The Lord has made a table ready for those who love him a little but want to love him more. So come, whether you have much faith or only a little. Come, if you have been here often or have not been for a long time. Come if you have tried to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and have failed. Come, because you are invited by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is his will that all those who want to know and serve him better should meet him here.
Approach:
Hymn 197 ‘As we are gathered, Jesus is here.’
Hymn 510 Jesus calls us here to meet him.’
Offering forward – Hymn 505 v1
Min: Let us pray for a closer union with Christ the Bread of Life.
All: Almighty and eternal Lord God, we are fed with the living bread, which is the body and blood of Christ, our Lord. In him we are forgiven, loved and free. Help us to feed on our Lord – the Bread of Life – in faith and love. That we might grow closer to him and more like him in our daily lives by following his example of humility, obedience and service, that we may share in his suffering and know his resurrection life. For we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
(Silence).
Min: Let us confess our sins to God. Let us pray.
All: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Most merciful Lord God, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through our own fault and in common with others. We are truly sorry and turn humbly from our sins. Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
(Silence)
Min: May Almighty God have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen. The Lord’s Prayer.
Word:
Isaiah 55: 1-6.
Hymn 655 ‘For your generous providing.’
St. John 6: 24-35.
Sermon: ‘The Bread of Life.’
Response:
Hymn 662 ‘Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts.’
Please remain standing.
Affirmation of Faith from the Church of North India.
All: We believe in the God of Life who creates and loves people, Who acts in history, and who never leaves us alone. We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, who is Lord and Redeemer, Who wants, not to be idolised, but to be followed. We believe that we live in the presence of the Holy Spirit; Without whom we are nothing: but filled with the Holy Spirit we are able to become creative, lively and free.
We believe in the Church of Jesus Christ, A community where we can grow in understanding of our faith, Through worship, fellowship and action. We believe that God has a purpose for us in this time and this place. We believe in living, hoping, laughing and enjoying the good earth. We believe that people can change, that attitudes can change, And that God keeps leading us towards life, and to a new world of justice and joy. Amen
Prayers
Holy Communion
Hymn 664: 1-4 ‘Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face.’
Invitation:
This is the Table, not of the Church, but of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love him a little but want to love him more. So come, whether you have much faith or only a little. Come, if you have been here often or have not been for a long time. Come if you have tried to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and have failed. Come, because you are invited by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is his will that all those who want to know and serve him better should meet him here.
Institution:
Hear the words of the Institution of the Lord’s Supper as they are recorded for us by Saint Paul, who wrote, ‘On the night on which our Lord was arrested he took bread and, after giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way after the supper, he took the cup and said, “This cup is the New Covenant sealed in my blood. Whenever you drink it do it remembering me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’ 1 Cor
Great Prayer
Min: The Lord be with you.
Cong: And also with you.
Min: Lift up your hearts.
Cong: We lift them up to the Lord.
Min: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Cong: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Min: Father, all powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks for all our blessings.
We are filled with gratitude as we remember again our Lord Jesus Christ – the Bread of Life broken for us. Therefore, we join our praises with all your people in heaven and on earth to proclaim your glory saying:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Min: Now we celebrate the feast of our redemption………… that with the faithful of all ages, we may with one voice and one heart glorify your most holy name.
All: And here we offer and present to you our very selves, to be a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for your acceptance through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour are yours, Almighty Father, now and forevermore. Amen
Communion
Min:Jesus, Lamb of God.
All: Have mercy upon us.
Min: Jesus, bearer of our sins.
All: Have mercy upon us.
Min: Jesus, Redeemer of the world.
All: Grant us your peace.
Communion Shared.
Prayer
Hymn 664: 5-7 ‘Too soon we rise.’
Blessing:
Benediction/ Threefold Amen
Hymn 786 ‘May the God of peace go with us.’
Thought for the week:
The Lord has made a table ready for those who love him a little but want to love him more. So come, whether you have much faith or only a little. Come, if you have been here often or have not been for a long time. Come if you have tried to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and have failed. Come, because you are invited by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is his will that all those who want to know and serve him better should meet him here.
Mortlach and Rothes Church 