Cathedrals and Thatched Pavilions: A Prayer for World Communion Sunday
This communion prayer was written for World Communion Sunday (10/2/0216) but could be used any time. It was inspired by John 17:21, the UCC motto, “that they may all be one.”
Communion Prayer & Words of Institution
Holy God, the One Source of all our love, and all our wisdom,
the One for whom we yearn, and in whose heart we rest,
we thank you for the many ways in which you make yourself known to us
and to people throughout the world.
Today we remember our Christian sisters and brothers,
gathering in cathedrals and under thatched pavilions,
moving to rock music and organ music and holy silence,
to hear your word and feast at your table.
Today we re-commit ourselves to the table of blessing, open to all,
to the feast of mercy, spread for all,
to the welcome of Christ, freely offered with joy to all.
Today we remember that even as he went to die on the cross,
Jesus left us with these symbols to share and these words to ponder.
He took bread and blessed and shared it.
He poured out wine and gave it to his friends.
He prayed for us. He told us we are now his body, broken, shared,
and made whole again, by our witness of peace and loving kindness.
As we share this meal again, let us hold in our hearts all the people of the world,
and pray again with Jesus: that we may all be one. Amen.
Words for Distribution
The body of Christ, broken for you.
The body of Christ: God’s people in the world.
The cup of blessing, shed for you.
The cup of blessing, passed from hand to hand and from heart to heart,
To quench the thirst of all the world for justice and love.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
© Rev. Martha B. Peck, 2016
