Winter
Worship
All Things Are Ready
Communion Prayers for the Church Year and Pastoral Occasions
Object:
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 and good to give God thanks and praise.
Eternal God, we thank you that in the quiet of the dark nights you are there. When the noise has hushed and the fevered pace of life has chilled, you draw us close and tell us that there is more than what we see.
"Be still and know that I am God."
When we cannot see an end to our troubles and are uncertain about what tomorrow will bring, you show us that change is possible. As the land rests under the blanket of snow and cold permeates the land and we worry, you remind us that there is a plan and a purpose.
"There is a time for everything under heaven."
In our distress you comfort us with peace and hope. As we look to the future with anxiety, you whisper about the possibility which is ours. When we dare to dream, you encourage us with glimpses of your vision and tastes of your promises.
"With Christ all things are possible."
Loving God, you lead us to the table that you have prepared for us. On the table you offer us bread to build up our strength and drink as a sign of your grace. You invite us to set aside everything that would stop us from seeing and knowing the beauty and joy around us. You offer us these gifts and invite us to be your people.
"We are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
As we take this bread and break it, we remember that on the night before Jesus died he took bread, broke it and offered it to his followers. He told them it was his body broken for them.
We remember Jesus' death upon the cross.
As we share this cup, we remember that on the night before he died Jesus took the cup and offered it to his followers. He told them it was his blood through which a new promise was being sealed.
We remember Jesus rising from the grave.
Gracious God, let your Holy Spirit move among us and transform these gifts and our lives. Allow us to see the eternal, experience the extraordinary, and be filled with your love once again. For we are your people and have come at your bidding in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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 and good to give God thanks and praise.
Eternal God, we thank you that in the quiet of the dark nights you are there. When the noise has hushed and the fevered pace of life has chilled, you draw us close and tell us that there is more than what we see.
"Be still and know that I am God."
When we cannot see an end to our troubles and are uncertain about what tomorrow will bring, you show us that change is possible. As the land rests under the blanket of snow and cold permeates the land and we worry, you remind us that there is a plan and a purpose.
"There is a time for everything under heaven."
In our distress you comfort us with peace and hope. As we look to the future with anxiety, you whisper about the possibility which is ours. When we dare to dream, you encourage us with glimpses of your vision and tastes of your promises.
"With Christ all things are possible."
Loving God, you lead us to the table that you have prepared for us. On the table you offer us bread to build up our strength and drink as a sign of your grace. You invite us to set aside everything that would stop us from seeing and knowing the beauty and joy around us. You offer us these gifts and invite us to be your people.
"We are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
As we take this bread and break it, we remember that on the night before Jesus died he took bread, broke it and offered it to his followers. He told them it was his body broken for them.
We remember Jesus' death upon the cross.
As we share this cup, we remember that on the night before he died Jesus took the cup and offered it to his followers. He told them it was his blood through which a new promise was being sealed.
We remember Jesus rising from the grave.
Gracious God, let your Holy Spirit move among us and transform these gifts and our lives. Allow us to see the eternal, experience the extraordinary, and be filled with your love once again. For we are your people and have come at your bidding in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
