Jesus Sets the Table
Service Prayers for World Communion Sunday
17th Sunday after Pentecost
October 5, 2014

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20	Psalm 19	Phil 3:4b-14            Matt 21:33-46

On a table that people can see as they enter the worship space, place as many different kinds of bread as you can find. Look especially for whole loaves from the traditions represented in the congregation and in the neighborhood surrounding the church. These breads will not be brought forward with the other offering gifts.  They will not all be distributed at Communion, but may be shared among the community following worship.

Call to Worship  
The heavens are telling the glory of God
May our worship reflect God’s glory.
The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
May we see each other as the handiwork of God.
Let our prayer and praise, our singing and proclamation project the love of God.
We commune with Christians around the world, 
with Christians throughout time.
With Christians across geography and across time,
Let us worship!

Invocation
Holy and gracious God, 
let us be open to your presence among your people, 
those gathered for worship, 
and all of your people, throughout your creation. 
May we receive you fully and respond to you wholeheartedly. Amen.

Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we too often focus on the differences among us, 
rather than celebrating what we share in common. 
Forgive us. 
Help us to remember we are siblings to all of humanity, 
each and all of us created in your image. 
When we choose conflict, 
redirect our thoughts and actions to your love 
and your call to love each other. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
As children of God, we are loved tenderly. 
God longs to bring us into God’s embrace. 
By the life and love of Jesus, 
you are forgiven and free. 

Call for the Offering
In thanksgiving for God’s blessings to us, 
let us give of our treasure as an offering to God 
through the ministry of this church.

Offering Procession
	Along with the financial gifts, bring forward the different breads and display them on the altar table.  Choose the bread which will be formally broken and shared for communion.

Prayer of Dedication
Loving God, 
as Jesus made a few loaves and fish into a meal for thousands,
multiply our offerings.
Take these gifts of many breads from around our neighborhood and our world 
as a token of our desire for oneness with all who share your bread of life today.

Holy Communion

Invitation
As part of the world-wide community of Christians, 
we remember Jesus’ meal with his disciples. 
Our variety of bread today is a physical reminder 
of the range of Christian experience, 
both close to us and around the world. 

Jesus sets the table where we dine today. 
Jesus’ welcome extends to all of humanity.  
People of all ages, of all genders, of all cultures and cultures, 
of all economic conditions are welcome here.

No one can earn a place at this meal. 
Come of your own choice. 
You need only desire a deeper relationship with the risen Christ. 
Bring your hopes and your history. 
Bring your deliberations and your doubts. 
Come as your whole self.

Great Thanksgiving
	May God be with you
	And also with you!
Lift your hearts
We lift them up to God!
Let us give thanks to God most high.
It is right to give God thanks and praise!

Creating God, we give thanks that you brought this world 
and all of humanity into being, 
breathing life into us. 
You show yourself in each face we encounter, 
each and all created in your image.

We thank you for your covenants.  
You taught us how to serve you, 
and how to honor each other. 
To bring us into relationship with you, 
you sent us prophets and teachers. 
We offer thanks that when we ignored your embrace, 
you persisted in reaching out to us. 
We thank you most for the life and ministry of Jesus. 
The death and resurrection of Christ taught us 
that nothing, not even death, can separate us from you.

Through your Holy Spirit, you breathe through us, gathering us as church.  
Thank you for continuing to bring us together that we may celebrate you. 

Words of Institution
Tell the story of the last supper of Jesus and his disciples in your own words, from memory.

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion
Gracious God, we thank you for this meal 
and for all of the ways you nourish us. 
Grow in us that we may nourish others. 
Sustain us as we press toward the goal of your call in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Benediction
You have been fed at the table of Jesus, go out now to feed others. 
May the blessings of God, the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit 
go with you. Amen. 

Written by the Rev. Ruth Garwood, Interim Pastor at First Congregational UCC in Elyria, Ohio. Rev. Garwood is a certified leader of InterPlay, a system of forms in movement, story-telling and vocalizing that brings body and soul together, and brings communities together.  She teaches suicide first aid via Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.  

Copyright 2014 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.