A New Eucharist

This outline is offered as a guide to a dignified but expressive experience of worship. It should be adapted to the needs of those gathered. It blends forms new and old to express the continuous and continuing flow of spirit in creation. Retention of some fixed elements is intended to give a sense of that continuity of our tradition, and all traditions, from one service to another.

The people are gathered comfortably and informally in a circle, around a central table. Reading of the various parts of the service is shared among those gathered. Any section, or the whole service, may be read in unison.

The service is intended to be relatively short, and preparatory for the period of contemplative prayer, which follows immediately.

The Bidding

Beloved family, we are one with all seekers after Spirit.
We have come around this table to evoke with thanksgivings
The memory of the Lord of all creation,
Known by many names throughout the history of our world,
But known in our tradition as the Christ, anointed One,
Person of the Word within creation,
Who enlightens all which heretofore was dark,
Who leads us along the Way of love,
And toward all understanding.

Let us now celebrate in word and rite
Both new and old,
The memory of the Christic Way
That we might be reborn in mind and heart
That we might live and serve in love,
And that we might be at peace,
In unity with Creator and Creation.

The Invocation

A brief prayer (said or sung), instrumental intonation, incense, and the lighting of candles are used as desired, to call the people to attend the inner call of spirit. A period of silence is observed. In the evening, the ancient hymn Phos Hilaron (Oh Gracious Light, BCP) is especially appropriate here.

The Collect for Purity (BCP 1662)

Almighty God,
Unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known,
And from whom no secrets are hid,
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
By the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
That we may perfectly love thee
And worthily magnify thy holy name.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Hymn or Canticle
The Collect(s)

A Unison Prayer of Humility and Confession

Oh great Compassionate Spirit,
You ordain the balance of all things large and small,
Here on Earth, and throughout the Universe.

Yet we, Oh gracious One
Focused on ourselves alone
Have missed the point of your creation plan.
In our deeds, our words, our thoughts
And by failing to respond to need,
We have broken the balance
Which in love you have ordained.

Forgive us and heal us, and return us to your Way
That we might live mindfully
At peace with you, with all creation,
With each other, and within ourselves.
Hear us, Lord, for your compassion is great.

The Sacred Readings

Several selections, from among the world's sacred literature, are read by various readers, and may be interspersed with music. It is especially appropriate to include a reading from Hebrew scripture (perhaps a psalm sung or said in unison), and to conclude with a reading from the Gospels.

The Prayers of the People

Petitions and thanksgivings may be spoken among the group, followed by silence and/or a selected prayer.

A Hymn or Anthem

The Invitatory

Beloved family,
We are gathered here in the spirit of the transfigured Jesus
To celebrate his life, his love, his vision
Of the unity of the all in Christ.

We are gathered here in the spirit of that Oneness,
And as does he, we welcome all who wish to come,
Of whatever faith or understanding.

Let all who will, join in this eucharistic celebration,
Thanking him for his resurrected life of love
Present to us even now.

The Sanctus

With all that is
We proclaim our infinite and glorious
Creator.

Holy, holy, holy,
Holy Mystery, all in All
Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
Glory be to Thee
Thou One most high.

The Oblation

Bread and wine are brought to the table and made ready for distibution.

The Epiclesis

Oh Holy Spirit
Come upon us
And upon our gifts of bread and wine.

As many grains dwell in the wholeness of this bread
Which nourishes our own bodies,
And many grapes within this wine,
May we too dwell within the wholeness of Yourself.
Accept ourselves as gifts, and
Bless us now and make us whole.

The Celebration of the Memory

Our Teacher, Jesus, nearing the time of his arrest and crucifixion,
And with his family of friends gathered around him,
Remembered the deliverance of his people from their bondage.
On the very night in which he was betrayed to his own captors,
He gave to us this memory feast of our own liberation.

Gathered here together now,
Let us remember how upon that night,
Our Lord took bread -- which signifies his body,
Our Lord took wine -- which signifies his pulse of life.

Whenever you do eat this bread, he said,
Whenever you do drink this wine,
Remember me.

This is the Cup Of the New Relationship to Spirit
Wherein is healing for ourselves
And for our world.

When they are mentioned, the server shows the bread and wine to the people.

The Lord's Prayer

Using the form preferred by those gathered.
The elements are then carried or passed around the circle, according to local custom, saying:

The Body of the Lord (perhaps adding:) wherein is healing for ourselves and for the world.
The Blood (or The Wine, or The Cup) of the Christ ... (wherein is healing ... etc.)
or
May the Body of the Lord nourish you to new life.
May the Spirit of this Cup raise you to new life.
or
there is some other appropriate personal exchange between the one serving and the one receiving.

Contemplative prayer

After receiving the elements, there is an extended period of silence for the people to engage in contemplation (centering prayer).

A General Thanksgiving

We thank you, Compassionate Spirit, always at work in all creation,
That through the resurrected life of the transfigured Jesus, Christ,
You now do make us whole again,
Lifting us above the death and darkness of our lives,
Ever giving to our body your ecstatic wine of life.

We do remember, and truly do we thank you
For your presence here and now
Within us and among us, ever Word in all creation.
Be with us now as we go forth to love and serve.

May your Peace be always with us,
Each and every one. Amen.

The people then exchange signs of the Peace, according to custom.

A Hymn
A Benediction or Thanksgiving

A teaching session, and/or discussion may follow, and/or a social gathering.

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