This is in a non-conformist format, the main difference being the placing of the Narrative of Institution. Feel free to place this where you would normally. The only other rubric is that the Eucharistic prayer is designed to be read in a measured way, with short pauses where indicated by the dots… Otherwise it will feel rushed, and there’s no need to rush when praying, ever.
Invitation
Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.’ (John 6.35, 37b)
Narrative of Institution (if not included in the Eucharistic Prayer)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth:
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: That the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread. And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is broken 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, sealed 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. (1 Corinthians 11.23-26)
Approach
At this table we remember
that Jesus was born of Mary and walked this earth among us,
that he showed God’s love by word and deed,
that he opened wide his arms for us and suffered and died for us,
that he rose to life on the third day
and is always present with us through the Holy Spirit.
In his presence, and in the company of all who belong to God,
past, present and yet to come,
gathered here and scattered throughout the world,
we celebrate the supper of the Lord.
In that great company, with the heavenly beings,
and with all the community of creation,
we lift our voices in praise to God:
Sanctus (said or sung together)
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!
Eucharistic Prayer (N.B. pace it with pauses!)
Living God, we worship you.
We thank you
For the majesty of the universe…
For the rich diversity of life…
For your breath in every being…
We thank you
For Jesus’ life on earth, embodying your love…
For his death on the cross, broken for a broken world…
For his rising to new life, the first of a new creation…
We thank you
For the gift of the Holy Spirit…
For your renewing life within us…
For hope that all things will be made new…
Send your Holy Spirit on us and on this bread and wine,
that as we take the stuff of earth it might become for us
the bread of heaven, the body and blood of Jesus;
and that our body and blood, participating in his death,
may also rise to life in its fullness with him.
[Who, on the night he was betrayed, took bread. And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is broken 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, sealed in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’]
Come, Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth.
Come, Lord Jesus, renew the face of the earth.
Come, Creator, renew the face of the earth
God, be glorified in the flourishing of all creation
made new in Jesus Christ
in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Invitation to receive
Jesus said,
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be filled.
So come to the table.
Prayer after
Living God,
thank you for meeting us here.
Go with us, stay with us,
before us, behind us,
over us, beneath us,
around us, in us.
Be our guide, our strength, our hope, our breath, our life
as we follow Jesus on the road to life.
Amen.
© 2019 Alex Mabbs
Alex Mabbs 