Liturgy for
holy eucharist and community gathering

Celebrant:

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary
and carrying heavy burdens
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
For I am gentle and humble in heart;
and you will find rest for your souls;
for my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Please join me in prayer ... (Use the collect for the next Sunday from the lectionary sheet or the flowing collect from the BCP).

Loving God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you, and ever praise your holy Name; through Christ our Savior. AMEN

Silent Prayer (Introduce this with an invitation to turn over all that is too heavy to bear - all that separates you from God - to God, in the silence.)

Let us say together the serenity prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.

May God's grace, mercy and forgiveness be within us. May God's love fill our hearts and strengthen us that we may fulfill the work we have been given, to love one another, and to do justice and be merciful in the world. AMEN.

Let us pray together Psalm 23 (from BCP or a psalm from the lectionary sheet.)

Oh God, you are my shepherd.
I shall not want.
You make me lie down in green pastures.
You lead me beside still waters.
You restore my soul.
You lead me in the paths of righteousness
for your name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death
I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in your house forever.

AMEN

Gospel Reading (Usually read by someone from the congregation using the following Sunday's gospel passage included on the lectionary sheet. After the reading the celebrant shares briefly and then invites others to share in the response to the gospel reading.)

Prayers of the People - Introduction - Let us pray ...

Gracious God, you have promised to be present with your community when we are gathered together in your name. Be with us now as we offer our prayers, petitions and thanksgivings to you. Lord in your mercy, ...

(Congregation responds) "Hear our prayer." Please feel free to offer your own prayers.

After prayers are offered, end with

Holy and life-giving God, sustain us and all people we hold in prayer, by Christ's presence; help us to know the healing power of Christ's love. Empty us of all things that keep us from experiencing your healing. From pain and burdens too great to bear, from guilt and shame, from fearful memories and fear of the future, from addictions, from pride, greed, resentment, and bitterness, from lying and pretense, and from the depths of despair ... healing Spirit set us free. AMEN.

The Peace

Celebrant: The peace of Christ is always with you.
People: And also with you.

The people gathered offer one another a sign of peace.

THE EUCHARIST

Christ is with us.
Let us open our hearts to God and to one another.
Let us give thanks to God with joy.

Most generous, self giving God,
we celebrate your gift of creation,
and we thank you for your constant love for all you have made.
Your breath gives us life; you call us into new life.
You did not reject us when we rejected you,
but you delivered us from separation and death
to a joyful life in communion with you and all your creatures.

Out of your desire to draw us into your infinite love,
Jesus was born into the human family
and remained with people who were outcast.
He walks today among us.
He touches us with your love.
He gave himself freely to life, and triumphed over evil.
He restores us to life by refusing to abandon us
and remaining faithful to You and to us.

On the night before he died,
Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, and when he had given thanks to You,
he broke it, gave it to them and said,
"Take, eat: This is my Body which is broken for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper Jesus took the cup, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
poured out for you and for all.
As often as you drink this, remember me."

Remembering Christ's life and death,
proclaiming Christ's resurrection,
awaiting Christ's coming in glory,
we offer you ourselves in praise and thanksgiving.

Celebrating your boundless love for us in Jesus Christ,
we offer you these gifts.
Bless them by your Holy Spirit
that they may be for us the holy food and drink
of new and unending life in Christ.

Pour your Spirit on us, that we may know Christ in the breaking of bread, and that
in word and deed we may be bearers of your love, peace, and justice in the world.

At the end of this life, unite us with all your saints, past, present and yet to come,
in life everlasting, that we may praise your Name forever.

All praise to you Eternal God, in Jesus Christ, who lives among us,
and the Holy Spirit who binds us together in love.
Everyone say, AMEN!

(Lord's Prayer) Our father who art in heaven ...

(Break the Bread)

The gifts of God for the people of God.

(Distribution of elements followed by the Prayer of Thanksgiving.)

Holy, gracious and loving God, you have drawn us to your heart, and nourished us at your table with holy food and drink, the body and Blood of Christ. Now send us forth to be your people in the world, and to proclaim your truth, this day and evermore. Amen.

Benediction and Dismissal

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