Rev Rex A E Hunt, MSc(Hons)

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL... AUTUMN/LENT

Invitation
Friends we are about to share in the sacred story
and celebrate the feast of the resurrection.

But we have also been reminded that when we gather around the table
if our sister or brother has anything against us,
we must leave our gifts of bread and wine
and first cleanse our hands for the giving.

 Let us then pray a clean heart be created in us.

Discernment
Loving and caring God, you have searched us out and known us,
all that we are is open to you.
(Pause)

Look not upon our shortcomings but upon our faith.
Break down all barriers which we erect against your love.
Cover us with the blanket of your peace.
And let your justice reach to the ends of the earth.
All  So that we come glad to this celebration.

When our prayers are as dry as a concrete block,
and our spirits like spinifex
All  Drench us with a downpour of mercy!

When we take things for granted and gratitude goes to sleep
All  Put a new song on our tongues.

When life's abrasive pressures fray us,
loosening our hold on life around us
All  Tell us again about the changing colours of Autumn,
and currawongs, and a G-o-d who loves and seeks after us.

Silence

O God...
All  O God, bring new life, where we are worn and tired;
new love, where we have turned hard hearted;
forgiveness, where we have wounded,
and the joy and freedom of your holy spirit,
where we are the prisoners of our selves.

Silence

Sharing 'The Peace'
May a heart of peace rest with you.
All  And also with you.  (David Galston/q)
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours

Thanksgiving
In time beyond our dreaming Creativity God hovered over the water,
and was revealed in fire and storm and precious law.

Likewise humanity in this creative likeness, evolved on this earth,
along with earth's minerals and waters,
flowers and fruits,
living creatures of grace and beauty!
All  We offer this our thanks and praise.

In the forty days of Lent,
we also remember the love made manifest in the
birth,
life, and
death of Jesus of Nazareth.

In his healing acts and radical teachings we recall the words he spoke
to call forth love, care and respect for one another.
We are grateful for this assurance of love amidst human betrayal,
care amidst hatred, respect amidst oppression.

And so, with Elizabeth who prophesied a birth,
Martha who longed for the Christ,
and James and John who sought to follow in the Way,
we continue our praise, saying:
All  Holy, holy, holy, vulnerable God,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
All  Hosanna throughout all the Earth.

Bread and Wine
We remember...
Long ago, so our tradition says, Jesus took bread,
offered thanks for it, and broke it:

'This bread is broken, as my body will be'.
Bread broken

He handed it to his friends, and invited them to eat:
'Remember all that I have been to you'.

We remember...
Long ago, so our tradition also says, Jesus poured a cup of wine,
offered thanks for it, and gave it to his friends:

'This wine is poured out, as my life will be. As you drink give thanks for all I have given’.
White Wine poured out

Bread... the very stuff of life.

Wine... fruit of the vine.

Communion
Let us share this bread and wine as Jesus lived it,
knowing that our lives are forever changed
by this and every breaking of bread.
Bread and Wine served in continuous line

After Communion
Life affirming G-o-d, bless this table-gathering of your people.
May the supper shared together, strengthen us
in our witness to the world.

Bibliography:
Iona Community. Iona Abbey Worship Book. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
Lee, B. J. (ed). Alternative Futures for Worship. Vol 3. The Eucharist. Collegeville. The Liturgical Press, 1987.
Morely, J. All Desires Known. Expanded edition. London. SPCK, 1992.
Prewer, B. D. Australian Prayers. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 1983.
Seaburg, C. (ed). The Communion Book Boston. UUMA, 1993.
Uniting in Worship. Leader’s Book. Melbourne. Uniting Church Press, 1988.
Withrow, L. Seasons of Prayer. Resources for Worship. London. SPCK, 1995.