Epiphany 2005 Service in the Style of Taize

Service of Contemplative Prayer in the Style of Taizé

 

Seekers Church

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

 

Service of Contemplative Prayer in the Style of Taizé

January 2, 2005

 

CIRCLE TIME

 

ENTRANCE

Chant:                                                 Taize Songbook # 41

                  Veni Sancte Spiritus        

                  Come Holy Spirit

 

REFLECTION

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;

Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine;

Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.

Christina Rossetti    

 

CHANT                                               Taize Songbook # 47

                  In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful…

 

SILENCE

 

CHANT                                               Taize Songbook # 20

                  O Lord hear my prayer…

 

PRAYERS

 

CHANT                                               Taize Songbook # 36

                  The Lord is my light, my light and salvation …

 

SCRIPTURE

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

READING FROM THE GOSPEL

 

SILENCE

 

OFFERING

Chant:                                                 Taize Songbook # 9

                  Bless the Lord, my soul …

 

COMMUNION

Leader 1:   Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God.

 

Leader 2:   We come to the Lord’s table as chosen people. 

                  We come in our brokenness

                  and in our desire for life lived out of love.

 

People:      O God, in our inmost spirits,

                  transform our sharing of bread and wine

                  into an opening of us into you,

                  into one another, into creation. 

                  Increase your life within us

                  so that we may more totally be the body of Christ.

 

Leader 1:   Friends, all persons who sincerely turn away from sin,

                  and desire to live a new life of loving and doing God’s will,

                  are welcome to receive this sacrament in faith.

 

Leader 2:   Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. 

                  She who comes to me shall never hunger;

                  he who believes in me shall never thirst.” 

                  Come.  Believe.

 

Leader 1:   On the night of his arrest Jesus took bread,

                  and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,

                  “This is my body which is for you; do this remembering me.”

 

(BREAKING OF THE BREAD)

 

Leader 2:   After supper Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood; whenever you drink it, do this remembering me.”

 

(POURING OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE)

 

(SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS)

 

Chant:                                                 Taize Songbook # 49

                        Ubi caritas et amor …  

                        Where there is charity and love …    

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION 

Unison:      God of new life, with joy we have received this sacrament of bread and wine, giving you thanks for Jesus Christ, our peace and our hope.  Unite your church throughout the world in continuing Christ’s ministry of love and servanthood, that your name may be praised in all the earth.  AMEN.

     

CHANT                                               Taize Songbook # 16

                  Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo! 

 

BENEDICTION 

Leader:      Go into the world in peace;

                  have courage; hold onto what is good;

                  return to no one evil for evil;

                  strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;

                  help the suffering;

                  honor all people;

                  love and serve God,

                  rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 

All:             Amen.