During these strange times, we are taking church into our homes - after all, church is the people of God, not the building!
On Sunday mornings we will be celerating Communion online together via zoom at 10am on Sunday, but if you can't join us online then, you could still use the liturgy below at any time of the day, alone or with others.
Before you start
Gather together the following, if you can:
- A candle (with a safe place to put it) and matches
- Some bread – a slice, a roll, a ricecake or whatever you have
- A drink – water or juice, wine or tea!
- A bible - you could choose a reading or two, or use the ones included below.
- A cross
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
(As you gather for worship, please light your candle)
OPENING RESPONSES
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: But we did not keep it.
All: But we neglect them.
All: But we forget to thank you.
All: Forgive us.
(Silence)
All: To be salt and light.
All: To begin again.
(Silence)
Leader: Giving and forgiving God,
All: We thank you.
Leader: May we be salt and light again, and be at peace with one another.
READING: Colossians 3.12-17
12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord* has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ* dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.* 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
READING: John 19.25b-27
25Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ 27Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
REFLECTION
INTERCESSIONS & THANKSGIVINGS
THE PEACE
INTRODUCTION TO THE AGAPE
Leader: As we tear and share this bread, and these drink,
All: We thank you, God, for our daily bread.
Leader: For the food which delights and nourishes us
All: For companionship, in all forms, that sustains us.
Leader: And for your living water which transforms our lives.
All: Amen.
(Enjoy your bread and drink; take time to really taste it and enjoy it)
PRAYER AFTER AGAPE
CLOSING RESPONSES
All: We lay our lives before you;
Leader: We give our lives to you.
All: From whom nothing in us is hidden.
All: You are around us, God, you are within.
All: Renew us with your life today, tomorrow and always. Amen
THE BLESSING
All: God to surround us;
All: God in our thinking;
All: God on our lips;
All: God in our hearts.
THE DISMISSAL
Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
ALL: IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. AMEN.
Based on an Agape service in the Iona Abbey Worship Book © 2001 Wild Goose Publications Iona Community