memorial
When the hour was come that he was to be lifted up for all the world to see and to follow, he gathered his disciples together at table. He took the bread and broke it saying, "This is my body."
The People: Christ, we greet you in the sharing of this bread.
Partake of this body, broken for us to begin a new creation. It is the seal of God's faithful promise to all peoples.
Words of Distribution: Receive God's love for the whole world."
Words of Reception: Christ presides at our table.
When the meal was ended he took the cup and said, "This is my blood, the blood of the renewed covenant, shed for many for the forgiveness of sins."
The People: Christ, we greet you in the sharing of this drink.
Let us drink of this cup in anticipation of his coming again.
Words of Distribution: "Receive God's love for the whole world."
Words of Reception: Christ is our new covenant.
Prayer of Longing
O God of our hopes, help
us live by Your hope.
O God of love, help us live by Your love.
O God of wisdom, 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.
The Blessing
Go in peace, the power of God is poured out on all peoples, the work of peace is in your hands. Be joyful in all things until we meet again. AMEN.
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