The Spirit Speaking
June 15, 2008
Community of Christ

+ Gathering and Meditation

“…we want to try to convert our thoughts into conversation. The main question, therefore, is not so much what we think, but to whom we present our thoughts, because to pray unceasingly means to think and live in the presence of Love. To pray unceasingly is to channel our thoughts out of their fearful isolation into a fearless conversation with God...”
                  -- Henri Nouwen

+ Gospel (Matthew 9:35-10:23)

L:  Lord, give us rest from the labors of body and mind.  
C:  Refresh us as you move through us.  Speak to us, through us, and for us.           

+ Hymn: “My Lord, What a Morning” (BC 367)

+ Matthew 10:7-10 (NRSV, NIV, The Message)

+ Hymn: “Be Still and Know” (BC 439)   

+ Matthew 10:19-20 (NRSV, NIV, The Message)

+ Hymn: “Spirit of the Living God” (BC 355)    

+ Community Homily

+ Hymn: “Come and Fill Our Hearts” (#2 in packet)

+ Prayers of the Community
God, teach us how to thank; how to ask; how to proclaim; how to mourn.  Let your Spirit give voice to the yearning in our hearts.        
We offer our prayers, trusting that God knows them – but wants us to give them voice.   
Lord, receive our prayers.  And give us the quiet and courage to hear you.  Amen.

+ Greeting of Peace: 
Let our eyes, hands, and spirits connect as we bring peace to one another.

+ Offertory
           
Blessed are you, O God, giver of all things.
We offer thanksgiving for your presence in our community.
Bless this bread, this wine, and our offerings.
With these gifts we make ourselves available to you and others.  Amen. 
Christ now invites to his table those who seek death and life through Him.

+ Breaking of Bread

Lord, we thank you for life.  We thank you for sending Jesus to call us to repentance and to proclaim the good news.  We thank you for showing us that death leads to life.

Let us feel your Holy Spirit among us, that in this communion we may know the unity we share in the body of Christ, living as your sign of peace and hope for all people.
Join our prayers with those everywhere as we say your praise:
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 our God.
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest. 

You have given us your Spirit to nurture us, just as Jesus nurtured his disciples.  Let us know that power as we remember Jesus’ words: “This is my body which is given for you.  Do this in memory of me.” 

Let us feel it in our bodies when we recall Jesus’ words: “Take this and drink from it, this cup is God’s new covenant sealed with my blood shed for you and all people.  Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”
By eating this bread and drinking this cup,
We proclaim Christ’s death,
celebrate Christ’s resurrection,
and await Christ’s coming again. 

Let us pray as our Lord has taught us.
Merciful God in heaven, Holy be your name.
May your new day come, your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us each day our daily bread,
Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the new day, the power, and the glory are yours, Amen. 

May our eyes, hands, and spirits be opened to the needs of one another – and to all others.  Let us be present, trusting that you will show us how to share your gifts. 
Make yourself known to us in the breaking of bread and the pouring of wine.

The gifts of God for the people of God. 

+ Communion 
 
+ Blessing 

In this Eucharist, we affirm our belief:
In God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. 
In this Eucharist, we hear the call:
To go, proclaim, care and cure.
In this Eucharist, we receive the promise:
Of God working through us for the Community of God.  Amen. 

+ Closing Hymn: “Spirit” (BC 347)

+ Benediction

L:  Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff.  Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time.
C:  For it is not we who speak, but the Spirit of our Father speaking through us!  Amen!