communion: loyalty

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, O Lord, with all our heart;
in the face of all that would claim our loyalty,
we choose to sing praise to only you.
We praise your love and faithfulness,
which are revealed in all that you called into being;
from the farthest wonders of space,
to the deepest mysteries of our hearts.
You made a promise by your name
that you would be faithful to your people forever,
and you have always upheld your covenant.

We celebrate especially the gift of your own Son, Jesus Christ,
whom we confess as the Lord of life,
who offers forgiveness and grace to all,
who has called us once and always to return to you.
For the sake of Christ,
we join with all your faithful ones,
who forever sing praise and glory to your name:

Holy, holy, holy…

Holy and blessed are you, O Lord,
for you have come to care for those who are lowly
and set right the broken ways of our world.
By your Holy Spirit,
you give us the gift of your presence
through this meal that seals your promise within us.

Trusting in your promise,
we lift up before you those who struggle or suffer,
those who battle enemies of body, mind, or spirit.
Make good your purpose for all your people,
as we entrust ourselves to your enduring love,
in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer

Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA