Prompt in Bulletin
As you come into worship this morning, you’re invited to write your name on one of the index cards provided. During the singing of our first hymn, Bring Many Names, you’re invited to bring your many names forward to place on the bare communion table. Before we celebrate the mystery of Holy Communion, this table will be transformed especially for those gathered here on this day.
Action in Worship
Our kids hang out on a quilt in the front of our worship space during the summer. They gather for a Children’s Sermon that may or may not introduce the activity they will share in that day. Often, it’s a coloring sheet related to the RCL. But, there are also books and playdoh and other good things for busy hands. This week, they will take the names gathered on the table during the first hymn and add those many names to a tablecloth that will set upon the table just before communion begins. Then, they will stand with me as we serve communion together.
Invitation to the Feast of God
“God created the world — the plants and the trees.
The fish and all the animals were given a name.
And each person, young and old, had a special name:
Ruth, Samuel, Joshua, Hannah.”*
And you were given a name — a special name. Names like:
(Ask kids to read names from tablecloth.)
Jesus calls each of us by name.
Just as called the twelve apostles:
“first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother;
James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother; Philip; and Bartholomew;
Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus.”**
Jesus didn’t limit his ministry to these twelve.
He called Mary and Martha.
He called Lazarus and those whose names were never written down.
Jesus knows all their names, and invited them to wrestle all night long with what it means to love and serve our God in this time and in this place.
And each time, just as the angel asked, he said, “Tell me your name.”
Beloved in Christ, say your name. Say your name aloud.
(Pause to let every worshipper say their names.)
Jesus calls you to this table.
Jesus calls you to fill your hunger and your thirst for righteousness.
Come to this table and know that God is good.
For this is the the good news that Jesus shared with his friends in that upper room.
He gathered those wrestling people together and…
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion (Unison)
God of Many Names, we give you thanks for this holy mystery of bread and cup.
We give thanks that you have called us each by name — to sustain and redeem us.
May go from this table to dine at other tables to celebrate in this mystery,
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Sustainer and Redeemer. Amen.
* From Sandy Sasso’s In God’s Name.
** Matthew 10:1-3, CEB.
Submitted by Rev. Elsa A. Peters, The United Churches of Olympia, WA
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