A Simple Home Communion Liturgy

Let us pray:
Dear God,
Forgive us the things we do but shouldn’t,
​and the things we don’t do but should. 
Please free and deliver us from our wrongs.
(pause for silent reflection)
God’s great mercy forgives the sins of the world.
In the name of Christ, you are forgiven and raised to new life again.
Amen.
 
We read First Corinthians 11: 23-26;

"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
 
(Holding the loaf of bread)
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 
 
(Holding the cup of wine)
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 
 
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
 
We pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
 
Distribute the elements with the words:
The body of Christ given for you.
The blood of Christ shed for you.
 
Receive this blessing:
May the body and blood of Jesus, strengthen us, preserve us, and unite us in Love.
Amen.


Jesus with Butter
 
Last night in our isolation
We broke and shared the bread of life
And took up the cup of salvation
Around our supper table.
 
The kids puckered at the sourness
Of the dry red wine
But ate heartily
Of bread fresh from the oven.
 
A loaf or fresh baked bread
and a bottle of local wine
A prayer of preparation
And Paul’s words of institution
Written on parchment paper.
 
All this in order to discern the Body of Christ
A body impervious to isolation
A body no locked door can obstruct
A body no tomb, temple, or church can contain.
 
Read through eyes of scarcity 1 Corinthians 11
Makes the Lord’s supper
A stingy crumb of stale bread
And a thimble of cheap wine.
 
When we read it through eyes of abundance
We bake whole fragrant loaves
And make robust wine
With twelve baskets to spare and share.
 
Instead of rushing to bury
the left-overs in the back yard
We will wait ‘til breakfast
To greet Jesus with butter and marmalade.
 
Rev. Christian Muellerleile
Good Friday 2020

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