Becoming One in Ministry

(Ascension Sunday, Memorial Day)

The dining table is in place, front and center. The Lord’s Table includes the implements for Holy Communion.

The cross placed in the center position (where Jesus would be sitting) remains on the dining table.

ENTRANCE

“Crown Him” (Majesty) CCLI# 6463818
“Glorify Thy Name” (with band), st 1-2 The Faith We Sing, 2016
Reading (music continues) John 17:1-5
“Glorify Your Name,” st 3 The Faith We Sing, 2016

OR

“Father, We Have Heard You Calling” Worship & Song, 3150
“Glorify Thy Name” The Faith We Sing, 2016
Reading (music continues) John 17:1-5
“Glorify Thy Name,” st 3 The Faith We Sing, 2016

WORD AND RESPONSE

During the singing of the second stanza of “Glorify Thy Name,” a group of people comes and takes seats at the dining table. One of those at the table reads John 17:1-5 from her or his seat.

During the singing of stanza 3, the pastor or a deacon approaches the table and opens the Bible, preparing to start the rest of the reading. The reader looks first at the people at the table, taking time to make eye contact with each, then at the congregation, then continues the reading.

Reading John 17:6-11

After the reading, the pastor takes a seat at the table, to either side of the cross, and offers the sermon.

Sermon Becoming… One in Ministry

Call to Confession and Oneness in Ministry
Deacon or Pastor:
We have heard what you prayed for us, Jesus.
“That we may be one, as you and the Father are one.”

You have been faithful, O God.
You invite us into your very life, Three-in-One,
so we may be as united in ministry
as you are.

And we have not been faithful.

Younger voices: We have not respected the wisdom
of the older and more experienced.

Older voices: We have not been open to the passion and insights
of the young and those newer among us.

All: We have blocked ourselves and others from relationship with you,
by our sin, our stubbornness, and our discomfort with your gifts
of stability and change.

Deacon or Pastor:
You would make us one in and through our distinctions,
as you are One God in Three distinct persons.

And we continue to act as if oneness in ministry means
everyone acts the way I or people like me prefer.

Left side: Correct us.

Right side: Heal us.

All: Forgive us, O God.
And restore us to the oneness in Christ,
oneness with each other,
and oneness in ministry
for which Jesus prayed. Amen.

Silence

Pastor:
Count yourself corrected.
Let God’s healing power flow through you
and toward one another.
And know you are forgiven in the name of Jesus.

All: Amen.

One with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry,
let us confess the faith of the one, holy and apostolic church
in the words of the one confession that unites Christians everywhere.

Confession of Faith of the One Church
“The Nicene Creed” United Methodist Hymnal, 880

The Peace and Offertory
May the peace of Christ, who makes us one, move among us.
And may the gifts we offer, in money and in praise, be pleasing to God.

The people may exchange the peace of Christ. The offering may be collected.

Music During the Offering
“Holy, Holy, Holy” CCLI# 3501780 OR
“Holy Holy, Holy” United Methodist Hymnal, 64

During the singing, the dining table and chairs are removed, and the cross is placed on a pedestal behind and above the Lord’s Table, where the presider will lead the Great Thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Invitation
Deacon or Pastor (standing behind the Lord’s Table):

Christ our Lord now invites us to his table.
We love him.
We earnestly repent of our sin.
We seek to be at peace with one another.

The Great Thanksgiving BOW 66-67 OR

Pastor: So lift up your hearts!
We lift them to you, Lord.

Give God the glory.
All our praise, all our thanks, all our lives are yours!

Yours is the praise,
yours is the thanks,
yours is the honor,
now and forever,
One in Three
and Three in One.

Glorify your name in all the earth.

Out of chaos,
your brought creation.

Out of bondage and exile,
you brought your people Israel.

Out of sin, destruction, death, and decay,
you bring forth mercy, deliverance, eternal life and new creation.

And so we join our voices with every saint and sinner
of every nation, people, and tongue,
with every angel and heavenly being,
and with every element of creation
that shines or wriggles or vibrates in your praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is Christ who comes in your name.
Hosanna in the highest!

You make us one, Lord Jesus.

Calling us to follow where you lead,
and to this table,
you make us one with you.

Calling people from every walk of life,
from mainstream to marginalized,
from low to high estate,
from everybody who was somebody,
to everybody who was nobody,
you make us one body in you.

Calling on the Father,
and commending us to the Holy Spirit,
you sent your first disciples
and send us still
to be one in ministry
as you and the Father and the Spirit are one.

Even so, come Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Come upon us,
and on these gifts of bread and wine we offer
in our full-bodied praise
remembering the words of Jesus
who gathered his disciples around bread and wine,
and said:

The pastor or an assistant lifts the bread.
This is my body, given for you. Eat this, and remember me.

The pastor or an assistant lifts the cup.
This is my blood, poured out for you. Drink this, and remember me.

And so,
offering our lives and these gifts before you,
Holy Three, Holy One,
we join our voices in prayer and sing:

“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One with all sisters and brothers in Christ around the world, and all who lead them…
“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One in hope and work for freedom, justice, and peace in our communities, the nation, and the world…
“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One with all creatures and this earth you have commended to our care…
“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One in hope and work for protection, healing, and relief for all who are suffering, sick, oppressed, in harm’s way, or about to die…
“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One with all who seek you and all who have never known your name or your salvation…
“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry...
“Make Us One” TFWS 2224

Deacon or Pastor:
One with all who pray as Christ taught us, saying:

The Lord’s Prayer (in your first language).

The pastor breaks the bread in the sight of the people, then serves the servers, who serve the pastor and the people.

Music During Communion
“One Bread, One Body” UMH 620
“Table of Plenty” W&S 3173

“Father, We Thank You” UMH 565
“Christ, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (st 1-4) UMH 550

Thanksgiving after Communion (Sung) UMH 550
Deacon or Pastor and People:

Many are we now, and one,
we who Jesus have put on.
There is neither bond nor free
male nor female, Lord, in thee.

Love, like death hath all destroyed,
rendered all distinctions void;
names and sects and parties fall,
thou, O Christ, art all in all. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Deacon or Pastor:

Go in peace, one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!