Season of Creation Communion insert

Different churches do communion on different weeks, so this on can be inserted in any week.  I’ve suggested a few CD songs which might make visitors feel more welcome, but of course there are heaps of communion songs out there!
 

Invitation to Communion
(based on Norm Habel’s original invitation)

Be still.  Enough.  God is ready to give to you.

Here in this place in your needs.

the gift of healing for those in pain,
the gift of forgiveness for those in sin,
the gift of assurance for those in doubt,
and the gift of hope for those in tears.

So Come, let’s join with the faithful of every time and place, with choirs of angels AND THE WHOLE CREATION in the eternal hymn,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord: God of power and might
The heavens and Earth are full of your glory
Blessed the one who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest!

You might like to include these quotes:

“If we take this call to praise seriously, every time we celebrate the eucharist we are affirming that the whole of life, and all creation, is woven together.  The universe is one.  All is inter-related and bound together.  All things are connected…we join not only the whole inhabited earth, but the whole creation in a cosmic hymn of praise …(Healing the Earth, Social Justice Sunday 1990)”

 “We place ‘the elements’ on the Lord’s table as symbols of the whole creation for which we ask God’s blessing… It is for all people and the whole creation that we ask God’s blessing.  It is not a ‘private’ blessing that we ask for the life of the Church…not only…the bread and wine are affected by the action of the Holy Spirit; the Spirit blesses the whole creation which they represent. …(Healing the Earth, Social Justice Sunday 1990)”

Communion hymn: This is God’s wondrous world (words modified), Tune TIS 149

This is God’s wondrous world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is God’s wondrous world; I rest me in the thought of
rocks and trees, of skies and seas, God’s hand the wonders wrought.

This is God’s wondrous world; the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is God’s wondrous world; God shines in all that’s there; from the
rolling hills to ocean shores; God’s voice speaks everywhere.

This is God’s wondrous world, in which we share this bread.
Though the wrong seems oft so strong, our God is with us yet.
Bread and wine from the divine, remember what he said– Let
voices sing, let the heavens ring; God’s here, let Earth be glad!

Communion Recollection

Paul reminded us that it was on the very night of Jesus’ betrayal that he took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

So Holy Spirit be upon us, and upon this bread and wine, that we may be signs of life and love to each other and the world.

Perhaps full of joy and faith, perhaps downcast, perhaps chastened, we come seeking strength for the journey.

For the bread we break is our sharing in the life of Christ
The cup we take is our sharing in the death of Christ
The gift of God is the resurrection of Christ.
Food for the pilgrim people, always on the Way.

Evolution affirming song during distribution (or substitute your own)

All creation praises God.  The scent of God filled the nostrils of our ancestors as they made their living in the trees- though they didn’t have the words to express it.  With their heightened senses they could perhaps taste God more clearly than we, with our diminished senses, struggle to do.  During communion we enter the attempt to “taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8)

Song: U2 Wild Honey
(I made an abbreviated version of it for worship, emphasising that it was a song being sung to God), lyrics follow. Can buy on web, the video is on utube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olCg_u5U0BU

In the days
When we were swinging from the trees
I was a monkey
Stealing honey from a swarm of bees

I could taste...
I could taste you even then
And I would chase you down the wind
…
Did I know you...
Did I know you even then?
Before the clocks kept time
Before the world was made

From the cruel sun
You were shelter...
You were my shelter and my shade

An excellent alternative which has nothing to do with evolution but sings about bread and wine being enough, is Sinead O’Connor: I do not want what I haven’t got. I edited it to just play verses 1,2,3,6. It has no instruments, so if you had a good singer they could just sing it: lucky you!!

I'm walking through the desert
And I am not frightened although it's hot
I have all that I requested
And I do not want what I haven't got

I have learned this from my mother
See how happy she has made me
I will take this road much further
Though I know not where it takes me

I have water for my journey
I have bread and I have wine
No longer will I be hungry
For the bread of life is mine
...
So I'm walking through the desert
And I am not frightened although it's hot
I have all that I requested
And I do not want what I haven't got