Communion Service

Communion Service Option One (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Gathering Songs: “We Have Come Into His House” “Come, Let Us Worship the Lord” “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” Confession of Sins Traditional Invitation: All you who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who live in love and peace with your neighbors, and who intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking in His holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and, humbly kneeling, make your honest confession to Almighty God. Prayers of Confession: (Guided private confessions: Ten Commandments) Let God speak to you about some areas in your life. Misplaced priorities Every failure to love God most Every failure to reverence God’s holy name Excessive activity that leaves no time for quietness with God Dishonoring words in our home Quick tempers and deep anger Emotional and sexual impurity 1

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Lack of integrity in our affairs Careless and damaging words Treasuring things we do not have The Collect: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the work of Your Holy Spirit that we may love You fully, and magnify Your holy name, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Confession Song: “Spirit of the Living God” Words of Assurance: 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” Meditation: “Do this in remembrance of me” Praise and Worship: Let’s lift our hearts in praise and worship as we remember what Christ has done for us. “Crown Him with Many Crowns” “All Hail King Jesus” “He Is Lord” “I Love You, Lord” 2

Communion Service

Prayer: Lord, You are everything to us. You have been so good to us. You have watched over us, and blessed us in a wonderful way. We thank You for the promise of eternal life and the hope of heaven. Thank You for the little bit of heaven that we have right now in this place, around this Table. We join our voices with those of angels and archangels, and with all the saints in heaven. Together we honor and adore Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing, “Holy, holy, holy.” The Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving Almighty God, You created us to enjoy Your fellowship; and even when we turned away, and our love failed, Your love was true. You gave promises to Abraham, and You were true to Your word. You made a covenant with Moses and blessed Your people Israel.You sent prophets who spoke of a new promise and a new covenant. In the fullness of time, You gave the world Your only Son. You anointed Him by Your Spirit to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce salvation to the nations. 3

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He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with people just like us. By His suffering and death, His resurrection and ascension, He opened to us the way to heaven. He promised to be with us always, in the power of Your Word and in the person of Your Spirit. So we come this morning with hearts that are full of Your grace. Thank You, precious Father, for all Your saving acts in our lives. Thank You for this Table. We come rejoicing in our salvation, and looking to that day when we will be seated at the heavenly Table with Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The Prayer for Fellowship Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send the power of Your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may experience anew the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit help us to know, in the breaking of this bread and the drinking of this cup, the presence of Christ, who gave His body and blood for all. May we receive in spirit and in truth the body of Your dear Son and the merits of His shed blood. Being washed and made clean through His precious blood, may Your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in service to all the world. Amen.

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Communion Service

The Words of Consecration On the night of His betrayal, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same manner, after supper He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink of this, all of you, for this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins; do this, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me.” Cross Song: “O How He Loves You and Me” The Invitation: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” So, eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed upon Him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. Serving of the Elements “The Lord’s Prayer” (KJV) Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into 5

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temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.)

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Communion Service

Communion Service Option Two (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Gathering Songs: “As We Gather” “I Will Enter His Gates” “Alleluia” Confession of Sins Traditional Invitation: All you who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who live in love and peace with your neighbors, and who intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking in His holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and, humbly kneeling, make your honest confession to Almighty God. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 Sin is like yeast that works in our hearts unseen. Its presence is undetected until the bread begins to puff up. Passover was also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The removal of all traces of yeast from the home is part of the Passover ritual. The Jews today go to great lengths to remove the leaven from their homes. Paul tells the Corinthians that we should be just as careful about removing the leaven of sin from our lives. “Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast. ... let us keep the Festival.” The Jewish Passover? 7

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No, the Christian life. Our life in Christ and Christ in us, pictured by the Lord’s Supper. How? “Not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.” As we come into God’s presence now, let’s take a few minutes and go through the rooms of our lives. Let’s make sure that there isn’t some old yeast lying there overlooked. As you search your heart, let the Spirit of God answer these questions: Have your thoughts been pure? Have your intentions been loving? Have you looked upon wickedness? Have you kept your hand from doing evil? Have you spoken the truth simply? Have you spoken with sincerity? The Collect: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the work of Your Holy Spirit that we may love You fully, and magnify Your holy name, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Confession Song: “Purify My Heart” Words of Assurance: 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will 8

Communion Service

forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Meditation: “I saw a lamb” Text: Revelation 5:7-8 Praise and Worship: Let’s lift our hearts in praise and worship as we remember what Christ has done for us. Choruses: “He Is Here” “He Is Lord” “Jesus, Name Above All Names” “His Name Is Wonderful” Prayer: Expressions of praise offered by the congregation. Close with a prayer of thanksgiving for the goodness of God, including contemporary examples, ending with, “Therefore we praise You, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing of Your holiness and Your glory.” The Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high. Amen.

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The Great Thanksgiving Almighty God, You created us to enjoy Your fellowship; and even when we turned away, and our love failed, Your love was true. You heard the cry of Your people in Egypt and delivered them through the blood of the Passover lambs. You brought them out of bondage and gave them the land promised to Abraham. You heard our cry too, and gave us Your Son, our Passover Lamb. Through His blood, You have set us free from sin and the fear of death. Now we look in hope to that day when we will enter our promised rest. So we come now with hearts that are full of Your grace. Thank You, precious Father, for all You have done for us. Thank You for this Table. We come rejoicing in our salvation, and looking to that day when we will be seated at the heavenly Table with Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The Mystery: Let us confess with all the church the mystery of our faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Gloria: 1 Timothy 1:17 “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 10

Communion Service

The Prayer for Fellowship Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send the power of Your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may experience anew the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit help us to know, in the breaking of this bread and the drinking of this cup, the presence of Christ, who gave His body and blood for all. May we receive in spirit and in truth the body of Your dear Son and the merits of His shed blood. Being washed and made clean through His precious blood, may Your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in service to all the world. Amen. The Words of Consecration On the night of His betrayal, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same manner, after supper He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink of this, all of you, for this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins; do this, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me.” Cross Song: “Near the Cross” (verses 1-3)

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The Invitation: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast! Come, and let us celebrate together our great salvation! Serving of the Elements Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Song: “Family of God” chorus

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Communion Service

Communion Service Option Three (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Gathering Songs: “Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down” “This Is the Day” “My Hope Is Built — The Solid Rock” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” Confession of Sins Hebrews 4:14, 16: “Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us ... approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You are the Maker of all things. You are the Judge of all people. With great mercy, You have promised to forgive all who turn to You with heartfelt repentance and true faith. So we confess that we have sinned against You. We are hopeless without Your grace. Have mercy upon us, O merciful Father. Have mercy upon us. Pardon and deliver us from all our sins: from the blindness that keeps us from truly loving one another; from the deception of the world, the flesh and the devil that we fall into all too easily; from beliefs and values that do not conform to Your Word; 13

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from anxiety and worry that expose our lack of trust; from every failure to love You fully and always. O God, our Savior, deliver us and keep us holy before You. Give us the spiritual strength to serve and please You in newness of life, to honor and praise Your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Confession Song: “Change My Heart, O God” Words of Assurance: Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Meditation: “We have an altar” Text: Hebrews 13:9-15 Praise and Worship: Let’s lift our hearts in praise and worship. Choruses: “Behold the Lamb” “Lamb of Glory” “There Is a Redeemer” “Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You”

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Prayer: Expressions of praise offered by the congregation. Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving Our Father, You created us a little lower than the angels to walk upon this earth and enjoy Your fellowship forever. You made a covenant with Adam and offered to him the Tree of Life. But he broke that covenant in eating of the forbidden tree. And we with him all fell under the law of sin and death. But in Your mercy You did not leave us under that condemnation. You sent Your Son to be the perfect and eternal sacrifice for sins. As our High Priest, He entered into the Most Holy Place, not built by human hands, but into heaven itself. There He offered His precious blood to atone for our sins. By that blood He made a new covenant with His church, which has made it possible for us to enjoy Your love once more. Everlasting Father, we thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for this Table through which we renew our covenant with You. Unite us with Christ, who has set us free from the law of sin and death. Bring us to the fulfillment of our hope that we might eat at the heavenly table 15

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with Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We offer our thanksgiving and confess together with all the church the mystery of our faith: The Mystery: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Gloria: Revelation 1:5-6 “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father — to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” The Prayer for Fellowship Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send the power of Your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may experience anew the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit help us to know, in the breaking of this bread and the drinking of this cup, the presence of Christ, who gave His body and blood for all. May we receive in spirit and in truth the body of Your dear Son and the merits of His shed blood. Being washed and made clean through His precious blood, may Your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in service to all the world. Amen.

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Communion Service

The Words of Consecration On the night of His betrayal, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same manner, after supper He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink of this, all of you, for this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins; do this, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me.” Cross Song: “Nothing But the Blood” (verses 1, 2) The Invitation: Come up to the mountain, not Mt. Sinai, but Mt. Calvary, and stay here while Christ communes with you. (See Exodus 24:12.) Serving of the Elements Traditional Words of Distribution The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed upon Him in your heart, by faith with thanksgiving.

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Choruses: “This Is My Body” “Break Thou the Bread of Life” “We Remember You ” “O the Blood of Jesus” “In Moments Like These” “Lord, You Are So Precious” Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Sending Blessing and Charge: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21). Song: “There’s Power in the Blood” (verses 1, 4)

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Communion Service

Communion Service Option Four (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Songs: “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” “As We Gather” “Surely the Presence” Confession of Sins Hebrews 10:19-22 Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come before You, our Maker and our Judge, and we confess that we have sinned. We are deeply grieved as we remember the sins of our past. We cannot deny that we have sinned against You, Your holiness and Your love. We do not deserve Your mercy and Your grace, but Your righteous anger. We sincerely repent of all our wrongdoing. We are genuinely sorry for every failure to do the things we should. We acknowledge that we are hopeless without Your grace. Have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for the sake of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who died for us. Forgive us. Cleanse us. Give us strength to serve You in newness of life and to honor and praise Your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Confession Song: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (verses 1, 2)

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Words of Assurance: Romans 3:22-23 “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Meditation: “The hidden manna” Text: Revelation 2:17b Praise and Worship: Let’s lift our hearts in praise and worship as we remember what Christ has done for us. Choruses: “I Stand Amazed” (verses 1, 4) “Redeemed” (verses 1, 2) “To God Be the Glory” (verses 1, 2) Prayer: Expressions of praise offered by the congregation. Sanctus: Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 20

Communion Service

The Great Thanksgiving Our Father, when You created mankind, You fed him abundantly from the trees of the garden. Yet he hungered for the one tree that was forbidden and rebelled against Your command. He was driven from the garden You had prepared. Even then You taught Adam and his family to tend flocks and harvest grain. And when the children of Abraham were called out of Egypt into the wilderness, they were hungry, and You provided manna from heaven for 40 years. When the crowds of Jesus’ day hungered for the Word of God, they went into the countryside, and Jesus fed them with loaves and fishes. When we go to our cupboards and refrigerators, they are full of Your rich provision. Father, thank You for Your great love and compassion. Even though we have rebelled against Your clear commands, You have allowed us to eat from the abundance of the earth. Eternal Father, thank You that You do not fill our stomachs while leaving our spirits empty. Knowing that we need more than loaves and fishes, You sent Your Son, the true bread from heaven. By giving His life, He has given life to us. Tonight we come to feed upon that living bread. Thank You for this table through which we can eat and drink by faith the body and blood of Jesus. Fill our hearts with Your grace, and strengthen us in body and in spirit through this bread and this juice until that day when we will eat at the heavenly table with Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. This we pray in His most holy name, Amen. 21

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The Mystery of Godliness: 1 Timothy 3:16 Gloria: 1 Peter 4:11 “To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” The Prayer for Fellowship Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send the power of Your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may experience anew the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit help us to know, in the breaking of this bread and the drinking of this cup, the presence of Christ, who gave His body and blood for all. May we receive in spirit and in truth the body of Your dear Son and the merits of His shed blood. Being washed and made clean through His precious blood, may Your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in service to all the world. Amen. The Words of Consecration On the night of His betrayal, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same manner, after supper He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink of this, all of you, for this is my blood of the New 22

Communion Service

Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins; do this, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me.” Cross Song: “Down at the Cross” (all verses) The Invitation: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Release first four pews, then the rest.) Serving of the Elements Choruses: “Come to the Table” “Let Us Break Bread Together” “Fill My Cup” “Remember Me” “Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb” “We Remember You ” Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Blessing and Charge: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us 23

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what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21). Song: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

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Communion Service Option Five (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Songs: “Come, Let Us Worship the Lord” “As the Deer” “Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome” Confession of Sins 1 John 4:19-21 The following questions from 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 are asked as a guide to the confessional prayer: Have you been impatient with anyone this past week? Have you been unkind to anyone? Have you been jealous of somebody else? Have you drawn attention to yourself? Have you put yourself above another? Have you been rude with your words, or unthinking in your actions? Have you been self-centered? Have you been quick-tempered? Have you harbored unforgiveness? Have you been untruthful with anyone? Confession Song: “Cleanse Me”

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Words of Assurance: 1 John 1:6-7 “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” Meditation: “Behold, I stand at the door” Text: Revelation 3:20 Praise and Worship: Let’s lift our hearts in praise and worship as we remember what Christ has done for us. Choruses: “Great and Mighty” “All Hail, King Jesus” “Bless the Lord” “Let Us Break Bread Together” Prayer: Expressions of praise offered by the congregation. Close with a prayer of thanksgiving for the goodness of God, including contemporary examples, ending with, “Therefore we praise You, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing of Your holiness and Your glory.” 26

Communion Service

The Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving (From The Book of Common Prayer (1979) of the Episcopal Church, USA, page 152.)

Holy God, we praise you. Let the heavens be joyful, and the earth be glad. We bless you for creating the whole world, for your promises to your people Israel, and for Jesus Christ in whom your fullness dwells. Born of Mary, he shares our life. Eating with sinners, he welcomes us. Guiding his children, he leads us. Visiting the sick, he heals us. Dying on the cross, he saves us. Risen from the dead, he gives new life. Living with you, he prays for us. With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup and proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord. Receive our sacrifice of praise. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us that this meal may be a communion in the body and blood of our Lord. Make us one with Christ and with all who share this feast.

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Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve you as your faithful disciples until we feast at your table in glory. We praise you, eternal God, through Christ our Brother, and through your Holy Spirit. Amen

The Words of Consecration Cross Song: “He’s the Savior of My Soul” The Invitation: “The gifts of God for the people of God.” Serving of the Elements Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Blessing and Charge: May the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. God has committed to you the message of reconciliation. Go now as Christ’s ambassadors. Proclaim the good news! Live in love and peace with your neighbor! Song: “We Are One in the Bond of Love”

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Communion Service Option Six (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Songs: “This Is the Day” “Ah, Lord God” “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” Confession of Sins Traditional Invitation: All you who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who live in love and peace with your neighbors, and who intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking in His holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and humbly make your honest confession to Almighty God. Guided private confessions based upon Matthew 22:37-39: Has your heart been warm toward God this week? Have your soul and spirit been open to the Spirit of God? Have you filled your mind with the thoughts of God or the thoughts of man? Have you given of yourself in love to those around you? Is there any unconfessed sin between you and God? Is there any unconfessed sin between you and your neighbor?

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Collect: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our minds by the work of Your Holy Spirit that we may love You more fully and magnify Your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Confession Song: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (verses 1, 2) Words of Assurance: 1 John 4:9-10 “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Meditation: “Union with Christ” Text: 1 Corinthians 10:16 Praise and Worship: Choruses: “He Is Here” “In Moments Like These” “O Lord, You’re Beautiful” “Lord, You Are So Precious” 30

Communion Service

Prayer: (Extemporaneous prayer of praise and thanksgiving.) Sanctus: “Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts” The Great Thanksgiving (From The Book of Common Prayer (1979) of the Episcopal Church, USA, pages 143-145.)

Almighty and all holy God, how wonderful is the work of your hands! You created the earth and all that lives, and you called it all good. But sin soiled and scarred your perfect work. Still, you promised to restore all that you had made through the seed of the woman. Through countless generations, your people Israel looked for the fulfillment of that promise. From them you raised up Jesus, your Son, born of a virgin. He healed the sick, though he himself would suffer. He set the captives free, though he himself would be bound and led away. He offered life to sinners, though the cup he himself would drink held death. With a love stronger than death, and arms stretched wide, he surrendered his spirit. On the night before he met death, Jesus gathered to the table those whom he loved. He took bread and praised you, Giver of every good and perfect gift. He broke the bread among his disciples and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body, given for you. When the supper was ended, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you, Gardener of the earth. He passed the

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cup among his disciples and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is the cup of the new covenant sealed in my blood for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me. Now, eternal God, let your Holy Spirit move in power over us and over these earthly gifts of bread and juice, that they may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ, and that through them we may become one in him. May his coming in glory find us ever watchful in prayer, strong in truth and love, and faithful in the breaking of the bread. Then, we, the Church of the firstborn, will all be free, all divisions healed, all hearts made whole, all tears wiped away. With your whole creation, we will sing your praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen. Cross Song: “I Will Praise Him” (verse 4) The Invitation: (Instruction to come and eat in silence, not crowding.) The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Feed upon him in your heart by faith. Drink in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful. 32

Communion Service

Serving of the Elements (Done in silence.) Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Blessing and Charge: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Go and bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be His disciples. Song: “Constantly Abiding”

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Communion Service Option Seven (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Songs: “I Will Enter His Gates” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” “I Worship You, Almighty God” “Awesome God” Confession of Sins Isaiah 1:18 “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.’” Guided private confessions based upon Galatians 5:22-23: Based on this past week, does your family know you love them? Have you been a joy-giver or a joy-robber this week? Did you let circumstances steal your peace? Did you lose your patience with anyone? Was there an unkind word you wished you could take back? Have you been a good influence on your world this week? Have you compromised your commitment to Christ in any way? 34

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Have you been gentle under pressure? Have you maintained good spiritual disciplines? Collect: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our minds by the work of Your Holy Spirit that we may love You more fully and magnify Your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Confession Song: “Jesus, Draw Me Close” (worship team only) Words of Assurance: Romans 6:5-6 “If we have been united with [Christ] ... in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Meditation: “The tree of life” Text: Revelation 22:2

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Praise and Worship: Choruses: “He Lives” (verses 1, 3) “He Is Lord” “Give Thanks” “Jesus, Name Above All Names” “His Name Is Wonderful” Prayer: (Extemporaneous prayer of praise and thanksgiving.) Sanctus: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11). The Great Thanksgiving (From The Book of Common Prayer (1979) of the Episcopal Church, USA, pages 150151, the eucharistic prayer of Hippolytus of Rome.)

We give you thanks, O God, through your beloved Servant, Jesus Christ, whom you have sent in these last times as savior and redeemer, and messenger of your will. He is your Word, inseparable from you, through whom you made all things and in whom you take delight. You sent him from heaven into the Virgin’s womb, where he was conceived, and took flesh. How wonderful is the work of your hands! Born of the Virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was revealed as your Son. In fulfillment of your will he stretched out his hands in suffering to re36

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lease from suffering those who place their trust in you, and so won for you a holy people. He freely accepted the death to which he was handed over, in order to destroy death and to shatter the chains of the evil one; to trample underfoot the powers of hell and to lead the righteous into light; to fix the boundaries of death and to manifest the resurrection. And so he took bread, gave thanks to you, and said: “Take, and eat; this is my body, broken for you.” In the same way he took the cup saying: “This is my blood, shed for you. When you do this, do it for the remembrance of me.” Remembering therefore his death and resurrection, we set before you this bread and cup, thankful that you have counted us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you as your priestly people. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of [your] church. Gather into one all who share these holy mysteries, filling them with the Holy Spirit and confirming their faith in the truth, that together we may praise you and give you glory, through your Servant, Jesus Christ. Through him all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the ... church, now and forever. Amen. Cross Song: “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (verses 1-3)

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Pastors and Church Leaders Manual — Web Resource

The Invitation: (Instruction given to eat by intinction as a sign of the resurrection.) The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Feed upon him in your heart by faith. Drink in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful. Serving of the Elements (Music plays softly, no singing until all have eaten.) Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Blessing and Charge: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Go now in the resurrection power of our Lord and live worthy of your calling. Song: “Because He Lives” (chorus only)

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Communion Service Option Eight (Use in a more informal setting.) (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Songs: “This Is the Day” “Majesty” “We Have Come into His House” Confession of Sins 1 John 3:2-3 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your name. Amen. Confession Song: “Purify My Heart” 39

Pastors and Church Leaders Manual — Web Resource

Words of Assurance: Titus 2:11-14 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” Meditation: “Water into wine.” Text: John 2:1-11 The Lord’s Table: Take your place at the table. Praise and Worship: Spontaneous prayers of thanksgiving and praise as we hold hands. Sanctus: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most high. Amen.

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The Great Thanksgiving (From The Book of Common Prayer (1979) of the Episcopal Church, USA,, page 140.)

All glory and blessing are yours, O holy God, for in your great mercy you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ. He took our human nature, and suffered death on the cross for our redemption. There he made a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. We praise you that before he suffered and died, our Savior gave us this holy sacrament and commanded us to continue it as a lasting memorial of his death and sacrifice until he comes again. Therefore, remembering his incarnation and holy life, his death and glorious resurrection, his ascension and continual intercession for us, and awaiting his coming again in power and great glory, we claim his eternal sacrifice and celebrate with these your holy gifts the remembrance your Son commanded us to make while looking forward to that great and glorious day when we shall eat with the Bridegroom of Heaven, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in whose great and wonderful name we pray. Amen. The Words of Institution The Invitation: Instruction to hold the bread and cup and eat together. Also to take more generous portions as fitting a banquet. “The gifts of Christ for the Bride of Christ. Let us keep the Wedding Feast!”

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Pastors and Church Leaders Manual — Web Resource

Serving of the Elements Song: “Amazing Grace” (Sing verses 1, 2 as the bread is passed, verses 3, 4 as the juice is passed, verse 5 after all have drunk the juice.) (We will all eat and drink at the same time at the words of the traditional ritual.) The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed upon Him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your soul and spirit unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you and be thankful. Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Song: “When We All Get to Heaven” Blessing and Charge: You have been to the Table. The bread gives you life. The cup gives you joy. Christ is in you, the hope of glory. Take Him with you, the light of the world. 42

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Communion Service Option Nine (Contributed by Ron White, Free Methodist pastor, Stanwood, MI.)

Welcome Invitation: All you who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who live in love and peace with your neighbor and who desire to lead a new life, obeying the commandments of God and walking in His holy ways, draw near with true faith and take this holy sacrament to your comfort, and humbly confess your sins to Almighty God. Confession of Sins Holy God, Maker of all things, Judge of all people, with great mercy You have promised forgiveness and deliverance to all who turn to You with heartfelt repentance and true faith. So we confess that we have sinned against You and are hopeless without Your grace. Have mercy upon us, our Father, have mercy upon us. Pardon and deliver us from all our sins: from blindness of heart and lack of love; from the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil; from false doctrine and neglect of Your Word; from anxiety and lack of trust. O God, our Savior, keep us this day without sin. Give us strength to serve and please You in newness of life, and to honor and praise Your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Pastors and Church Leaders Manual — Web Resource

Songs of Praise: The Great Thanksgiving Almighty God, You created us to enjoy Your fellowship; and even when we turned away, and our love failed, Your love was true. You gave promises to Abraham and You were true to Your word. You made a covenant with Moses and blessed Your people Israel. You sent prophets who spoke of a new promise and a new covenant. In the fullness of time, You gave the world Your only Son. You anointed Him by Your Spirit to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce salvation to the nations. He healed the sick, fed the hungry and ate with people just like us. By His suffering and death, His resurrection and ascension, He opened to us the way to heaven. He promised to be with us always, in the power of Your Word and in the person of Your Spirit. So we come this morning with hearts that are full of Your grace. Thank You, precious Father, for all Your saving acts in our lives. Thank You for this Table. We come rejoicing in our salvation, and looking to that day when we will be seated at the heavenly Table with Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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The Words of Institution The Prayer of Consecration: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send the power of Your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may experience anew the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit help us to know, in the breaking of this bread and the drinking of this cup, the presence of Christ who gave His body and blood for all. May we receive in spirit and in truth the body of Your dear Son and the merits of His shed blood. Being washed and made clean through His precious blood, may Your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in service to all the world. Amen. The Invitation: “The gifts of Christ for the Bride of Christ. Let us keep His Wedding Feast!” Serving of the Elements The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed upon Him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your soul and spirit unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you and be thankful. 45

Pastors and Church Leaders Manual — Web Resource

Closing Prayer: (Short extemporaneous prayer of thanksgiving.) Blessing and Charge: You have been to the Table. The bread gives you life. The cup gives you joy. Christ is in you, the hope of glory. Take Him with you, the light of the world.

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