A Service of Word and Table III

This service leaves a LOT of leeway for customizations for particular occasions. This version is generic and can be used for any occasion. Any text shaded in pink is “general” liturgy written by Pastor Chris Gadlage, and can be edited or omitted completely.

[Pg. 15]

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

AND ALSO WITH YOU

Lift up your hearts.

WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE

[Pg. 16]

It is indeed a right thing to give You praise, Lord, and it brings us joy to worship You, Father of all creation.

You created us and then made us alive.

We turned away, and You pursued us.

We were held captive to our sin, and You became our covenant God.

You spoke through the prophets and called to us through John in the desert.

And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT,

HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY.

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.

You sent him to preach good news, release and healing.

Through Jesus’ mighty works, you save your people.

While in human form, Jesus performed many signs and wonders, but the most remarkable miracle is new birth you make available to us all through his sacrificial death and resurrection.

Through our baptism, we participate in his suffering, death and resurrection

as your Church, delivered from slavery to sin and death, into your glorious life.

Through your son, you cut a new covenant by water and the Spirit.

The night before his sacrifice,

he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread,

gave it to his disciples, and said:

"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.

Do this in remembrance of me."

Baruch atah Adonai Elohaynu melech ha-olam ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.

Blessed are You Lord God King of the Universe who brings forth food from the earth. Amen.

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After the bread, he took the cup,

gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:

"Drink from this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it,

in remembrance of me."

Baruch atah Adonai Elohaynu melech ha-olam, boray peri ha-gafen.

Blessed are You Lord God, King of the Universe creator of the fruit of the vine. Amen.

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

CHRIST HAS DIED; CHRIST IS RISEN; CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, and on these gifts of bread and juice. Make them the body and blood of Christ for us.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to the world, until we celebrate with him in heaven.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,

all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

[…if not used in another part of the service…]

And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray:

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME, YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD.

FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US.

SAVE US FROM THE TIME OF TRIAL, AND DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

FOR THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY ARE YOURS NOW AND FOR EVER. AMEN.

Breaking the Bread

[The pastor breaks the bread in silence, or with appropriate words:]

Giving the Bread and Cup

[The bread and wine are given to the people, with these or other words being exchanged:]

The body of Christ, given for you.

AMEN

The blood of Christ, given for you.

AMEN

[The bread and wine are given to the people, with appropriate words being exchanged. The congregation sings hymns while the bread and cup are given. When all have received, the Lord's table is put in order. The pastor or congregation may give thanks after Communion.]