submitted by Rev. Andy James, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Whitestone, New York
(This communion prayer immediately follows the singing of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and so alludes to some of its phrases.)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Lord, we greet you this happy night,
for you have been at work in our world throughout all time.
You made all things and called them good.
You claimed your people Israel,
freed them from the bondage of Egypt,
and journeyed with them through the wilderness to the promised land.
You sent prophets to call your people back to you.
Then in the fullness of time you sent your Son Jesus,
Immanuel, born the King of Angels,
your Word in flesh appearing.
He was one of us and lived with us,
giving up all his glory for our sake to make us whole.
And yet you raised him up again
to overcome the power of death and live a new life.
Still we wait for the day when we too will share the fullness of life in him and with him.
And so with the faithful of all the ages, we sing the praise and glory of your name:
(all sing “He Came Down,” Cameroon/WGRG The Iona Community)
And so, O God, come among us tonight.
Show us your presence in this bread and this cup,
and make this bread we break and this cup we bless the body and blood of Christ.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
unite us with Christ and all who share this feast,
just as you send us out to be his presence in and for your world.
Give us courage to be your people,
to show your justice, grace, mercy, peace, and love,
and to be a part of your transformation of our world
until the day when the baby whose birth we celebrate tonight
comes again in peace
and we sing your praise and glory forever.
Amen.
Stephanie Anthony says
Fantastic! We are singing “O Come” this week, so with some tweaks (back to morning from night) it will work beautifully.