May 2007: Grace Weekend

Friday night 8pm

Meal at Mike and Jill’s

Saturday daytime

Sacred Heart Of Mary Convent, 64 Little Ealing Lane 9:30am - 5pm. Drinks and lunch provided.

Sessions:

10:30am Ethos
12pm Engage
2pm Participate
3:30pm Creative session

Saturday evening 6.30pm

Short communion service followed by a barbecue, at Sue and Richard’s

Sunday lunchtime

Pub lunch and walk afterwards.

Saturday evening communion

This simple communion service was used in Sue and Richard's lounge, prior to moving outside for a barbecue. The confession was written for the occasion, as a response to the Grace ethos. The eucharistic prayer was adapted from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org).

Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace
From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Be with you
And also with you.

Ethos confession

When our thoughtless criticism stifles the creativity of others,
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

When we keep a tight hold on power and deny others the chance to participate.
Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy

When we prefer the safety of our holy huddle to the wideness of God’s world.
Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy

When we decline to take risks for fear that we might fail.
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

But when we praise the gifts of others,
share the power that we are given,
engage with communities beyond the boundaries of our comfort,
and risk everything we have for the sake of others,
then, God rejoices in us.

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
Have mercy upon us,
pardon and deliver us from all our sins,
confirm and strengthen us is all goodness,
and keep us in life eternal,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Risen Christ,
you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven:
help us to see and serve you,
that we may join you at the Father’s side,
where you reign with the Spirit in glory,
now and for ever.
Amen

Word

Acts 1:6-11
Luke 24:44-49

Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Communion

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right to give unceasing thanks and boundless praise to you, Holy God, ruler of the universe and giver of life. You brought the world into being and declared it good; you made humankind in your image, and entrusted to us the stewardship of all creation.

Despite our failings you showed us mercy. Through your law and the voices of prophets and poets, you called us to faithfulness and justice. You commanded us to remember the poor and the needy, the orphan and the stranger. With infinite generosity you forgave us as we followed selfish goals and ignored your words of love. Never abandoning us to our sinfulness, you came among us and showed us the path of life.

Therefore we praise you, joining the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we say,
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Glory and honour and praise to you, holy and living God. Your word of peace has been active from the beginning; your justice has sought incarnation in every age. In the fullness of time you looked with favour upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive your Son through the power of your Holy Spirit. Expecting his birth she sang of your purpose: The mighty shall be cast down and the humble lifted up; the promise of mercy to Abraham and all his children shall be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He pronounced the blessedness of peacemakers, all those who are willing to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness. Jesus yearned to draw all the world to himself, yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. We returned violence for his friendship, crucifixion for his self-offering. Yet even this you turned to blessing, and transformed his unjust death into the means of salvation.

On the night before he died for us, our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: "Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said: "Drink this, all of you: This is my blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

Accept, O Lord, our sacrifice of praise, this memorial of our redemption. Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts. Let them be for us the Body and Blood of your Son. Send your Spirit upon us also, and grant that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may be filled with your life and goodness. Through the abiding presence of Christ, empower us to live the gospel of peace and bring reconciliation to the world in his Name.

Glory to you, holy and living God.
Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honour and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, so we pray:
Our Father...

After Communion

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within thy wounds hide me
(from the Anima Christi)