World Communion Sunday Sample Order of Worship
adapted from http://www.gbod.org/worship/
Color: Green
Theme: World Communion Sunday – The Call to be an Inclusive Church – Celebrating Unity in Diversity – Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Notes about the service: Communion Table (similar to that of Maundy Thursday but) with plates of Various Breads of the World labeled and cut into Hors d'oeuvre size, with toothpicks for utensils, and pitchers of grape juice and clear plastic cups; will need 2 people to serve (pour into glasses) the grape juice to the people seated.
Order of Worship:
Entrance
Gathering
Prelude
Call to Worship
An Introduction to World Communion Sunday
Welcome and Announcements
*Passing the Peace
*Opening Prayer: A Prayer for World Communion Sunday by Safiyah Fosua
Jesus prayed that we might be one.
One in spirit
One in mission
In union and communion with each other and with You.
Today, God, we confess fumblings and failures in accomplishing unity, as we set aside yet another day to remind ourselves of the task.
On this World Communion Sunday, give us eyes to recognize your reflection in the eyes of [people] everywhere.
Give us a mind to accept and celebrate our differences.
Give us a heart big enough to love your children everywhere.
We thank you for setting a table with space enough for us all!
Amen.
*Opening Hymn: In Christ There Is No East or West #548
*Affirmation of Faith: The World Methodist Social Affirmation #886
*Gloria Patri
Proclamation and Response
Gospel Lesson: Mark 14:22-25
Reading: A Meal by Any Other Name by David McIntyre
We Christians call this meal by a number of different names. For some, it is the Lord's Supper or the Last Supper, reflecting that it was Jesus who presided at this, his last meal with the disciples. For others it is Holy Communion — "Holy," meaning "of God," "sacred"; and "Communion," meaning "sharing" or "fellowship." Holy Communion literally is a "Sacred Fellowship." The Eastern Church — the Orthodox — call it the "Divine Liturgy," indicating its sacred and holy nature as well as its prescribed pattern in words set forth by people and priest as "the work of the people." And there is the Mass — a celebration as well as a mysterious reenactment of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Many have come to call it the Eucharist — giving thanks to God, not just for the gifts and mercies received, but for the gift of salvation in Christ. By any name, it is the primary act of worship of the Christian faith. As sacrament, it is the "outward and visible means to our inward and spiritual grace." In our act of eating bread and drinking wine, Jesus becomes for us the true Living Bread.
Special Music: Choir
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 13:33
Reading: Yeast Thoughts by Mike Hodge
Yeast makes bread rise because of the bubbles of gas that it produces. When the yeast is mixed throughout the dough, the bread rises and has the proper rough and airy texture. But if all of the yeast is lumped together in one small part of the dough, the bread won't rise evenly and will have big, empty holes in it. Even so, the church — the people of the Kingdom — must be intimately involved in life, in the world, in the flour of humanity. When we have clustered ourselves together, fearfully barricaded behind sanctuary walls, we have created great, empty holes in God's world that are filled with nothing but hot air. But if we who call ourselves yeast are willing to become so involved in the pain, the despair, and the laughter of life that our main concern becomes enabling people to grow into all that they can be — then God's bread will become perfect in quality, with yeast permeating every part of the dough. Being involved with life — intimately mixed through and through it — sounds dangerous. Yeast dies in the oven, having lost itself to the creation of something new. May we also be willing to lose ourselves.
Hymn of Response: One Bread, One Body #620
Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 10:14-17
Reading: Grandma’s Bread by Sandy Bryan
Grandma moved slowly and painfully to the stove and reached for the pan. Directly across from the stove was her baking area. She didn't use it very often because arthritis made it too painful for her to cook. But this was a special occasion. Uncle Bill, her oldest son, was coming home for a visit. Grandma would bake fresh bread for him. She started mixing without looking at the recipe.
I wanted to help, to do something to make it easier for her. But experience told me my help would not be appreciated. I was allowed to watch from the corner because I had been away at college and had not seen her for a while.
What was so special about Grandma's bread?
As she reached for more flour, I could see the pain in her eyes. But she continued working and talking about Uncle Bill and how he had been as a child. A smile came to her face.
That was it.
We knew Grandma's bread was made uniquely for us and our special occasions. This time is was Uncle Bill's visit. As she worked, Grandma added memories of the particular person being honored. While she talked about Uncle Bill, I felt love becoming a part of her special gift.
As I watched, I was thankful that this kind of love was a part of my life. I was challenged to find my own unique way of sharing the love I feel for others.
Maybe I could learn to bake bread.
Hymn of Response: Let Us Break Bread Together #618
Gathering of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer (#895)
Reflective Interlude
Offertory
*Doxology: Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow #95
Thanksgiving and Communion (serving one another)
(see page 72 and 73 of the United Methodist Book of Worship)
Taking the Bread and Cup
The Great Thanksgiving
Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn: Bread of the World #624
(to the tune of This Is A Day Of New Beginnings #383)
*Benediction
*Dismissal “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (1st stanza) #557
Postlude