St Oran’s Presbyterian School Communion Service
Minister: Today as we celebrate communion, we join with millions around the world, and millions who, down through the ages have joined in this feast.
When we do this we take part in a story that tells us that we are loved completely and unconditionally by God.
When we do this we remember that Jesus invites us to this ancient but always-new meal, to share the feast and remember God’s love.
You are all welcome to share in this celebration.
In the Bible we read that Jesus often enjoyed a meal with his friends.
On the night he was arrested, the night before he died, he had a meal with his closest friends.
As they ate and drank together, they had no idea what was going to happen when they left the room they were in.
Jesus interrupted everyone and took a piece of bread from the table and said to everyone ‘this break is like my body, it will be broken and I will suffer, and I’m doing it for you and everyone else.’
Then he took a cup of wine from the table and said ‘this wine is like my blood, which will be poured out, and I’m doing it for you and everyone else.’
In the bible we read that we should share in the bread and wine just like Jesus’ friends did that night, so that we remember Jesus’ love for all people everywhere.
So just as Jesus did, I take this bread and wine to be used for this holy use, as we remember his Good News for us.
Before Jesus gave the bread to his friends to eat, he said a prayer asking God to bless it.
Let’s do the same, let’s pray…the first words of our prayer are an ancient response said by people all around the world as they celebrate communion:
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 offer our thanks and praise.
Minister:
Loving God, we praise you
You are the One who brings hope and the promise of peace in your Son, Jesus Christ
You open wide your arms in welcome to us, so that we might be drawn into Jesus’ life and in doing so, know life in its fullness.
Thank you for what he has taught us about your love, which is spacious and freely offered to all.
Make these everyday things of bread and wine special for us by the presence of your Holy Spirit, that they may become for us the gift of your body, healing, forgiving, making us whole…so that we in turn may become for you, your body, loving and caring in the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Fraction:
Jesus took breadand broke it and said ‘this is my body given for you.
Later he took a cup of wine and said ‘this is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink it, all of you, to remember me.’
The gifts of God for the people of God.
After communion:
Loving God, you are full of compassion and we thank you that you have nourished us with the bread of life and the wine of hope.
Your love flowed out through Christ to those around him…so let your love flow through us to others.
You showed us your broken life in Christ’s cross, now brought to resurrection newness…so let your life meet us in our brokenness and pain…release hope in us and others, through Jesus, the one who brings hope, peace, joy and love to the world.
Amen
Thanks to Rev Sharon Ross Ensor of the Presbyterian Church Schools Resource Office for sharing this communion liturgy with us