Breaking
Bread
A Community Worship Experience
Colonial Park United Church of Christ
March 1, 2015
The Worship Experience
We Gather Together
Call to Worship
Leader: Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
People: The light shines in the deepest night,
And the night cannot overcome it.
Leader: Stay with us now, for it is evening,
People: and the day is almost over.
Leader: Let your light disperse the shadows
People: and shine within us here.
Song “Lord Jesus Christ”Taize
We Approach our God
Candles of Joy and Concern
(You are invited to light a candle or candles to signify your presence as well as the joys and concerns that you bring to the community.)
Prayer
We Grow in our Faith
Readings
Ernest Hemingway reportedly made a bet that he could write a complete story in just six words. He wrote, ‘For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn’ and won the bet. For our growing faith exercise, we will write out six word phrases of praise, testimony and commitment.
Eg. Praise – ‘Give thanks, God’s love never ends’ Ps 136:1
Testimony-‘Be ready to explain your hope’ IPeter 2:15
Commitment-‘Take up cross and follow Jesus’ Matt 16:24
Song“The Lord is my Light”Taize
The Holy Eucharist
The Invitation
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! We come from east and west, and from north and south, and we sit togetheraround this table together.
This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust in him to share the feast which he has prepared.
God be with you!
And also with you!
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to our God.
Let us give thanks to God on high.
It is right to give God thanks and praise!
The Words of Institution
According to the gospel of Luke, when the risen Savior was at the table with his disciples, he took the bread, and he blessed and broke it, and he divided it among them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Jesus said to them: “Friends, this is my body which is broken for you. When you eat of this bread, remember me always.”
In the same way, he took a cup of wine. Blessing it, he said: “This cup signifies a new Covenant. Drink of it, all of you, and be sealed as God’s own. Whenever you drink of this cup, remember me.”
Sharing the Feast
Friends, just as Jesus ate with his disciples long ago, he eats with us here in this place today. May we share in the bread and wine and be marked as the community of Christ.
Prayer of Dedication
God our help, we thank your for this supper shared in the Spirit with your Son Jesus, Who makes us new and strong, Who brings us eternal life. We praise You for giving us all good gifts in Him and pledge ourselves to serve You, even as in Christ You have served us. AMEN.
We Go Forth to Love and Serve the Lord
Song“O God, Keep me Safe”
Benediction