Tags
Communion, Communion Liturgy, Justice, Labor day, Liturgy, non-violent Communion, progressive Christianity, Social Justice, Workers
One: Creator of the harvest- We lift our voices in praise!
Many: Creator of the table – In you we find our peace.
One: In gratitude we gather to share this meal.
Many: With thanksgiving, we gather to share our love for neighbor.
One: As the sun sets earlier, the days become cooler, and the crops near harvest, we celebrate the plenitude of fruits available to us. We acknowledge the ways that we can use our gifts to care for our siblings in need. We extend this table through the work of our hands and the missions of this church.
As we celebrate this sacrament, may we remember the laborers in the fields:
The harvesters of the wheat and grapes.
The transporters of the their yields.
Those who transform wheat into bread and grapes into juice.
Bless their hands and feet as they labor at farms and gardens, in trucks and warehouses. We give thanks for the ones who prepare the table here today. May their gifts of preparation and hospitality inspire us to extend hospitality to the strangers among us.
After laboring on the streets of Jerusalem-
Doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God-
Jesus clutched bread in his hands. He blessed the food, gave thanks, and heartfully expressed to his friends that this was the bread of life. “As you eat this bread, remember me.”
After supper, Jesus grasped the cup filled with the gifts of the vine. In his blessing, he reminded them “whenever you drink of this cup, remember me.”
Spirit of wisdom and of wonder, wind around these elements today. May they stir us from stagnation into actively loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves. May our participation at this table transform us into the people God is calling us to be.
With gratitude, we gather at this table. As we take a piece of bread, let us experience the love of God as seen in Jesus the Christ. As we immerse the bread into the cup, let us remember the grace that pours from God.
