Thanksgiving Responsive Communion Service

Leader:  light print            People:  dark print

We come to this table with thankful hearts.
Why do we give thanks at this table?
We give thanks because God has invited us here!
All God’s children are invited to the Lord’s supper.
We come humbly to the table,
knowing that we have not earned our way here,
but are invited, guests at this feast of love. 

Why do we eat at this table?
We eat at this table to remember
that on the night before Jesus died, he ate with his friends.
Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it,
he broke it and gave it to them saying,
“Take, eat.  This is my body given for you.
Each time you do this, remember me.”

Let’s pray:  God of grace,
give us repentant hearts, forgiving hearts, clean hearts.
With thanksgiving we come to your table.
Send your Spirit upon us so that we know
that all who eat and drink in this room and around the world
are one body, one holy people,
giving thanks to you in an endless song of praise.
Thanks be to you Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave your life freely for our salvation.

[the bread is broken and distributed and eaten]

We take the cup with thankful hearts.
Why do we take the cup at this table?
We drink because that same night Jesus also took a cup,
and after giving thanks,
passed it to his friends saying,  “Drink this cup.
This cup, poured out for you, is the promise of God.
Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
Thanks  be to you Lord Jesus Christ,
who  gave your life freely for our salvation.

Our presence at this communion table is a sign.
Here  we remember the gift that is Jesus;
the gift of his  birth, his life and his death on the cross.
At this table we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
We remember that we are waiting in hope to see Jesus again.

[the cup is distributed, we  drink together]

Let us pray together:
Thank you for inviting us to this banquet!
Help us to remember the gift we have received
and to live as brothers and sisters,
members of one family.
All praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!