The most recent gathering of the Merthyr Road New Farm (Q) Explorers was able to examine closely two great examples of HC in the progressive mode. This is the second one and comes from the Pilgrim People Congregation that meets every Sunday at New Farm at 2pm, courtesy of its architect, Adel Nisbet. Dr Steven Nisbet OAM, Organist, Pilgrim People Brisbane and Secretary, Organ Society of Queensland has provided a number of suitable hymns shown below.
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The Sacrament of the Common Meal
COMMUNION HYMN
INVITATION
Leader: Everyone is invited to this symbolic meal. We have come from different places and experiences; we have travelled different spiritual journeys. This table is a meeting place, where reconciliation and restoration are possible, where we open our hearts to the Spirit’s call on our lives.
We come as we are – those who can affirm their worth, and those who are yet to do so, those whose hearts and minds are admirable, and those still struggling to make them so, those who are most like us, and those who are least like us.
Through the all-embracing Spirit, everyone is welcome at this table in the warmth of generous hospitality. We gather at this table, together with all those who have gone before us, and set apart this time, to give thanks for these sacred moments that can bridge all differences and open all hearts.
A time of silence is kept for personal preparation …
Leader: May the Divine Spirit be in you –
People: And also in you.
PRAYER AT THE TABLE:
People: As we meet at this communal table, we acknowledge the responsibility that is ours – to seek inspiration to live in love and peace with one another and all creation, to be joined in one common, spiritual union with all people throughout this good earth.
HYMN Now to your table spread Shirley Murray (Tune: Love Unknown)
Verse 1
Now to your table spread we come, each one in faith
that you alone provide the words of life and death:
in wine and bread, in promised food
we find your loving heart, O God.
SHARING THE PURPOSE
Leader: We believe the Spirit of Love draws us together and wills us to be in communion with one another. Jesus offered us two signs: reminding us of the union of body and spirit, Jesus first took bread and broke it, just as we too are often broken in our relationships with one another.
People: Jesus showed us the way of reconciliation by asking us to share bread with one another in remembrance of his own life, lived to the full.
Leader: Source of life and of creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which the earth has given and human hands have made. In this sacred time and place, set aside for remembrance, bread symbolises life.
People: Through the breaking of bread, we commit to reconciliation, to becoming the real presence of Love in the world.
Leader: As the second sign, in like manner Jesus held the cup filled with the fruit of the vine. The vine joins us to one another and sustains us; and the fruit of the vine nourishes the spirit that abides within and between each of us.
People: Jesus asked us to drink of that same unifying spirit of loving-kindness and harmony that was in him.
Leader: Through the goodness and blessings born from creation, we have this wine to share, which the earth has given and human hands have made. In this sacred time and place, set aside for remembrance, the fruit of the vine symbolises blessing.
People: Through the cup of blessing, we claim rebirth for our lives and restoration for the world.
HYMN Now to your table spread Shirley Murray
Verse 2
Hands of the world stretch out
your mystery to touch in longing
to believe a truth beyond our reach,
to sing in joy, to cry in grief,
to know your meaning for our life.
Leader: In the sharing of this sacred communal meal, we recognise the great mystery which engenders authority to renew, reinvigorate and make us whole. This is ours to employ through the eternal generosity of the Creator’s goodness and power, both seen and unseen.
People: We offer our thanks and praise for such seen and unseen goodness that blesses our lives.
Leader: As we open ourselves to such blessing, we remember the open and generous life of Jesus, who even unto death, remained faithful to his calling, and revealed the divine presence in whom with faith we live and move, and have our being.
People: We dedicate ourselves to make the Life and Spirit of Jesus real in this world, as members of this community of faith, committed to upholding the sacred values revealed in his life, even unto death.
HYMN: Now to your table spread Shirley Murray
Verse 3
Here is our common wealth.
in sharing what is good,
As though all humankind around one table stood,
this bread to brake, this wine to taste;
One people in the name of Christ.
The assisting Elders join the Leader at the table during this verse.
COMMISSIONING OF THE ELEMENTS
Leader: The Wheat becomes Bread
People: This is a symbol of Life.
Leader: The Grapes become Wine
People: This is a symbol of Blessing.
Leader: Life and Blessings are gifts of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Recognising its deep symbolism, let us now share this meal.
The Leader and the Elders partake.
DISTRIBUTION OF The ELEMENTS
During the playing of the music, the elements are distributed throughout the Congregation either in silence or with the words – The Bread of Life. The Cup of Blessing
COMMUNION ANTHEM OR ORGAN MUSIC
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Leader: In the sharing of bread and wine, our relationship with each other and with the ground of our being is renewed. May our striving never cease – to be more loving, forgiving, courageous, faithful and hopeful; to be peaceful, to do justice, to offer kindness and mercy. These are the virtues we would nurture, as we walk humbly in this world, committed to living the vision of God revealed in Jesus, reaching out with compassion to feed, to forgive and to love.
People: Love is the Word for us to speak; Love is the Truth for us to tell; Love is the Light for us to shine into the darkness; Love is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing for us to share. What we have enacted here in this holy space, we make real through our actions when we go from this place.
Leader: May the Spirit inspire and enable us, today and every day,
People: Amen.
POST COMMUNION HYMN
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‘Progressive’ Communion Hymns
Together In Song
507 Come, Spirit blest (Charles Wesley)
511 Let us break bread together (Spiritual)
530 Now let us from this table rise (Frederick Kaan)
531 Sent forth by God’s blessing (O. Westendorf)
533 I come with joy to meet my Lord (Brian Wren) (Set tune Bramwell or Kilmarnock 247)
536 An upper room (Frederick Pratt Green)
537 Let us talents and tongues employ (Fred Kaan)
538 Feed us now (Robin Mann)
539 You satisfy the hungry heart (v.1 As when the shepherd calls) (Omer Westendorf)
540 Christians, lift your hearts & voices (J. Bowers)
544 Since the world was young (J Bell & G Maule)
545 Shout for joy (John Bell)
Songs of Grace (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette)
40 We come to this table
Tune: The Ash Grove (TIS 531)
In Every Corner Sing (Shirley Murray)
7 Christ, we come to you
Tune: Wroslyn Grove
21 For the bread and wine and blessing
Tune: Weck
52 Now to your table spread
Tune: Love Unknown
Singing a New Song Volume 1
(George Stuart)
94 Invitation to the sacrament
Tune: St Peter (TIS 485)
The invitation is announced
To greatest and to least;
For all are welcome. “Come with us;
Share this symbolic feast.”
This simple food of bread and wine
Reminds us of the one
Who lived his life with strength and grace;
Fought evil and he won.
There’s plenty here for all to share,
So do not be subdued;
The only thing you need to be
Is hungry for this food.
Come now the table is prepared;
You are a cherished guest;
With Christ, as host, you are affirmed;
You are upheld and blest.
95 We are welcome
Tune: Praise my soul (TIS 134)
Our communion with each other
Is enhanced with bread and wine;
Jesus is the host and servant
In this sacrament and sign.
We are welcome at this table;
Called as branches of the vine.
Jesus ate with common people,
Breaking laws he knew were built
On the customs that excluded,
On laws that engendered guilt.
We are welcome at this table;
By such laws his blood was spilt.
At this meal there’s no exclusion;
We may come, there’s no demand;
Jesus ate with his disciples;
Even Judas was not banned.
We are welcome at this table;
This is what was always planned
All are welcome at this table;
Every culture, every race;
We experience the Presence
Of the Christ. Amazing Grace!
We are always very welcome,
And held fast in God’s embrace.
96 Remembering in bread and wine
Tune: Belmont (TIS 524)
Remember in the bread and wine
That meal so long ago,
When Jesus said his last farewell
Before he faced his foe.
Remember in the bread and wine
The brokenness of one
Whose dream was shattered by the world
That crushed what he’d begun.
Remember in the bread and wine
He poured out all his life
In service and humility,
Amidst advancing strife.
Remember in the bread and wine
His bold integrity;
He would not compromise himself;
He went to Calvary.
And as we take this bread and wine
Remember Jesus gives
A challenge, now, to be God’s love;
To show that Christ still lives.
oOo