Communion Liturgy: “Communion in Minnesota”

One:
Its 2 a.m. on the streets in front of the memorials of the dead. The candles still flicker and bouquets of frozen flowers curl in their plastic. Snow and ice are mixed with salty dirt and the residues of tear gas and pepper spray. This valley of death is dark—and long, full of shadows. A voice whispers in the night, “Stay awake with me.”
The path winds past silent alleys, along streets thick with gritty snow. This journey through a once familiar terrain takes us past the houses of those in hiding, street scenes of violent abductions.
And yet here…even here…in the darkest pitch of night, in the depths of the coldest winter, and the most harrowing part of our journey, when we feel most alone, we come to a place where a table is prepared for us.
All: This is the table of God. And all are welcome.

One:
This table is wide. This table is long. This table transcends time, reaching back into a history full of valleys of shadow and forward into a cosmos of wonder. This table is crowded with the living and the dead, and a fullness of time that has not yet come.
Here at this table, you remember that you are beloved. Here at this table, your humanity is restored. Here at this table, your fire is rekindled.
All: This is the table presided over by Christ. And all are welcome.

One:
It is the table at which we remember the words of Jesus, who, in another dark passage of time, at another feast, took bread, broke it, and said, “This is my body, my life, given for you.”
And then he took the cup and said, “This is my blood, my life, poured out for all of you. Share your own lives with one another as I have shared mine with you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Here at this table, we are one with the holy purpose of God’s love that threads its way through all of life and history.
Holy and gracious God, pour out upon these gifts of bread and wine Your Holy Spirit. May the bread and the wine become life for us—life consecrated to Your eternal love. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Come to the feast for all is prepared for you.

Music: Hold On (or other of the justice songs)

Prayer after Communion: The journey is not over; there is much that love has left to do in this world. We go from this table with our lamps re-lit and lifted high. We vow to stay salty. And we remain in solidarity with Jesus, sharing his prayer: “Our Creator,” or “Eternal Spirit”…

Written by Rev. Bonnie Forsman