Communion Service Liturgy at PTS Today

Phillips Theological Seminary Midday Chapel
September 29, 2010 - WEEK 5


Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Proper 22c/Ordinary 27C

Psalm 137 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Lamentations 1:1-6 Luke 17:5-10

"All are welcome
--the guilty and the grateful, the busy and the rested, the devout and the indifferent,
the clear and the confused, those who have feasted and those who have fasted,
those called successful and those called failures—
all are welcome,
for this is the Lord's table and the Lord's love goes out to all."
Rev. Carl Scovel, Minister Emeritus, King's Chapel, Boston



Prelude


Invocation

Today is the day which God has made:
Let us rejoice and be glad therein.
What does the Eternal require of us?
To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.


Chalice Lighting

This is our covenant as we walk together in life as a people of God
striving to make Jesus visible in the world:
In the light of truth, and the loving and liberating spirit of Jesus,
we gather in freedom, to worship God, and serve all.


*Hymn "We'll Build a Land" Singing the Living Tradition



*Please rise in body or in spirit.
Scripture 2 Timothy 1: 1-14 NRSV


Unison Prayer from King's Chapel Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid,
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Homily "311 at The Welcome Table" Rev. Ron Robinson




Communion


Prayer of Confession

Gracious and Loving God, we acknowledge to you, to one another, and to ourselves
that we are not what you have called us to be.
We have stifled our gifts and wasted our time.
We have avoided opportunities to offer kindness, but have been quick to take offense.
We have pretended that we could make no contribution to peace and justice in our world and have excused ourselves from risk-taking in our own community.
Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and help us live our lives differently.
We long for peace within and without, for harmony in our families,
for the well-being of our neighbors, and the love for our enemies.
Yet we have too often not made the hard choices that love requires.
Show us how to walk in your path of faithfulness, hope, and love.
Amen.


Words of Assurance

One fact remains that does not change: God loves all, for all time.
This is the good news that brings new life. Thanks be to God. Amen.

The Prayer Jesus Taught:
for all those who would follow in his way of radical compassion, courage, conscience,
and commitment.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.






Hymn “We're Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table” Singing the Living Tradition





The Agape Grace

O God, we gather at this welcoming table open to all
as Jesus gathered people from all the walks of life,
stranger and friend and enemies,
gave thanks to you,
broke and offered all the bread of life and the cup of blessing
and proclaimed a covenant of peace through justice for all in your name.

We remember too his unjust death, executed by Empire,
and all the terrors and the tyrannies that oppress people today.

And still we come to sit at his table of resurrection,
the mystery of faith in the everlasting Spirit, the triumph over fear,
and call to mind and heart all those who have given Love the ultimate trust and the last word
and who have worked to create the beloved community of renewed and abundant life.

Help us to remember with this meal especially all those among us and around us who are hungry, and may we treat all our meals as sacred and to be shared.

O Lord, as we take and break and bless and serve this manna of hospitality,
so too Take us, even us,
lift us with hope, bless us with insight and urgency, so that we may serve You and Your mission.
Amen.


Hymn “Let Us Break Bread Together”

Let us break bread together on our knees. (2x)

Refrain: When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
oh, God, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees. (2x) Refrain
Let us praise God together on our knees. (2x) Refrain



Closing Responsive Prayer

Let us go out into the highways and byways.
Let us give the people something of our new vision.

We may possess a small light, but may we uncover it, and let it shine.
May we use it to bring more light and understanding
to the hearts and minds of men and women.

May we give them not hell but hope and courage.
May we preach, and practice, the kindness and everlasting love of God.
Amen


Benediction