A Short Communion Service
on the theme of Peace
Based on Colossians 3.1-17

Call to Worship - Col 3.1-4

Hymn

Prayer

Call to Repentance - Col 3.5-9

Prayer of Confession

Declaration of Forgiveness - Col 3.10-11

Hymn

Scripture Reading - Col 3.12-15

Address

Prayer

The Peace

Jesus himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.  Through him we all have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Hymn

The Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Father, almighty and ever-living God, it is right to give you thanks and praise at all times and in all places. 
With angels and archangels and with all your people on earth and in heaven, we proclaim your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying:

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.

Father you have made us to live in a relationship with you, knowing peace in our hearts, in our friendships and family relationships, and in our society.  
When we had fallen into sin you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross to bring us peace with yourself and with each other.
On the night that he was betrayed he took bread; and when he had given you thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat.  This is my body which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.’
In the same way, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given you thanks, he gave it to them, saying,
‘Drink this, all of you.  This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’
Therefore, Father, we do as Jesus commanded; we remember his passion and death, we celebrate his resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of his kingdom.
Accept through him this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and grant that by the power of your life-giving Spirit, we who eat and drink these holy gifts may share in the body and blood of Christ and be united with all your people on earth and in heaven; through Jesus our Lord, through whom we declare that all honour and glory are yours for time and eternity.

Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body, for we all share in the one loaf.

Prayer

We say together:

We come to your table, Lord Jesus, because we have received your generous love and through you we have peace with God.  We humbly and thankfully respond to your invitation to feed on your body and to drink your blood.
Through the bread and wine make these heavenly truths real in our earthly experience.  By your Spirit draw us deeper into union with yourself and with all who share this feast.
Amen.

Bread and wine are shared

Silence

Final Prayer

Let us pray.

We thank you.  Lord,
that you have fed us in this sacrament,
united us with Christ,
and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet
prepared for all people.  Amen.

Hymn

Dismissal and Blessing

1 Corinthians 3.16-17  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Philippians 4.7  The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, remain with you always.

Amen.