Communion Service
Communion Service
Living Water
A river is painted on the floor or created with fabric to run
through the sanctuary leading to a pool on the rostrum or perhaps
the baptismal font. In the front, on a small table, place a glass
bowl filled with water and a glass. During the responsive reading,
the leader sips the water in the glass as indicated in the
reading. During the last song, the bowl is placed at the exit. As
people leave, they may wash their hands in the water.
Prelude
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*Opening Hymn: “Mighty God, Transforming God!”
OR “Come, Ye Disconsolate”
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NS 38
HS 166 |
*Invocation
*Response
Responsive Reading
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Leader:
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With joy you will draw water from
the wells of salvation.
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People:
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Give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name, make known
God’s deeds among the nations.
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Leader:
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The living water will become a spring of water gushing up to
eternal life. |
People:
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Give us that water, so that we may never be thirsty. |
Leader:
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(sips water) I take a sip of simple water.
The atoms of the water are five thousand million years old.
I drink the birth time of the earth.
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People:
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We mourn with all living things that the waters of
creation are polluted. The salted tears in our eyes
remind us of our origin and unity with all struggling life.
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Leader:
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(sips water) I take a sip of simple water and with that the
story of life.
Its molecules have been in the rain forest,
have lived in quantum compounds,
have waved sea anemones,
have been the water of baptisms,
and are now on their way to ever new formations.
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People:
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With all living things we praise you, Lord Creator.
You are the well of salvation.
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Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
OR “Were the World to End Tomorrow”
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HS 187
SP 37 |
Scripture
Praise Our God, all you nations,
extol God, all you mighty ones.
For God’s love toward us is great,
Gods’ faithfulness, eternal.
Alleluia!
—Psalm 117 The Inclusive Psalms
Season of Prayer
Have mercy on us, God,
...for our futility and folly that spoils, pollutes, and poisons. Help
us set creation free. Let clean water and fresh streams come forth until
“the trees of the field clap their hands.”
...for those who thirst for life and feel close to dying from thirst.
Help us give them courage and hope in you until “justice flows down like
water and righteousness like an everflowing stream.”
...for our forgotten covenant in the waters of baptism. What has
happened to us? Where did we go astray? Refresh and renew us until we have
“clothed ourselves with Christ.”
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Hymn: “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
OR “The Bread That Giveth Strength”
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HS 134
HS 423 |
Meditation Moment
You are the fountain of life: refresh us.
You are the cleansing spring: heal us.
You are the well from which we drink and never thirst again: fill us.
Blessing and Serving the Bread
Blessing and Serving the Wine
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Hymn: “Let Your Heart Be Broken”
OR “Mysterious Presence, Source of All”
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HS 377
HS 169
(Alternate tune: HS 165) |
Disciples’ Generous Response
Reflection
When God’s priorities become our own, and when we completely place
our trust in God, the Living Water, other important concerns in our lives
will fall into line.
—adapted from “Whose House Are We Building” by Brenda Benner, Giving
(2002): 21.
Copyright Ecumencial Stewardship Center, Indianapolis, IN:
Brenda Brenner article reprinted with permission.
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Season of Affirmations
God, who created the waters of the world,
Son of living waters, and
Spirit of cleansing waters,
Empower us to be water for the world.
Prayer of Blessing
Bless our lives as the water that can give refreshment, cleansing, and joy
to our world.
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*Hymn: “Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer”
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HS 453 |
OR “Rain Down” See World Conference worship bulletin for April 8,
2002. Must get permission from OCP to reprint.
*Postlude
You are invited to wash your hands in the water when leaving the sanctuary.
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