Month: February 2022

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Good Friday Liturgy

INTRODUCTION (Philippians 2. 5-11)

Though Christ was by nature divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but emptied himself, took the form of a slave,
and was born as a human.
Lord have mercy.
Appearing in human form,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Christ have mercy.
Therefore God has highly exalted him,
and given him the name above all others,
that every knee should bend, and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Giver of Life.
Lord have mercy, and grant us your peace.

KYRIE

PRAYER
Jesus, you carried our sins and sorrows in your own body on the cross so that we might have life. God, look with mercy upon your beloved people, for whom Christ was willing to suffer. Look upon us with mercy, that by your grace we, and all who remember this day, may find forgiveness, liberation from our sin, and new life in you, that we may walk in your ways, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to your eternal glory. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER

FIRST GOSPEL READING John 18: 1-27
SILENT REFLECTION

PRAYER
God of Truth, keep always in our minds your love for us, and our love for you. Deliver us from our fear of speaking out for justice and standing with those who are oppressed. Forgive us for tolerating injustice and wrong. Give us the strength to confront evil and to proclaim your grace, in the spirit of Christ. Amen.

HYMN

OLD TESTAMENT      (Isaiah 52:13 — 53:12)
My servant, you shall prosper;
        you shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.
Just as there were many who were astonished at you—
        so marred was your appearance, beyond human semblance,
        and your form beyond that of mortals—
so you shall startle many nations;
        rulers shall shut their mouths because of you;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
        and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

Who would have believed what you have just heard?
        And to whom has the arm of the Holy One been revealed?
For you grew up before God like a young plant,
        and like a root out of dry ground;
you had no form or majesty to impress us,
        nothing in your appearance that we should desire you.

You were despised and rejected;
        one who knew suffering and was familiar with pain;
people despised you and looked away,
        and considered you worthless.

Surely you have borne our weakness and carried our diseases.
We thought you were being stricken by God,
        punished and humiliated—
but you suffered because of our sins,
        and were wounded by the evil we have done.
You were punished, and yet we are made whole;
        for in your suffering we find healing.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
        we have all turned to our own way;
        in you God has exposed our violence.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

You were oppressed, and afflicted,
        yet you did not open your mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
        and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
        so you did not open your mouth.
By a perversion of justice you were taken away.
        Who could have imagined your future?
For you were cut off from the land of the living,
        and suffered what was not yours to suffer.

They made your grave with the wicked
        buried you with the rich,
although you had done no violence,
        and had only spoken the truth.

Though you were crushed with pain, yet God believed in you,
        and healed you, whom we made an offering for sin.
You shall see your offspring,
        and shall prolong your days;
        through you God’s will shall prosper.

Out of your anguish you shall see light;
        and knowing the truth, you will find peace.
You, God’s righteous servant,
        shall make many righteous,
        and you shall bear their sins.

Therefore God will allot you a portion with the great,
        and you shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because you poured yourself out to death,
        and were numbered with the transgressors.
You bore the sin of many,
        yet forgave the transgressors.

SONG

NEW TESTAMENT (Hebrews 10: 16-25)

RESPONSE     [Kyrie, Song, Choir or instrumental piece]

SECOND GOSPEL READING (John 18:28 — 19:16)
SILENT REFLECTION

PRAYER
God of mercy, deliver us from our fear in which we judge others. We pray for all who are oppressed, imprisoned, persecuted or rejected. To you who have delivered us from slavery we pray for the faith and courage to work for justice and the freedom of your children, and to proclaim the good news of your grace. Amen.
RESPONSE    [Kyrie, Song, Choir or instrumental piece]

THIRD GOSPEL READING (John 19: 17-30)

PSALTER — Psalm 22

FOURTH GOSPEL READING (John 19: 31-42)
SILENT REFLECTION

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, in your humility, your lonely struggle and your agony,
you share our suffering. Give us faith to trust your grace.
In your weakness, rejection and humiliation, your crown of
thorns, your bitter death and your resting in the grave,
you accompany those who suffer, who are in sorrow or who are alone, who face death or who know injustice.
In your steadfast love and forgiveness,
receive our sins, set us free, and grant us peace.
In your kindness in the face of evil,
give us trust in the power of love.
By the mystery of your grace in the face of violence,
show us your way, God. Put to death all that is evil in us, that we may never judge, blame or harm your children; that we may resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves; that we may bear your love to the world. Grant that we may die with Christ; and raise us to new life. Into your hands we commit our spirit.
We pray for your holy Church, the Body of Christ. Impart to us the Spirit of gentleness and peace, the Spirit of compassion and forgiveness, the Spirit of justice and freedom for all. By the grace of the crucified Christ, may we learn your way of love.
God, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. God, have mercy.

SILENT PRAYERS … THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS

SILENT REFLECTION

You may remain as long as you wish, in silent prayer.

Click here to download this liturgy in a .doc format.

Good Friday Liturgy

INTRODUCTION (Philippians 2. 5-11)

Though Christ was by nature divine,
Christ did not cling to equality with God,
but in utter self-emptying, took the form of a slave,
and was born as a human.
God have mercy.
Appearing in human form,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Christ have mercy.
Therefore God has highly exalted Christ,
with a name above all others,
that every knee should bend, and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ reigns supreme, to the glory of God the Giver of Life.
God have mercy, and grant us your peace.
SONG

PRAYER
Jesus, you carried our sins in your own body on the cross so that we might have life. God, look with mercy upon your beloved people, for whom Christ was willing to suffer. By your grace may we, and all who remember this day, find forgiveness, liberation from our sin, and new life in you, that we may walk in your ways, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to your eternal glory. Amen.
SILENT PRAYER

OLD TESTAMENT (Isaiah 52.13 – 53.12)
My servant, you shall prosper;
        you shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.
Just as there were many who were astonished at you—
      so marred was your appearance, beyond human semblance,
      and your form beyond that of mortals—
so you shall startle many nations;
      rulers shall shut their mouths because of you;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
      and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

Who would have believed what you have just heard?
      And to whom has the arm of the Holy One been revealed?
For you grew up before God like a young plant,
      and like a root out of dry ground;
you had no form or majesty to impress us,
      nothing in your appearance that we should desire you.

You were despised and rejected;
      one who knew suffering and was familiar with pain;
people despised you and looked away,
      and considered you worthless.

Surely you have borne our weakness and carried our diseases.
We thought you were being stricken by God,
      punished and humiliated—
but you suffered because of our sins,
      and were wounded by the evil we have done.
You were punished, and yet we are made whole;
      for in your suffering we find healing.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
      we have all turned to our own way;
      in you God has exposed our violence.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

You were oppressed, and afflicted,
      yet you did not open your mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
      and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
      so you did not open your mouth.
By a perversion of justice you were taken away.
      Who could have imagined your future?
For you were cut off from the land of the living,
      and suffered what was not yours to suffer.

They made your grave with the wicked
      buried you with the rich,
although you had done no violence,
      and had only spoken the truth.

Though you were crushed with pain, yet God believed in you,
      and healed you, whom we made an offering for sin.
You shall see your offspring,
      and shall prolong your days;
      through you God’s will shall prosper.

Out of your anguish you shall see light;
      and knowing the truth, you will find peace.
You, God’s righteous servant,
      shall make many righteous,
      and you shall bear their sins.

Therefore God will allot you a portion with the great,
      and you shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because you poured yourself out to death,
      and were numbered with the transgressors.
You bore the sin of many,
      yet forgave the transgressors.

KYRIE

GOSPEL READING (from John 18.27-19.42)

SONG

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PRAYER OF JESUS (“Lord’s Prayer”)

MEDITATION ON THE SEVEN LAST WORDS

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
PRAYER
God of truth, we are not aware of our evil or conscious of how we hurt others. Awaken us, O God, that we may be mindful of our sin. Open the eyes of our hearts, that we may see ourselves with loving clarity, as you see us—and repent. God, have mercy.
SILENCE

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
PRAYER
Holy One, you promise us a realm of mercy and justice, yet we thwart it by our judgment and injustice. Heal us and all the world, that we may truly enter into the Empire of your love that you have prepared for us. God, have mercy.

“Woman, here is your son. Son, here is your mother.”
PRAYER
Christ our brother, you make us one family in your love. We pray for all our siblings and our kin the world over, for communities, and for mothers who must see their children suffer because of injustice. For the sin of our racism, our divisions and our fears. Forgive us and heal us. God, have mercy.
SILENCE

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
PRAYER
Gentle God, you share our fear and loneliness. You are always present with us and for us. May the Passion of your beloved Son give us help in all our trials, and strength in our human weakness. We pray for all who are lonely, and all who feel unworthy. God, have mercy.
SILENCE

“I am thirsty.”
PRAYER
We pray for the poor and all who are hungry and thirsty in body or soul. We ourselves hunger for your presence and thirst for your grace. We pray for all who suffer, and for those who exercise power in the world. God, have mercy.
SILENCE

“It is finished.”
PRAYER
Eternal One, you have loved us so deeply, so dearly, so wholly. Christ has faithfully embodied your love among us; the light of your love has shone, even in the darkness. You have set us free from the fear of death, so that we may love courageously. May we, the church, the Body of Christ, embody your love and forgiveness, and radiate your light. God, have mercy.
SILENCE

“Into your hands I commit my spirit.”
PRAYER
O Holy, Indwelling One, may we live by your Spirit, the spirit of gentleness and peace, of compassion and healing. Put to death all that is evil in us, and grant that we may die with Christ, that you may raise us to new life. Into your hands we commit our spirit. God, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. God, have mercy.

SILENCE

SONG

BLESSING

Click here to download this prayer in a .doc format.

[After each segment of this prayer is a scripture reading, followed by silence. The contents of the scripture readings, in brackets, may be included or omitted from the congregation’s printed materials.]

Eucharistic Prayer

God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God thanks and praise.

Loving God, for your abundant creation that sustains us
and fed multitudes in the wilderness,
for your re-creating us in each breath, we give you thanks.
For your presence with us in this meal,
and your giving of yourself in your very flesh, we give you thanks.
John 6.35
[“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever trusts in me will never be thirsty.”]
          Silence…

Holy, whole and infinite One, womb of all that is:
all Creation is glorious with your presence.
We turn to you alone for life.
Blessed is the one who comes in your love.
Ezekiel 34.16
[I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. .]
          Silence…

To your welcoming grace, accepting the sinner and the broken,
and your universal forgiveness and generous healing, we open our hearts.
To your grace that reconciles us with you and with each other,
and unites us even with our enemies as siblings at your table,
we open our hearts.
Luke 15.2
[“This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ]
          Silence…

For your invitation to your table,
and the gift of gathering here, we give you thanks.
We pray for all who are not yet free,
who know oppression, servitude, poverty or discrimination,
who are trafficked, abused or imprisoned,
that we may ever be mindful of your yearning for their freedom.
Exodus 3.7-8a
[“I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land.”]
          Silence…

For your mercy upon us in our sin, we give you thanks.
For your mercy upon us whose greed and complacency
contribute to the suffering of others, we humbly thank you.
Luke 19.42
[If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.]
          Silence…

For your covenant in which you claim us as your beloved people,
and for your faithful mercy, we give you thanks.
For your grace in redeeming us in our poverty and slavery,
for saving us from the fear of death and the weight of our sin,
we give you thanks.
John 8.35-36
[The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. ]
          Silence…

To the mystery of your call to die and be raised with Christ;
and to your self-giving, in which we receive eternal life, we open our hearts.
To your grace by which we enter into new lives,
and to the love in which we lay down our lives for one another,
we open our hearts.
John 12.24
[I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.]
          Silence…

[The Blessing and Covenant]

Feasting on the food of eternal life, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Remembering Jesus and his love, we offer ourselves with him
to you, for the healing of the world.
John 4.14
[Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.]
          Silence….

For the sake of the true spirit of this meal in solidarity with all who are oppressed,
for the sake of good news for the poor and freedom for those in prison,
pour out your Spirit on us.
For compassion for those who suffer, and strength for the journey ahead,
for courage in the struggle for justice, pour out your Spirit on us.
Isaiah 58.6-8
[Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? ]
          Silence…

For the sake of your Realm of mercy and justice which is to come;
for the sake of the Resurrection Life which you promise,
pour out your Spirit on us. Amen.
John 14.26-27
[The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.]
          Silence….

This liturgy is essentially an extended Eucharistic Prayer. The focus is on communion with Christ. The Eucharistic prayer is long—it takes up most of the service. You may break it up with appropriate music wherever it fits best.

Click here to download this service in a .doc format.
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A Maundy Thursday Liturgy

“This is my command: that you love one another as I have loved you.”
—John 15.12

PRELUDE

GREETING
Dearly Beloved, siblings in Christ, in this Holy Week we proclaim the mystery of our faith as we behold the great love of Jesus, and contemplate his call for us to love one another. As Jesus faced his death with humility, compassion and grace, pray that we may watch with him in his passion. Set us free from our bondage to self, that by your grace we may enter into the fellowship of his suffering, trusting in your grace alone. Grant that in his spirit we may freely serve one another in all lowliness, for the sake of your will.

SONG

PRAYER
God of grace, as Jesus called his beloved friends to the table, so you call us now, to share in table fellowship as sisters and brothers, to give thanks for Jesus, and to receive him into our hearts. Fill us with the love of Christ, that we may be his faithful disciples. Amen.

GOSPEL John 13.1-17, 31-35

MEDITATION / HOMILY

SONG

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Pastor: God of love, we give thanks for the mystery of this meal, in which, even in our sin, you offer us love and grace. Therefore we are bold to confess our sin to you with one another.
All: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, nor loved our neighbors as ourselves. In our fear we have withheld compassion. In selfishness we have thought ourselves separate from others. We have betrayed Christ. We repent of our sin, and ask your forgiveness.
SILENT PRAYER … PROCLAMATION OF GRACE
Sisters and brothers, you are forgiven. Trust in the grace of God.
We are forgiven. You are forgiven. We trust in the grace of God.

PASSING THE PEACE

PRAYER
Gracious God, grant us Christ’s spirit of humility, obedience and love.
Set us free from our bondage to self, that by your grace we may enter into the fellowship of his suffering and the body of his love, trusting in your grace alone. Grant that in his spirit we may freely serve one another in all lowliness, for the sake of your will. Amen.

PSALM Psalm 116

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Dearly Beloved, this is no ordinary meal, for Jesus himself has invited us,
and in it we experience his presence:
in the bread, in the sharing, and in one another.
Thanks be to God.
Jesus’ ministry was teaching and healing; it was also eating and drinking,
with friends, with strangers, even with enemies.
The accusation against him was true: “He eats with sinners.”
and so he invites us to dine with him, in love, in forgiveness, in community.
Thanks be to God.

God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your heart.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise.

Blessed are you, O God, Creator of the Universe,
Infinite Love at the heart of all things.
You have given us the gifts of earth and food,
of life and blessing, and we thank you.
As we bless this bread we thank you for all your gifts
and praise you for all your blessings.

[You are invited to call out all of the blessings for which you are thankful. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!]

Holy God, Creator of this world and all that is to come,
we give thanks for your mighty acts of mercy.
You brought Creation out of chaos, light out of darkness.
You formed us in your image
and breathed into us the breath of life.
You made your Covenant with us, to be our God.
You condemn the powers that oppress us,
and set free your beloved people.
Even when our love fails, you remain steadfast.
You love us and redeem us
and bring us up out of slavery
in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
You deliver us from our imprisonment in ourselves
and restore us to your beloved community.
In your Spirit you make us one body,
and draw us to your table as sisters and brothers.
Therefore we remember with love and gratitude
the cloud of witnesses who surround us and who have gone before.

[You are invited to share the names of all those whom you wish to remember, near or far, living or dead.]

SCRIPTURE Hebrews 12.1-3

For the gift of community, we give you thanks.
We ask your blessing for each person gathered here,
and for those whom we do not see—
for family and ancestors,
for travelers and sojourners,
for people in far off lands, for immigrants and strangers,
prisoners and laborers,
for all the faithful and their pastors,
for teachers and healers,
for our enemies and those whom we do not understand,
and for those people to whom you will send us
in humble, loving service.
For all your saints, known to us and unknown, we give thanks
and pray that in this meal we may be made one.
For your covenant of love, we give you thanks.
For the gift of Creation, for your faithful providence,
and for your mighty acts of salvation, we thank you.
As the grains of wheat are gathered and made into one loaf,
so in this meal we are one in the love of Jesus, the Body of Christ.
And so with all your Beloved, we praise you with one voice:

            [Sanctus, spoken or sung:]
        Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
        heaven and earth are full of your glory.
        Hosanna in the highest.
        Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
        Hosanna in the highest.
               [or alternate version]

Blessed is Jesus, your Christ, who comes in your name,
who embodies your love among us,
who gives himself to us for heavenly food.
Jesus taught us of the Realm of your grace,
the banquet of your generous love.
He healed our bodies, our souls, our relationships,
and set us free from our fear.
On the night in which he gave himself for us,
he gathered his beloved for a meal.
In our fear and isolation he made a community.
In the face of injustice he showed generosity.
Against the powers of evil he shared love.
Amidst our betrayal he gave a feast of self-giving.
Though divine, Christ did not cling to equality with God,
but in complete self-emptying took the form of a servant,
becoming humble to the point of death, even death on a cross.

SONG

In the bread we feast on the love of Christ;
and in the cup we drink of his sacrifice for us,
and of the cup of pain and sorrow that all must drink who dare to love.
Fill us with the wine of gratitude, O God,
that we may both drink and share the cup of compassion.
In offering his body and blood to us, Jesus enters into our suffering.
Therefore we pray for all who suffer, for you, O God, are one with them.
Be with us in all our sorrows, O Christ,
and all who watch or wait this night.
Be with those who are sick or poor, in grief or afraid,
those who are imprisoned or enslaved,
victims of torture, persecution or oppression,
those who suffer from addiction or violence.
Gentle Christ, we thank for your great love,
for which you suffered the torture of the cross.
In your presence may all who suffer find hope and courage
and come to know the true promise of resurrection.

[You are invited to name victims of injustice for whom we pray.]

Other intercessory prayers may be offered here.

Gracious God, in Christ you have renewed your Covenant
to be our God and to be with us in blessing eternally.
You have brought about your new Passover:
for it was Christ who offered himself as the Passover lamb,
that the power of death may pass over us, and that,
in your suffering for our sin, all condemnation be destroyed.

…The Blessing and Covenant (“Words of Institution”)…

In the Covenant of your forgiveness of our sin, we receive new life.
Therefore, remembering these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
in union with Christ’s offering for us
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

             [Memorial Acclamation, spoken or sung:]
        Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
                     —or—
        Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
        Christ will come again in glory.
             [or alternative]

SCRIPTURE Isaiah 42.1-4

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Renew your Spirit within us, O God,
grant us the peace of Christ,
and unite us with all who share in this meal.
In this meal you grant us solidarity with all who suffer,
that we may enter into the brokenness of the world;
May we, bearing the light of your resurrection,
live as signs of your covenant with all Creation,
and the coming of the Realm you have promised.

We pray that every oppressive force may be undone,
including those in which we have a part.
We ask for the courage and compassion of your Spirit,
that we may pray and work for justice for all people.
God of mercy, set us free, and free all your beloved children.
May your Spirit live in us, that we may be fearless in love,
and unafraid to give of ourselves.
Make us your humble servants for the healing of the world,
according to your will.
May your Word be made flesh by all your holy Church,
in the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen, spoken or sung

THE PRAYER OF JESUS (“Lord’s Prayer”)

SONG

SHARING THE HOLY MEAL

PRAYER
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery
in which you have given yourself to us.
You have affirmed anew your covenant to be with us in blessing.
You have given us the Body of Christ,
and made us the Body of Christ:
you have united us with one another
and with the crucified and risen Christ.
In the grace of your forgiveness,
in the power of your resurrecting love,
send us into the world to be the healing hands of Christ.
Renew your Spirit within us, and grant us the peace of Christ,
that we may enter into the brokenness of the world,
and, bearing the light of your resurrection,
live as signs of the Realm you have promised.
In the grace of your communion with us,
strengthen us for the work of justice and healing.
Grant that we may be taken as your beloved,
blessed as the body of Christ in your Covenant,
broken, crucified for the healing of all people,
and given, raised, for the building of justice
and the redemption of all Creation.
In your Spirit we are one with you, one with each other,
one in ministry to the world.“This is my commandment,” Jesus says,
that you love one another as I have loved you.”
May we live in love according to your grace,
in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.

SONG

BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH

POSTLUDE

__________________________

Suggested songs

In Your Love (Tune: What Wondrous Love)

Our thanks we give to you, holy God, Loving One.
All earth and heaven shine with your love.
You form us wonderfully, and love us faithfully,
and come and set us free by your love, by your love.
Hosanna, God on high, Loving One!

How blest is Christ, who comes in your name, in your love,
who blessed and taught and healed in your love.
In love your Christ has died, is risen at our side,
and still will come again in your love, in your love,
and Christ will come again in your love.

Pour out your Spirit, God, on this bread, on this wine:
for they are Christ made real in your love.
Make us the Body, too, of Christ, now sent from you,
that we your will may do in your love, in your love.
We offer you our lives in your love.


This is the Passover (Original song)

This is the Passover you have desired to share
as you deliver us out of our slavery and fear.

This is the new living Covenant, sealed in your blood.
Grant that it may be fulfilled in the Kin-dom of God.

Stripped in our suffering of all but our need for your grace,
join us to you in your dying and rising, O Christ.

This is our passing from death into life, one with you.
Grant us your Spirit, united, set free and made new.


You Feed Us, Gentle Savior       (Tune: O Sacred Head Now Wounded)

You feed us, gentle savior, the bread that makes us whole,
the wine of your compassion poured out into our soul,
the food of your own presence, your spirit, strong, within,
the grace that heals us deeply and overcomes our sin.

You bind us, gentle savior, and weave us into one,
one flesh and blood, made holy, the Body of your Son.
We gather here in hunger, one hunger, all the same;
and with one grace you bless us together in his name.

You call us, gentle savior, and send us in your name.
You teach and heal and show us how we can do the same.
So strengthened by your Spirit and nourished by your grace,
we go to be your presence in love, in every place.