June 1, 2022

One of the glories of being in the Church is that, whenever we gather in worship, we participate in something far greater than our own congregation. The response included below is an amended version of an ancient Eucharistic liturgy found in The Didache - the beauty of drawing from so rich a well of tradition notwithstanding, it uniquely fits the occasion of Pentecost. The centrality of thanksgiving and the language of gathering grain into bread reflects God’s drawing us together into the church through Christ, and it all points forward to that great day when the redeemed Bride, made up from every people, tribe and tongue, will gather in worship of the one true God!

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed 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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

M: Just as this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and and then was gathered together and became one, so may your church be
gathered together from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom.

P: We give you thanks, Holy Father, for your holy name, which you have caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge of faith and immortality that you have made known to us through Jesus your servant, to you be the glory forever.

M: To the one true God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

P: To Him be glory and power through Jesus Christ forever!

 — MATT ALLHANDS