“The love {agape} feast is a meal of Christian fellowship that mirrors the meals Jesus shared with his disciples and others throughout his ministry. Fellowship and community are celebrated around the theme of a meal.”
Because of Covid-19 sharing in a common Eucharistic celebration is not possible at this time. This liturgy is specifically developed for use by who wish to share a “common table. This practice is ancient, going back to the hospitality Abraham showed to his visitors. While not the full celebration of the Eucharist, there is a relationship, in much the same way that blessing with Holy Water is a reminder of our Baptism.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We come as different people to serve One God, who calls us to unity as the family of God.
who has called us from our birth,
who has washed us in the waters,
and who loved us on the earth.
Refrain
Come and journey, come and journey
with a Saviour who has come.
We are all God's sons and daughters;
in the Spirit we are one.
Come and journey, journey inward,
come and seek him deep within,
where he meets us in our living,
in our striving and our sin.
Come and journey, journey outward,
telling others of his name,
telling others of his glory,
of his cross and of the shame.
Come and journey, journey outward,
where that cross calls us to care,
where injustice and where hunger
and the poor call us to share.
Come and journey, journey upward.
Sing his praises, offer prayer.
In the storm and in the stillness
find his presence everywhere.
Come and journey, journey onward;
all our gifts we now shall bring
to the building of a city
that is holy, Christ its King.
Gathering Song Come and Journey with a Saviour
Come and journey with a Saviour who has called us from our birth,
who has washed us in the waters,
and who loved us on the earth.
Refrain
Come and journey, come and journey
with a Saviour who has come.
We are all God's sons and daughters;
in the Spirit we are one.
Come and journey, journey inward,
come and seek him deep within,
where he meets us in our living,
in our striving and our sin.
Come and journey, journey outward,
telling others of his name,
telling others of his glory,
of his cross and of the shame.
Come and journey, journey outward,
where that cross calls us to care,
where injustice and where hunger
and the poor call us to share.
Come and journey, journey upward.
Sing his praises, offer prayer.
In the storm and in the stillness
find his presence everywhere.
Come and journey, journey onward;
all our gifts we now shall bring
to the building of a city
that is holy, Christ its King.
CALL TO THE FEAST
Leader: Out of darkness came light
All: And the power of God was revealed
Men: in the running wave and the flowing air,
Women: in the quiet earth and the shining stars.
Leader: Out of the dust came life;
All: And the image of God was revealed
Men: in the human face and the gentle heart,
Women: in the warmth of flesh and the depth of soul
All: And the image of God was revealed
Men: in the human face and the gentle heart,
Women: in the warmth of flesh and the depth of soul
Leader: Out of justice came freedom;
All: And the wisdom of God was revealed
Men: in the need to grow and the will to love,
Women: in the chance to know and the power to choose.
All: And the wisdom of God was revealed
Men: in the need to grow and the will to love,
Women: in the chance to know and the power to choose.
Leader: And God looked at the creation,
All: And Behold, it was very good.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
Reader: I will keep on thanking God With constant words of prayer.
I will glory in the living God: The humble will hear and be glad.
Let us pray.
Living God, our loving parent; you cherish your creation and We praise you. With earth, air, water, fire: in our element as your children, we praise you. With our lips, with our lives, in all our diversity, each one made in your image, we praise you. Because, in Jesus, you came to share our human lives, our sorrow and joy, we praise you. Because your Spirit is at work today: encouraging, enabling, surprising us, we praise you. Poor as we are, you give us hope: Salt of the earth, you give us meaning and purpose and We praise you. Amen.
Song Precious Lord Take my Hand
All: And Behold, it was very good.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
Reader: I will keep on thanking God With constant words of prayer.
I will glory in the living God: The humble will hear and be glad.
Let us pray.
Living God, our loving parent; you cherish your creation and We praise you. With earth, air, water, fire: in our element as your children, we praise you. With our lips, with our lives, in all our diversity, each one made in your image, we praise you. Because, in Jesus, you came to share our human lives, our sorrow and joy, we praise you. Because your Spirit is at work today: encouraging, enabling, surprising us, we praise you. Poor as we are, you give us hope: Salt of the earth, you give us meaning and purpose and We praise you. Amen.
Song Precious Lord Take my Hand
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home
Lead me home
When my way grows drear
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Songwriters: Thomas A. Dorsey
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Reader: Salt is good, but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?
All: Giving God, you blessed us with saltiness, But we became bland.
Leader: You trusted us with your Word, but we did not keep it.
All: You lit a flame in our midst, but we hid it under formality, Smothered it with our fears.
Leader: God, in your mercy:
All: Forgive us.
(silence)
Leader: Forgiving God, we believe that you have called us
All: to be salt and light;
Leader: that you offer us time and space and strength
All: to begin again.
(silence)
Reader: Salt is good, but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?
All: Giving God, you blessed us with saltiness, But we became bland.
Leader: You trusted us with your Word, but we did not keep it.
All: You lit a flame in our midst, but we hid it under formality, Smothered it with our fears.
Leader: God, in your mercy:
All: Forgive us.
(silence)
Leader: Forgiving God, we believe that you have called us
All: to be salt and light;
Leader: that you offer us time and space and strength
All: to begin again.
(silence)
Leader: Giving and forgiving God,
All. We thank you. We pray that we Have salt in ourselves, and be at peace with one another.
GIVING THANKS FOR THE WEEK
People are invited to call our single words or brief phrases of thanks for something that happened during the week. A simple response may be used such as “Generous God, we thank you.”
INTRODUCTION TO SHARING THE FEAST
We are all invited to the common table to share in an Agape Feast. At this table we come as brothers and sisters in the Holy Family of God. Taste and see that God is good.
The feast can be a loaf of bread (or oatcakes, or a sweet bread) and a chalice of wine (or cider, or grape juice) or a picnic setting.
All. We thank you. We pray that we Have salt in ourselves, and be at peace with one another.
GIVING THANKS FOR THE WEEK
People are invited to call our single words or brief phrases of thanks for something that happened during the week. A simple response may be used such as “Generous God, we thank you.”
INTRODUCTION TO SHARING THE FEAST
We are all invited to the common table to share in an Agape Feast. At this table we come as brothers and sisters in the Holy Family of God. Taste and see that God is good.
The feast can be a loaf of bread (or oatcakes, or a sweet bread) and a chalice of wine (or cider, or grape juice) or a picnic setting.
SETTING THE
TABLE
Leader: On the table in the midst of this community with whom Christ is present we set symbols to remind us of his promises to us:
READER 1: A candle, to remind us of the way, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life”.
READER 2: Bread, symbol to remind us of God’s love, “I am the bread of life. The bread that I shall give is myself for the life of the world”.
READER 3: Water, to nourish and sustain all of creation and because through water you call us to new life
All:
God, we welcome
your presence with us. May the food and companionship we share nourish our bodies,
hearts and minds. And may our spirits be refreshed. As we live in
the light of your presence. With us now, and at all times and places.
Amen.
Song Those who see Light
Those who see light can walk in the dark;
those who see love can see God.
Those who look up
will discover God’s face,
those who look down
will uncover God’s path,
those who perceive
God is here with us now
will see Jesus Christ.
Those who see light
can walk in the dark;
those who see love can see God.
those who look down
will uncover God’s path,
those who perceive
God is here with us now
will see Jesus Christ.
Those who see light
can walk in the dark;
those who see love can see God.
Those who have witnessed
the sun rise and set,
those who have studied a flower unfold,
those who have focused
on land, sea and sky
will see God at work.
Those who see light
can walk in the dark;
those who see love can see God.
Those who see good
in each person they meet,
those who look after
another in need,
those who believe God’s now living in them
will see God’s return.
THE BLESSING OF THE MEAL
Leader: How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony! (Ps 133)
Welcome to this meal, in the name of Christ. We come to share in God’s love.
People: We come to share our food and our lives.
Leader: We come to break bread together, and open ourselves to each other.
People: We come to express our faith and our thanks.
Leader: May God bless this food and this fellowship.
People: As we share our food, we give thanks for this abundance, and we remember those who do not have enough.
Leader: May God give food to those who are hungry.
People: May God give us a hunger for justice, and a determination to serve those who hunger for food.
FOOD IS SERVED. STORIES SHARED. MUSIC PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND (WHEN THE MEAL IS FINISHED)
THE PEACE
Leader: Behold, the fragments of our feast. Our meal is ended, but God’s banquet continues as we go from this place.
People: Let us take the banquet into the world and never give up until all people are fed.
Leader: May the peace of Christ be upon you, and may you be channels of peace and justice. Amen.
PRAYER
Leader: As we light the candle, as we share this meal, as we pour out this water, we thank you, God, for our daily bread for the food which delights and nourishes us and for the companionship and community that sustains us.
We thank you, too, for wine to quench our thirst and for the Living Water with which you surprise, enrich and transform our lives.
We give thanks for this feast at which all can share, a foretaste of the Holy Realm. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer, (in each one’s different language and tradition)
THE DISMISSAL
Leader: Behold, the fragments of our feast. Our meal is ended, but God’s banquet continues as we go from this place.
People: Let us take the banquet into the world and never give up until all people are fed.
Leader: May the peace of Christ be upon you, and may you be channels of peace and justice. Amen.
BLESSING
Leader: Giving God, bless all who have gathered round this table, who have eaten together, and shared stories together. May we know the fullness of your presence at every meal and in all our sharing. Amen.
CLOSING SONG Rainbows and Crosses (By the Common Cup Company)
Leader: How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony! (Ps 133)
Welcome to this meal, in the name of Christ. We come to share in God’s love.
People: We come to share our food and our lives.
Leader: We come to break bread together, and open ourselves to each other.
People: We come to express our faith and our thanks.
Leader: May God bless this food and this fellowship.
People: As we share our food, we give thanks for this abundance, and we remember those who do not have enough.
Leader: May God give food to those who are hungry.
People: May God give us a hunger for justice, and a determination to serve those who hunger for food.
FOOD IS SERVED. STORIES SHARED. MUSIC PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND (WHEN THE MEAL IS FINISHED)
THE PEACE
Leader: Behold, the fragments of our feast. Our meal is ended, but God’s banquet continues as we go from this place.
People: Let us take the banquet into the world and never give up until all people are fed.
Leader: May the peace of Christ be upon you, and may you be channels of peace and justice. Amen.
PRAYER
Leader: As we light the candle, as we share this meal, as we pour out this water, we thank you, God, for our daily bread for the food which delights and nourishes us and for the companionship and community that sustains us.
We thank you, too, for wine to quench our thirst and for the Living Water with which you surprise, enrich and transform our lives.
We give thanks for this feast at which all can share, a foretaste of the Holy Realm. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer, (in each one’s different language and tradition)
THE DISMISSAL
Leader: Behold, the fragments of our feast. Our meal is ended, but God’s banquet continues as we go from this place.
People: Let us take the banquet into the world and never give up until all people are fed.
Leader: May the peace of Christ be upon you, and may you be channels of peace and justice. Amen.
BLESSING
Leader: Giving God, bless all who have gathered round this table, who have eaten together, and shared stories together. May we know the fullness of your presence at every meal and in all our sharing. Amen.
CLOSING SONG Rainbows and Crosses (By the Common Cup Company)
Move on the waters, move on the land;
Fashion the earth from the clay in your hand,
forming the prayers and the music of dance;
alive in the lives that give hope a chance.
Chorus
our hopes and our losses,
light from the darkness,
the Spirit provides.
Dance with the world,
In joy and despair.
Dance with the heavens,
God’s wind in your hair.
Spirit for freedom, for evil’s reverse.
Form in the heart, and form on the will;
form in the laughter no struggle can still. Chorus
Be alive in the voices, alive in the cries;
Alive in the weeping all loving survives.
Be alive in the marches, alive in the streets,
Alive in the vic’tries, alive in defeats. Chorus
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Agape Feast can be used as a stand-alone liturgy or it can be used at the beginning or end of a shared meal, or interspersed with an order of worship. (The liturgy is adapted from the Iona Abbey Worship Book and OLOF'S BROTHERS’ LOVE FEAST ~ A Part of Katrina’s Dream Dedicated to E. Olof Swanson (http://www.digihitch.com/article322.html), world traveler and bon vivant). 
No comments:
Post a Comment