by Roberta J. Egli
Written for Messy Church International Conference 2019 Closing Session
This specific Great Thanksgiving was written for the Messy Church session ” A Sticky Star in God’s Hand.” A short chant was used that was taught prior to the beginning of the Great Thanksgiving prayer…’We re-member and give Thanks”. The chant was simple with only two notes, descending a half-step on ‘re’ and ‘give’. You can contact me at [email protected] with any questions. If you have an all-age Eucharist liturgy that you would like to share, please let me know. Grace and peace, Roberta
Invitation
So, having heard the voice of Jesus, we turn away from everything that comes between us and him. We open the door to the loving, living God.
As a slightly sticky star held in God’s hands, we have gathered over the past few days from all over the world. We have met new friends, laughed together, made connections, and heard God speak in and through each other. As we prepare to move from this place and time, we are around tables to share in a sticky and heavenly banquet of bread and wine.
Our prayer of great thanksgiving is partly a ‘repeat after me’ but as a global village gathered today, please use your language to repeat the words that I share. I also have a short chant to teach you..We remember and give thanks…
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God is with us… (repeat)
We lift our hearts in praise…(repeat)
We give Almighty God our thanks(repeat)
All Chant: We remember and give thanks…(repeat X 2)
Let us tell the story of God…
We give thanks to God, who created this wondrous world…
Who formed us and gave us the breath of life…
Whose love remains steadfast even when we turn away…
All Chant: We remember and give thanks (repeat X 2)
We give thanks for the life of Jesus the Christ…
Who came to our messy world to preach good news,..
Who healed the sick, fed the hungry and sat at table with sinners…
Who through his life, death and resurrection revealed the depths and power of love …
All Chant– We remember and give thanks (repeat X 2)
We give thanks for the Holy Spirit…
Who was present at the beginning and is with us this day…
Who is the life-giving breath of the church…
Who enlivens us to be sources of healing and forgiveness in our messy world…
All Chant– We remember and give thanks(repeat X 2)
Words of Institution
On the night that he shared his last meal with his disciples Jesus too the bread, lifted it up, gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to his companions saying…’take,eat; this is my body given for you… remember me’
When the meal was over he took the cup, lifted it up, gave thanks and shared it with his followers saying’ drink from this, all of you, this is the blood of the new covenant poured out for you and many for the forgiveness of sins. Remember me’
Instruct people to put hands up over to bless the elements…
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon this gift of bread and wine that it may become your body, vibrant with new life, healing, renewing and making us whole.
Instruct people to put palms up in prayer
Breathe your Spirit upon us that we may become light for the world, a source of joy and a witness for peace.
Instruct people to connect with each other…
By your spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other and one in ministry to all the world until we feast at the heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever.
Lord’s prayer with motions
Invite people to come to the Table to share in the bread and the cup.
Prayer after communion
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others. In the name of Jesus the Christ, our Lord we pray. AMEN
Permission given to use with your Messy Church. Do not reprint for use other than Messy Church Holy Communion session.
