Matt's Blog

I know that tomorrow's Sunday, but I'm trying to get in the habit of doing this. Here's the passages for this week. We're doing the alternative passages (Isaiah and Psalm 80).

I put together a liturgy from different parts of the world (below) to celebrate world communion Sunday. The material from that came form Global Ministries.

And will include the prayer of St. Francis as Oct. 4 is his day. It would be fun to do a pet blessing as well, but I think I'll save that for another year.

Global Liturgy

Call to worship

Leader: This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

People: How can we rejoice? We have brothers and sisters, all over the country, who must face issues which may affect their rejoicing.

Leader: This is a day of opportunity; a time to remember all those people who face oppression and exploitation of various kinds.

People: A time to be challenged to greater action and service, to improve the conditions of all who cry out for justice.

Leader: This is not only a day for rejoicing, but a day to seek the truth and face the truth; a day when we must not turn away into comfortable enclaves of silence.

All: It is a day of hope that the truth will set all people free. Yes, this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Christian Youth from India

Offering Prayer:

LEADER: Seed we bring

PEOPLE: Lord, to thee, wilt thou bless them, O Lord!

LEADER: Gardens we bring

PEOPLE: Lord, to thee, wilt thou bless them, O Lord!

LEADER: Hoes we bring

PEOPLE: Lord, to thee, wilt thou bless them, O Lord!

LEADER: Knives we bring

PEOPLE: Lord, to thee, wilt thou bless them, O Lord!

LEADER: Hands we bring

PEOPLE: Lord, to thee, wilt thou bless them, O Lord!

LEADER: Ourselves we bring

PEOPLE: Lord, to thee, wilt thou bless them, O Lord!

East Africa

Statements about communion around the world

The Republic of Congo: "In the Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), we do not use grape juice and bread as you do in the west. Grapes and flour do not grow in our country. Instead, we use koolaid and rice cakes to represent the blood and body of our Christ."

Fiji: "Our congregation, the Protestant Church in Fiji, is small and poor. We cannot afford bread from a store or imported grape juice for communion. So, we break bread made from manioc and share a cup of pineapple juice. These are elements of life for us."

France: "In the Lutheran Church in France, we gather in a circle around our pastor. She gives each of us a wafer with the cross stamped on it and then we share a common cup of wine. Our pastor uses these words when passing the elements: 'The body of Christ broken for you, the blood of Christ shed for the remission of your sins.'"

Mexico: "Like many churches in Latin America, ours is unable to purchase bread and wine. For our communion service, women prepare tortillas and children bring water from the village well. We find the living Christ in the cup of water which we share."

Communion litany

Minister: Let us recall how this sacrament began: The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said to his disciples, "This is my body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, Jesus took the cup after supper and said, "This cup is the new covenant sealed by my blood. Whenever you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me."

So let us, who are the family of God, do as our Lord Jesus did. Let us offer our prayer and so share in His life, that we may become stewards of His life for world unity.

People: We believe that all people are the children of God, and therefore, have worth and dignity.

All are welcome to share in this Communion Table, without regard for human divisions of race, sex, sexuality, class, or creed.

As we prepare to follow the example of Jesus in sharing this bread and wine, let us dedicate ourselves anew to live in such a way that justice may roll like waters, that unity may become real, that we are at peace with all people of good will.

Minister: Jesus took the bread, He gave thanks, and He broke the bread.

People: His life is our life.

Minister: Jesus took the cup and said, "Drink from it, all of you."

People: His life is our life.

Minister: Draw near with faith.

United Church of Christ in the Philippines

Closing Prayer

Holy Spirit, Creator,
at the beginning you hovered over the waters,
you breathed life into all creatures;
without you, every living creature dies and returns to nothingness,

Come into us, Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, Comforter,
by you we are bon again as children of God;
you make us living temples of your presence,
you pray within us with prayers to deep for words,

Come into us, Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
you are light, you bring us light;
you are goodness and the source of all goodness,

Come into us, Holy Spirit,

Holy Spirit, Breath of Life,
you sanctify and breath life into the whole body of the church;
you dwell in each one of its members,
and will one day give new life to our mortal bodies,

Come into us, Holy Spirit.

Christian Conference of Asia