Communion

Meeting Christ on the Way to the Cross

Invitation to the Table

This is the table of Jesus Christ.

Not a table of our making, but a table of his love.

On this night, he gathered with his friends—

knowing the night was deepening,

knowing that betrayal and denial were near—

and still, Jesus stayed.

He stayed at the table.

He stayed in love.

He stayed with them to the end.

Tonight, we are invited into that same love.

Not because we are ready.

Not because we are worthy.

But because Christ has first loved us

and has not turned away.

So come—

not to prove yourself,

but to receive.

Come, and remain in the love that stays.

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Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

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.

Holy and gracious God,

it is right to give you thanks and praise.

You are the God who stays.

From the beginning, you have not turned away from your people.

In mercy and patience, you have drawn near again and again—

calling, guiding, sustaining, and restoring.

And when the world turned from you,

you did not abandon us.

In Jesus Christ,

you came near in a way we could see and touch and know.

He walked among us,

shared our life,

and revealed your love.

On the night when the shadows gathered,

he did not withdraw.

He took a towel and served.

He sat at the table and loved.

He remained with his friends

even as the night deepened.

And so we praise you,

joining our voices with all who have trusted your love:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Holy God,

pour out your Spirit upon us

and upon these gifts of bread and cup.

Make them be for us

the body and blood of Christ,

so that as we receive them,

we may receive again his life, his love, and his presence.

Form us as a people who remain—

who stay with you,

who stay with one another,

who stay in love even when it is costly.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,

now and forever.

Amen.

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Words of Institution

On the night of his arrest,

while he was at table with his disciples,

Jesus took bread,

gave thanks to God,

broke it,

and gave it to them, saying:

“This is my body, given for you.

Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after supper he took the cup,

saying:

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Whenever you drink it,

do this in remembrance of me.”

And so, whenever we eat this bread

and drink this cup,

we remember Christ—

his love that stayed,

his life given for us,

and his presence with us still.

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Prayer After Communion

Let us pray.

Holy God,

we thank you for this meal of grace.

In bread and cup,

you have met us again—

not at a distance,

but here, at the table,

with love that does not turn away.

You have fed us with Christ himself.

You have reminded us

that you stay with us

even when the night deepens.

Now send us from this table

not with easy answers,

but with steady hearts.

Teach us to remain—

to stay with you in prayer,

to stay with one another in love,

to stay present in a world that is often quick to turn away.

Hold us,

as we walk into the night ahead.

We pray in the name of Jesus,

who loved to the end.

Amen.

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