Corpus Christi Sunday

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Since the beginning of time, God has always nourished his people. Today we remember God’s kindness in giving us the Body and Blood of Christ as our spiritual food.

Opening Prayer:

You have blessed all generations, O God most high, in Jesus, our compassionate Savior, for through him you invite us to your kingdom, welcome us to your table, and provide us with nourishment in abundance. Teach us to imitate your unfailing kindness and to build up Christ’s body, the Church, by generously handing on to others the gifts we have received from your bounty. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“In Christ, There Is No East Or West” – St Stephen (BBC)

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 14:18-20 (NLT)
[Melchizedek the priest praises the creator and blesses Abraham using bread and wine.]

And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.”

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 110:1-4 (NLT)

A psalm of David.

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies.

When you go to war, your people will serve you willingly. You are arrayed in holy garments, and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.

The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
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The Lord Said To My Lord (Psalm 110) – “Psalom”, St. Petersburg, Russia

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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT)
[Paul tells the story of what happened at the Last Supper.]

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 9:11-17 (NLT)
[Luke’s version of the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, where twelve baskets of food were left over from the meal of five loaves and two fish.]

[Jesus] welcomed the crowds and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”

But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.

Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
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Hymn: “Table of Grace” – Phillips, Craig & Dean

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Intercessory Prayer:

Great and powerful God: help us in our time of need.

+ That all those who celebrate the Eucharist may be nourished in faith and practice by the real presence of Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who are called to minister the Eucharist may show reverence for Christ and kindness to his people…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians all over the world may share willingly with those who are physically and spiritually hungry…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who provide food and drink for us may be blessed for their good work…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who are sick and sorrowful may experience God’s healing presence and power…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all those who have died in Christ and eaten the Bread of Life may receive a place at the eternal banquet…. Lord, hear us.

Great and powerful God, you care for your people with loving kindness, hear our prayers offered in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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We are one body – WYD 1993 song

We are one body, one body in Christ; and we do not stand alone. We are one body, one body in Christ; and he came that we might have life.

I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, I am the Final Sacrifice, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; he who believes in me will have eternal life. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, I am the Final Sacrifice, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; he who believes in me will have eternal life.

At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bend; Jesus is the Lord and he will come again. At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bend; Jesus is the Lord and he will come again. When you eat my body and you drink my blood, I will live in you and you will live in my love. When you eat my body and you drink my blood, I will live in you and you will live in my love.

On the rock of Peter, see my Church I build. Come receive my spirit, with my gifts be filled. For you are my body, you’re my hands and feet. Speak my word of life to ev’ryone you meet. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, I am the Final Sacrifice, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; he who believes in me will have eternal life.

Benediction:

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. – Ephesians 4:3-6 (NLT)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen